PM Engineer is proud to announce that one winner and an honorable mention have been chosen to receive PME Excellence in Design Awards for 2006.

PM Engineer is proud to announce that one winner and an honorable mention have been chosen to receive PME Excellence in Design Awards for 2006.

Congratulations to KJWW Engineering Consultants of St. Louis, MO, for its Blair Hall at Eastern Illinois University (EIU) restoration project; and to HGA Architects and Engineers, Milwaukee, WI, for its Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin new-construction project (more on this below).

These designs were judged by our panel of editors and engineers based on the following criteria: innovation in design, customer satisfaction, ability to meet schedules, cost-efficient strategies and community improvement.

Nominated designs could be submitted by consulting, specifying or design engineering firms.

On April 28, 2004, fire swept through the third floor of Eastern Illinois University’s Blair Hall, causing more than $11 million damage and leaving the roof and the walls and furnishings on all three of the hall’s floors ruined. (Photo by John Koontz of EIU.)

Costing $6 million and lasting nearly two years, KJWW’s restoration of Blair Hall at EIU is definitely a worthy winner of this year’s award. Fire swept through the third floor of Blair Hall on April 28, 2004, leaving the roof and the walls and furnishings on all three of the hall’s floors ruined. However, campus officials were determined to salvage the limestone exterior and renovate the 34,000-sq.-ft. limestone landmark.

KJWW took on this restoration project, which lasted from May 2004 to April 2006, and made it a reality. EIU, the architect, engineers and construction team recreated the hall’s original 1913 look with high-tech features for safety, comfort and state-of-the art education.

Major Challenges

On April 26, 2006, EIU President Lou Hencken speaks to the crowd gathered for the rededication of the facility. Blair Hall, completed in 1913, is EIU’s third-oldest building and sits just south of the campus’s flagship building, Old Main. (Photo by Jana Johnson of EIU.)

Steve Rhoades, KJWW project manager, says the project posed several major challenges that required innovative solutions to restore Blair Hall’s form and function:

Sensor-activated devices with modern china fixtures were selected in conjunction with the project architects and EIU to conform with a campus-wide performance contract for water-use reduction and functional needs. (Photo by Chris Wojtkowski, KJWW Engineering.)

Plumbing and Water Conservation. Sensor faucets and water closet flush valves were used for water conservation measures. Plumbing fixtures were specified to comply with the existing campus performance contract, which has significantly reduced water use on the campus.

Historic wood floor construction throughout the building required coordination of plumbing-fixture-mounting methods. Special anchorage detailing was required to allow floor-mounted carriers for wall-hung urinals and lavatories. Floor-mounted water closets were used throughout the facility.

To minimize the potential for biological growth in the system, domestic hot water was generated and stored at 140° F. Water was distributed and circulated to allow direct use from fixtures.

“Because building space was very limited, system efficiency and cost were optimized as much as possible through the planning and design process,” according to Rhoades. “Major toilet rooms generally lined up vertically, but orientation differences and some offsetting of spaces required significant detailed coordination with building structure and other building utilities.”

Also, drains were installed in the roof of the lower-level equipment room, and beneath the elevated stone paver patio construction used on the quad side of the building.

Rhoades points out that the project budget did not allow for an extension of the campus chilled-water distribution loop to the building, but provisions were made to accept the future extension of the campus loop.

More of the sensor-activated devices selected for water-use reduction and functional needs. (Photo by Chris Wojtkowski, KJWW Engineering.)

Fire Protection. A wet-pipe sprinkler system was installed throughout the building and integrated with the historic finishes and the needs of modern occupancy. Also, sprinklers were required in the plenum space between the ceiling and the existing floor structure because the significant building interior structure was of wood construction.

The basement mechanical space mezzanine contains heating water pumps and a bladder expansion tank. VFDs and chilled-water piping are visible behind. (Photo by Chris Wojtkowski, KJWW.)

Equipment Room Expansion. The depth of the existing lower-level equipment room was substantially increased for new equipment space. Sanitary drains for this room were below the site sanitary system, requiring sewage ejectors to serve the room.

Depressed exterior area wells were installed to allow outside air intake and relief air for the building’s air-handling unit. These area wells were drained to sump pumps because their elevation was below that of the site storm sewer.

