 Built
in 1916 in the classic brick federal style, followed by an addition
of 51,000 sq. ft. in 1963, there were many challenges to the
expansion and renovation of the 106,000 sq. ft. Wolf Hall on The
Green at the University of DE.
The project included three phases over four
years and included more than just tearing down and putting up new
walls. There were all new mechanical, electrical, plumbing, tela-data
and life safety systems at the same time keeping the ties to the
past with the western façade remaining unchanged from the original
design in 1916.
Mechanically, the project included an
extensive and varied set of systems and services such as: 130,000
pounds of ductwork; 28,500 feet of piping; 160 plumbing fixtures;
560 pieces of terminal HVAC equipment; 1 duplex water pressure
booster; 3 duplex waste lift stations; 9 circulating pumps; 19 fans;
760 air outlets; and 6 built-up air handling units moving 205,000
cubic feet of air per minute.
One of the most significant challenges
involved five of the six central station air handling/conditioning
units. Only one of the units could be placed on the roof. The
remaining five units had to be housed within the building structure
to maintain the integrity of the façade. Not insignificant in size,
the largest being 51 feet long, 13 feet high and wide, each unit was
custom built on site from components.
But the biggest challenge, which was met,
was the requirement that Wolf Hall remain an active campus science
center during the entire renovation/addition process.
This project is currently competing in ABC’s
National Awards program.
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