ANN ARBOR CHAPTER, MI

3S MEP +Structural provided comprehensive mechanical engineering design services forthis 19-story mixed-use high-rise development. The building consists of 175residential apartment units, amenity spaces located on Levels 01, 02, and 19,and a retail tenant space. The project required an integrated HVAC designapproach capable of serving multiple occupancy types while delivering energyefficiency, occupant comfort, indoor air quality, and long-term operationalreliability.

Our engineeringteam designed a centralized hydronic HVAC system featuring cooling towers,boilers, heat exchangers, circulation pumps, expansion tanks, air separators,and associated mechanical equipment. The central plant distributes temperedwater throughout the building to water-source heat pumps located within eachresidential unit, providing efficient heating and cooling while allowingindividual occupant control.

To maintainhealthy indoor environments and comply with applicable mechanical codes, aDedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS) was designed to provide conditionedventilation air throughout the building. Ventilation systems servingresidential, amenity, retail, and support areas were engineered to meetcode-required outdoor air rates while supporting energy-efficient buildingoperation.

The project alsoincluded the design of life-safety systems such as stairwell pressurization tosupport safe emergency egress. Additional heating solutions were provided fornon-occupied and service areas through plenum heaters and unit heaters, whileperimeter baseboard heating was incorporated along exterior curtain walllocations to offset heat loss and improve occupant comfort.

The scope ofwork included complete HVAC load calculations, equipment selection, ductworkand piping layouts, hydronic system engineering, and detailed riser diagramsfor the building-wide water-source heat pump network. All hydronic pipingsystems were carefully sized and coordinated to ensure proper flowdistribution, pressure control, and system performance throughout the 19-storystructure.

A significantcomponent of the project involved multidisciplinary coordination witharchitectural and structural teams. The complete mechanical design wasdeveloped and coordinated within a Revit BIM environment, allowing for clashdetection, space optimization, and seamless integration of mechanical systemswith the building structure and architectural features. This collaborativeprocess minimized construction conflicts and improved overall projectefficiency.

Throughinnovative engineering, detailed system analysis, and proactive coordinationamong all project stakeholders, 3S MEP + Structural delivered ahigh-performance mechanical design that supports occupant comfort, energyefficiency, code compliance, and long-term building sustainability.

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