RESIDENTIAL Q UA L I F I C AT I O N S
Residential Whether assisted living complexes, high-rise apartment rentals, or individuallyowned luxury condominiums, residential properties require special attention from the consulting engineer. Engineering designs must accommodate the varied needs of the occupants who are often undefined or in flux. Many projects in the residential arena are multi-use projects. These spaces are particularly challenging due to the differing hours of operation of each component, as well as their differing need for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and fire protection services. Systems must allow for individual metering of utility usage yet provide certain independent controls as well. It is crucial that the needs of tenants, retailers, or otherwise do not compromise residential occupancy as a whole.
The Club at Briarcliff Manor Senior Retirement Community Location
Briarcliff Manor, New York
Size
345,000 square feet
Architect
Perkins Eastman
Cost
$110 million
Services
MEP/FP
Completed
2019
The Club at Briarcliff Manor was designed to epitomize luxurious senior living. Located on the former campus of The Kings College and the Walter Law Estate in Briarcliff Manor, The Club provides independent, assisted, and skilled nursing living options within one of the largest and most advanced facilities of its kind in the New York area. Kohler Ronan was brought on board to contribute mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and technology (IT/AV and Security) design for this 345,000 square-foot facility. Consisting of two eight-story buildings, connected at the terrace level, the senior community’s 287 units are broken down into 168 Independent Living units, 87 Assisted Living units, and 32 Memory Support units. Amenities include a dining room, theater, art & wood shop studios, salon, fitness room, library, and café. Food service is provided via a commercial kitchen on the first level of one of the towers. A preempt to the project was a new pump house designed to serve the Town of Briarcliff’s water service, and replace the water tower located on The Club’s site. Additionally, an emergency generator was designed to deliver life safety to the facility and standby loads to accommodate heating, commercial kitchen equipment, and support spaces. Mechanical systems include vertical packaged units which afford individual control of heating and cooling. In this way, the residents’ thermal comfort would be ensured in all seasons. A combination of variable-volume refrigerant units and central station air handling units with air cooled condensing units serve the common spaces throughout the complex. Delivering heat and water are a central heating plant with gas fired condensing boilers and a central gas-fired domestic water plant respectively.
Images: © Bob Hallam Photographic
Edwin’s Place New Supportive Housing Location
Brooklyn, New York
Size
87,546 square feet
Architect
Robert A.M. Stern Architects
Cost
TBA
Services
MEP/FP, Technology Design
Completed
TBA
Kohler Ronan provided MEP/FP and technology designs and services for Edwin’s Place – a new, affordable housing complex developed by nonprofit partners Breaking Ground and the African American Planning Commission, Inc., with architectural designs by Robert A.M. Stern Architects. This 8-story, new construction building, located in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, will provide 125 affordable units with 69 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments as well as 56 studios. Amenities are to include a multipurpose room, a 24/7 lobby, camera surveillance, electronic access control, residential telecommunications and media services, and exterior lighting for additional safety. Green initiatives include energy star appliances and water conserving fixtures. In additon, the ground floor will house retail and commerical businesses. When completed, Edwin’s Place will serve the communities of Brownsville and East New York by providing supportive housing for low-income and/or homeless families and individuals. The development will also provide supportive residences for those with special needs, adults living with HIV/AIDs, those with a history of substance abuse, and homeless veterans.
Images: © Renderings Courtesy of Robert A.M. Stern Architects
The Woodcrest Apartments New Residential Apartments Location
Oceanside, New York
Size
260,107 square feet
Architect
H2M Architects + Engineers
Cost
$50 million (estimated)
Services
MEP/FP, Technology Design
Completed
Est. September 2021
With their close proximity to numerous beach towns as well as a favorable commute to New York City via the Long Island Railroad, these new rental apartments are certain to be a welcome addition to Oceanside, a seaside hamlet located in the town of Hempstead in Nassau County. The project consists of 239 new residential apartments totaling approximately 260,107 square feet. Renters will have the option to choose from four different floor plans: studio A, studio B, a one bedroom, or a two bedroom. Each floor will be equipped with a community room, laundry room, trash room, and maintenance room. The building itself will be four stories in height with an open parking garage at grade level. The first floor program will include a main lobby and back of house spaces occupying approximately 9,265 square feet of area. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors will consist of 83,614 square feet spread across 239 rental apartments. The apartments are assigned for completion and occupancy in September 2021.
1080 Amsterdam Avenue 20-story Residential Building Upgrades Location
New York, NY
Size
Architect
Stonehenge Management
Cost
Services
MEP/FP
Completed
89,365 square feet Confidential 2014
1080 Amsterdam Avenue is a 20-story residential building located steps away from Columbia University on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Although the pre-war architectural details of the tower still remain, this residence was completely renovated to create improved spaces and modern amenities. Today, each one of the residential tower’s ninety-six apartment units features historic details, private outdoor spaces, picturesque views, a sunken living room, and stainless steel appliances. The care and attention to detail exhibited throughout the building is highlighted by the elegant condo-level renovations. Shared amenities within the building were enhanced to include a resident lounge, fitness center, bike storage, and on-site laundry facilities. The project’s scope also incorporated new risers, electrical service, water service, and upgraded building infrastructure, as well as the creation of a basement-level amenity space.
