







UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO COMPUTER DESIGN RESEARCH AND LEARNING CENTER
Completion: April 2024
Size: 135,000 SF
Services: Plumbing/Fire Protection Engineering
The University of Illinois at Chicago’s new Computer Design Research and Learning Center (CDRLC) will house the Computer and Science Department under one roof in a 135,000 SF, 5-story building. The new facility will include:
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Auditoria and lecture halls.
Classrooms.
Dry laboratories.
Faculty and staff offices.
Student organization spaces.
Unique program spaces.
Social/collaboration spaces along with a 1,200 SF robotics lab.
VES provided fire suppression and alarm system design for a new facility, including full-height atrium, fire pump, clean agent, and VESDA. The system was designed to integrate into the existing Fire Alarm Command Center. A challenging task was designing VESDA sampling ports in a 70-foot high grand atrium.
Designed for LEED Gold certification.
VES's expertise in fire suppression and alarm system design was essential in ensuring the safety and security of the University of Illinois at Chicago's new CDRLC. The facility's modern design, coupled with the advanced fire protection systems, provides a conducive environment for learning, research, and collaboration.


UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN ENERGY PERFORMANCE CONTRACT
Completion: August 2020
Services: MEP/FP Engineering
VES, in collaboration with Schneider Electric, undertook a significant energy performance contract to modernize the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) infrastructure within the Natural Resources Studies Annex (NRSA), Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC), and Beckman Institute buildings. This comprehensive renovation project was driven by the imperative to reduce energy consumption and replace aging equipment.
A cornerstone of the project was the design and implementation of two state-of-the-art heat recovery chiller plants. A 200-ton plant was installed in the Beckman Institute, while a larger 280-ton plant was integrated into the ISTC building. These cutting-edge systems are strategically designed to supply heating water to the NRSA building through a newly constructed underground utility piping system.
The project encompassed a wide range of MEP upgrades, including the decommissioning of obsolete steam boilers, the installation of advanced heat exchangers and pumps, and the comprehensive refurbishment or replacement of existing air handling units (AHUs) and associated components. To support specialized laboratory operations, the lab process cooling loop equipment was entirely overhauled. Additionally, new electric water heaters were introduced to replace inefficient steam converters, optimizing hot water production. To ensure optimal system performance and energy efficiency, a thorough rebalancing of all building spaces was conducted.



PARKLAND PREPARATORY ACADEMY PRIVATE THERAPEUTIC DAY SCHOOL RENOVATION
Completion: June 2020
Size: 25,000 SF
Services: MEP/FP Engineering
Parkland Preparatory Academy, a specialized school for students with special needs, acquired a building but needed to repair its deteriorated MEP systems.
To address the critical state of the building's infrastructure, Parkland Preparatory Academy engaged VES to conduct a comprehensive MEP/FP systems assessment. The primary objectives of this assessment were to identify code violations, capacity limitations, and potential safety hazards within the building's MEP systems. Armed with this information, the school could develop a strategic plan for cost-effective improvements.
VES embarked on a meticulous evaluation of the facility's mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. The mechanical systems assessment encompassed a thorough examination of chilled water systems, hydronic heat pumps, package units, and other critical equipment. Concurrently, the electrical infrastructure was scrutinized, including service voltage, overall electrical capacity, switchgear and panelboards, circuit breakers, and arc fault current interrupting (AIC) ratings. The plumbing and fire protection systems were also meticulously inspected, with a focus on sanitary waste lines, sinks, toilets, floor drains, grease traps, and interceptor locations. Additionally, the team diligently documented the condition of these components and identified any potential drainage issues.
Beyond the assessment of individual systems, VES carefully noted any observed code violations, safety hazards, or other deficiencies that could impact the building's overall functionality and occupancy. By providing a comprehensive overview of the MEP systems' condition and performance, VES equipped Parkland Preparatory Academy with the essential information to prioritize necessary repairs, upgrades, and code compliance measures.


UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING BUILDINGS COMMISSION
Completion: August 2018
Services: MEP/FP Commissioning
VES and Interface Engineering commissioned five science and engineering buildings at UIC to optimize their performance and address operational deficiencies.
The commissioning scope encompassed a wide range of critical systems, including laboratory supply and exhaust air terminal units, fume hoods, and associated terminal units. Ensuring precise control of laboratory pressurization was a paramount focus, as was the commissioning of terminal reheat coils, control valves, chilled beams, and their respective control systems. The project also included the commissioning of a newly installed chiller to optimize cooling efficiency and capacity within the buildings.
Through a meticulous evaluation of the building automation system (BAS) programming, VES and Interface Engineering uncovered and corrected programming errors that were adversely impacting system performance. By identifying equipment malfunctions and implementing corrective actions, the commissioning team significantly improved the reliability and efficiency of the building systems. This collaborative effort resulted in a substantial enhancement of the laboratory and classroom environments, providing UIC faculty, staff, and students with a safer, more comfortable, and productive learning and research space.