As an essential part of the university’s mission and sustainable campus initiatives, the renovation and expansion of Blackwell Hall is made up of mechanical engineering and design. The BIM Services helped in designing the modern facility that provided advanced mechanical services such as HVAC systems, mechanical piping, reverse osmosis water treatment system, and plumbing systems.
Project Summary
- Complete mechanical design, engineering, and installation for the Blackwell Hall revitalization and expansion
- Campus-wide hydronic mechanical piping networks integrated seamlessly with existing utility services
- Advanced, energy-efficient geothermal heat pump systems with energy recovery AHUs
- Complete reverse osmosis water purification and backflow prevention systems for high-purity research needs
- Sustainability measures targeting a high-level Net-Zero status for the facility
Project Snapshot
| Scope | HVAC, Reverse Osmosis Water Purification (RP), Mechanical Piping & Plumbing |
| Location | Salisbury, Maryland, USA |
| General Contractor | Hord Coplan Macht |
| Architect | Ayers Saint Gross |
Mechanical BIM Modeling for Campus-Wide Piping Networks
Integrating a revitalized facility into existing campus utilities takes precise, coordinated modeling. Our MEPF services team delivered:
- Comprehensive campus-wide hydronic mechanical piping networks engineered and coordinated
- Seamless integration with existing utility services across the Blackwell Hall campus
- Reliable, robust HVAC infrastructure supporting advanced learning and research spaces
- Coordinated riser routing that respected the constraints of an active, occupied academic building
Geothermal Heat Pump Systems and High-Purity Water Treatment
Sustainable climate control and specialized water needs shaped much of the mechanical scope, and included:
- Advanced, energy-efficient geothermal heat pump systems with energy recovery AHUs
- Sustainable climate control designed to reduce operational costs
- Complete reverse osmosis water purification systems and backflow preventers for specialized high-purity water needs in academic and research labs
- Geothermal well fields and closed-loop Mechanical piping sized to support the building’s long-term thermal demands
BIM Coordination and Clash-Free Mechanical Risers
Every mechanical and plumbing system was checked through rigorous BIM coordination and clash detection before installation. Key outcomes included:
- Detailed 3D BIM modeling and coordination for all multi-faceted mechanical and plumbing risers
- Piping systems and equipment resolved against structural and architectural elements
- Field-ready documentation supporting a smooth installation sequence
- Multi-faceted mechanical and plumbing risers modeled to accommodate future maintenance access
Quality Control, Commissioning, and Net-Zero Sustainability
Our team managed exhaustive quality control, testing, and commissioning across the full mechanical scope, including:
- Testing and commissioning protocols for all mechanical and plumbing components, from geothermal wells to domestic plumbing
- Net-zero process Mechanical piping loops supporting the university’s sustainability goals
- Optimized water management measures targeting a high-level Net-Zero status
Our services in creating an optimal design of Blackwell Hall at Salisbury University exemplify how we use meticulous mechanical BIM modeling, coordination, and commissioning with emphasis on sustainability, supported by shop drawings, to create Net-Zero ready educational buildings. For other examples of projects within this industry, view our educational and institutional portfolio.
