The Hayden
Office MEP Design — Job Design Development
This project was a remodel of existing multistory buildings located in downtown Columbus, OH. The buildings were built in 1869 and included in the historic registry of buildings. The 2 buildings were combined by adding hallway connections through the shared wall between them. Most of the building’s interior was demolished for the purpose of updating and improving the interior for multiple office tenants.
The Architect for the project worked with his client, the Owner, to develop a basic layout for the floors and some individual space within the building. Once the plans were approved, the architect provided those to us for us to begin our work.
The MEP scope of work was to design all new Plumbing, HVAC and Electrical systems to meet the needs of the tenants. A challenge to this type of design is providing appropriate systems while fitting into the confines of the existing walls and structure. There were also certain restrictions that needed to be met for the historical society requirements.
Drag the divider to wipe between the space prior to demo and the finished build, then use the arrows to move through the spaces.
The Mechanical design starts with performing calculations of the building for sizing the HVAC system. This is done by measuring the volume of the spaces within the building, the exterior wall orientation of the building with regards to North, size and location of the windows within those walls. Adding together the number of people, the amount of lighting and equipment that gives off heat. That information is fed into a computer program that will then calculate the amount of cooling and heating required for the spaces. Those calculations are then used to determine the size of the system needed to meet those demands.
The HVAC system that was selected for the building utilizes a heat pump water loop system with a cooling tower to provide cooling and a boiler to provide heat. On each floor there are multiple air handlers connected to the water loop to move air within the space and transfer the cooling and heating from the supply water loop into the space. The water then returns to the cooling tower to be chilled or boiler to be heated, where the process repeats. This system allows individual floors and spaces to be cooled and heated as each space requires.
The design of the building consisted of sizing the cooling tower and boiler system that were to be located on the roof after coordination with existing site conditions, architectural and structural. Piping was sized and designed to distribute the water throughout the building to each floor for connection to air handling units, including all valves, pumps and all other accessories to provide a working system. The air handling units are sized to circulate air throughout its designed space while transferring cooling and heating through the water system. Control of the air handling units is done with a thermostat that will adjust the air and water flow through the unit to maintain the desired temperature of the space. A specialized unit was also sized and placed on the roof to provide fresh air throughout the building. Ductwork to carry the fresh air was designed to extend down from the roof to be dispersed to the different floors and spaces through the air handling units. An exhaust system was also designed to provide exhaust air for all restrooms in the building which included the ductwork extending from each floor up to the roof where the exhaust fan itself was located.
The electrical design starts with reviewing the electrical equipment and light fixtures required for the project. After the demand is calculated, the main electrical service can be sized.
Once the service is sized and located, the system can be designed for the building with distribution panels placed for each floor. Wiring circuits were then laid out for power and lighting per the needs of each floor plan.
The Plumbing design starts with coordinating with the owner and architect on what plumbing fixtures are required for the project. The demand for domestic water and sanitary usage is determined by the type and number of the plumbing fixtures. After the demand is calculated, the main domestic water service line can be sized as well as for the sanitary. A Natural Gas system, used for heating in this building, is also sized from the input requirements and location of the heating boilers.
Once the main services are sized and located, the distribution piping can be designed for the building with all branch lines, valves, pumps, and accessories sized for each floor requirements. Water heaters are also sized and located as required.
During the process of designing, we will use the plans provided to us from the architect and place information in a set of drawings showing the respected disciplines design overlayed on the plans with noting and details to provide the contractors direction for the construction and installation of the individual systems.
The final overall design of all systems is completed through coordination with the architect and contractors to the satisfaction of the owner and all building codes. During the construction process, we continue to provide information and direction as required to meet any issues that arise and work with those on site to find solutions until the project is finished and the owner occupies the building.