September 30, 2024
CSE MEP Roundtable Features Stephanie Lafontaine
Five experts expound on trends specifying engineers are seeing on college campuses that are driving design changes and sustainability initiatives.
In a two-part MEP roundtable discussion for Consulting-Specifying Engineer, RMF lead mechanical engineer Stephanie Lafontaine, PE, LEED BD+C provides insight on current and imminent trends in the design of college and university buildings, including the latest codes and standards needed to uphold the highest caliber of design excellence.
Key learning objectives from the roundtable include:
Trends Driving Design: Identifying trends that influence the evolution of university buildings.
Environmental Considerations: Understanding the environmental aspects that are important in these projects.
Design Challenges: Addressing the unique challenges such as limited space, time constraints, and retrofitting existing structures.
Changing Code Requirements: Identifying how environmental factors are reshaping building codes.
Key Codes and Standards: Familiarity with important standards such as the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and the transition to all-electric systems.
Future-proofing university buildings is essential to accommodate changing student demographics and sustainability goals. The roundtable emphasizes the complexities of balancing innovation with the limitations of working on campus spaces and adhering to strict energy codes that drive innovation in HVAC and energy-efficient systems.
Read the full series below:
• What trends do specifying engineers see on college campuses?
• Codes and standards focus on energy efficient university buildings