The lower elevation also resulted in the room being lower than the connected campus steam tunnel. As a result, close coordination with the architect was required to minimize the possibility of any water from the tunnel flowing into the equipment room.

In addition, site storm and sanitary sewers were relocated to allow for the enlarged lower-level equipment room while maintaining access and use of the campus steam tunnel connected to the building.

System Efficiency. The existing, relatively inefficient MEP system was deemed not salvageable, although most of it was from a 1952 renovation of the building and needed to be replaced anyway. Replacing the antiquated equipment with a high-efficiency HVAC system saved the university on operational costs from the first day of installation.

The roof was replaced with a relatively inexpensive slate-look-alike material made from recycled materials. All existing wood windows were refurbished, and fire-damaged windows were replaced with new wood to replicate the original windows. More-efficient mechanical and electrical systems were installed so as not to detract from or infringe upon the historic structure. Wireless and wired access was inconspicuously distributed throughout the building.

Rhoades says that Blair Hall’s lighting systems were designed to comply with the new State of Illinois requirements for energy efficiency. “Very detailed analysis and modeling were conducted to optimize energy consumption while providing adequate lighting levels at working surfaces under 10-ft. ceilings. Multi-level switching with daylighting controls and task-specific lighting levels were utilized to meet the user needs as well as the energy-efficiency requirements.”

KJWW’s Gary Fischer, an electrical engineer who worked on the lighting systems, notes, “Blair has smart lighting that is simple to use, and the lighting is energy smart. Following the guidelines of the International Energy Conservation Code, we achieved a 1.2-watt-per-sq.-ft. average usage, which is very good in a building with 9- and 10-ft. ceilings.”

Customer Satisfaction

A view inside the steam tunnel, which was partially removed to accommodate the expanded footprint of the basement equipment room. Photo shows existing pipe racks and piping leading to Blair Hall. Utilities served to Blair Hall from the tunnel system include domestic cold water, 150 psi steam, compressed air, low-pressure condensate and high-pressure condensate. (Photo by Chris Wojtkowski, KJWW.)

“We sought buy-in from the departments on suggested changes in the configuration of space and tried to keep everyone involved, connected and informed,” says Steve Shrake, AIA, manager of design and construction at EIU. “Our process included asking questions, trying to find out the occupants’ wants and needs. The residents moved away from their preconceived notions of where their space should be. We just kept reworking the plans and sending them back and forth electronically. One EIU employee told us, ‘One day it all came together and the whole department said, ‘Yes, this works.’ No one felt shut out. Everyone had a role.”

Modern air-handling, plumbing, fire-protection, electrical and technology infrastructure systems were installed to meet modern codes and ADA guidelines, as well as the expectations of the current building occupants. Very detailed space coordination was necessary to preserve the historical status of the building and to maintain as much of the existing building structure as possible.

“Installing the modern engineering systems in accordance with a university requirement to minimize the use of exterior equipment required a lot of coordination between the architects and engineers,” Rhoades says. “They located the new main system equipment within the building. It also was challenging to coordinate the Blair Hall equipment space with the existing campus utility tunnel that terminated within the building.”

According to Rhoades, having the main equipment room below grade let the workers take advantage of current and future campus utility systems serving the building through the tunnel system. It also provided adequate space for equipment installation and maintenance, with the roof of the space being made into a plaza on the quadrangle that can be utilized by staff and students. “This created a gathering place where previously there was none,” he notes.

Additionally, the old shallow crawl space foundations could not be disturbed during excavation and placement of the new addition’s foundation. Placement of additional supports and tying the new structure to the existing one made for difficult and time-consuming work, notes Ed Perry of English Brothers, Inc., Champaign, IL, which served as the project’s general contractor.

New mechanical shafts had to be configured and constructed to connect with new and existing floor-level conditions. Placement of large ductwork and other mechanical, plumbing, sprinkler and electrical lines had to be placed through existing masonry-bearing walls, all of which feature tight floor-to-floor dimensions.

Finishing Under Budget and On Schedule

All the design considerations had to be developed in a highly compressed two-year time frame due to the sudden loss of the building’s classroom and office space. The students, faculty and staff from six departments needed to return to the building as quickly as possible to resume ordinary functioning. The design team worked very effectively with the displaced departments to develop the reconstruction and addition plan and to keep the planning meetings on track.

