Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning systems breathe life into a building. Concurrently mechanical systems consume the largest percentage of energy in the built environment. tk1sc delivers practical, balanced and innovative design solutions to meet functional needs and minimize environmental impacts
Our designs include the use of radiant heat transfer to enhance the space comfort. This type of heat transfer allows the occupant to “feel” their surroundings and adapt to a high performance built environment. The system acts to heat and cool occupants and surroundings from fixed elements in the occupied space. The heating and cooling elements include the following;
Our designs can include the use of thermal storage for the purposes of reducing peak energy usage and transferring energy usage from one time to another part of the day, week or month. Thermal storage can be provided o=in many different forms within a building, see below from some of the more common types used.
The use of dedicated outside air systems (DOAS) has become very common in recent years and in high performance buildings. These air handling systems are 100% outside air and can be designed to control the amount of outside air into an occupied space. This allow the ventilation load and associated energy usage to be conserved when the occupants are not in the space or more lightly occupied than peak design. A critical element of high-performance building HVAC systems is the separation of ventilation load from space heating and cooling. This system helps accomplish this important goal and enables the building to save a significant amount of energy.
The use of geothermal system in HVAC systems is a key element in high performance building design. These systems allow for energy to be rejected or extracted from the earth. Close loop systems are designed like a large heat exchanger underground to reject or extract energy from the ground. These systems also have the benefit of reducing or eliminating a systems need for cooling towers and the water evaporated in the towers. This system is a key element in high performance and highly energy conserving HVAC systems.
Our designs include the use of natural ventilation to provide supplemental cooling for high performance spaces. The use of natural ventilations can be added to other systems in a mixed-mode approach to enhance energy efficiency and occupant satisfaction through added ventilation. Thoughtful integration and coordination with the design team is needed for this approach.
Just as temperature and light are key elements of comfort, the quality of a space is also defined by the acoustical environment. In collaboration with the acoustic engineer, our design team will identify the noise and vibration criteria of the specific spaces early in the project. Based on the criteria and type of spaces, noise and vibration control measures such as maximum sound power requirements for equipment, silencers selection, ductwork air velocities, and vibration isolators will be incorporated into the design to maintain the sound level required.
A hybrid approach to space conditioning combines natural ventilation from operable windows (manually or automated) and traditional mechanical systems with air distribution and refrigeration equipment. Each “mixed-mode” solution is specifically tailored to the uniqueness of a building. This approach to air conditioning offers a few advantages over sealed air-conditioned buildings, such as reduced HVAC energy consumption, higher occupant satisfaction and comfort, and potentially longer life of the mechanical systems.
For specific building types, displacement air distribution might be a very effective cooling alternative strategy. In delivering conditioned air at floor level, the more buoyant, warmer air is displaced and naturally floats to the ceiling; by conditioning only the lower occupied area, energy is saved.
We perform a wide array of energy analyses and modeling to demonstrate compliance with energy codes and support high-performance building goals. We lead the process and work closely with the design team to communicate design insights that will result in high-performance building solutions.
Providing a safe environment for occupants is the primary objective of designing HVAC systems for Laboratories and Healthcare environments. The function of each space is vital in determining the appropriate HVAC system selection and design. Unlike other building types, temperature, humidity, relative static pressure, air motion, air cleanliness, sound, and exhaust are regulated. The basic differences and regulations stem from the following.
Laboratories and healthcare HVAC systems design solutions may significantly affect construction, operation, and maintenance costs. Therefore, our engineers keep abreast of new technologies and regulatory changes that can be incorporated in the system design, contributing to reduced construction costs and energy savings while maintaining a safe environment for occupants.
This project was the first of its kind for Hoag and included the nation's first ambient experience cath lab. Our scope of work on this 533,680 square foot hybrid surgery suite included all new HVAC and plumbing systems and EMS consulting services. In addition to the cath lab, this project consists of a14-bay swing Pre-Op/PACU, Physicians Lounges, Staff Lounge, Public spaces, and Exterior Entry. The hybrid operating room HVAC systems include state-of-the-art temperature and humidity control systems utilizing series desiccant wheel technology. Using the series desiccant wheel technology, low room temperatures and humidities can be achieved while also reducing cooling energy use. We also monitored hybrid OR indoor air for temperature, humidity, CO2, particle count, and VOCs. We utilized indoor air quality to monitor unoccupied air handling system setback modes to reduce energy costs further.
The two ten-story Trammell Crow next-generation office space, one-million-square-foot LEED Gold high-rise buildings are interconnected with sky bridges, a central park with outdoor workspaces, retail, café, and a9-story parking structure. This project involved full mechanical, electrical, plumbing, low voltage, and audio-visual technology design with a full build-out of tenant improvements for separate clients. After the start of construction in February of 2016, the team archived the goal of substantial completion in September of 2017, on time and under budget.
This project included amenity improvements for the MetLife Investments office at 655 West Broadway in San Diego. The scope of work included adding the amenity deck at the 6th level and bleachers between the 6th and 7th levels, including an accessible lift for the upper 7th level bleacher deck, new office tenant improvement, and unisex toilets at the 6th level. In addition, the ground level includes a new coffee shop, boardroom, shower/locker rooms, restrooms, bike storage, and smoking area.