ShoWare Center at Kent, City of Kent, Kent, WA
The ShoWare Center at Kent is a multi-purpose facility housing events such as hockey, stage shows, trade shows, conventions, banquets, and meetings. Wood Harbinger provided mechanical design and construction administration for this facility.
We have taken into consideration the multi-use nature of this facility and the final design accommodates the wide range of events proposed. One of the unique aspects of this project is the inclusion of an ice-rink, requiring exceptional design precision. Ground-level heat pipes are first installed to protect the foundation from the cold temperatures that will be emitted from the ice. Sand is then poured to create a barrier between the warming pipe that insulates the foundation and the cooling pipe that will freeze the rink. Once the barrier is installed, the freezing pipe follows. It is crucial that all layers rest at a completely level plane for the ice rink to function properly.
Mechanical systems include heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems; sanitary plumbing and fixtures; domestic hot and cold water systems; building storm drainage and perimeter drainage system; natural gas distribution system; fire protection systems; ice rink ice making refrigeration system; dehumidification system for ice rink; Direct Digital Control (DDC) system; site services; sewer, storm drainage, water and gas connections to municipal and utility services; site drainage system; and main kitchen and food/retail concessions.
This project achieved its design goal of LEED Silver. The following energy conservation techniques were implemented use of high efficiency electric motors on all motors over 1 HP; selecting equipment based on high efficiency ratings; economizer control cycles on all ventilation equipment; computerized DDC system to provide intermittent operation, monitoring, and programming; main air handling units, air conditioning, lights, and exhaust systems are turned off during non-event times; design to ASHRAE/90.1 – 1999 Energy Efficient Design of New Buildings; and carbon dioxide sensors for demand ventilation control.