To ensure that the project goals were being met throughout the entire design and construction process, the design team met on a regular basis, whether in person or through the use of electronic and written communications. After each discussion, RATIO Architects, Inc. (the architectural firm) sent out meeting notes of what was discussed and decided, and identified future points of discussion. The design team finished under budget and on schedule—and in time for the summer session 2006 classes.

“The restoration of a 90-year-old building that has suffered fire and water damage has many known and unforeseen issues,” says Perry. “I observed that all team members handled the problems with fairness and professionalism. When the owner, architect and engineer dealt with issues in a timely and fair manner, then the contractors also responded in a fair and timely manner. Everybody kept this attitude through the project, so we could complete this difficult work within the time frame. This was one of those rare projects in which everyone contributed to a total team effort.”

Perry points out that the construction workers could clearly identify issues and recommend solutions. “On-site representation, e-mail messages and photos, phone calls, special meetings and weekly meetings all contributed to our achieving a cost-effective, positive result with a tight schedule.”

How Does the Project Improve the Community?

Despite the fire’s damage, the shell of the unique building was still intact, and ultimately the administration decided to rebuild from within. This delighted the university community, alumni and the residents of Charleston, IL, many of whom had attended elementary school in Blair Hall when it served as an educational training facility decades ago.

The university contracted with RATIO Architects and KJWW to create a design that would “ultimately represent the best of energy-efficient, technologically enhanced teaching and working facilities within the Eastern Illinois University quadrangle, while preserving and restoring the original 1913 aesthetics,” according to Bill Devine, AIA, of RATIO.

“Blair Hall is a key piece of the university’s historic quadrangle, and we wanted to preserve that part of our history,” says Shrake. “That’s why we selected RATIO. The firm’s roots are in historic preservation. They understand the importance of maintaining the structure’s historical integrity while creating improvements that will benefit the university community.” RATIO had previously been involved with a tuckpointing and window replacement project at EIU’s McAfee Auditorium. That project required interaction with the Illinois Historical Preservation Association (IHPA), and since Blair was also on IHPA’s registry, it made sense to go with a group that had previous IHPA dealings.

According to Restoration Committee member Will Hine, who serves as dean of Adult and Continuing Education at EIU, “The designers were so professional, and they took all our requests to heart. For example, Adult Education needed public spaces that are warm, inviting, open and appealing. The legal department wanted privacy and quiet. Sociology-Anthropology needed student-friendly spaces. The colors and the design make people feel welcome. Now we have the benefits of wireless equipment, efficient HVAC and classic colors throughout. The 20 people in our department are all pleased with the renovation.”

After the fire, the city of Charleston and the university officials determined that the available fire-fighting equipment was lacking and needed upgrading to be better prepared for future emergencies. At the rededication ceremony, the American flag hung from a brand new fire engine/ladder truck in front of the building. Cooperatively purchased by the city and the university, the new equipment symbolized the pride and confidence that come from conquering adversity and being better prepared.

Project Profile

Summary: Restoration of Blair Hall at Eastern Illinois University (Charleston, IL), which was seriously damaged by fire in April 2004.

Project Cost and Duration: $6 million; restoration lasted from May 2004 through April 2006.

On Winning the Award: “KJWW Engineering is very honored to be selected by PM Engineer for this first-place award. Seeing the pride of the people at Eastern Illinois when the hall re-opened was a reward in itself, so this recognition increases those feelings. As a past honoree (2004) for our work on the Avante Center at Harper College, we appreciate PM Engineer’s efforts to promote innovative design work. We will work hard to continue to earn their `Excellence in Design’ distinction.”—Paul VanDuyne, P.E., president of KJWW Engineering

PM Engineer acknowledges a special thanks to Norm Bower, KJWW PR coordinator, for providing project photos and technical information.

Jim Camillo is Editor of PM Engineer magazine. He can be contacted at camilloj@bnpmedia.com, phone 630-694-4011, or fax 248-283-6547.

BNP Media
1050 IL Route 83, Suite 200
Bensenville, IL 60106
630-694-4011
http://pmengineer.com