Contractormag 2518 Articinside2
Contractormag 2518 Articinside2
Contractormag 2518 Articinside2
Contractormag 2518 Articinside2
Contractormag 2518 Articinside2

California Comfort Systems brings radiant solutions to ARTIC transport hub

Aug. 5, 2015
Designers chose to implement a radiant heating and cooling system. The building was certified as LEED Platinum, despite the fact that various elements of the building were at war with one another. A total of 44,000 feet of in-slab heating and cooling pipe, 18 manifolds and 12 pumps were installed.  
This is a high-profile project and unique install.

ANAHEIM, CALIF. — Almost everywhere you look, the building is impressive. The new Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC), located in the city’s Platinum Triange, was designed to be the Grand Central Station of the 21st Century. 

Completed in December 2014, the steel-framed, tubular structure is 67,000-sq.ft. with three levels connecting three million local residents and an anticipated 40 million annual visitors to various transportation options, as well as to entertainment, shopping and dining.

During the night, energy-efficient lights glowing through the air-filled plastic pillows illuminate the ARTIC.

The compound, curved terminal shell is covered with a 200,000-sq.ft. ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) roof system that allows diffused sunlight to illuminate the interior. At night, the structure can be illuminated in any color with the 1,354 energy-efficient lights glowing through the air-filled plastic pillows that make up the arched roof. 

“The ARTIC station is pretty monumental for the future,” said Paul Redgate, pipe fitting superintendent for California Comfort Systems in San Diego. “It has multiple resources — a bus station, large parking facility for car pools. It’s the first of the high speed rail stations that has been built today. The project itself was high profile for the city of Anaheim, much different than a typical install.”

A total of 44,000 feet of in-slab heating and cooling pipe was installed.

Part of what made the installation different — and difficult — was the high demands of the mechanical system. The building was eventually certified as LEED Platinum, despite the fact that various elements of the building were at war with one another. ARTIC’s large number of window domes shape results in high solar gains. However, it made controlling the climate inside the building with a conventional forced-air system practically impossible.

Designers chose to implement a radiant heating and cooling system. Radiant cooling allows for the instantaneous removal of heat through absorption. California Comfort Systems installed ViegaPEX Barrier tubing at tightly spaced increments (6" on-center). That allowed the pipe to be within two inches of the finished surface floor, which in turn gave the building engineer the ability to remove the solar sensible gain instantaneously. For the ARTIC project, the cooling capacity ranges up to 40 btuh/sq.ft. This provides an energy savings of 34% over ASHRAE 90.1-2007.

“We installed 44,000 feet of in-slab heating and cooling pipe, 18 manifolds and 12 pumps,” Redgate said. “It was pretty large. This was our first radiant project of this size. We’ve done some smaller stuff but nothing on this scale.”

Jet diffusers along soffit areas cool the first 12 to 15 feet off of the building's floor line. At the high elevations of the curtain wall, glass louvers allow natural air flow which, along with the frit pattern of the ETFE pillows, maintain a cool temperature in ARTIC's unconditioned space.

Along with its energy efficient systems, ARTIC is water-efficient as well. The building uses 1 pint urinals and 1.28 GPF toilets. Recycled (graywater) is used for toilet flushing, cooling towers and landscape irrigation. An infiltration system and underground vaults capture of storm water runoff.

Throughout all phases of design and construction, the manufacturers, the engineers, the installers and the suppliers worked together to streamline the building process. Clark Construction, the GC, made important use of BIM (Building Information Modeling) to meet the high tolerances of the design. Lean Construction techniques had all partners spend weeks in pre-planning and developing hour-by hour schedules.

Mechanical systems protect Dali Museum’s artwork from unforeseen hazards

“Personally, I’m very impressed with the teamwork that took place between the contractors,” Redgate said. “From Clark Construction and the engineering team to vendors and field contractors, everyone was really excited to be working on such a high profile project. There was a lot of anticipation for this place to open up.”

Redgate couldn’t say enough good things about the Viega representatives who worked on the ARTIC project along with his team.

"I want to really compliment them on their preconstruction efforts with us,” Redgate said. “At the beginning of this project, we were not very comfortable, but they were hands-on and got out there with our group and showed us best practices and installation methods — what to do and what not to do. They put on a great face for Viega, and it was great for our group.”

Viega representatives were available to offer assistance right to the end of the project. In the end, California Comfort Systems beat the industry average by 25 percent on the installation.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Contractor, create an account today!