Challenge
The commissioning responsibilities encompassed LEED-NC Energy & Atmosphere Prerequisite 1: Fundamental Building Systems Commissioning, Credit 3: Enhanced Commissioning, as well as Credit 5: Measurement and Verification. The new auditorium replaces the former Hancher Auditorium, destroyed in the flood of 2008. This 190,000 square foot building has two balconies and a seat capacity of 1,800, and houses theater operations, administrative staff offices, a scene shop, costume shop, and production unit offices.
Approach
After reviewing documents through the Design Development (DD) phase, including Basis of Design (BOD), Owner's Project Requirements (OPR), and DD document reviews, feedback was forwarded to the design team for inclusion in the final version. Quality checkpoints included attendance at all construction meetings and regular observation on the job site. With construction complete, functional performance testing began on all of the HVAC, life safety, plumbing, and electrical systems. Then after the building turnover, measurement and verification work began, in order to get accurate system performance measurements.
Outcome
A final report was delivered to the University of Iowa, and all required LEED documentation submitted. Throughout the project, it was critical to ensure the systems met the BOD as well as the OPR. The end result was a facility aligned with the high expectations of the University of Iowa.
