UNT Health Science Center IREB Lab Renovations
Fort Worth, Texas
Expertise
- Education
Services
- mechanical / plumbing engineering
Opened in 2019, the Interdisciplinary Research and Education Building (IREB) at the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) is a 172,000-square-foot, LEED Gold–certified facility that brings together teaching, research, and public-facing campus spaces in a highly flexible environment. The building houses the College of Pharmacy, the North Texas Eye Research Institute, and the School of Health Professions, and includes open-concept laboratories, a small vivarium, simulation suites, active learning classrooms, faculty offices, dining services, and shared public spaces. As one of the first facilities on campus to incorporate active learning classrooms, IREB helped establish a new instructional model that has since become the campus standard.
During construction, UNTHSC requested a significant program change—converting approximately 60,000 square feet of planned wet research laboratories into clinical and administrative space—while still preserving the ability to return those areas to lab use in the future. Thanks to the building’s original design, which incorporated expandable vertical chases and modular mechanical space in the penthouse, this change was implemented without impacting the project schedule or overall budget and maintained long-term flexibility for future research needs.
BHB provided mechanical and plumbing engineering design for renovations to portions of the second, third, and fourth floors, totaling approximately 15,000 square feet. The renovation scope included classrooms, offices, and conference rooms, as well as performance specifications for modifications to the existing fire protection and fire alarm systems serving the renovated areas.
Because the building was designed to allow any space to be converted back to laboratory use, BHB’s mechanical design specified laboratory-grade venturi air valves with heating water reheat coils to serve the renovated spaces. These new supply air valves were interlocked with return air valves to maintain required space pressurization, ensuring compatibility with future lab conversions. On the plumbing side, BHB designed the removal and rerouting of existing piping to accommodate the revised floor plans and new space configurations.
Delivered using a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) approach, the project reflects BHB’s ability to adapt engineering systems to evolving program requirements while preserving long-term flexibility, performance, and sustainability within a complex academic research facility.
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 -
Allen Grammer, PE, NSSA AP
Allen Grammer, PE, NSSA AP
Senior Associate | Mechanical Engineer
Growing up with a construction engineer father, Allen was always fascinated by the giant machines; as he grew up, the technical and problem-solving aspects of the industry drew him to his career as a mechanical engineer. He’ll tell you that it is just as much fun as he imagined it would be. Allen found BHB during his senior year at TCU, when a classmate and then-intern at the company encouraged him to apply. His work experience also includes a summer internship with the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Washington, DC, and he is currently active in the leadership team of the Fort Worth Chapter of ASHRAE.
Not a lot of people know that Allen plays the violin – a little bit of everything, from Mozart to Charlie Daniels. He also enjoys all things tech (such as playing games on the computer), traveling to Disney world, and spending time with his wife Kacy and their small cat family.
Education
Texas Christian University:
Bachelors/2012/Mechanical Engineering