The Filene Center at the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts (WOTR) in Vienna, Virginia was constructed in 1971. In 1982 a fire completely destroyed the wood amphitheater. The nation rallied to rebuild, with support from all 50 states ranging from the President to school children. Today, audiences enjoy 80 performances throughout the summer. The venue… Read More

Last week Amanda and I attended the I2SL (International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories) conference in Raleigh, NC. There were a broad range of individuals in attendance, including: government, university, and private labs users, health and safety, procurement, and facilities groups lab equipment vendors HVAC and controls equipment vendors sustainability champions architects and engineers The sessions… Read More

I have been working for just over a year with Summer Consultants, Inc. as a mechanical engineer. I have really enjoyed the opportunities and jobs presented to me thus far. Summer Consultants specializes in occupied historic properties and old federal buildings. These renovation projects are unique and challenging. The scope of work, in some cases,… Read More

When designing new systems or upgrades to existing systems, we are focused on equipment and system selection to prevent corrosion of the interior of hydronic piping systems. While this is important for system longevity, in real life there are widespread vapor barrier failures in almost every chilled water system, leading to leaks and failures caused… Read More

Recently on a job, I had the opportunity to experience and gain some first-hand knowledge about large industrial water tube boilers.  I went on a field survey with our “Boiler Guru”, Pete, and gained my first experience being inside a boiler.  This boiler was built and installed in 1961 and is dual fuel, meaning that… Read More