Project Relevance

· HVAC System Renovation in a Historic Building
· Supporting Electrical Renovation
· Phased Construction
· Archival Quality Field Erected Air Handling Units

Project Description

The work included the replacement of all air handling units throughout the 1.2 million square foot Thomas Jefferson Building and the 1.1 million square foot John Adams Building.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Careful study of the buildings structural system, knowledge of period construction, and on-site analysis was used to develop a design for the HVAC system.

The design was constructible, the installed system was completely invisible, quiet, and was able to meet the very dynamic load swings of this important meeting place on Capital Hill.

Over fifty custom designed archival quality field-erected air handling units were provided to maintain close tolerance temperature and humidity control of the storage stacks and public areas of the buildings.

The archival quality air-handling units are designed to maintain precise temperature and humidity control regardless of space load or outside conditions. Gas phase filtration was investigated and, at the owner's request, not included in the final design.

Construction materials and equipment were selected so that the units have a 40-50 year life cycle.

A unique challenge was designing the air conditioning of the Great Hall in the Thomas Jefferson Building. This multi-level ornate assembly area with coffered ceilings had never been air-conditioned.