The Summit at
Drexel University
Integration of Systems
During the design phase of the project, the team of engineers and architects had to be conscious of all the systems of the building and how they interact with each other, throughout construction and after. The structural design held precedent of course, since the column and shear wall design could not differ much without putting the building at risk of collapse. After that, the HVAC, electrical, and plumbing designs needed to be planned together in order to ensure that all the equipment and lines would fit in the designated areas. This process is a crucial component of design; it guarantees an efficient and successful final product.
In a perfect world, the installation of all these systems runs smoothly with no run-ins. However, most of the time the subcontractors need to install their product in a specific
order to guarantee enough space is available. For example, the HVAC duct work is often times the largest piping going into the ceilings of each floor, so it is installed first. Next is plumbing since the piping needs to be installed at a specific angle in order to maintain constant flow. Finally, the easiest to install is electrical. Electrical pipes are generally the smallest and can be run in all sorts of directions. Sprinkler lines also need to be installed relatively soon, as per codes and keeping the job site safe.
With regards to the site systems, the order of installation is slightly different. Electrical and water are always the first to be installed. They are needed for any equipment to be run on site, per codes and regulations.
Unlike other structures like an office high rise or school building, nearly every room space within this structure requires plumbing, electrical, and HVAC run to it. This just makes the installation issues listed above even more difficult to manage.
A specific example of the Summit building's systems being intergrated together is the radient heating in the lower level floor. The hyrdonic pipes for the heating system were embedded into the conrete slab when it was poured, making the structural system and the HVAC system one in the same for this particular area of the building.
Diagram of radient floor embedded into floor slab.