Phase one’s scope of work included the replacement of all existing electrical distribution, alongside the two main 12.5kV transformers, double-ended switchgear, and select main feeder and branch circuit panelboards. Additionally, the automatic transfer switch was replaced and relocated to establish new code compliant room separation.

Phase two’s scope of work included replacement of three air handling units, as well as the existing chilled water piping, steam piping, and piping appurtenances, which were reconfigured based on the new unit structure. The engineering team also replaced four sump pumps, the domestic hot water generator and associated appurtenances, and revised the ventilation for the electrical room. Additional scope of work included removal and replacement of electrical service, five various exhaust fans, branch circuit panels, disconnects, starters, VFDs, and branch circuit wiring. Also lighting improvements were designed where needed for maintenance conditions.

The scope for the final phase included removing the existing air handlers, which were located on a small, cramped platform, and replacing them with a new roof mounted air handler and new steam reheat boxes. Additionally, structural reinforcement of the roof and a new curb were required to accommodate these changes.  Furthermore, this project also replaced a hot and a cold air handler, in a crowded basement, with a new hot and a new cold air handler with a shared return plenum.  Access to the hot unit was through the cold unit mixing section.  These air handlers were field built.

Throughout much of construction, ballet summer camp was held in this building with minimal effect on the campers or the construction schedule.

Project Title:  Winship Drama Building HVAC & Electrical Renewal (Phase I, II, & III)

Project Location:  Austin, Texas

Owner:  The University of Texas at Austin

Project Size:  108,000 SF

Total Project Cost:  $1,010,000 (Ph I), $3,038,000 (Ph II), $2,225,305 (Ph III)

Services Provided:  Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing Engineering

Project Title:  Main Wet/Dry Laboratory HVAC Renewal

Project Location:  Austin, Texas

Owner:  The University of Texas

Project Size:  48,020 SF

Total Project Cost:  $5,663,000

Services Provided:  Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing

Originally constructed in 1967, Jackson Geological Sciences Building is home to the University of Texas Jackson School of Geosciences. An  initial facilities programming report was developed in order to evaluate a number of options for upgrading the aging infrastructure. Based on this study, it was determined that more than a direct replacement was needed to allow for future growth. The engineers developed an innovate redesign of the building HVAC and electrical systems, reconfiguring the gear layouts and creating a new mezzanine level for installation of hot deck air handling units above the new cold deck air handling units.

Project Title: Jackson Geological Building HVAC & Electrical Renewal

Project Location: Austin, Texas

Owner: The University of Texas at Austin

Project Size: 152,000 SF

Total Project Cost: $5,100,000

Services Provided: Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing Engineering

Originally constructed in 1917, Sutton Hall is part of the UT School of Architecture and is considered a historic campus building. A facilities programming report was developed in order to determine the best plan for replacing mechanical equipment with the least impact to the building structure and occupancy. A plan was developed to maximize floor space efficiency by combining four of the existing air handling units into two. In addition, UT requested the incorporation of preconditioning outside air coils into the units, which was accomplished using multi-level, custom AHU equipment. Design drawings were developed in 3-D to facilitate interference detection and evaluate constructability.

Project Title: Sutton Hall HVAC Renovation

Project Location: Austin, Texas

Owner: The University of Texas at Austin

Project Size: 70,000 SF

Total Project Cost: $1,320,000

Services Provided: Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing Engineering

Project Title:  Biotechnology Sciences & Engineering, Room 4.306, Laboratory Upgrades

Project Location:  San Antonio, Texas

Owner:  The University of Texas at San Antonio

Project Size:  1,000 SF

Total Project Cost:  —

Services Provided:  Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing Engineering

Originally constructed in 1932, Gearing Hall is part of the University of Texas College of Natural Sciences. A facilities programming report was developed to evaluate a number of options for upgrading the aging HVAC and electrical systems. Emphasis was placed on identifying a plan to minimize impact to the building structure. Existing multi-zone air handling units were reconfigured to include preconditioned outside air coils for improved humidity control within the building.

In addition, the engineering team worked closely with UT PMCS and the College of Natural Sciences to determine a suitable construction schedule, which met both the occupancy needs of the building users, and the budgetary limitation of the administration.  The original three-phase construction project was ultimately condensed to one-phase, with cost savings funding a full building relocation of occupants and critical equipment for the summer months.

Project Title:  Gearing Hall HVAC & Electrical Renovation

Project Location:  Austin, Texas

Owner:  The University of Texas at Austin

Project Size:  61,000 SF

Total Project Cost:  $2,300,000

Services Provided:  Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing Engineering, & MEP Commissioning

An initial facilities programming report was developed to evaluate a number of options for upgrading the aging HVAC and electrical systems.  As part of this study, it was determined that a three-phase implementation of AHU replacements would be needed to completely renew all fifteen existing AHU systems.

Phase 1 scope of work included the replacement of five legacy multi-zone and constant-volume AHUs with six variable speed AHU systems (57,000 CFM total), including preconditioning outside air coils for improved humidity control within the building.  The engineering team worked closely with the UT Project Manager and the Building Manager to develop outage phasing plans as part of the bid documents, limiting both HVAC & electrical building outages, as well as costly off-hour contractor work requirements.

Phase 2 scope of work included the replacement of four legacy multi-zone AHUs with six variable speed hot and cold deck AHU systems (55,200 CFM total), including preconditioning outside air coils for improved humidity control within the building.  Additional scope of work included significant LED lighting and lighting controls upgrades, within the main auditorium.

The engineering team worked closely with the UT Project Manager and the Building Manager to develop outage phasing plans as part of the bid documents, limiting both HVAC & electrical building outages, as well as costly off-hour contractor work requirements. As a result of the team’s redesign efforts, significant energy efficiency improvements were implemented along with improved equipment maintenance access.

Phase 3 scope of work included the replacement of two hot/cold deck AHU’s and six single zone AHUs (84,800 CFM total) located in a single mechanical room. The innovative design replaced the eight existing AHUs with four larger units: two hot deck and two cold deck AHUs. Additionally, six new air terminals were added within the mechanical room to provide zone control to the existing low pressure zone ductwork. The original aged electrical distribution equipment, including panelboards, transformers & branch circuit wiring in the areas served by AHUs, was replaced and the electrical grounding systems was upgraded.

One particularly challenging aspect of this project was the constrained access pathway into mechanical room. The engineering team worked closely with equipment suppliers, riggers and UT PMCS to coordinate a unique design approach that insured all materials could be transported into mechanical room without damage to new equipment or to the adjacent finished building spaces.

Project Title:  Townes Hall HVAC Renewal (Phase I)

Project Location:  Austin, Texas

Owner:  The University of Texas at Austin

Project Size:  167,000 SF

Total Project Cost:  $1,690,000 (Ph I), $1,970,000 (Ph II),  $1,830,000 (Ph III)

Services Provided:  Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing Engineering

Originally constructed in the 1960’s as part of the main campus, the Flawn Sciences Building is home to the UTSA School of Biology and School of Chemistry. The engineering team worked closely with UTSA to phase the design so that construction was completed over the winter break, avoiding costly shutdowns, and down time during the semester. As a result of the team’s design efforts, improved space comfort was achieved along with improved equipment maintenance/access.

Project Title:  Flawn Sciences Building HVAC Renovations

Project Location:  San Antonio, Texas

Owner:  The University of Texas at San Antonio

Project Size:  —

Total Project Cost:  $550,000

Services Provided:  Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing Engineering