Savery Hall Renovation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
The University of Washington’s Savery Hall is an historic structure that received a complete renovation. Wood Harbinger provided mechanical engineering and was an active participant in the LEED certification process.
One of the key goals for this project was to provide a comfortable, technology-rich learning environment for the students and staff. The challenge was to maintain the classic architectural integrity, and provide a sustainable facility that produces energy savings for the lifetime of the building.
For the first time in the Pacific Northwest, Wood Harbinger combined natural ventilation, red light/green light technology, and a Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) system. VRF is a simultaneous heating and cooling, multi-zone system that retrieves energy from one zone to provide thermal comfort to another zone. This combination was an ideal solution, complying with historic guidelines, achieving occupant comfort, and exceeding energy goals. Sustainable elements existing solely in the mechanical systems are expected to accrue at least 27% in annual energy savings beyond the Seattle Energy Code requirements.
The novel combination of systems breaks new ground in combining natural ventilation techniques with proven mechanical system technology. An Owner representative stated that Wood Harbinger “supported the University’s commitment to green building and fiscally responsible construction […] to serve the students and faculty for the next 50 years.”