Daniel Marshall | Mechanical
Dr. Bahnfleth, Advisor
Technology Innovation Center
Corporate Headquarters
Silicon Valley, Ca
Building Statistics
General Building Data
Building Name
Location
Occupant
Function
Size
Stories
Construction Dates
Project Delivery Method
Technology Innovation Center:
Building 1
Silicon Valley, Ca
Miscellaneous Tech Firm (NDA)
Commercial Office Building
241,000 SF
6
November 2018 - Late 2019
Design Bid Build
Primary Project Team
Owner
General Contractor
Architect
MEP Engineers
Energy Analysis
Architecture
Studio Architects designed this project with productivity and innovation as the driving factors of design. Much of the Silicon Valley relies on successful and opportunistic design strategies as a means to attract talent and innovation into their office and into their work. This philosophy plays an essential role in the architecture as well.
The existing buildings within the campus was recently updated in 2017 and the firm is expanding further by adding 3 new offices, totaling 700,000 square feet, as well as 2 parking garages. The architecture consists 6 story buildings with all glass façades on the upper 4 levels. Considering the climate and laws of California, PAE Consulting Engineers assisted the Studios Architectural team by performing extensive energy analysis in order to optimize the orientation, material selection, and shape of each new building.
ASHRAE 62.1 – 2007
ASHRAE 90.1 – 2007
California Energy Code (Title 24) – 2016
California Green Building Code (CALGreen) – 2016
USGBC LEED Platinum Guidelines – 2016
Zoning laws of the Silicon Valley neighborhood restrict both the density and height of buildings. The architect has built to the maximum allowable 6 stories. Due to the increasing density of the area, and the campus, each new building must be built to LEED Platinum standards in addition to passing the stringent California Title 24 energy code for energy use and utilization.
The façade consists various glass curtain wall systems. Due to the architectural constraints, various shading and daylighting techniques were used to minimize thermal gain. On upper levels, horizontal and vertical spandrels were used on to create shading within the façade. On the top floor, the upper 1/3 of each unglazed window was glazed. A SGHC of 0.29 and a U Factor of 0.35 were chosen for the glass (exceeding with Title 24 and ASHRAE 90.1 Baseline requirements.
Rooftop orientation of parking garages have been optimized to incorporate a PV Solar Farm for electricity production and reduced grid energy consumption where possible. Additionally, roof drains are used as a rainwater collection measure and reused throughout water closets in the building. For external load reduction, the roof construction is insulated with R-30 (U-Value of 0.034).
Applicable Codes
Zoning
Facade and Sustainability
Engineering Systems
Construction
The Technology Innovation Center is set to complete core and shell in November 2018 with tenant improvement to be completed in late 2019. The new construction in the campus will total 700,000 square feet and include three new buildings and two new parking structures. Building 1, the focus of this report, accounts for 241,000 square feet of the program and includes retail space, open and private offices, conference rooms, lounges, as well as an indoor café and kitchen. A design-bid-build project delivery method is utilized for the construction process promoting collaboration between the general contractor, Devcon, and the MEP engineer, PAE Consulting Engineers. This method was chosen in order to maximize the efficiency of the large-scale project as both firms are familiar with the process. Construction of the capus has been organized into three phases:
Phase 1: Building 1 and Parking Structure 1
Phase 2: Building 2 and Parking Structure 2
Phase 3: Building 3
Primary electric service will be provided from the Secondary Campus Underground Service at 12.47KW. Pad mounted transformer T-B01 will provide step down service to a 480Y/277 V and distribution through the building via a 4000-amp bus duct. Surge protection and building metered devices are used to ensure safety within the circuit. Branch circuit panelboards serve lighting, receptacle, and equipment loads and are stepped down to 208Y/120 V as needed. Emergency power is supplied by a diesel-powered engine measuring 200KW and 250KVA located in the basement. Emergency power is distributed by two automatic transfer switches, for life safety and standby motor operations.
All interior and exterior lighting fixtures are specified to be high efficiency LED lights. These are controlled by a combination of switches occupancy sensors. Extensive analysis has been conducted to contour the shape and orientation of the façade to maximize natural daylight and minimize both the need for lighting and radiant heat loads.
Building 1 of the Technology Innovation Center consists of two mechanical systems serving interior and perimeter zones. The building is separated into Southwest and Northeast zones served by AHU-01, 46,560 cfm, and AHU-02, 60,450 cfm, respectively. Both air handling units are located on the roof. Variable air volume (VAV) boxes are utilized to distribute cooling air to interior zones at 0.7-0.9 CFM/SF and to provide ventilation airflow requirements to perimeter zones. Air is supplied through an under-floor air distribution system and is controlled using a DDC control consisting of temperature, pressure, carbon dioxide, and occupancy sensors. Temperature controls are set to 70°F for heating and 74°F for cooling.
Perimeter zone ventilation requirements are served by their respective air handling unit while sensible loads are serviced by a two pipe chilled beam system. Return air is drawn from the interior zone to be exhausted after traveling through a heat exchanger. Hot water is supplied by two natural gas powered, condensing, 2,781 MBH boilers located on the roof. Chilled water is supplied by two 375 ton chillers with a supply water temperature of 55°F and an evaporator flow rate of 900 GPM. These chillers are also located on the roof.
The structural system consists of a concrete on metal deck composite slab gravity system. The typical structural bay is 35 feet while joists are typically W24x55 and girders are typically W24x94. The overall depth of the system is 30.25” and the steel weight is 10.7psf. This design allows fewer columns to be incorporated into the design and requires vibration control to 0.33%g. The lateral force resisting system consists of ten 5 story steel concentric chevron brace frames. Additionally, ten 2 story single diagonal braced frames are utilized to support the first two stories of the building.
Building 1 of the Technology Innovation Center is provided with a sprinkler and standpipe system for the automatic detection and suppression of fire. This includes smoke detectors, manual pull stations, annunciation devices with strobe lights, as well as automatic damper and pressurization controls for air handing units and VAV boxes. A fire department connection has been established in accordance with NFPA 13 in order to further improve life safety means.
The building is served by seven elevators, six in the main lobby and one serving for utility purposes. These elevators serve all six floors and comply with all applicable codes. There are three stairways serving egress purposes, on the north, south, and east sides of the building. One largely ornamental staircase serves the atrium by connecting the first and second floors.
This building contains a number of measures to reduce water consumption throughout the Technology Innovation Campus. Roof trains are piped to meadows so water can be dispersed into retention pond areas. Additionally, all AHU condensate drains are piped to “Bird Baths” in the courtyard where the condensate water can be collected and slowly utilized to irrigate meadows throughout the campus.