UCSD Nuevo East Graduate Student Housing Phase 3

MA Engineers completed the mechanical and plumbing systems design for Nuevo East Graduate Student Housing Phase 3, approximately 712,000 SF. It consists of five residential buildings ranging from five to 12 stories and includes approximately 1,384 student beds in one- to four-bedroom apartments and townhomes. The sixth building in the complex is a student wellness and resource center called the Exchange, which includes fitness and wellness spaces, administrative offices, multi-purpose rooms and gathering spaces. There is also a rooftop deck event space at one of the 12-story high-rise, as well as a public plaza and community gardens.

Mechanical systems include extensive building envelope energy modeling, variable frequency drives for all fans, state-of-the-art Energy Management Control System (EMCS), air conditioned common spaces served by VRF split systems that provide simultaneous heating & cooling, and no living space air conditioning because all bedrooms have sliding operable windows for natural ventilation.

The plumbing systems include sanitary waste and vent and domestic water to all plumbing fixtures. Each building is provided with separate waste, domestic water, natural gas and storm drainage systems, which connect to the site utility systems. Each building is provided with highefficiency, natural gas fired, domestic water heaters. A recirculation pumping system is provided to maintain the temperature of the domestic hot water system. The high-rise buildings are provided with a dedicated domestic water booster pumping system to maintain the required pressure throughout the building.

Sustainable features for the plumbing systems include low-flow, water conserving, plumbing fixtures provided in each building. For the mechanical systems, natural ventilation, energy efficient HVAC systems and energy management control system were implemented.