| Dana Discovery Center
New York, NY Mechanical and Electrical Engineers Completion Date: 1995 Architects: Buttrick White & Burtis Architects
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This building was constructed on the north end of Central Park, and is a community resource and meeting center. Careful coordination of the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire projection systems by AltieriSeborWieber engineering staff resulted in a design that minimized the intrusion of modern building systems into a building that respects the historical significance of the park.
The project consisted of the integration of HVAC, Electrical and Plumbing systems into a building design that was from an age in which modern systems were not available. This entailed careful detailing and creative usage of the building's features. For example:
a) The cupola at the roofline was used for outside air intake for the air handling systems.
b) A spare chimney flue was used for toilet exhaust.
c) The air cooled condensing units were located within the building, and ducted to the exterior through louvers.
d) Site security lighting was concealed behind fascias, and provides lighting around the building without being visible upon approach to the building.
The building was provided with multiple air handling units, to accommodate the different occupancy periods intended for the spaces. The classroom area is fully independent from the main visitor's hall and the administrative spaces.
Sprinkler system design was coordinated with the architecture, to minimize the visual impact of the sprinkler heads, and to insure the orderly placement of the devices.
The electrical systems included lighting, convenience receptacles, decorative lighting, and a fully addressable fire alarm system, with audible/visual annunciators.