Architecture

Design
The project will renovate Father O’Connell Hall which is three conjoined structures: the four story main building constructed in 1914, the three story east wing constructed in 1958, and the west wing constructed in 1962. Father O’Connell Hall will be used for administrative/Enrollment services, admissions, financial aid, and a banquet hall which will be used to hold special events. Undergraduate Admissions is important because it generates revenue for the school. The design sells the school while still reflecting the rich historical tradition of The Catholic University of America and of the surrounding buildings.

Code
IBC 2006, as amended by the DC construction codes supplement of 2008

Zoning
The zoning for Father O’Connell Hall is R-5-A. The R-5-A Zone District allows for a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 1.8 for universities. The maximum allowable height is 90 feet, provided that the building is removed from all lot lines for a distance equal to the height of the building.

Historical Requirements
Father O’Connell Hall is the third oldest building on campus dating back to 1914. The renovation will preserve the historical Catholic culture which the Catholic University of America reflects in our nation’s capital.

The renovation project will achieve sustainability by the reuse and use of recycled materials. For example, recycled brick paving will be used for building entrances. In addition, a rain garden will be used with recycled granite stepping stones. Green roofs are also utilized on the roofs of the east and west wings.

Building Statistics Part ll

Mechanical

Ventilation
Father O’Connell Hall is ventilated using seven air handling units (AHU), with one being 100% outdoor air (OAHU), and three existing (E). Figure 1 below shows the zoning for each air handling units throughout the building. All New AHU’s will be equipped with economizer cycle to maximize ventilation and reduce energy. The 100% outdoor air unit will also have an air-to-air plate exchanger as well as a wraparound heat pipe heat recovery exchanger to pre-condition supply air temperatures and further reduce energy consumption. Recirculation of this air is provided by fan powered boxes, VAV’s, and air transfer ducts located in the plenum above the ceiling on the basement and first floors.

Chilled Water System
Chilled water is provided from one 97.7 ton electric air-cooled chiller located on grade on the south side of east wing. Chilled water is provided directly to all AHU’s and all fan coil units (FCU) located on floors 2 to 4. Chilled water flow delivered to all AHU’s and FCU’s is controlled by a proportional integral controller (PIC) control valve regulated by two chilled water pumps with VFD’s. Additional cooling for two telecom rooms is provided by two ductless split system units.

Heating Hot Water System
Washington Gas Company provides a low pressure (2 psi), 2 inch gas pipe to two 500 MBH condensing pulse combustion boilers located on the basement level of the west wing. These boilers provide all hot water to the AHU’s, FCU’s, and reheat coils for the VAV’s and Fan powered boxes. The hot water flow is controlled the same way as the chilled water system using three heat water pumps with VFD’s. There are two additional existing boilers located in the east wing of the basement floor. These boilers provide heating to the small portion of the building that is not in the scope of this renovation. Information for this portion of the building is not available at this time.

Electrical

The building is being served by a 750kVA medium voltage transformer. An existing 208/120, 3-phase 3000A main switchboard serves the entire building. The total connection load is 1956A. A 150KW emergency power generator is used for emergency power lighting panels. The renovation includes the reuse and relocation of some existing panels as well as additional panels, which mostly serve the new mechanical equipment.

Lighting

The lighting system runs on 120 volts. The system utilizes many LED lights as well as electronic dimmable ballasts. A range of lighting fixtures are used in Father O’Connell Hall including ceiling recessed, cove, wall, and pendant fixtures. In addition, occupancy sensors are located in all offices and conference rooms.

Structural

Father O’Connell Hall is a concrete structure with concrete columns in the main building and the west wing. The East wing, the newest addition of the building, utilizes steel beams and steel columns to support the building. Drop panels are used to support the concrete slab. The existing roof construction is concrete with slab on concrete joists.

Construction

The Construction for renovation of Father O’Connell Hall is to be started in June 2013 and a completion date of May 21, 2014. The project will use a traditional design-bid-build delivery method.  The estimated MEP cost is 8 million.