This project involved the design and construction of a new 85,000 square foot addition to the existing Mechanical Engineering building, located on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus. This project is the first LEED certified project on the West Lafayette campus, having achieved LEED Gold certification. The Roger B. Gatewood addition houses classrooms, faculty and grad student offices, prototyping and machine shops and specialized laboratories, such as Flame Diagnostics, Biomechanics, Biomaterials, Optics and Experimental Research. Reductions in mechanical equipment energy consumption were achieved through the implementation of heat recovery units, variable speed fans and pumps, right-sizing of equipment and individual zoning of perimeter and interior spaces.

Reductions in lighting energy consumption were achieved through the implementation of occupancy sensors in occupied spaces of the addition. Minimal, Code-compliant, ambient lighting levels were designed into the office spaces, with LED task lighting fixtures provided for supplemental lighting.

Loftus Engineering was responsible for all aspects of the mechanical and electrical design, including HVAC, plumbing and gases, lighting, lighting controls, general and equipment power, telecommunications, fire alarm and data systems. Also included in the project is the design of the new high voltage electrical equipment vault, housing a gas switch and transformers for the facility’s 120/208 and 480 Volt power distribution systems.

An emergency generator was also provided to supply standby power to life safety systems such as the emergency and exit lighting and fire alarm control panel.