Owner
Space and Missle Defence Agency
Contract
$29,875,000
Lump-sum Design-build
Services
- HVAC
- Overhead air-distribution systems
- Central cooling and heating plant
- Multiple data centers
- Commercial kitchen
- Fitness center
- Auditorium
- Plumbing
- Sheet metal
- Temperature controls
- Documentation of mechanical systems for LEED certification
- Entire complex controls interface, control systems for contained mail-extraction areas
GOVERNMENT
Von Braun Phase III
Huntsville, Alabama
The Von Braun Complex - Phase III is a six-story building with basement totaling 839,873 square feet in built space. The building serves as a hub to a three-building complex providing a secure facility for the Space and Missile Defense Agency located on the Redstone Arsenal site. The building will be complete with a cafeteria, commercial kitchen, 800-seat auditorium and full fitness facility.
The Von Braun cooling system consists of three 1,400-ton centrifugal, water-cooled chillers and grade-mounted cooling towers. The air-conditioning system includes (26) interior built-up air handlers and four energy recovery units for preconditioning outside air. Outside airflow is controlled via CO2 sensors. The telecommunications rooms and computer rooms are served by (26) ceiling-mounted and (14) floor-mounted precision air-handling units. The building heating system consists of variable air volume boxes with hot water reheat. Heating is accomplished with three 450-hp hot water boilers. Both the cooling and heating systems are designed with 100 percent redundancy. In addition, a backup steam converter system is provided for additional redundancy on the heating side. The building is provided with a complete building automation system. The BMS must be capable of control and monitoring of an entire complex of buildings with multiple energy plants, in addition to communication with the base network.
The plumbing systems consist of hot and cold domestic water, sanitary waste and vent, natural gas and storm piping. The plumbing heating system consists of local hot water heaters and instantaneous heat for remote sinks. Central gas-fired heaters are provided for the kitchen and fitness center areas. Fixtures were provided to government specifications and include battery-backed automatic flush valves and faucets. A complete perimeter and underground foundation drainage system is provided.
U.S. Engineering was the lead mechanical contractor for the project, directing all design and preconstruction services as well as HVAC and plumbing construction activities.