The retrofit of the historical Kinsey Hall on the UCLA campus entails the redevelopment of the interior space to advanced language and distance learning classrooms, faculty office and library space. Currently, the building is being seismically retrofitted and the entire HVAC system is being replaced with a state-of-the art energy efficient, chilled ceiling system with mechanical and natural ventilation.

The design will utilize the existing steam and chilled water mains entering the building. The direction of the university was to develop a design that would reduce energy and maintenance costs over the lifetime of the system. The TDE / ARUP engineering design team proposed a chilled ceiling system that relies on radiation and natural convection to cool the occupants. The displacement system proposed is utilizing old technology that is used extensively in Europe and is gaining rapid momentum in the US and Canada.