Editor’s note:Welcome to the debut of our newest department, Engineering Beat. It has graduated from an old sidebar to a full-fledged section. This space is dedicated to consulting firm news, including the latest project news, personnel moves, awards, etc. We want to include your company in the mix, so send me your news or please ask the relevant person on your team to include me on your mailing list at beverlyr@bnpmedia.com.
CxAssociates’ blog is titled Building Energy Resilience. Recent posts cover common issues with VRF installation, exploring the “false tradeoff” between energy efficiency and building performance, and the impacts of PID tuning. Find it at www.cx-associates.com.
Sustainability experts Edna Lorenz and Aliza Skolnik at ESD(www.esdglobal.com)provide their perspectives on this debate in a white paper, “Raising the Mission Critical Bar: Does LEED v4 have what it takes to power tomorrow’s data centers?” The white paper includes more information about LEED v4 for data centers — including details about the certification process and cost — compares LEED v3 and LEED v4, and includes the infographic, “What version of LEED should I choose?”
Southland Industries (www.southlandind.com)was recently awarded the new Pennsylvania State University Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Laboratory Building in University Park, PA. In addition to Southland, the design-assist project team includes HOK, Barton Malow Company, RG Vanderweil, and M.C. Dean.
Totaling 195,000 sq ft, the new building will replace the current Fenske Laboratory Building, which houses the chemical and biomedical engineering staff and departments. From conceptual design through completion and turnover of the new facility, Southland will provide design-assist services for the HVAC, plumbing, process, and fire protection systems in an integrated project delivery-like environment. The construction phase is expected to begin in March 2016 and conclude in November 2018.
The Greenfire Campus in Seattle, WA, a mixed-use commercial and residential development, has been recognized by ASHRAE for excellence in energy efficiency design with a 2015 Society Level Technology Award. The project, for which WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff (www.wspgroup.com)provided high-performance design and early mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering services, received a second place award in the commercial buildings category.
Sebesta(www.sebesta.com)has opened its relocated office in Arlington, VA, moving from its previous Crystal Drive address to its new space at 251 18th St. South. The new space has been submitted for LEED-CI designation.
Wright Commissioning(www.wrightcx.com),the Philadelphia region’s first independent building commissioning firm, has opened an office in 2.0 University Place, a LEED-Platinum building within University City’s thriving technology district. Wright Commissioning occupies Suite 510 of 2.0 University Place at 30 North 41st Street.
Certified by the National Environmental Balancing Bureau and ASHRAE, Wright Commissioning was formerly Brooks + Wright Commissioning, with its office in Center City. Clients and project locations include the firm’s new building in University City, as well as Princeton, Temple, Penn, and West Point; HUP and Main Line Health; Liberty Property Trust, Vanguard, Comcast and Procter & Gamble; the City of Philadelphia, SEPTA, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Michael Crowley,Vice President of Healthcare for Jensen Hughes(www.jensenhughes.com)in its Houston office, has been elected to serve a two-year term on SFPE’s Board of Directors. SFPE is a global organization representing those practicing in the fields of fire protection engineering and fire safety. Crowley recently wrote “Health Care Compliance For Life Safety And Related Systems” in the October issue of ES.
Arup(www.arup.com)has been honored with a Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award, recognizing the Best Places to Work in 2016 in the UK category. The Employees’ Choice Awards campaign, now in its eighth year, relies solely on the input of employees, who elect to provide feedback on their jobs, work environments, and companies via Glassdoor.
The LEED-Platinum Method manufacturing plant in Chicago has won ENR Midwest’s2015 Best Green Project Award. A manufacturer of eco-friendly home, fabric and personal care products, the design of the facility followed in the company’s philosophy of being environmentally friendly. Gotham Greens, a Brooklyn-based urban farm, owns and operates the facility’s rooftop greenhouse.
KJWW(www.kjww.com)provided MEP, fire protection, technology and structural design, along with architectural lighting for the plant, which includes manufacturing space, a warehouse, and offices.
Carolyn Keithhas joined P2S Engineering(www.p2seng.com)as Senior Business Development Manager. Working in the built environment since 2004, Keith brings a focus on high-performance buildings, energy efficiency, commissioning, and green building certification. In her new position at P2S, Keith will direct and oversee expansion in both current and new market sectors.
Prior to joining P2S Engineering, Keith served as Business Development Manager for Enovity Inc., a division of ORIX Corporation. Keith was responsible for opening the firm’s San Diego office, and increased annual revenues in that region over $2 million in 12 months, primarily in the higher education sector.ES
