Create a posting that includes:
- A screenshot of an interior view of your merged model from Model Coordination showing the HVAC elements.
- A brief paragraph discussing:
- any challenges that you encountered in this supply duct routing exercise
- whether your proposed design meets the project’s spatial design goals
- any recommendations to make the design more sustainable (and lower the heating and cooling loads)
I encountered a couple of different challenges during the duct routing exercise. One challenge was routing around the small atrium on Level 0. Another challenge that I encountered was ensuring the heights of the ducts and air terminals were low enough to not conflict with the steel beams and joists while at the same time not be too low to inhibit the desired open concept that was intended for this space.
I think the proposed design meets the project’s spatial design goals. There was enough clearance to ensure the ducts weren’t routed too low, and the route for the ducts were made as short as possible to reduce potential conflicts.
One recommendation to make the design more sustainable is to reduce the amount of curtain walls in the building, especially on the side of the building. Implementing a more resistant building envelope would surely help reduce the HVAC loads.