U-M Ross Athletic Campus Wins 1st Place in ASHRAE Region V Tech Awards

Technology Awards Program Recognizes Successful Applications of Innovative Design

Winners were recently announced for the 2020 ASHRAE Region V Technology Awards competition. In 1st Place was the University of Michigan Stephen M. Ross Athletic Campus - South Complex, submitted by the project team's MEP engineering designers, Peter Basso Associates.

According to ASHRAE, its Technology Awards program, 'recognizes, on an international scale, successful applications of innovative design, which incorporate ASHRAE standards for effective energy management, indoor air quality, and good mechanical design. The purpose of the ASHRAE Technology Awards is threefold:

1. To recognize ASHRAE members who design and/or conceive innovative technological concepts that are proven through actual operating data.
2. To communicate innovative systems design to other ASHRAE members.
3. To highlight technological achievements of ASHRAE to others, including associated professionals and societies worldwide, as well as building and facility owners.'

Despite the large amount of high-tech exercise equipment including one of the only indoor rowing tanks at a university, the University wanted to create an energy-efficient complex that was in line with the University's sustainability initiatives.Therefore the new $168-million, 280,000 sf sports complex for regional and national competitions was designed to meet and achieve LEED Silver designation, which it recently earned by the USGBC in May, 2020.

An estimated 30% in energy savings was needed to meet energy code compliance for the building as defined by ASHRAE 90.1-2007. In order to achieve this level of energy efficiency, the project team designed and implemented a more efficient building envelope. The wall and roof insulating values were upgraded from the ASHRAE baseline. The glazing shading coefficient was upgraded from the ASHRAE baseline of 0.46 to 0.26. Engineering features included:

• Highly efficient hot water heating boilers
• A Chiller with heat recovery
• Variable Speed Drives on the Cooling Tower Fans
• De-stratification fans in large spaces
• Enthalpy economizer in lieu of dry bulb economizer
• Energy recovery wheels in multiple handling units
• Increased thermostat dead band
• Energy efficient LED lighting
• Reduction in lighting power density
• Low-flow plumbing fixtures
• Anticipated 30% water consumption savings based on LEED criteria

Now that the project has won 1st place at the regional level it will go on to compete on the world stage at the ASHRAE Society level. Congratulations to the project team on this great accomplishment!

For more information on our higher education sports engineering design services, go to: https://www.peterbassoassociates.com/portfolio/sports-recreation

or Contact Us at:248.879.5666 or pbainfo@pbanet.com.

Peter Basso Associates, Inc., a 100% employee-owned firm, is ranked among the Top 100 Consulting Engineering Firms in the nation.