Projects

In 2016, Wintek, an Internet Service Provider headquartered in Lafayette, Indiana, undertook a $2 million-dollar expansion of its area service capabilities using a secure facility to accommodate local and global business activity. The data center was designed to provide a cost-effective, flexible colocation site to meet current and future client needs with the ability to expand as needed.

Primary Engineering’s role was to design the mechanical and electrical systems of the 2,000 square foot data center to have the ability and flexibility for expansion to 8.5 kW per rack. The mechanical system designed for the data center utilized a hot and cold aisle containment system with 24-hour, year-round monitoring of temperature and humidity. The HVAC system consisted of multiple, 25-ton Liebert units designed for 5 kW per rack with the capability of expanding to 8.5 kW per rack for future needs.

The electrical distribution system was set up to allow for future conversion to a 2N solution, and the data center itself was provided with UPS back-up in a N+1 configuration for ride through during a loss of power or brownouts. During long term outages, the facility is supported by a 1-megawatt diesel/natural gas bi-fuel engine/generator with the ability to expand to a total of four, 1-megawatt diesel/natural gas bi-fuel engine/generators. If new engine/generators need to be added to the system, this may occur without taking existing generators off- line. The internal distribution within the data center consists of multiple PDU with each rack receiving a power feed from two separate PDU.

In 2016, STAR Financial Bank, headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana, embarked on an endeavor to update its existing branches and to build new branches to adapt to modern banking trends for better serving its customers. This $1.3 million-dollar project centered around the construction of a new branch building located on Scott Road in Fort Wayne designed to be functional and secure for customers and employees. Features included a Tech Bar for mobile banking support, a video bank teller system, LED lighting, and energy-efficient HVAC systems with zoning for customer and employee comfort. Partnering with MKM architecture + design, Primary Engineering designed the systems for the bank to be integrated into the sleek design elements so as not to detract from the aesthetics of the new corporate prototype.

The lighting design utilized a slim line LED fixture that is very energy-efficient, while providing lighting level control that blends with the interior design. Lighting at the cash drawer locations was designed to avoid creating shadows that make video surveillance of these areas difficult. With the correct lighting design, operational security of the space was enhanced. As the interior space is surrounded by large expanses of glazing, allowing for natural lighting, potential issues with cold drafts and high amounts of solar heat gain were addressed when designing the HVAC systems to maintain a comfortable environment. Overall, this new bank design and technological systems has provided an improved and enhanced experience for STAR Bank staff and customers.

Corby Hall is a new $25 million residence hall recently constructed on the University of Notre Dame campus. It replaced an older structure, also called Corby Hall, that was demolished in early 2018. The new facility, designed to meet LEED v4 Silver certification, includes three floors of residential apartments as well as gathering spaces, a full commercial kitchen, and service spaces. Primary Engineering’s role was to to provide full MEP and IT engineering design services as well as construction administration services during the project.

In 2008, the University of Notre Dame adopted a policy requiring all new campus construction to follow LEED standards. For the new Corby Hall, the heat and domestic hot water is supplied from the campus steam plant, so we were challenged with designing LEED-certified building systems that met the design standards while staying within the project budget. The project was completed in 2020.

In 2016, the Long Center for the Performing Arts, an historic theater constructed in 1920 and located in Lafayette, Indiana, embarked on a $1.25 million renovation project. Primary Engineering’s role was to design new house lights, HVAC, and fire sprinkler systems to bring the building up to date while also increasing energy efficiency.

To minimize affecting the facility’s busy event schedule, the project needed to be done in stages to allow for continued use of the venue without disruption for long periods of time. The new LED house and emergency egress lighting designs were done so as not to be visible and to maintain the historic plaster coves while also utilizing a modern, energy-efficient system. A new DMX controller, added to the LED lights, provides flexibility for future theatrical lighting upgrades.

Housed within the theater is an historic pipe organ which needed to be protected from fire, and equally, from accidental discharge of a sprinkler head. A dual-action deluge system was designed and installed to provide the needed fire protection and to mitigate damage from water discharge into the pipe chambers.

The new HVAC equipment was designed to be quiet for the theater space. Access to the original system was limited due to the large size of the air handler and basement location, however. To aid in the removal of old equipment from the building and the moving of new mechanical equipment into the building, a section of the theater’s original coal bin was opened on the public sidewalk. Scheduling was important so as not to leave the facility without heating or cooling. Cooling upgrades occurred during “shoulder seasons” when cooling could be accomplished by using an outside air economizer until the new cooling plant was brought online during a tight, three- week period. The heating system replacement occurred during the summer. The original steam heating plant was converted to a new, modern energy-efficient hot water system with condensing boilers.

The Center is currently the home of the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra, and is often used by other organizations and groups including Purdue University, Lafayette Ballet, Passion Play and Wabash Valley Youth Symphony.