Stanford University commissioned Timmons Design Engineers in association with SOM Architects to develop a concept design to retrofit Wallenberg Hall, one of the University’s original and historical quad buildings. The design incorporates the inclusion of an additional fourth floor and the entire space is developed for state-of-the-art classroom, interactive communication spaces and distance learning centers. The building is earmarked as the future smart building where students and faculty can plug in there laptops anywhere in the building and be able to review all their past work on a central campus server system and have access to the latest information technology.

The architect did not want the conventional forced air HVAC system because of the lower floor-to-ceiling heights that resulted from the addition of a fourth floor. As a result, TDE proposed the use of a passive displacement system that limits the need of major above ceiling ductwork thus reducing wasteful above ceiling plenum space. The system chosen to condition the building is to be a chilled ceiling system, a technology that is popular in Europe and gaining rapid acceptance here in the US. This system gives a global and uniform comfort within the space, operates on 60°F chilled water and is fed from the existing campus chilled water return. The radiant ceiling system also connects to a new steam to water heating circuit that will provide heating to the entire building utilizing the radiant ceiling panels and a series of perimeter heating coils.