ADC Telecommunications World Headquarters Mechanical Engineering
Eden Prairie, MinnesotaThe new ASHRAE Award Winning 476,518 S.F. ADC Telecommunications World Headquarters and Technology Campus is a truly unique facility that required creative integration of architecture and engineering to achieve the vision of a new corporate workplace model for the future. The basic design goals included:
Maximize energy efficiency, occupant comfort and productivity.
In response to these design goals, unique HVAC systems were developed that feature:
Desktop Task Conditioning Systems
In addition to providing maximum individual occupant comfort and control, the DTCS units provide maximum control of occupant level energy usage. Each unit consists of a desktop control module, an under-desk fan module that mixes primary supply / cooling air from the pressurized floor plenum with return air from the occupied space, desktop mounted diffusers, adjustable "white noise" generator and task lighting control. The control module allows occupant control of temperature air temperature, air volume, white noise, and task lighting and includes an infrared sensor to automatically control the unit based on occupancy.
Underfloor Air Distribution
Pressurized floor plenums are used to supply conditioned air to the Desktop Task Conditioning Units which eliminates traditional duct distribution systems, allows for future space flexibility and creates a large thermal mass in the building to stabilize space conditions and reduce energy usage.
Energy Efficiency
In addition to the DTCS and UAD benefits the building features Low E, high performance, spectrally selective glass, automatic variable speed fan and pump controls, automatic optimization of HVAC systems and automatic building pressure control.
Indoor Air Quality
The building provides superior indoor air quality by automatically measuring and controlling outside air and using high return air paths allowing warm / buoyant / contaminated air from the space to travel above the occupied zone back to the central air handling systems.
Cost Effectiveness
In addition to receiving an energy reduction incentive rebate from the local utility company for innovative systems the use of DTCS and UAD significantly reduced the costs associated with traditional overhead supply and return air ductwork, terminal units and diffusers.
Environmental Impact
Environmental impact was minimized by overall energy use reduction, optimization of daylighting, use of clean burning natural gas and low sound fans on air-cooled chillers.