Skyhouse Atlanta Midtown
New construction; Skyhouse Atlanta Midtown; Jordan & Skala Engineers
Engineering firm: Jordan & Skala Engineers
2013 MEP Giants rank: 53
Project: Skyhouse Atlanta Midtown
Address: Atlanta, Ga., United States
Building type: High-rise residential
Project type: New construction
Engineering services: Electrical/Power, HVAC, Lighting
Project timeline: April 2011 to January 2013
Engineering services budget: $15 million
MEP budget: $15 million
Challenges
The Skyhouse Atlanta Midtown project had to earn the approval of the Multi-Family High-Rise (MFHR) program, indicating that the building uses less water and is at least 15% more energy efficient than multi-family high-rise buildings built to the base energy code. One primary challenge of the project was being able to give the owner a building that meets Energy Star criteria while incorporating a high percentage of glass and pressurized corridors. Overcoming the HVAC load demands from these design decisions, while remaining cost effective and within the boundaries of Energy Star requirements, required thoughtful engineering. Additional engineering concerns included installing a backup generator inside the facility. Due to the urban setting and large building footprint relative to the property line, the generator was installed in the facility and had to comply with all codes related to exhaust and clearance concerns. From initiation to occupancy, this 23-story project was designed and constructed in just 12 months.
Solutions
Located at 1084 West Peachtree Street in the center of trendy Midtown, and smartly positioned between the iconic Atlanta development landmarks of Atlantic Station, Tech Square, the Arts Center, and Colony Square, the new, 23-story Skyhouse Atlanta apartment building offers 320 units, luxury amenities, a rooftop pool, a parking deck, and retail space on the ground floor. The building showcases sustainable details that reduce utility costs for the property manager and individual tenants, as well as provide greater creature comfort. Jordan & Skala designed the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, which feature the following energy-efficient components:
- High-performance exterior windows and doors with thermally broken frames
- High-performance building envelope using increased continuous wall and roof insulation
- High-efficiency heat pump HVAC systems
- Energy Star appliances
- Low-flow water-sense plumbing fixtures
- Premium efficiency motors on domestic water pumps
- High-efficiency fluorescent/LED lighting throughout the building
- Occupancy lighting sensors in all public spaces
- Continuous ventilation in all living units, thus improving indoor air quality.
To ensure designs and systems perform as specified, many of the building’s systems, equipment, and exterior envelope underwent a detailed testing and verification protocol in accordance with Energy Star criteria to ensure the client’s objectives were met. With units ranging in size from 557-sq-ft studios to 1418-sq-ft, three-bedroom apartments, the building offers a rooftop pool, an amenity deck, a spacious clubroom, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and breathtaking views. Jordan & Skala was pleased to beneficially contribute to the high-rise homes of hundreds of future Midtown residents. The overwhelming success of this project resulted in Jordan & Skala, and the entire design and construction team, being awarded additional Skyhouse projects in Austin, Houston, and Dallas, Texas; Tampa and Orlando, Fla.; Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C.; and a second version of this project in Atlanta, Ga.
View a short presentation from Jordan & Skala on this project.
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