KOHLER RONAN
Jewish Senior Services
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Campus Location
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Size
366,000 square feet
Architect
Perkins Eastman
Cost
$70 million
Services
MEP/FP
Completed
2016
On the site of the former Jewish Center for Community Services in Bridgeport now stands The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Campus, a state-of-the-art, 366,000 square-foot senior living facility. Featuring a Household Model, the facility is the first and only skilled nursing and assisted living facility of its kind in the state. Over 300 residents are accommodated across six four-story houses connected to a larger building housing community and common areas. The houses themselves offer residents (280 skilled nursing and 40 assisted living) a private room and bath, as well as access to shared yet intimate home environments including a kitchenette, dining area, living room, den, and balcony. A fitness center, handicapped accessible pool and sauna, commercial kitchen, kosher kitchen, dining room, and synagogue are all housed in the main building. Many of the spaces are also open to the larger community for special programming and related events. Kohler Ronan’s engineering team designed comprehensive mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection in support of the facility, while meeting the challenges necessitated by the varied environmental conditions of the building’s numerous programs and functions. Highefficiency condensing boilers were incorporated in the engineering designs along with full emergency backup power in the event of a power failure.
Images: © Anna Wesolowska/www.photographerhedman.com
Kendal on Hudson
Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) Location
Sleepy Hollow, New York
Size
100,000 square feet
Architect
DiMella Shaffer
Cost
$12 million
Services
MEP/FP
Completed
2016
Kohler Ronan was engaged at this Westchester senior community, located in historic Sleepy Hollow, to provide mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection design in support of renovations and additions to improve the residential experience. The scope of the addition included a twelve-bed special needs Assisted Living/Memory Support residence as well as a ten-bed enriched Assisted Living residence in the Adirondack wing. Renovations across the 100,000 square-foot facility included 25 Clearwater units within the Skilled Nursing level of care and the relocation of the existing library to a new addition adjacent to the facility’s main building. Other renovations incorporated the relocation of a gathering room, marketing office and administrative suite. In order to improve the fitness center, physical therapy/occupational therapy spaces, and home care facilities, the terrace level was reconfigured for better flow and access. Infill over the pool provided necessary office space, while renovations to the restrooms and kitchens in the Assisted Living areas served to improve those facilities.
Images: © Robert Benson Photography
Peconic Landing
Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) Location
Greenport, New York
Size
120,442 square feet
Architect
Perkins Eastman
Cost
$44 million
Services
MEP/FP, Energy Analysis
Completed
2016
LEED
LEED for Homes Certified
The simultaneous construction of a new independent living building and healthcare expansion represents the first new construction for the continuing care retirement community since it opened in 2002. Set on 144 acres, the campus, originally consisting of 110 cottages and 139 independent living unit apartments, boasts a new, three-story building consisting of 46 residential apartments, multiple classrooms, an expanded fitness center with pool, an art studio, lobby, and a beautiful sensory garden with cushioned surface. The new facility also incorporates a below-grade parking garage. The project is LEED for Homes Certified. The healthcare addition incorporates a new, single-story Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) and Memory Care (MC) facility. The building houses 31 new patient rooms, common spaces, and support areas. Like the Independent Living area, the patient rooms are LEED for Homes Certified. It was important to the owner that the new spaces be fully integrated into the existing campus and that they maintain both a cohesive look and feel. Teaming with Perkins Eastman Architects on this unique senior care facility, Kohler Ronan provided an array of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection engineering designs. Designs included a new cooling tower, boiler plant, and generator to prepare the site for the new construction. Additionally, a new emergency generator system was designed to support the entire healthcare addition.
Images: © Sarah Mechling. Courtesy Perkins Eastman
Camphill Ghent Elders in Community Senior Living Community Location
Chatham, New York
Size
100,000 square feet
Architect
Perkins Eastman
Cost
$18 million
Services
MEP/FP
Completed
2013
LEED
LEED Gold Certified for Homes
Awards
AIA Design for Aging Review, Merit Award, 2013
Located in Chatham, New York, Camphill Ghent provides unique care and accommodation to an aging population and associated long-term co-workers and caregivers. The residents have an option of several living arrangements depending on their needs. Kohler Ronan has provided comprehensive mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection designs for each of these living options along with shared community spaces throughout the complex totaling nearly 100,000 square feet. Our scope of services includes designs for ten independent living townhouses (two or three bedrooms) with fully-equipped kitchen and private garage. The team also worked on twenty-one co-housing apartments spread across three buildings. The apartments consisted of studios and two or three-bedroom units. For residents requiring more care, we designed systems for Adult Homes assisted living options (50,000 square feet). Homes are furnished with treatment rooms, commercial kitchens, and spas. One of the homes will be licensed by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). A Village House for residents and caregivers, and a Barn Building, are included. Sustainability and responsible building design are important to Camphill Ghent. Our team incorporated low-flow water fixtures for energy efficiency and optimized natural ventilation for conditioning.
Images: © Sarah Mechling. Courtesy Perkins Eastman
Wartburg
Adult Care Community & Assisted Living Facility Location
Mount Vernon, New York
Size
80,000 square feet
Architect
Perkins Eastman
Cost
$26 million
Services
MEP/FP, Technology Design
Completed
2013
LEED
LEED Certified
Kohler Ronan provided a complete array of engineering design services in conjunction with the new construction of an adult care facility located on a 34-acre campus in Mount Vernon, New York. The 80,000 square-foot facility is the first healthcare building in the town of Mount Vernon to have received a LEED certification. The scope of the project included mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems spanning three floors above ground as well as one underground parking garage. LEED services were also provided in order for staff to deliver healthcare in an environmentally conscious space. The facility itself consists of fifty skilled nursing beds throughout four distinct neighborhoods. Each neighborhood includes a dining room, country kitchen, and common activities area. The upper floors incorporate skilled nursing and rehabilitation areas while the lower level consists of two adult day care centers offering both social and medical services depending on patient and/or resident needs. In 2013, Wartburg was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as among the best nursing homes in New York State for the third consecutive year.
Images: Courtesy of Lecesse Construction
171 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10016 T 212.695.2422
93 Lake Avenue Danbury, CT 06810 T 203.778.1017
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