by Abdullah Khaliqi
In an era where environmental consciousness and sustainability are at the forefront of global concerns, the collaboration between educational institutions and their trusted experts stands as a roadmap of progress. One such partnership has blossomed between Fitzemeyer & Tocci Associates, Inc. (F&T) and Wentworth Institute of Technology (WIT). This collaboration not only underscores the Boston area’s commitment to reducing carbon footprints but also illustrates the pivotal role of having an engineering firm that understands long term goals and helps foster sustainable practices within academic settings.
Phase 1 Renovation
Understanding that cooling would increase any electrical load, F&T initially studied the existing building and potential new equipment selections and quickly determined the original service to building would be insufficient. An electrical service upgrade and chilled water (CW) connections to the Campus Utility Plant (CUP) were the initial aspects that were intended to support the future phases.
Wentworth Institute of Technology’s Tansey Gym
Phase 2 Renovation
F&T worked with WIT to ensure new equipment not only met industry ventilation standards but was held to higher Wentworth standards for ventilation. New equipment also leveraged the new electrical service capacity to disconnect the building from campus steam produced at the CUP. The building was reopened with cooling throughout and expanded electrical capacity.
Phase 3 Renovation
Expanded building usage during summer months meant larger Life Safety considerations for the building. Phase 3 took the renovations further by including full sprinkler coverage for the building, architectural improvements throughout and some tweaks requested by the Wentworth Athletics Department, including relocating a gym unit to allow for better video coverage of events in the gym.
WIT’s ongoing relationship with F&T as the owner’s engineer reflects a collaborative approach to sustainability and infrastructure planning aligned with campus needs. As space utilization evolves to make better use of existing systems, thoughtful engineering support plays a steady role in guiding practical improvements and supporting the long-term functionality of campus facilities for future generations.
Abdullah Khaliqi
Abdullah Khaliqi, PE, CPQ is principal and academic market leader at Fitzemeyer & Tocci Associates, Inc.
