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/ BUILDING DIALOGUE / DECEMBER 2015
maintenance. In some instances, existing light fixtures were replaced with
similar historic-looking fixtures (including some custom light fixtures) utiliz-
ing more energy-efficient, functional and maintainable lamps. In other in-
stances, the lamps in existing light fixtures were replaced with lamps having
these desirable attributes.
Limited Access in Chapel Tower for New Air-Handling Unit.
Replacing the 1930s/1940s-
era air-handling unit located in the chapel’s historic bell tower, which had no
proper access, limited available space and significant weight restrictions pre-
sented a significant challenge. To address installation of a large air-handling
unit in the chapel tower, the design teamdecided to have a custom-designed,
vertical unit assembled on site and field erected using lightweight all-alu-
minum construction that would not exceed maximum allowable structural
load. Air-handling unit components were lowered into place from the top of
the bell tower (directly above the unit).
Installing New Mechanical Equipment while Preserving Acoustics.
To minimize
acoustical bleed into the chapel from a newHVAC system, a custom-designed
air-handling unit was installed in the chapel tower. This air-handling unit
was developed to significantly reduce noise levels compared to a conven-
tional unit. To address potential noise issues from a new campus chiller, the
design team specified an acoustically enhanced air-cooled chiller. Fan-less
valance units were selected for the dormitory rooms to provide noiseless
heating and cooling in these spaces.
Limited Space to Run Ductwork.
Typically, ductwork is used to move condi-
tioned air within spaces. However, the design team was unable to add new
ductwork because it could adversely affect the interior appearance of the build-
ings. To address this issue, a hydronic systemwas designed in lieu of forced air
in various buildings. The use of a hydronic system was effective because this
approach requires small wall/ceiling openings and transfers higher amount of
heating/cooling energy per pound than forced air using ductwork.
Tight Temperature and Humidity Requirements in the Library.
Because the library hous-
es historic books and other artifacts, the building has to maintain relatively
tight temperature andhumidity levels topreserve these cherished items. Main-
taining proper temperature and humidification levels was complicated by the
use of energy-efficient evaporative cooling, which directly adds moisture to
the space. This challenge was solved by configuring the evaporative cooling
equipment to precool supply air with chilledwater whenever temperature and
relative humidity levels cannot be maintained with evaporative cooling alone.
Improved Energy Efficiency.
The project owner desired to improve campus en-
ergy efficiency wherever possible. To take advantage of Denver’s dry climate,
energy-efficient evaporative cooling was selected as the primary coolingmeth-
od for the library and refectory kitchen. To further improve energy efficiency,
the chapel is now flushed at night in the summer months with cool outside
air to allow for distribution of cooler temperatures throughout the day via the
building’s high internalmassing. Efficiencies in lighting systemswere achieved
by specifying low-energy-use fixtures and lamps (such as LEDs and fluores-
cents), installing occupancy sensors in various spaces to automatically
turn lights off when a space has been vacated, and utilizing photocells
to turn lights off when a sufficient amount of daylight has been detected.
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PROJECT TEAM
ARCHITECT:
The Abo Group
MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING:
The RMH Group
GENERAL CONTRACTOR:
Haselden Construction
MECHANICAL CONTRACTOR:
Falcon
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR:
Encore Electric
OPENING PHOTO:
The chapel’s air-handing unit, which was
field erected, was custom designed by The
RMH Group and Western Mechanical
Solutions to meet strict size, weight and
access requirements and to minimize
acoustical bleed into the chapel.
Incorporating modern building
systems into historic structures
without compromising the
integrity of the original
construction presented the
design team with a variety
of challenges that required
creative solutions.
