The result is a modernized, flexible environment that supports IHD’s mission, improves building system performance, and provides a welcoming space for staff, students, and the surrounding community.
UNT Health Science EAD Renovation
Fort Worth, Texas
Expertise
- Education
Services
- mechanical / plumbing engineering
Size
- 30,000 SF
To support the consolidation and growth of the Institute for Health Disparities (IHD), the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) undertook a major renovation of the Everett Education & Administration Building in Fort Worth. The project was designed to bring IHD staff—previously dispersed across multiple campus buildings—together into a single, collaborative environment that supports research, administration, and community outreach.
The approximately 30,000-square-foot second-floor renovation includes conference and meeting rooms accessible to the broader HSC community, enclosed and open office areas, seminar rooms, student gathering and study spaces, and flexible community and event areas. The project also aligned with a campus-wide shift in office standards, transitioning from a predominantly enclosed office model to a more efficient mix of private offices and open cubicle workstations.
BHB provided mechanical and plumbing engineering design services for the renovation, along with performance specifications for modifications to the existing fire protection and fire alarm systems. The mechanical scope included replacing all dual-duct variable air volume (VAV) terminal boxes, associated downstream ductwork, and air devices to accommodate the new floor plan and updated occupancy patterns. Special attention was given to comfort, system performance, and long-term maintainability.
Given the depth of the existing building structure and the use of exposed ceilings throughout much of the renovated space, BHB worked closely with the architectural team to coordinate terminal box placement and duct routing. This collaboration improved maintenance access—an issue with the original system—while maximizing headroom and preserving the desired open aesthetic. On the plumbing side, BHB designed the relocation of restrooms to more central locations on the floor and specified low-flow plumbing fixtures to support water efficiency goals.
Key People
-
Ian Bost, PE, LEED AP
Ian Bost, PE, LEED AP
Principal | Senior Mechanical Engineer
Ian Bost began working at BHB in 2001. As one of the youngest and newest additions to the leadership team, Ian still considers himself a kid despite being over the age of 35. Ian’s success at BHB has fostered several new relationships with higher education institutions for which he has become the primary point of contact. His projects at UNT, TCU, and UTA are some of the most technologically advanced for colleges and universities. They have included systems such as single-zone VAV AHUs and chilled beam systems.
Ian’s passion for engineering efficient systems stems from his desire to be a good steward of the land. He is involved with the AIA 2030 Challenge and works closely with our clients to provide sustainable design. Over the years Ian has continuously been involved with professional societies including the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Texas Society of Professional Engineers. His role as a past president of the Fort Worth ASHRAE Chapter has grown into mentorships for new chapter presidents and members.
He tries to live a balanced life with his family: wife Carmen and their four kids. Ian is a Texas Tech Red Raider Alumni who enjoys supporting his college and its athletic programs. Ian enjoys living and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Project Experience
Arborlawn United Methodist Church
Central Texas College Nursing Center
Keller ISD Timberview Middle School
Northpark YMCA
TCU Annie Richardson Bass Building
TCU Charlie and Marie Lupton Baseball Clubhouse
TCU Ed & Rae Schollmaier Arena
TCU Frog Alley Parking Garage
TCU Mary Couts Burnett Library
TCU Rees-Jones Hall
Education
Texas Tech University:
Bachelor’s Degree/2000/Mechanical Engineering -
Kirk Plum, PE, NSSA AP, CPDT, LEED Green Associate
Kirk Plum, PE, NSSA AP, CPDT, LEED Green Associate
Associate | Mechanical Engineer
Kirk Plum always enjoyed math and science, but it wasn’t until he realized he wouldn’t be taller than 5’8″ that he gave up the goal of being a professional athlete and decided to be an engineer. He was always intrigued by buildings and had a passion to be as environmentally friendly as possible so the career would prove to be a great fit. He finds it rewarding to have such a tangible result of all his hard work and to be able to impact others with his projects.
Kirk came to BHB full-time in January 2019 following three summers as an intern and the completion of his master’s degree. His graduate degree in mechanical and energy engineering coupled with his LEED Green Associate credential position him as an important member of the firm’s sustainable design team. His passion is designing the most energy-efficient and owner-friendly mechanical and plumbing systems possible. His experience is primarily in K-12 and higher education and includes mechanical and plumbing systems design, hydronic systems design, VAV systems, and energy models.
Outside of work, Kirk enjoys spending time with his wife Hallie (his high school sweetheart) and family, working out, driving his 2006 red Mustang GT, and watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He still gets goosebumps every time he hears the radio call from when the Buccaneers clinched their first Super Bowl in 2003: “There it is, the dagger’s in. We’re going to win the Super Bowl.”
Education
University of North Texas:
Bachelors/2018/Mechanical and Energy Engineering
Masters/2018/Mechanical and Energy Engineering -
Les Brown, PE, LEED AP
Les Brown, PE, LEED AP
Founder | Senior Mechanical Engineer
Growing up, Les Brown wanted to be an architect. He later “came to his senses” and went on to receive a mechanical engineering degree from Geneva College in 1979. Les has over 44 years of experience in mechanical systems design and project management. He actively provides design and management for a variety of commercial, institutional, and municipal facilities.
His design experience includes HVAC troubleshooting, equipment replacement, code compliance, energy conservation, thermodynamics, building automation control systems, plumbing systems design, heat transfer, and temperature controls. He is also highly qualified in mechanical systems design for specialized environmental controlled areas, including hospitals, labs, and computer/data processing facilities.
