FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JESSUP, MD, September 22, 2008

Two of the three new construction category winners featured in the October 2008 "Project Innovations" issue of Buildings magazine credit Tate as a major contributor to their success. The Center for the Intrepid and University of Houston’s Science, Engineering Research and Classroom Complex both specified Tate raised access floors with underfloor air and service distribution.

The 65,000 sq. ft. Center for the Intrepid took Grand Prize in the new construction category. Based at the Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston near San Antonio, Texas, this four-story domed edifice is as impressive technologically as it is visually. Its computer-assisted rehabilitative environment (CAREN) is at the very core of the center’s program. CAREN features a 21 ft. diameter dome and 300-degree viewing screen that create virtual environments, and is used in the physical and mental treatment programs for military patients and veterans with severe extremity injuries, amputations and burns.

Special attention was paid to the elements such as acoustics, lighting and climate control – all of which contribute to the effectiveness of the virtual environment CAREN works to create. It is in this area of the center where Tate solutions are provided. Ventilation is supplied from beneath the raised floor of the CAREN to cool the motion platform upon which patients stand. Supply air rises from the floor plenum through a 6-in. gap between the edges of the circular motion platform, creating a displacement effect inside CAREN’s simulation dome.

"The decision to use underfloor air distribution for the CAREN was integral to the success of the space design," said John Samson, a senior mechanical engineer at SmithGroup commenting on the design of an installation by SmithGroup and Syska Hennessy. "By delivering cold air under the floor and letting it slowly stratify upwards toward the ceiling, the design team simultaneously cooled concealed floor equipment, delivered fresh air directly to the patient, and maintained the theatre-quality ambience of the space. It's cool on so many levels!"

The University of Houston’s $76 million Science and Engineering Research and Classroom Complex is the other Project Innovations award-winner using Tate solutions. This 200,000 sq. ft. complex is the brainchild of world renowned architect Cesar Pelli. It features five floors of uniquely designed open laboratory space that will be home to nearly forty different research labs. Bio-nanotechnology, DNA chips, protein chips, synthetic medicinal chemistry, and optoelectronics are just a few examples of the type of research that will take place in this new facility.

The complex also includes a two-story, 32,360 sq. ft. classroom wing containing a 250-person classroom, two 180-person classrooms, two 100-person classrooms and six smaller classrooms.

Buildings' Project Innovations Awards recognizes North America’s most prestigious projects. They are reviewed by a jury of building owners, facilities executives, architects, interior designers, and the editorial staff of Buildings magazine. Winning projects are awarded citations of excellence or named grand prize winners in four different categories including, New Construction, Modernization, Design, and Greener Facility. Winning projects – including those described above – will be featured in the October 2008 issue of Buildings magazine.

For more information about Tate products and services call (410) 799-4200 or visit www.tateaccesfloors.com.

ABOUT TATE® ACCESS FLOORS, INC.
Tate® is headquartered south of Baltimore in Jessup, Maryland, and is a member of the Kingspan Group of companies. Activities for Tate® include research and development, manufacturing, sales, and distribution, with over 450 million square feet of raised access floor systems installed. Tate® products provide service distribution solutions to office, education, equipment/server, public space, laboratory, casinos and clean room facilities.


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