Eastern Michigan University

A large challenge on this project was being able to allow the University to maintain its science curriculum during a three-and-a-half year construction period, as nearly the entire science curriculum was taught within the Mark Jefferson building. Innovative construction techniques and a dedicated phasing plan successfully allowed for continuous occupation of the building during the major construction and renovation of the project.

Peter Basso Associates’ mechanical engineers and electrical engineers designed sustainable engineered systems for the Complex by applying state-of-the-art technologies in innovative ways. Among these technologies was a dedicated outdoor air system with dual energy recovery, modifications to the site’s chilled water system, including the addition of a high efficiency centrifugal chiller, the application of chilled beam technology – one of the first installations in the state--and the selection of the major energy consuming equipment based on life cycle cost and pre-purchase assessment.

The chilled beam system implemented in this project was a new system type, and one of the first installations in Michigan. None of the mechanical bidders had ever installed a chilled beam before. Due to schedule constraints during work on the addition, the project team dealt with installation issues as they arose onsite. The chilled beams were hung with threaded rod prior to the ceiling grid installation, and approximately two inches above the ceiling grid installation. The grid was installed, then chilled beams were lowered into their final position on the grid. One of the challenges was that the fine-line ceiling grid system tended to twist out of shape if a beam was lowered onto it improperly. The project team was able to troubleshoot onsite and the chilled beams and grid supports were safely and correctly installed. It is estimated that the chilled beam system saved over $1 million in first cost, on the roughly $20 million mechanical contracts. It is also estimated to save over 40% in energy costs for the University over a “conventional” ASHRAE baseline system.

The building addition was designed to receive power via the campus’ medium voltage loop system. Medium voltage switching is provided to allow the building to be isolated, disconnected from the campus loop, without disconnecting power to remaining buildings in the loop.

The project was submitted to the U.S. Green Building Council and attained LEED Gold certification. The chilled beam system was a significant contributor to achieving a LEED Gold rating.