CASE STUDY | CIVIC
Capitol Complex Central Utility Plant: A Benefit for a Highly Complex Facility
The Texas Capitol is widely recognized as one of the nation’s most distinguished state capitols. Completed in August, the Texas Facilities Commission Central Utility Plant, located North of the Capitol building at 17th and Colorado Streets, supports the new Texas Capitol Complex.
The Texas Capitol is widely recognized as one of the nation’s most distinguished state capitols. Completed in August, the Texas Facilities Commission Central Utility Plant, located North of the Capitol building at 17th and Colorado Streets, supports the new Texas Capitol Complex.
Encotech provided Structural engineering to accommodate the process mechanical equipment and piping within the new two-story facility. The building includes roof-supported cooling towers, new chillers on the ground floor, and related pumps and equipment at the basement level.
The new chillers were designed to work with the existing Central Utility Plant (CUP) and required extraordinary coordination and piping. The CUP produces chilled water and circulates it through the cooling system, cooling two new office buildings consolidating staff to create operational efficiencies and visitor ease of access.
Keeping with the beautiful environment immediately surrounding the Capitol, the building features an unusual amount of glass, unique in industrial builds. Encotech’s Structural design accommodated all the new equipment while providing future flexibility and expansion.
LOCATION: Austin, Texas
CLIENT: Jacobs/JE Dunn Construction
SERVICES: Structural Engineering
Encotech was contracted to design the plumbing systems for the entire building and provide construction phase services to install all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. The plumbing design featured a rainwater collection and distribution system and energy-efficient plumbing for high-rise buildings. This project required coordination of site utilities on a zero-lot-line.
The electrical service to the site was upgraded to power the new buildings with limited impact to the existing buildings. Site lighting was added to the parking lot near the new offices. Diffusers located in the current main reception area were rebalanced to provide proper air distribution. The New Central Library is being designed to achieve LEED® Gold Certification.
LOCATION: Austin, Texas
CLIENT: Lake | Flato Architects
SERVICES: Plumbing Engineering & Construction Administration
