Primera is pleased to announce that two of our projects were awarded Excellence in Engineering Awards by the Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). The awards program recognizes outstanding engineering work by Illinois Chapter members based on six criteria: energy efficiency, indoor air quality, innovation, operation & maintenance, cost effectiveness and environmental impact.

This year’s honorees included Primera’s Nancy & G. Timothy Johnson Center for Science & Community Life and William Jones College Preparatory Academy projects. The HVAC design successes were recognized at last night’s annual awards reception held in the Metropolitan Club of Chicago.

North Park University’s Nancy & G. Timothy Johnson Center for Science & Community Life is a new, state-of-the-art, three-story, 100,000-square-foot facility. Primera’s scope on the project included mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP) and lighting design, along with the evaluation of alternative systems including photovoltaic and geothermal, and energy modeling and life cycle analysis. The energy-efficient design featured a shared central chilled water plant and central hot water plant for the building’s two wings that utilizes local space temperature controls. The new building includes: laboratory areas, laboratory support spaces, conference rooms, office spaces, community spaces, student support spaces, classrooms, and a kitchen/dining facility.

Chicago Public School’s Jones College Prep is a new, 280,000-square-foot replacement school serving 1,200 students in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood. As a subconsultant to local architecture firm Perkins+Will, Primera provided MEP, fire protection and sustainable design for the project. Mechanical system ventilation for the majority of the vertically-designed school is accomplished through a pair of 40,000 CFM (supply air) dedicated outside air (DOA) energy recovery units (ERUs) located in a penthouse mechanical room. The new building nearly doubled the capacity of the previous facility and includes: classrooms, computer and science laboratories, art and music studios, administrative and support services offices, a library, a full-service dining facility, parking garage, athletic facilities, a natatorium, and a performing arts theater.

“We were founded nearly 30 years ago as an MEP firm. While we’ve significantly expanded our service offering since 1987, it’s an honor to be recognized for continuing to provide award-winning HVAC designs, especially on projects for two long-term clients and partners,” explains Michael DeSantiago, Primera’s co-founder and co-CEO.

ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is a global society advancing human well-being through sustainable technology for the built environment. The Society and its members focus on building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, refrigeration and sustainability within the industry. Through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education, ASHRAE shapes tomorrow’s built environment today.