This
hotel and conference center includes approximately 1
million square feet of guestrooms and related support
and circulation areas; 135,000 square feet of public
spaces and amenities (i.e., lobby, retail, concierge,
kitchens, business center, car rental, bar, etc.) and
128,000 square feet dedicated to administrative and
back-of-house operations. The project also includes
a separate 80,000 square foot building to house engineering
and maintenance functions; a 160,000 square foot atrium;
a 310,000 square foot exhibition hall; 235,000 square
feet of ballroom and conference facilities; and 235,000
square feet of structured parking.
This project’s size, architectural features, varying
programmatic elements and multiple themed environments
were particularly challenging because they required
systems designed to meet the client’s needs for
energy efficiency, ease of operation, optimal occupant
comfort, flexibility and quality, as well as the architect’s
desire to minimize the visual impact of engineering
systems. Cosentini’s engineering design incorporates
fully integrated, automated systems that connect HVAC,
lighting, fire, security, and access controls into one
BMS. Multiple boilers and chillers, distributed air
handling and amply hot water capacity were included
to accommodate convention demand loads. A zoned HVAC
system supported by electrical and data distribution
via gridded floor boxes with multiple plug receptacles
maximizes flexibility. Cosentini used Computational
Fluid Dynamics to optimize the HVAC design for the project’s
160,000 square foot, glass-covered atrium. The system
provided conditioned temperatures in the lower occupied
zones of the 20 million cubic foot atrium, while also
allowing heat to stratify above. This air distribution
scheme minimizes the amount of air circulation required
while still maintaining optimal comfort conditions and
energy efficient operation. The result of the study
was the application of “air fountains” which
distribute air at 10’-12’ above grade as
well as low level returns. The atrium’s interesting
water features, lush botanicals and distinctive Florida
architecture – themes reflecting Florida ’s
Key West, the Everglades and this history and Spanish
influence of St. Augustine – provided interesting
opportunities for the engineers to conceal the equipment
needed to sustain these features, to mitigate their
impact on the internal environment. Features such as
fake cypress tree stumps in the “Everglades”
and wood pier pillars in “Key West” provided
excellent spaces within which to hide air distribution
devises so that guests could experience the entertainment
of these spaces without noticing the “ hows ”
and “ whats ” of how they remain comfortable.
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