BAP 06 CIRCULATION OF MECHANICAL

BAP 06 Circulation- Mechanical Anatomy | Los Angeles, CA | SOM Architects

THE PLANT The UCLA Geffen Medical Center is cooled by air handling units (AHU) with an off-site plant. The primary distribution method for thermal comfort is through air that is distributed through the pipes and shafts. The ventilation and thermal comfort is done through the use of natural ventilation with open circulation and floorplates. The AHUs are on top of the buildings and treat/moderate the temperature of the air. AHUs were located on top of the building to utilize the unused space and the need to have vertical exhausts through the roof. Locating ventilation from this point allows for space efficiency. The Central Plant boiler room is off-site in an underground trench connected to the hospital’s basement. The Central Plant chiller room is also connected to the mechanical rooms to serve the AHUs from the trench offsite. These active systems combined with natural ventilation help regulate thermal comfort within the medical center.

AHU

East Wing Major Shafts Pipes West Wing Major Shafts Return Air Distribution

Supply Air Distribution Hot Water Room

Chilled Water Room

BAP 06 Circulation- Mechanical Anatomy | Los Angeles, CA | SOM Architects

The Geffen School of Medicine achieves thermal comfort through a mostly air-based system with some additional radiant floors and natural ventilation. Because much of the building is occupied by medical services, labs, and auditoriums, this makes sense, as the vast majority of the spaces require large amounts of air movement for safety and health. As for the radiant floors, they serve to provide some comfort in exhibition areas, informal learning areas, and major circulation corridors for visitors. The ventilation varies in its exposure, with certain areas having fully exposed ventilation systems and other areas hiding it. The building has two major Air Handling Units on the East and West wings that provide thermal adjustment for the building as well as moderating the air quality. Additionally, the building uses natural ventilation to cool all of the exterior spaces students might be travelling through. Another strength of the system is that the building is connected to a central plant for the campus, creating the need for only two small mechanical rooms in the north wing.