North Park University is a private institution, established in 1891, located on the north side of Chicago. Over the past century, the campus has grown from a single building on Foster Avenue to a campus of more than 50 buildings covering numerous square blocks.
The newly-constructed, 101,000-square-foot Johnson Center houses academic departments in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and mathematics; plus it has technology-enhanced classrooms and state-of-the-art laboratories. It also houses student services such as Career Development and Internships, International Student Services, Residence Life, Student Development, University Ministries, as well as a café, study lounge, prayer room, a two-story atrium, and lobby gathering area. The Johnson Center is located at the heart of the campus, and was designed and constructed to reflect environmental stewardship and energy conservation. The project is targeting LEED Gold certification, demonstrating characteristics such as lower operating costs, resource conversation, and healthful and safe working conditions.
Primera’s scope included mechanical, electrical and plumbing as well as the evaluation of alternative systems including photovoltaic and geothermal systems. These evaluations involve energy modeling and life cycle analysis. Electrical scope includes electrical distributions systems, interior and exterior lighting, lighting controls involving daylight harvesting or dimming, fire alarm systems, and the design of raceways for telecommunications, Audio Visual, and security cabling and equipment.
