A major renovation to Boston College’s 129 Lake Street office building provided new MEP systems and implemented design and construction practices to meet the sustainability plan of the campus. Commissioning scope includes HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, electrical, fire alarm, emergency power, and building envelope. The commissioning process documented occupant and building use requirements, and verified that they were met through design and construction. New HVAC equipment was provided in the occupant space, and distribution systems were integrated into existing central plant and campus heating/cooling systems.

To respond to the evolving technologies of its curriculum, Cannon Design designed the Camille Kendall Academic Center, the first LEED Gold-certified building for the University System of Maryland. This 195,000 sf facility houses 45 classrooms, a library resource center, 120 offices, dining with full kitchen, and central plants for heating and cooling.

A noteworthy model for the conservation of resources, the project incorporates far-ranging operational cost-saving initiatives. In addition to building envelope performance that exceeds ASHRAE requirements, high-efficiency equipment -chillers, boilers, electric motors, variable frequency drives, and domestic water heaters - reduces overall energy consumption. HVAC systems utilize demand ventilation to reduce energy consumption during low occupancy, and sensors signal shutdown when areas become vacant. Abundant natural lighting reaching 75% of interior spaces minimizes lighting energy consumption. On lower roof areas, a green roofing system reduces heating and cooling costs as well as stormwater runoff. Energy cost reduction measures alone achieve savings 25% below LEED baseline models. Additionally, the project earns an extra innovation point for achieving savings 44% below LEED baseline models for potable water use.

Cannon Design partnered with the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) in North Adams, Massachusetts, to submit a grant application that was approved by the Massachusetts DOER for a High Performance Buildings Grant to support its proposal to pursue drastic reductions in natural gas and electricity using high efficiency, ultra-low emission biomass heating, and conservation measures in a historic building context that advanced Governor Patrick’s Massachusetts Recovery Plan and the goals of the Governor’s Zero Net Energy Buildings Task Force.

Based on a FY 2009 energy baseline, the project targets a 74.6% reduction in natural gas use through the installation of a 2 MM BTU high efficiency biomass boiler for intermediate heating loads. The installation was complete in January of 2012, at which time our firm completed the Commissioning for the project and started the Measurement and Verification (M&V) phase of the project. Commissioning tasks included development of the Owner’s Project Requirements, writing of the commissioning specifications, writing of pre-functional checklists, leading of construction phase commissioning progress meetings, and functional performance testing.

Significant lighting upgrades focused on retrofitting for higher efficiency. All existing fluorescent lamp/ballasts were swapped out for high efficiency alternatives; existing incandescent theatrical equipment was replaced LED; and halogen museum track lighting was swapped out for LED fixtures

The Conte Forum houses the school’s top tier basketball and hockey programs. Given the different environment requirements between basketball and hockey, sophisticated temperature control strategies are required to meet the various matches, practices, and functions that occur within the Conte Forum. Additionally, the competing goals of energy efficiency and the large levels of ventilation required for this high occupancy space can be met by a carefully crafted sequence of operation.

Cannon Design’s Commissioning Group drafted the HVAC sequence of operation for the controls upgrade in the Conte Forum. The details we provided in the controls sequence ensured that temperature set points would be met in all modes of operation. Demand control ventilation was also incorporated into the sequence, to provide the necessary ventilation during large occupancy events, and energy savings during all other times. In addition, we commissioned the new controls to verify that the design intent for the new controls was met.

Cannon Design is collaborating with Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects to design DePaul University’s new home for its renowned theater department. Targeted to achieve LEED Silver, the building will house a 250-seat thrust configured studio theater and a 100-seat flexible black box theater as well as numerous support spaces. In addition to our role as architect-of-record, Cannon Design is the commissioning agent for the new Theatre School. Our independent commissioning team works throughout the building’s design and construction scope, which further supports our goal to have long-term building operations in mind throughout the project.

Cannon Design is a pre-qualified commissioning consultant for the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s Roof and Window Repair/Replacement Program. We are currently engaged in over 20 schools as part of this program, providing envelope commissioning services for schools throughout the state. This specialty program is an example of our commissioning services outside of our core service of MEP commissioning. Commissioning scope for these projects include: writing and leading the execution of the commissioning plan, writing prefunctional checklists, specifying functional testing requirements, execution of thermal scanning, and oversight of water penetration testing.

This new, 520-bed, 230,000 sf Student Apartment Complex was designed to meet the growing student population at Buffalo State College. Campus facility staff has actively participated in the commissioning process in past projects, and so understood the value and benefits of commissioning that was required as part of the project LEED goals. A water source heat pump system was selected as part of the energy optimization analysis, and other HVAC and lighting components were selected to meet the competing needs of energy efficiency and 24/7 operation in some areas.

The 300,000-square-foot Yawkey Building of Massachusetts General Hospital required indication of inefficient or incorrect operation as part of an ongoing commissioning effort. Cannon Design’s Commissioning Group developed a specification for “energy alarms” to be programmed into the building automation system. These alarms indicate operation that is indicative of excessive energy use, such as overridden occupancy schedules, un-calibrated building automation sensors, or broken equipment.

Cannon Design’s Commissioning Group is providing Measurement & Verification (M&V) services at the University at Buffalo Student Housing project. The purpose of M&V is to confirm that energy using systems are operating per design intent during the occupancy phase, and to calculate the difference in energy cost between actual operation and design if there is any deviation, as well as the cost difference between operation and the reference energy standard.

Tasks included drafting the M&V Plan based on design, contractor submittal, and as-built information. The plan documents the equipment and control sensors that will be monitored during the M&V Implementation Phase. During the Implementation Phase, actual operation is monitored and measured, and the results are fed into a revised energy model to determine actual energy savings.