WSP Flack + Kurtz’s role included the complete renovation of the building’s nine floors, major system upgrades in ventilation, lighting, cooling and heating, and significant sustainability measures, including facade configurations. These energy-saving features will reduce utility costs by approximately 32% annually.
The building retrofit strategy involves wrapping the existing deteriorated precast concrete and single-glazed curtain wall with a new high performance double-glazed exterior envelope.
The new double envelope has captive air space that can be sealed to retain heat during the winter and ventilated to shed solar heat gain in summer.
Other strategies employed to reduce energy include:
- Water cooled oil-free magnetic bearing variable-speed chillers
- Fan coil replacement with variable speed motor fan coils
- Retrofit of constant-volume multizone air-handling units to variable volume
- Lighting system retrofit with occupancy and day lighting controls
- Photovoltaic array and solar domestic water heating
- Rainwater harvesting for cooling tower make-up
The energy conservation measures for the building are projected to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint by over 50%.