PASCAL II Addition

Expanding specialized archival storage capacity while meeting exacting preservation standards.

Saunders completed the PASCAL II addition at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, adding 11,035 square feet of specialized high-density storage space to support the growing archival and library needs of higher education institutions across Colorado.

The expansion significantly increased storage capacity for the shared resource serving both the University of Colorado and the Auraria Higher Education Center. Designed to preserve valuable collections, the facility features storage shelving nearly three stories tall and maintains strict environmental conditions, including a constant temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit and relative humidity of 35%.

Constructing the addition on an active campus required careful coordination and execution to meet highly specific performance criteria. The project incorporated stringent requirements for temperature and humidity control, light levels, structural penetrations, and an exceptionally flat floor with a tolerance of just 1/16 inch over 10 feet to support the high-density storage system. The team also successfully navigated unforeseen asbestos contamination in the soil, implementing solutions that maintained project momentum and protected the overall schedule.