McMaster University -
Information Technology Centre

The major renovation for this Electrical and Computer Engineering Teaching and Research facility comprised the following components:

• Complete renovation of an existing limestone building consisting of two storeys, part basement and a new penthouse totalling 81,000 square feet housing new Software and Computer Engineering teaching rooms, research laboratories and associated offices, computer server rooms, meeting/seminar rooms and 245 seat auditorium. Penthouse mechanical room above the building and renovated mechanical and electrical rooms in the basement house the new mechanical equipment serving the new facilities.
• Special construction features included restoration of existing Indiana limestone façade blended with high-tech windows and matching glazed curtain wall, refinished terrazzo floors and colour scheme from the 50's era architecture, raised floor computer room and new second floor area above the former gymnasium.
• New systems included a piping and electrical service tunnel tied into the existing campus network for chilled water, steam, city water, electrical main and emergency power, DDC central network and data and communications infrastructure.
• New hybrid variable volume air handlers utilizing dedicated air handlers and duct distribution for cooling and ventilation air combined at the room level with electronic dual duct variable air volume boxes for individual room demand-based outside air supply and temperature control to spaces.
• Chilled water-to-glycol heat exchangers for winter free cooling of district chilled water cooling system, DDC controls and special lighting system/controls tailored for optimum levels per area use for the building environmental conditions.
• Audible/visual annunciation on addressable fire alarm system, harmonic reduction transformers on electrical system and engineered lighting levels for visually impaired.