Cost $65,000,000
Size 517,000 SF Renovation/Addition
Construction 2016-2020
Building Project Summary
R.E. Dimond and Associates provided design services for the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire suppression and technology systems of the $65 million, 517,000 SF renovation and expansion of Brownsburg High School.
This massive undertaking was completed in forty months, during which the school was completely functional.
The core of Brownsburg High School had been relatively unchanged since it opened in 1971. With 13 additions over the last 46 years, the infrastructure of the building was in dire need of upgrades while maintaining use of all available building space.
The design team was able to meet deadlines and building service challenges by staging the renovation in nine phases. The MEPT design dictated the construction sequence.
The first phase constructed a new Energy Plant on the south end of the facility which provided services to the building while the existing north plant, located in the middle of the building, was removed, relocated, and upgraded. Both plants were interconnected in the last phase. Now either or both plants can serve the building. Electrical distribution, chilled water, heating water, fire protection domestic water and telecommunications were replaced throughout the building as phases were completed.
The South Energy Plant features high efficiency water cooled magnetic chillers, and high efficiency condensing boilers designed for complete drain down so the cooling system can easily be re-energized for hot unseasonal winter days.
In areas of the building with minimal ceiling space, 4 pipe fan coils utilize VAV boxes for both demand control ventilation utilizing CO2 sensors and economizer function, that provide free winter cooling. Electrical design incorporated interior and exterior lighting fixtures that utilized LED technology and occupancy sensors. This resulted in interior lighting 27% more efficient than Indiana Code minimum benchmarks.
Communications infrastructure addresses current technology while preparing for future advancements and the Building Automation System controls temperature as well as interior and exterior lighting.
Plumbing design incorporated low flow plumbing fixtures to reduce water consumption, providing a 30% reduction in annual consumption compared to baseline fixtures.
Auditorium design incorporated mechanical, lighting and fire protection into cloud ceiling systems hiding utilities and added acoustical value. Air conditioning systems were designed with low velocity to minimize air noise.
MEPT design team coordinated project phasing with input from the architect, construction manager and school officials to ensure continuous functionality of building systems.
Long term relationships between the design team and owner helped build the momentum necessary to meet all requirements. Errors and omissions for MEPT Change orders were 0.5% for mechanical and 0.3% for electrical. This low number reflects MEPT design team’s commitment to the financial obligations of the Owner and Brownsburg community.
The main contribution was the design of all systems, so that the school was able to function throughout construction.
The coordinated effort of the entire design team established a new standard of AEC responsiveness for Brownsburg Community School Corporation.
