MECHANICAL DEPTH 

In this proposal, four alternatives are suggested to improve existing mechanical system performance at Visual and Performing Arts Center (VPAC). Acoustics, thermal comfort, and budget are the three core design priorities. In areas with two-story ceiling height, auditorium, rehearsal/recitation hall, and concert hall, Underfloor Air Distribution (UFAD) is considered to improve indoor air quality and thermal comfort. Existing ceiling supply might be less efficient to deliver air down to ground. Once velocity is high, noise due to turbulence may affect acoustic performance which is the priority in music performing halls.

 

Because of the special operating frequency and large volume, auditorium, rehearsal/recitation hall, and concert hall will keep their existing VAV system, but ceiling supply will be replaced with UFAD as mentioned above. Dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) is considered to substitute for VAV in the rest of spaces. The existing VAV with air-side economizer requires larger ducts and equipment sizes. Since DOAS only needs to supply ventilation air to inside, duct sizes will be smaller.

 

Energy recovery ventilator (ERV) is suggested to use along with DOAS, since it can potentially save energy by recovering sensible and latent load from exhaust air. ERV tends to have longer operable time than air-side economizer which is only operable during certain months.

 

To deal with excessive moisture issue and further reduce energy consumption, desiccant wheel is proposed to use with DOAS and ERV.

 

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BREADTH

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Structural:

With the possibility of implementing an underfloor air distribution system in Concert Hall, a new floor system needs to be designed in order to install underfloor plenum. Because of acoustics and visual effect, sitting area cannot be elevated. It needs to dig down. Since there is no basement underneath the Concert Hall, a new slab-on-grade will be needed. The existing concrete slab will become raised floor. This proposed floor system need to support any activity above. Live load and dead load will be estimated based on drawings and structural documentations. Total load will be calculated by relevant formulas and then, appropriate structure system will be selected to meet the new load.

 

Acoustics:

In auditorium, rehearsal/recitation hall, and concert hall, acoustics drives the design and it is prior to other considerations. Currently, VAV system and ceiling diffusers are serving those three areas. Underfloor Air Distribution is considered to replace ceiling diffusers to improve thermal comfort and indoor air quality because of the two-story ceiling height. Acoustical impact will be closely examined. If the new design does not meet acoustics requirement, such as NC rating, relevant changes will be made to achieve satisfied acoustic performance, or the proposed design will be disregarded.

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