Creating an environment conducive to 1,500 rare medical books dating back to the sixteenth century is no easy task. This was the challenge faced by HTS Texas when tapped by M. D. Anderson Cancer Center to provide an HVAC system for the T. Boone Pickens Academic Tower.
In addition to the institution’s valuable research medical library, the tower – the tallest structure on the M. D. Anderson campus – is home to administrative and faculty offices, a conference center, fitness and dining facilities and retail space. The client needed a system to heat and cool the 732,000-square-foot, 21-story building in the most cost-effective and quiet way possible.
To meet this goal, HTS Texas provided 46 McQuay Air-Handling Units supplying 550,000 cubic-feet-per-minute (CFM) of airflow, each having a special 12-blade plenum fan to ensure minimal sound residue. HTS Texas also supplied nine additional McQuay Air-Handling Units totaling 95,000 CFM during the later build-out portion of the project.
HTS Texas collaborated with Page Southerland Page, D.E. Harvey, Minor Dietrich, Letsos and MLN to complete the large-scale project.
“In addition to equipping the facility with a state-of-the-art HVAC system, we had to do so under a fairly tight budget and strict sound pressure specifications,” said Clinton Kennedy, HTS Texas project manager. “Because of this dual challenge, it was especially rewarding to be able to deliver the high-tech, energy saving equipment to the world-class hospital.”
