Century Engineering, a Kleinfelder Company, Receives Two 2022-2023 ACEC/MW Engineering Excellence Awards
HUNT VALLEY, Maryland (December 15, 2022) – The American Council of Engineering Companies of Metropolitan Washington (ACEC/MW) recognized two Century Engineering, a Kleinfelder Company, (Century) projects at the 2022-2023 Engineering Excellence Awards Gala – an event that honors the area’s top engineering achievements. The projects – West Half Street Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) Design and Maryland 355 at West Old Baltimore Road Intersection Improvements – received an Honor Award and Merit Award, respectively.
As a subconsultant to the executive architect, Eric Colbert and Associates PC, Century provided MEP systems design and building energy systems support in energy modeling for the West Half Street project. Located within the new Ballpark District in Washington, DC, the project is a beautifully crafted 11-story development with 465 dwelling units over nearly 43,000 square feet of first floor retail. The building’s unique articulating facade that steps back on one side and cantilevers outward on the opposite side presented challenges for the plumbing and other functional systems. To accommodate the unusual variation in layout and lack of consistent vertical access, Century carefully coordinated horizontal offsets in the mechanical and plumbing infrastructure as it cascades through the building.
Electrical systems design included separately metered utility service for each residence and each retail tenant. An indoor, water-cooled generator was designed to provide emergency power to select loads, while minimizing the impact to the outdoor spaces.
To assist in achieving the sustainability goals for the site, a green roof was implemented with stormwater reclamation. The green roof system stores and distributes rainwater for use in irrigation and supplements water to the cooling tower.
Acting as the energy modeler for the project, Century demonstrated an over 30% reduction in energy usage below baseline due to an energy efficient envelope and the use of a high performing HVAC system.
“Century is honored to have contributed to this award-winning LEED Gold® certified project,” commented Century MEP Engineering Manager Matt Steiner. “While the project’s unique approach to building massing pushed boundaries, Century’s MEP design proved that MEP systems don’t have to be a limiting factor to the imaginations of brilliant architects and designers.”
The Maryland 355 at West Old Baltimore Road Intersection Improvements project involved addressing the capacity and skewed configuration of the intersection. As the prime consultant to Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) State Highway Administration, District 3, Century provided highway engineering, structural engineering, traffic engineering, stream stabilization design, coordination with adjacent developers and projects, utilities relocation design review, right-of-way planning, and reviewed project right-of-way plats.
As a comprehensive effort, this project combined roadway safety improvements with trails/sidewalk upgrades and room for future growth from developers, while also enhancing stormwater management practices and promoting a sustainable, complete design.
“We’re proud to have supported MDOT on this intersection improvement project. In addition to enhancing the safety of the intersection and preparing the community for increased traffic in the coming years, Century takes pride in completing the project without having to implement any detours, which was a request from MDOT and project stakeholders,” said Century Project Manager Mary Matzke.
Kleinfelder. Bright People. Right Solutions. Founded in 1961, Kleinfelder is a leading engineering, design, construction management, construction materials inspection and testing, and environmental professional services firm. Kleinfelder employs more than 3,000 professionals and operates from over 100 office locations in the United States, Canada, and Australia. The company is headquartered in San Diego, California. Poised for growth, Kleinfelder continues to provide high-quality solutions for our diverse client base. Visit Kleinfelder.com or follow us on LinkedIn/Kleinfelder.
