The University of Florida’s (UF) four-story Research & Academic Center is sited within Florida’s 600-acre Lake Nona Science & Technology Park. The facility includes space for research, laboratories, academic, office, conference, and support areas. It is home to UF’s College of Pharmacy, Institute of Therapeutic Innovation, and Institute on Aging. The facility’s design includes an elaborate stainless steel sunshade element on the west elevation that contributes to heat load reduction, increasing energy efficiency. Multiple program revisions occurred throughout the construction phase, including the addition of a Central Energy Plant designed with redundant systems. State-of-the-art mechanical systems were required to support the facility and its BSL spaces. Systems incorporate many energy-efficient features including one of the first applications of “chilled beams” in the state of Florida.