Les is an active member and former chapter president of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. He is also a member of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers and the National Fire Protection Association. Outside of work, Les enjoys hunting, fishing, and anything that involves outdoor sports. When they’re not spending time with their kids, Les and his wife, Gina, like to travel. His favorite place to visit is Alaska or anywhere up north that has mountains, trees, wildlife and cooler weather.
Project Experience
Arlington Animal Services Center
Catholic Charities of Fort Worth
Weatherford College Professional Services
Education
Geneva College:
Bachelor’s Degree/1979/Mechanical Engineering
-
Chandler Iozzi, PE
Chandler Iozzi, PE
Project Manager | Mechanical Engineer
Chandler Iozzi initially thought she would follow in her family members’ footsteps in the oil and gas industry and study Petroleum Engineering in college, but quickly pivoted to Mechanical Engineering, where she found her niche and excelled. After college, she sought advice from her father, an architect, for recommendations on local MEP firms she may want to apply to, leading her to BHB.
Since coming to BHB in 2018, Chandler has become an important member of the firm’s education team. Working primarily on the firm’s higher education, K-12, municipal, and faith-based projects, she has especially excelled in commercial kitchen design and enjoys working on complex projects. Her experience includes mechanical and plumbing design, VAV systems, VRF systems, and construction administration services. She enjoys participating as an industry mentor for the local student ASHRAE chapter in the ASHRAE Student Competition every year. She also serves as a committee chair and is actively involved in the BHB Women’s Group.
Outside of the office, she enjoys baking sweet treats, crafting, and spending time with her husband, two children, and rescue dog doing anything outdoors. She and her husband are die-hard Texas Tech fans who love to visit Lubbock and cheer on their Red Raiders any chance they get.
Project Experience
Aledo ISD Charles McAnally Middle School
Pathway Church - The Center
Abilene ISD Shotwell Stadium Pressbox Addition
UTA Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Innovation (CEEI)
Education
Texas Tech University:
Bachelors/2018/Mechanical Engineering -
John Margotta, RPLS
John Margotta, RPLS
Vice President of Land Surveying
John Margotta has been with BHB for over 20 years. Previously, John worked for a company that provided surveying services to BHB. Shortly after BHB added a surveying department, John joined the team and is now the head of the surveying department. He has provided field and office supervision on land surveying projects for public and privately funded projects, including the DFW Airport, City of Fort Worth, TXU Electric, Southwestern Bell Telephone Co., Trinity River Authority, Federal Aviation Administration, TxDOT, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Railtran, and Fort Worth Transportation Authority.
In high school, John held the rank of Master in the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (World Chess Federation). Outside of work, John loves cooking, football and karaoke. If he wasn’t a land surveyor, John would be a chef. “Cooking is very relaxing to me and I feel like I’m creating something good out of raw ingredients that may or may not taste good by themselves.” John’s favorite place to visit is New York City because he loves the different cultures, food, and architecture it has to offer.
John is an active member of the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors and the National Society of Professional Surveyors. He also volunteers for Skills USA, teaching high school-aged kids, who compete in local, state and national competitions, about land surveying.
John has two kids, a son who who graduated from The University of North Texas with a degree in graphic design, and a daughter who works for Mothers Milk Bank of North Texas, a nonprofit that collects breastmilk from healthy, nursing mothers who have a surplus and is dispensed to premature and fragile infants without access to their mother’s own milk. He also has one granddaughter. John’s favorite quote is from Winston Churchill, “Success is not final; failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts,” because he believes that one is never finished in life and even if you fail, at least you tried.
Project Experience
Catholic Charities of Fort Worth
Fort Worth Country Day Lou and Nick Martin Campus Center
Fort Worth Country Day Sid W. Richardson Visual Arts Center
Imperial Construction Office and Shop
Early Learning Center
Meadowview Estates Channel Improvements
Monterra Medical Campus
Park Hill Surgery Center
Presbyterian Night Shelter Morris Foundation Women & Children's Center
Rogers Road Pavilion
Saint Patrick Cathedral Parish Hall
Star-Telegram Building
Tarrant County Downtown Courthouse
Texas Wesleyan University Rosedale Renaissance
Education
ITT Technical Institute
-
Paul Morris, PE
Paul Morris, PE
Senior Associate | Electrical Engineer
In the early years of his life, Paul went through several intense experiences at the hands of nature: a severe thunderstorm in his hometown, a significant blizzard while in Virginia in second grade, an EF-4 tornado direct hit to his college dormitory, and a large typhoon while in South Korea where his family lived for eight years. These close calls led to an interest in meteorology—that is, until his Sunday school teacher shared with him about his career as an engineer. As he learned more about the profession, he felt it would be a good fit (he’s always enjoyed math and building things), and the rest is history.
Paul began working at BHB in 2013 as a graduate electrical engineer and works on many of the firm’s municipal, commercial, multifamily, and hospitality projects. He is part of the core team here at BHB working to implement data-driven power systems such as Power over Ethernet (PoE) and other technologies such as fault-managed power systems and DC power system integration.
Outside of work, Paul was recently married and enjoys spending time with his wife being active in their church and exploring cooking, making ice cream and participating in all sorts of adventures. Paul also enjoys playing outdoor sports or indoor board/card games with friends, drinking coffee, watching movies, and reading books. When given the chance, he loves escaping to Colorado to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the mountains and beautiful scenery. Paul recently got to hike a “14er” (fourteen thousand foot mountain peak) in Colorado with his wife and family which was one of the most challenging physical undertakings he has been through.
Education
Union University:
Bachelor’s Degree/2011/Electrical Engineering