Located in New York City, Union Theological Seminary (UTS) is a private seminary affiliated with Columbia University. Its Burke Library houses rare and valuable collections requiring precise climate control. In partnership with Ecosystem, UTS has undertaken a comprehensive HVAC project to address temperature and humidity control issues in the Burke Library as well as the 14-story Brown Memorial Tower.
UTS was relying on decentralized window AC units, wall-mounted blowers, and portable dehumidifiers to attempt to maintain climate conditions, while humidifiers in the air handling units (AHUs) ceased functioning. In winter the old, inefficient steam perimeter heating system overheated spaces due to failed traps and a general lack of control.
The comprehensive retrofit will refurbish four building AHUs and integrate all equipment controls into the central Building Management System (BMS). Additionally, new ductwork will be installed to properly supply fresh air and heating to offices in the Brown Tower, eliminating the problematic steam perimeter heating system.
The project will improve conditions for the preservation of rare books while optimizing efficiency of the HVAC system. The control integrations will provide UTS with precise control of all HVAC operations in Burke Library. By reusing existing infrastructure where possible, the project minimizes construction time while maximizing sustainability benefits.
