Houston Methodist Hospital: Walter Tower

AEI’s design solutions for Houston Methodist Hospital’s new Walter Tower made connection possible to existing departments in adjacent buildings, overcame air quality and flood plain challenges, and allowed continuous uninterrupted operations of the surrounding campus throughout the course of the project.

To align connection with existing histology lab and central sterile departments in an adjacent building, the first two levels were limited to 13- and 12-foot floor-to-floor heights, challenging intensive MEP distribution systems. Meanwhile traffic, parking, a loading dock, and helipad necessitated elevated air intakes, and head-end equipment had to be located above the 500-year floodplain. AEI’s design placed major mechanical equipment on levels 6 and 16 as well as 1. Decentralized shafts accommodate on-floor ductwork and piping distribution with minimum depths and crossings. Even distribution minimizes system pressure drops and enhances energy efficiency.

Prior to construction, an AEI-designed temporary generator and associated distribution system replaced the power generator that stood on the site of the new hospital. On completion, the temporary generator will be replaced by five new generators in renovated space of an adjacent building to serve Walter Tower and two other buildings.

This article originally appeared on Affiliated Engineers’ website. Affiliated Engineers is a CFE Media content partner. 

Original content can be found at aeieng.com.

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