High Tech Project Sample

GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY HEALTH & WELLNESS
Washington, DC

As part of their expansion to meet the needs of the student body, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community, George Washington University contracted for the addition of a new Health & Wellness Center, which is a state-of-the art wellness facility as well as an architectural award winner.

A unique challenge to the designers was housing an indoor pool built over several racquetball courts, along with rich cherry wood lockers, steam rooms, and saunas. Shapiro & Duncan worked with the architects and engineers to develop an HVAC system with an efficient control of temperature and humidity for the facility. Our design included Carrier centrifugal chillers, Baltimore Air Coil cooling towers, and a Dectron dehumidification system. Because constant temperature control is needed, Aerco boilers were selected to provide the necessary reheat capabilities.

Another interesting design feature of this facility is the suspended running track, which provides an excellent view of one of the hardwood-floored gymnasiums. For air conditioning of the gymnasiums, handball, and squash courts, along with the cardiovascular and aerobic exercise rooms, Shapiro & Duncan selected and installed Temtrol air handling units. With so many visible installations, the quality of the mechanical and plumbing systems was critical. Using copper, steel and Victaulic materials, Shapiro & Duncan worked long, hard hours to ensure we upheld the quality expected by George Washington University to make this a successful project.