Washington, D.C. – R. G. Vanderweil Engineers LLP a Boston-based, full-service engineering firm, recently completed the renovation and modernization of the historic Mary E. Switzer Building currently occupied by the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Broadcasting Board of Governors, as well as several other government tenants.
Vanderweil collaborated with local architectural firm, HNTB Corporation, for the renovations of this 1939 building that included the reconstruction and restoration to the exterior area of the site, in addition to the installation of new mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection (MEP/FP) systems throughout. The $120 million renovation of the 70,000sf office building was completed in two phases allowing the building to remain partially occupied and functional during construction.
As part of the new mechanical design, the existing 3,600 ton chiller plant was reconfigured to deliver consistent year-round chilled water to both the Mary E. Switzer Building and the neighboring Cohen Building. Primary/secondary pumping and modern controls allowed the renovated plant to operate efficiently, even under “low-load” conditions.
The Mary E. Switzer Building was designed to achieve LEED® Gold certification. Some of the sustainable design features include: a newly implemented rainwater collection and reuse system utilized throughout the building for toilet flushing water, a 128 kW roof-mounted photovoltaic system, a daylighting control/dimming system throughout, a central plant geothermal chiller/heater to supplement the GSA steam and central chilled water plant along with a new state-of-the-art direct digital control system to control all of the main mechanical systems.