Madison Middle School Addition and Renovation, Seattle Public Schools, Seattle, WA
Wood Harbinger provided the mechanical engineering design and construction administration for this project.
Built in 1928, Madison was enlarged in 1931 and 1972. Plans called for renovating the 1928 building and the 1931 addition, modernizing the gym, adding an elevator, demolishing the one-story building west of the three-story structure, removing the four portables, and building a new addition. The intention was to retain as much of the significant architectural character of the building as possible while taking into consideration educational program needs. The school includes 38 classrooms, a cafeteria/commons and performing space, library, and administrative offices.
Mechanical systems include HVAC (geothermal “ground-coupled heat pump” system), Direct Digital Control (DDC) system, plumbing, and fire protection (wet pipe sprinklers). The project included an Energy Monitoring and Control System (EMCS) employing distributed processing for all temperature control functions at the school.
The geothermal system consists of 180 wells drilled 300 feet deep on 20-foot centers throughout the school’s new athletic field. It is the first time the District has installed such a system, which will provide heat and cooling for the building. In geothermal systems, heat pumps circulate water through the building, absorbing heat from the structure in the summer to cool it and bringing warmth into the building in the winter. In general, geothermal systems are expected to cut energy costs by 30 percent.