GLUMAC - Engineers for a sustainable future

Rich Wells, P.E., LEED^® AP,
San Francisco Associate Principal

Glumac provided mechanical, plumbing and fire protection engineering services for the seismic upgrade and rehabilitation of the historically significant city hall in Pasadena€™s Civic Center. The three story building was completed in 1927 and is designated as a Cultural Heritage Landmark in the National Register of Historic Places.

The seismic upgrade required excavation of a subbasement level below the structure for the installation of a base-isolation system and creation of a "dry moat" around the building to allow the entire building to move as much as 60" during earthquakes.

The project included a complete interior renovation of the building that necessitated removing and replacing all heating, cooling, and plumbing systems as well as installation of a new fire sprinkler system. Minimizing impacts on the building's historic architecture and structural design while providing flexibility for temperature control and efficient building operation were top priorities. Glumac's design team selected HVAC systems that include variable volume air handling units with VAV terminal reheat, and 4-pipe fan-coil units with dedicated, tempered outside air supply system. Water-source heat pumps are provided to serve spaces that require off-hour operation capability or 24/7 cooling.

The City of Pasadena is pursuing LEED^®Certification for this building. Energy calculations show the building HVAC systems to be highly efficient. The project is expected to achieve five to seven credit points for LEED^® energy optimization.

Notable Features

• Energy-efficient HVAC systems with high-efficiency water chillers (0.6 Kw/ton), variable flow chilled water, condenser water, and heating water distribution, air-side economizers for VAV air handling units, and DDC Building Management and Control system.
• Original plumbing fixtures were refurbished and reused where possible to preserve the historic design of the building.
• "State of the art" dual action flush-valves, and dual flush tank type water closets are utilized throughout the building for improved water efficiency.
• Ball joints utilized in all utility piping connections to accommodate up to 60" differential lateral movement of the building.