Center for Athletic Performance

Henry Adams provided professional MEP and Fire Protection design services for the new $60M Athletic Center located at American University in Washington, D.C. The facility will include a large rooftop photovoltaic array that will help the project achieve Net Zero. The facility consists of The Melzer Center for Athletic Performance (CAP) building and the Sports Complex Annex (SCAN) building which are connected by an enclosed bridge. Located in the heart of campus, these enhanced facilities will provide all students with resources and spaces to learn lifelong skills, further a sense of belonging on campus, and foster physical and mental well-being. The 80,000 SF CAP building will enable American University student-athletes to elevate their competitive performance and it will also expand recreation, fitness, and community-building opportunities for the entire AU community. This will be the first new construction in over 30 years dedicated to the Athletics and Recreation departments mission on campus.

The mechanical scope includes providing a geothermal system to condition the CAP building and variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system to condition the SCAN building. With a goal of LEED Gold, efficient HVAC systems need to be provided. The SCAN consists of office spaces that provide a good fit for VRF. A building automation system will be provided for the new buildings and connected to the building IT network for integration into the campus control and monitoring system. The electrical scope includes connections to campus medium-voltage service distribution, normal power distribution, emergency Power through diesel generator design, and emergency/life-safety distribution.

The lighting scope includes design for interior and exterior lighting and providing construction documents with circuiting, control, and specification. The plumbing scope includes sanitary to the exterior of the building, venting, as well as domestic hot and cold water within the building, and stormwater to the exterior of the building. Due to low available water pressure, a domestic water booster system will be provided. A single booster system will serve both the CAP and SCAN. The fire protection scope includes fire suppression (sprinkler system), fire alarm design around the campus standard system which includes the integration of a fire alarm system into the campus central reporting station, and mass notification. Due to the low available water pressure, a fire pump will be provided. A single fire pump will serve both the CAP and SCAN.