Rendering courtesy of OKW Architects
SERVICES
Electrical
Mechanical
Plumbing
Fire Protection
SIZE
18,500 SF
CLIENT
OKW Architects
SUSTAINABILITY
LEED Gold
CHICAGO, IL
RTM provided MEP/FP engineering design services for the 18,500-square-foot family services facility that features a family lounge, a conference center with an outdoor patio, an administrative wing with open work stations to encourage staff collaboration, a state-of-the-art therapy gym, consultation rooms, the Virginia Frank Child Development Center Daily Room, and a therapy kitchen.
The project achieved LEED Gold, and incorporated several MEP sustainable systems. Examples include lighting controls to maximize daylight in the building, temperature controls in each zone to maximize individual heating and cooling control, and systems and equipment that track the building’s energy use so that any building inefficiencies can be identified and corrected.
As a nonprofit and LEED Gold project, the Abe and Ida Cooper Center was eligible for funding from the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation. RTM’s MEP design addressed several grant opportunities, such as innovative HVAC, design and commissioning, and renewable energy, to achieve funding from the foundation.
To streamline the construction process and provide in-depth coordination of all of the ductwork, pipework, and equipment, RTM used Revit to create 3D models of the MEP/FP systems for the building.