Army Residence Communities

Encotech Engineering Consultants provided MEP and Structural Engineering services for this two-story, 100,000 s.f. Army veterans assisted living center in San Antonio, Texas. The facility consists of 55,000 s.f. of assisted living space arranged in four identical wings. The building also includes a kitchen, general support space, and a common area with a movie theater, auditorium, convenience store, hair salon, deli cafe, and a banking center.

The structural design of the building utilizes structural steel framing with non load-bearing metal studs. Encotech also designed the building foundation including layout and details. For the Mechanical scope of work, Encotech designed the HVAC system based on zonal load analysis, as well as the ductwork, air registers, grills, and temperature sensors. Electrical design included lighting and power outlet layout and circuiting, circuit design for specialty electrical equipment, load analysis, service riser, distribution panels, wire sizing, and site lighting design. Plumbing design included water, wastewater, and gas piping load analysis, sizing, layout, and riser diagrams, as well as condensate piping design.

This facility was designed to meet TDADS, NEC, and NFPA codes pertaining to this specialty building type. The building will also seek LEED® Certification from the United States Green Building Council.

Project Challenges

• LEED® design considerations for MEP systems
• Strategically located columns to accommodate architectural requirements
• MEP designed in compliance with building-specific codes
• Fast-track design schedule