Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1255991
34 I ICT TODAY The high bay makerspace area was designed to feel more industrial. For cabling, this meant a center spine cable tray had to be routed over the work areas. This solu- tion provided a pathway for the distribution of data cabling, electrical wiring, and compressed air. Retract- able reels were mounted to the side of the center spine cable tray above each workspace to easily connect stu- dents to the utilities they needed. Retractable reels offered a beneficial set of properties for the workspaces; they were compact, well-organized, and nondisruptive and occupied the workspace only when pulled down and in use. The retractable data reels in ANSYS Hall's high bay makerspace matched the electrical and compressed air parts, which contributed further to the area's industrial look and feel. SECURITY—AN UNUSUAL SYSTEM The many unique aspects of ANSYS Hall called for a unique access control system that kept the building secure but functional in the context of its surroundings. ANSYS Hall was constructed in between two existing buildings—Porter Hall and Hamerschlag Hall—and was designed to incorporate the main points of egress for both halls. ANSYS Hall's two-story high bay makerspace stays open during the day, allowing people to pass through it on the first level. The hall's second story includes a catwalk, as shown in Figure 4, and an overlook that allows passersby to observe the first floor of the makerspace. To facilitate passage through ANSYS Hall in the con- text of the adjacent Porter and Hamerschlag Halls, means of egress needed to be established for these two buildings. During the daytime, these exits/entrances supported free egress, but they were restricted after hours. A local alarm system was placed on certain doors with corresponding signage to prevent users from exiting (unless an emer- gency situation arose, in which case holding the push bar for 15 seconds released the door). A system of these local alarms was distributed among each door that opened into the high bay space, thereby directing user foot traffic along an intentional, intuitive path of egress from either building through ANSYS Hall. Along this path, doors into classrooms were secured and operated on the same schedule as the high bay. This impeded any threats of theft of student projects and building materials. FIGURE 4: This rendering was used to determine the best locations for cameras and a blue light phone for providing security and safety on the catwalk that overlooks the makerspace (shown in yellow).