900 Congress, Austin TX
PREVIOUS SITUATION
Prior to its purchase by Curative, the building had sat empty for several years. Neglect and the age of the building posed significant logistical and budgetary challenges for bringing the building up to current codes and obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy. The condition of the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems was largely unknown and, in some cases, there were multiple obsolete systems from different periods in the building’s history. These challenges were compounded by the need to preserve and protect the building’s historic features during renovation.
DESIRED SITUATION
Curative needed a building revitalization plan that would minimize the number and scale of city-required upgrades without sacrificing life safety, occupant comfort, or proper systems operation. Forensic engineering was needed to identify existing functional components that could be put back into operation to save budget dollars as well as failed or near-failure components that would need replacement. In addition, any new equipment would need to be “knocked down” into modular components that could be brought inside the historic building without damaging the structure and then reassembled inside building equipment rooms.
Renovations of this scale can take two or three years using traditional methods, but Curative needed to move in much more quickly.
SOLUTION PROVIDED BY APPLIED CLIMATE
Applied Climate Solutions provided a turnkey design-build solution for Curative that included design, engineering, project management, construction, installation, and forensic services.
Applied Climate began by carrying out a full forensic engineering inspection of the building. Based on their findings, the ACS team researched and provided cost estimates for a “shopping list” of budget-minded design-build solutions that combined quality installation with affordable methods and equipment applications. The goal was to offer a menu of high-ROI options, such as water source heat pumps, VFR, chilled water, DX splits, and rooftop unit applications, that would provide Curative with a range of opportunities to make strategic, budget-friendly investments in the building’s systems.
The components selected by Curative were then unified by a DELTA Building Automation System (BAS), which provided automatic environmental control for the building’s interior spaces and utilized state-of-the-art energy saving strategies to lower annual operational costs. BAS systems use cloud-based software and a private network of DDC microprocessors placed strategically around the building to monitor and control HVAC, lighting, fire protection, security, and other infrastructure systems. A BAS system allows equipment and systems to be turned on and off according to a schedule or in response to real-time conditions in order to optimize temperature, humidity, and ventilation and to control card access functions, alarm notifications, and local environmental temperature. While the backend of the system is sophisticated, it is accessed via a user-friendly graphical interface system that allows users to monitor and adjust systems at strategic points in the various equipment rooms and common spaces. The BAS user interface is also operable from off-site, enabling building operators to maintain proactive vigilance over the building infrastructure at all times and allowing for remote troubleshooting of equipment.
The systems installed by Applied Climate also included innovative energy-saving features. Energy management tools embedded in the BAS will help facility managers implement operational savings strategies. In addition, the Applied Climate team modified the air-cooled chiller so that the waste heat generated by the chiller can be used to heat the building’s indoor air in colder months. This will cut down on the need to use gas-fired boilers and will contribute to the decarbonization of the property.
Applied Climate brought a similarly creative and pragmatic approach to the logistics of working on an historic property. To limit the risk of being required by the city to carry out expensive architectural revisions, Applied Climate took a phased approach to permitting, applying for a series of smaller permits over time. As a result of this strategy, ACS was able to drastically reduce the cost of upgrading the existing electrical system and avoid what might have been years of rebuilding. Careful scheduling, coordination, and equipment sourcing also allowed for fast-track installations despite Covid-related supply chain issues and made it possible for Curative to move in and begin operations in the building even while renovations were ongoing.
To ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the installation, ACS provided complete project documentation in electronic format, classroom and on-site staff training, as well as post-installation preventative maintenance services for all new equipment for the first year.
Applied Climate’s expertise and creativity resulted in a cost-effective, high-ROI renovation that will ensure high-efficiency infrastructure operation for the next twenty years. This successful project has enhanced Austin’s vibrant downtown by revitalizing a run-down historic building and providing a comfortable home for an innovative new member of the Texas business community.