Baltimore, Md. – RMF Engineering announced today that the University of North Carolina Coastal Studies Institute (UNC CSI) project recently won a 2014 International Architecture Award. The awards are organized annually by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies to honor new and cutting-edge design.
In an email from Kieran Conlon, director / chief executive officer of The European Centre, he stated, “this year, the museum received a record number of projects for new buildings, landscape architecture, and urban planning from the most important firms practicing globally.”
RMF served as the engineer on the UNC CSI project, designing an open-loop geothermal heating and cooling system, which reduces energy use in the building. A geothermal heater/chiller provides heating and chilled water throughout the building, ensuring the same level of space temperature is maintained throughout the facility and the HVAC system is achieving the greatest energy savings. It boasts 35% HVAC system energy savings over typical energy-code compliant systems, and 50% water savings over typical code compliant systems, utilizing low-flow plumbing fixtures and storm water collection systems.
UNC CSI is a 52,000-square-foot research facility, located on a 200-acre site along the Croatan Sound on the Outer Banks near the Town of Manteo. The building achieved LEED Gold certification with a particular focus on low energy use and water conservation. The facility includes research labs for marine archeology, coastal processes, estuarine ecology, public policy and engineering. The building also comes equipped with teaching classrooms and labs as well as marine operations, administration and research offices.
Other companies who contributed to the completion of the UNC CSI project include the architect, Clark Nexsen as well as the builder, Whiting Turner. The facility was completed in December 2012.
To see the full list of 2014 International Architecture Award winners, click here.
Related content:
Article in Today’s Facility Manager: “The HVAC Factor: Keeping Steady With Geothermal”
Press release: “RMF Presents at Pitt and Carnegie Mellon’s Engineering Sustainability 2013”
About RMF Engineering
Founded in 1983, RMF Engineering provides planning, design, engineering, commissioning and facility assessment services globally to clients in the healthcare, higher education, laboratory/research and government sectors. The firm leads the industry in the development of new engineering production methods and technologies, including Building Information Modeling (BIM), carbon reduction strategies, and in-depth assessment technologies. A privately held company headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, RMF has more than 215 employees in 11 U.S. offices.
