USD Camino and Founders Hall Mechanical Renovation
Camino Hall, Founders Hall & Sacred Hall is an existing 296,000 SF complex at University of San Diego, and the building with its respective mechanical system is over 50 years old. It utilizes existing campus steam distribution as the source of heating with minimum cooling for most areas. Camino Hall contains the Shiley Theater on the northside with offices, classrooms, and workshops around and below the Theater. The basement contains theater arts classrooms and workshops. Dormitory is on 2nd level and includes a kitchen, cafeteria lounge, and group restrooms. Sacred Heart Hall contains the Studio Theatre, a dance studio, and the NROTC offices and classroom department. Founders Hall contains the University Chapel, office spaces, French Parlor, Art Galleries (including painting, photography, ceramics, mixed-media and installations) and Print Study.
MA Engineers provided the full plans and specifications for this major mechanical upgrade (over $15M for mechanical/plumbing scope) and also assisted the owner in contract interviews and identifying the list of the prospective DB mechanical contractors. Prior to this effort, MA Engineers provided extensive upfront studies and analysis of various mechanical alternatives along with energy analysis and life cycle cost analysis to determine the most logical system. The selected mechanical system is to use variable air volume air handling units, fed from university campus chilled water loop, along with the addition of the high efficiency condensing type boiler on the roof, and of VAV-reheat. Plumbing systems include complete renovation of all existing academic areas, hot and cold water distribution within the building as well as cleaning (and partial replacement) of underground sewer piping. As part of this effort, the MA Engineers team led all other disciplines such as: electrical, architectural, and structural disciplines.
Some of the sustainable features include the addition of fan wall technology for all new VAV air handling units replacing the existing old steam distribution with new heating hot water hydronic systems, VAV-reheat terminal boxes, ductwork, high efficiency condensing type boilers, and a state of the art energy management control system (EMCS).