Alternative Design Minimizes Risk, Shortens Schedule, and Reduces Cost
September 8th, 2023
SUMMARY
SIGMA7 presents an alternative project design and delivery approach, in response to a client RFP, that maintains business continuity and provides for operational efficiency while reducing both the schedule for implementation and the client's capital spend.
THE CLIENT
A large (confidential upon request) financial organization located in the center of a major East Coast city is responsible for critical operations. The facility is housed within a 45-year-old facility with approximately 3,000 employees working onsite.
BACKGROUND
The client needed to replace the entire mission critical mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) infrastructure, supporting their business operation, as the aging systems were at or approaching end-of-service life.
Prior to issuing the RFP, the client conducted a feasibility study which included a concept design. The study determined the project could take more than eight years to complete at significant cost.
THE PROJECT CHALLENGE
As an organization that conducts financial transactions and is required to adhere and comply with regulatory requirements, the client posed the following challenge:
- Replace the MEP infrastructure without shutting down IT equipment
- Maintaining business as usual
- Ensure 24x7 operations of critical system
The client issued two separate design RFPs. The first included the replacement of 13 sets of switchgear and 7 emergency generators located throughout the building. The second included replacing 16 large air handler mechanical units, also located throughout the building.
SIGMA7’s SOLUTION—AN ALTERNATE CONCEPT FOR IMPLEMENTATION
The SIGMA7 team realized that reducing risk and ensuring business continuity while upgrading infrastructure is a key component of the project solution.
"This facility is much more than a typical office space,” said Robert Rouleau, AIA, ATD, founding partner and managing principal of SIGMA7. This client posed a very special challenge for the SIGMA7 team to consider:
“How do you ensure business continuity while upgrading MEP infrastructure in an operations facility housing so many employees conducting sensitive financial transactions that simply cannot be interrupted?”
SIGMA7 understood that sporadic and systematic shut down of the building’s infrastructure over the course of nearly a decade, as presented in the RFP design concept, while possible, was neither feasible nor beneficial for ongoing operations or project implementation. It also created potential for increased risk to the project, ongoing operations, and the ability to maintain business-as-usual.
SIGMA7 considered many factors when reviewing this client’s requirements. Significant focus placed upon:
- Value: The client required the lowest cost for the best value.
- Approach: The SIGMA7 team had to ensure it presented a competitive proposal that met every single client goal.
- Impact: The winning proposal had to reduce business disruption, improve upon the schedule, and limit operational risk
SIGMA7 took a significant risk by proposing an alternative design concept for implementation that completely deviated from the findings of the study, the design concept presented, and the initial client ask.
- The solution leveraged the two RFPs into a single integrated design solution.
- Our outside-of-the-box solution was based upon the development and creation of new redundant “mechanical penthouses” to house the replacement equipment.
- Equipment would no longer be replaced on a one to one, in kind basis
- Risk significantly reduced
- Former mechanical and electrical spaces were vacated and repurposed
The solution transplanted the entire Mechanical infrastructure and select components of the Electrical infrastructure to the underutilized roof of the facility. New penthouses were proposed to be constructed atop the building. This approach allowed for fewer larger air handlers to be installed, commissioned in-place and connected to the existing distribution ductwork. Following commissioning, a systematic removal of the existing air handlers could occur with negligible risk, while maintaining 24x7x365 business-as-usual operations.
“Our design team moved the heart of the building to the roof,” explained Rouleau. “Rather than upgrade infrastructure from within the facility and attempt to reconfigure obsolete technology, our team configured an entirely new physical plant on the roof, within enclosed mechanical penthouses.”
Key attributes of the SIGMA7 solution:
- Duration of the project was reduced from eight to 2.5 years
- Project cost was reduced by $10 million
- Operational risk significantly minimized
Additional value-added benefits of the solution:
- Eliminated the need for temporary equipment, services, and systems
- Leveraged unused roof space for systems and equipment
- Enabled an expanded work duration providing for year-round construction, not just during the ‘shoulder’ seasons when mechanical needs are diminished.
- Reduced disruption and distraction to the buildings inhabitants as construction was focused on limited areas of the building, with a significant portion of the work performed on the roof
- Reclaimed and repurposed space. These spaces allowed for the installation and commissioning of new electrical switchgear and infrastructure along with other facility needs
- Decreased risk to critical operations
- Enhanced redundancy and reliability of the mechanical and electrical systems
- Simplified systems maintenance and operations
“SIGMA7’s integrated architectural and engineering teams have the experience, knowledge, and capability to look at a project like this during a proposal phase and be able to see something that our potential client may not see,” said Rouleau. “We took a risk presenting a proactive holistic solution in lieu of a reactive approach that focused on individual components and the ask of the client’s RFP scope of work.”
ABOUT US
SIGMA7, a full service integrated architectural and engineering firm, provides professional services to clients in the public and private sectors. Our clients are Fortune 500 ranked organizations in the technology, insurance, banking, and financial markets.
Still curious or want to learn more about SIGMA7, our integrated A/E approach, or see how we can assist you and your team?
Please visit SIGMA7design.com, email us at contact@sigma7design.com, or call our office at 212 779.7100 we are here to listen, answer your questions, and would like to learn more about you and your organization as well.
