Facing capacity issues with their existing court facilities, as well as aging building and HVAC systems in an historic structure, Buncombe County planned a three-phase renovation project. Phase I consisted of life safety improvements, Phase II involved the design of a new courts building (118,000 sf, 4 story building), and Phase III included various interior upfits for different agencies and users. The owner’s goals were to: meet life safety requirements; retain the historic character of the courthouse; provide security, efficiency, and growth; and maintain operations during design and construction. The result is a highly functional and sustainable court system, which meets the county’s capacity requirements for a growing population with a modern facility. SKA provided the LEED administrative services for this project. SKA provided the design on the complex fire alarm system which included a fire command center and secure areas and also involved an addition of a secure parking lot for the judges.
SKA performed mechanical, electrical and fire protection engineering design services for the renovation of the existing Health Services Building for Buncombe County. The renovation project followed completion of a new seven story office addition and new parking deck. The renovations to the existing building included repurposing existing office spaces to expand the county’s health services and provide more group meeting areas as well provide occupants with an improved work environment. The renovation added a new health clinic for county residents, new medical laboratory spaces, new conference and training rooms and expanded existing health service program spaces to meet growing demands.
The lighting for the renovated areas includes occupancy sensing and new LED technology to save energy on illumination and on cooling costs. Existing mechanical system were modified to adapt to the new building usages and new systems were added as required to support the expanded medical labs. Existing plumbing and fire protection systems were also modified to meet the new building demands.
Design for the new 7 story office building (70,000 sf) with an attached 8 story parking deck (280,000 sf) included energy efficient lighting and HVAC components consisting of LEDs, lighting controls, variable refrigerant volume equipment, and recovery type units. SKA also designed smoke pressurization systems and a fire command center.
