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Working with the architect, Davis Brody Bond, JFK&M designed a comprehensive MEP infrastructure upgrade to the 285,000 square foot Field Building of Baruch College, located at 17 Lexington Avenue. The systems were designed to achieve LEED® prerequisites and additional LEED® requirements towards the project goal of attaining LEED® silver certification and a superior academic facility. This project was originally planned as a $180 million project renovation to be done in a phased approach while the facility is still under operation. CUNY had to raise the funding for the project in stages. CUNY has received $65 million in funding and the project was re-designed to accommodate that level of funding.

Feasibility Study

Initially, JFK&M conducted a comprehensive feasibility study for the site and developed three different system options that include an outline description of the proposed MEP systems, preliminary space sizes and typical selections of major building MEP equipment. Sustainable options were also evaluated and included in developing the system options. JFK&M prepared a Basis of Design report as well as an existing system evaluation.

JFK&M developed a space program for the renovated building consistent with the stacking diagram. This program included three options for the entire building showing new layouts for each floor, including proposed infrastructure upgrades and the recommended programmatic changes to the building and sufficient MEP information to verify feasibility of the proposed plan layout. MEP systems were designed for the building’s core and shell infill over 11 floors, with tie-ins of distribution systems. To support the new program, this included the design of an incoming domestic water service line and building a connection to the municipal water main.

Renovations

Renovations of the lobby and the second and third floors included a new entrance, classrooms, offices, faculty and student lounges, etc. JFK&M provided new MEP/FP infrastructure and allocated space for the equipment for the fit-out of 4 floors of research laboratories with approximately 19,500 SF per floor. The teaching labs which will be completed in a later phase of the project included biology, chemistry, physics and research labs.

As part of this project, JFK&M replaced the existing 120/208 volt switchboards in the basement of the field building with new 480/277 volt switchboards. Included in the design was a new 460/265 volt 4 compartment Con Edison Transformer Vault to provide additional power to the chillers and to upgrade the existing elevators. An emergency generator was also added to the design.
JFK&M replaced the existing air handling units in the building in conjunction with the mechanical system upgrade. AC window units are being removed and there will be a complete window replacement in the building conducted in a phased approach. JFK&M included stair pressurization, new fire pumps and sprinkling in the entire building in the engineering design.

Central Chiller Replacement/Cooling Towers

Baruch required a design that would be the most cost effective and energy efficient means to providing chilled water to the complete 1926 16-story building. JFK&M did extensive re search of available equipment and visited factories to select the appropriate chillers. JFK&M replaced the small existing reciprocal 160 ton chiller and forced draft cooling tower that only served the Mason Hall Auditorium with three 600 ton water cooled magnetic levitation chillers to serve the entire 16 story building. JFK&M also installed four new induced draft cooling towers on the main roof. The new chiller plant will also serve the 250Kw data center, three floors of lab spaces and all auditoriums, lecture halls, classes and offices. This work has been completed but Baruch has requested that JFK&M continue the work to connect the administration building to the new chiller plant. JFK&M also replaced the existing Air Handling Units in the building in conjunction with the mechanical system upgrade. AC window units are being removed and there will be a complete window replacement in the building conducted in a phased approach. JFK&M included stair pressurization, new fire pumps and sprinkling in the entire building in the engineering design.

Since this is a multi-phase project in an occupied space, coordination of the work has been critical. JFK&M has worked closely with all project stakeholders performing the work in a timely fashion and within budget.