Multidisciplinary Research & Engineering (MREB)

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The University of Houston Multidisciplinary Research & Engineering (MREB) project is a four-story, 120,000-square-foot building which will house labs, office space, conference rooms and a high-performance computing center for the Center for Advanced Computing & Data Systems. The building will also help the University compete for top-rated students and faculty, while enhancing the educational experience of undergraduate and graduate students by providing an adaptable, interactive learning environment that gives students hands-on training in a laboratory setting.

Zero/Six was commissioned by UH to perform building envelope assessment and testing services on the new construction of the MREB. During design, we provided peer review of architectural documents concentrating on glazing details and parameter flashings, reviewing shop drawings and participating in pre-installation meetings. Through extensive and detailed reporting of job site observations and recommendations, Zero/Six provided superior communication to all project team members throughout construction activities by conducting full-time inspections and verification of contractor quality control. Throughout all phases, our team, along with Z6, delivered quantifiable metrics for pre-functional and functional performance testing to establish accountability and overall constructability. Performance testing of the building envelope was conducted for water/air infiltration under static pressure over three mobilizations at 10%, 40% and 75% completion of glazed wall assemblies. Z6 designed standalone window mock-ups to test representative materials and conditions and conducted diagnostic nozzle testing of transitions, expansion joints, and fenestration perimeters. We also provided roof observation and reporting at each roof area on the building to ensure the building performed in a manner that would exceed energy standards and prevent water infiltration.

Additional Information

Owner /Client: The University of Houston

Architect: SHW Group / Stantec

Contractor: Tellepsen Builders

Location: Houston, TX

Expertise:

Roof Observation & Reporting
Document Review
Onsite QA/QC and Reporting
Commissioning of the Building Envelope, including
- Roof Membrane Uplift Resistance Testing per ASTM E907
- Air Infiltration Testing per ASTM E783
- Static Pressure Water Infiltration Testing per ASTM E1105

Markets: Higher Education

Project Scale: 120,000 SF

Estimated Project Cost: $51 million

Project Status: Completed 2016

Type of Construction: New Construction

Bill is the managing and founding partner of W.H. Coltzer International (WHCI), Zero/Six Consulting, LLC (an architecture and exterior building envelope consulting firm), Z6 Commissioning, LLC (a performance testing firm), and Coltzer Company, LLC (construction company). As the son of a general contractor, Bill grew up participating in the family construction business and after graduating from Texas A&M in 1984, became a licensed Architect in 1993. Since the creation of Zero/Six Consulting, LLC in 2003, Bill has participated in the remediation, design, and testing of numerous facilities across the Nation ranging in values of a few million dollars to over a few hundred million. The combination of construction knowledge, architectural training, and real-world experience gives Bill a unique perspective in the dispute resolution process.

Jeff is the Director of Engineering of Zero/Six Consulting, LLC (an architecture and exterior building envelope consulting firm). After graduating from The University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Jeff has used his expertise in the field with roofing, waterproofing, and fenestration inspections, as well as in the office with computer-aided drafting, modeling, and engineering analysis. He has been deeply involved in the testing aspects of building envelope commissioning serving as the Quality Control Manager to ensure the Z6 ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited laboratory and team are strictly following international test standards to accurately, objectively, and impartially report on the integrity of building materials and products to certify that the installed systems interface as intended. Jeff has been Appointed Qualified Inspector by The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI).