EP Engineering announced that it provided full MEP engineering services for SMA Equities’ high-rise mixed-use development located on East 23rd Street that opened last year. Gemma Gramercy, the newly named 22-story, 90,000-square-foot structure yielded 80 market rate units and 28 affordable units, ranging from studios to two-bedrooms.
“This building was designed to achieve Passive House Certification, resulting in an energy-efficient building with superior indoor air quality and very low heating and cooling requirements,” said Chris Burgess, senior partner, EP Engineering.
EP Engineering worked alongside Hill West Architects, Steven Winter Associates and CHA Companies on the development. The MEP systems include variable refrigerant flow heat recovery systems, passive house certified energy recovery ventilators and emergency gas generator and high-efficiency condensing type hot water heaters.
The design of this luxury high rise building presented several challenges. EP Engineering’s team achieved a precise balance between supply and exhaust air despite tight construction associated with Passive House Projects, while including provisions for mechanical ventilation throughout. The team also coordinated Passive House requirements with new MEP systems to ensure the energy model met the rigorous requirements for building certification. Finally, the EP team closely coordinated with the design team to minimize floorspace required by MEP systems, saving valuable square footage for the residences and building amenities.
While there are many challenges to Passive House projects, they also produce positive outcomes. Passive House construction affords much greater levels of comfort to occupants by providing consistent temperatures throughout apartments and better indoor air, all while being more energy efficient than other buildings.
