Project:
Discovery Communications World Headquarters, Silver Spring, Maryland
The Challenge:
This project was part of a city revitalization effort and included more than 500,000 square-foot project as well as a 10-story and a seven-story office building connected by an 11-story atrium. These structures rested atop a three-story, partially underground parking garage, totaling about 300,000 square feet.
The campus houses administrative space for Discovery Communications as well as creative and operating facilities for cable television channels like The Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet. The building boasts many architectural and lighting displays in addition to a screening room, video walls and display area.
ColonialWebb Contractors installed both the mechanical and plumbing systems for the core and shell portions and the common areas of the office buildings and parking area. We also administered the mechanical insulation, test and balance, and the structure’s automation system subcontractors.
Our Approach:
Located in a large penthouse mechanical room, ColonialWebb placed:
- Three 700-ton chillers
- Four cooling towers that move 6,900 GPM of condenser water
- 34 large air handling units moving 555,000 CFM of condensed air
- Other associated devices.
Our primary test on this job involved an extensive smoke-control system that was necessary due to the connecting atrium. Our specialized installation required working around special architectural and lighting elements. These elements are part of the reason why the building won multiple awards.
With extensive coordination and commissioning procedures, we completed the job to total client satisfaction.