Overview
P2S was contracted for the renovation of the 60,000 sq. ft. Seaver Science South building at Pomona College. P2S provided MEP and technology engineering for the entire building which houses state-of-the-art laboratories for introductory and upper-level courses in Biology and Neuroscience, as well as a computing lab, classrooms, and faculty and staff offices. Seaver South also houses the Biology Department’s Vivarium rooms and storage facilities. The building is part of the Seaver Science Complex that comprises of two other buildings, Seaver Science North and the Richard C. Seaver Biology building, located on the northwest side of the campus.
Challenge
Because the Seaver Science South building project was a full-facility renovation, it required a thorough understanding and evaluation of existing conditions including floor-to-floor heights, limited utility spaces and existing infrastructure systems that served the entire Seaver Science Complex. Challenges presented by the renovation project included providing for adequate daylight in classrooms, making the envelope efficient to maximize energy efficiency and working with limited floor to floor height to route HVAC duct work and lab piping.
The building also shared lab utilities with two other buildings, so it was essential to design a plan that minimized impact to utilities to keep these buildings functional during construction. P2S was also challenged with a limited construction timeline of only one year. Project objectives and goals included providing users with flexibility and ease of use for the various systems in the labs, maximizing daylighting, maximizing efficiency of the systems to minimize impact environmental impact, and executing the project within budget and schedule.
Action
As the MEP and Technology consultant, P2S was responsible for engineering, design and construction administration of the entire project.
To meet the objectives of the project, P2S designed the following systems:
Mechanical system
- Variable volume with 100% outside air and stack exhaust systems
- Compatible exhaust systems from the labs were manifolded to take advantage of the VAV fume hood diversity
- Air handling systems included grade mounted custom VAV air handling units, staged exhaust fans, duct mounted reheat coils and sound attenuation.
- Chilled water and heating hot water was supplied to the building from the existing central plant. Controls included building management DDC and laboratory temperature and pressurization control.
Electrical system
- 4.16kV substation housed in the main electrical room
- Distribution transformers and panelboards were housed in individual electrical rooms on each floor to meet the power and lighting demands of the building.
- Each lab was fitted with dedicated panelboards to meet the power demands of individual labs.
- Emergency power was provided through a 500kW/625kVA diesel generator house in an enclosure outside the building.
- Energy efficient lighting was provided with occupancy sensors and multi-level switches control most light fixtures
- Interior light shelves were provided to introduce daylighting and reduce glare from south facing windows
Plumbing system
- Low-water fixtures were utilized for the restrooms to maximize water savings.
- Laboratory plumbing systems include vacuum, compressed air, industrial hot and cold water, gas, and laboratory waste.
P2S provided careful planning, coordination among disciplines and timely response to submittals and requests for information/issues during construction. This lead to a successful completion of the project within schedule and budget.
Results
P2S completed this project on schedule and within the allocated budget.
By meeting project goals and objectives, the renovated building enables users to utilize the facility as planned. Our client was extremely satisfied and happy that the project was completed on time and to user satisfaction. Today, the renovated building is 20% more efficient and carbon emissions have been reduced by 140 tons annually. Plus, users enjoy increased flexibility and ease of use. Even more, the renovation project has reduced both operating and maintenance costs for Pomona College.
