- Overall HVAC system strategy
The primary goal of my HVAC design was to ensure effective heating, cooling, and ventilation across various spaces while maintaining efficiency and balance in airflow distribution. Given the building’s mix of exhibit spaces, offices, conference rooms, and mechanical areas, I designed a centralized forced-air system with strategically placed supply air terminals. This approach ensures that all spaces receive adequate conditioned air, meeting or exceeding ventilation requirements.
Supply ducts were routed from a mechanical room housing the air handlers, with branch ducts distributing air to different zones. I ensured that duct sizing followed airflow demand, balancing branches to avoid pressure drops and inefficiencies.
- Heating strategy and implementation
For heating, I opted for a warm air distribution system, where conditioned air is heated centrally and delivered through the ductwork. Since this system needs to accommodate a variety of room sizes and occupancy levels, I placed:
Multiple air terminals in larger exhibit spaces to distribute warm air evenly. Dedicated diffusers in office and conference spaces to allow for localized control. Minimal heating in mechanical/storage areas, where temperature control is less critical. By ensuring proper duct insulation and balancing airflow through appropriately sized ducts, the system can efficiently maintain comfortable temperatures.
- Cooling strategy implementation
Cooling was designed using the same forced-air distribution system, with air handlers supplying conditioned, dehumidified air through the ducts. Key considerations included:
Higher CFM delivery to exhibit and seminar spaces, which have higher occupancy and heat loads. Targeted cooling for kitchen and café areas, where heat from equipment necessitates increased airflow. Return air placement in central corridors to facilitate effective air recirculation and prevent stratification. To improve cooling efficiency, I ensured shorter duct runs where possible and avoided excessive bends that could lead to pressure loss.
- Special challenges
One of the main challenges was designing the duct routing in a way that minimized conflicts with structural and architectural elements. I strategically placed diffusers and air grilles to not restrict air circulation. I placed the air handler unit on the roof in a place where vertical shafts can go all the way down to level 0 without interfering interior walls.
