M.C. Dean Provides Design-Build Services for “Project of the Year in New Construction” Winner

M.C. Dean, the Dulles, Va.-based engineering and technology firm for mission-critical systems and facilities, supplied design-build services that recently led to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) being recognized for project excellence.

The United States Green Building Council National Capital Region chapter named the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center the “Project of the Year” in the New Construction category. M.C. Dean provided design and installation of electrical power, lighting, grounding, telecommunications, security, and fire alarm systems.

The $826 million project included new construction, expansion, and renovation of the existing hospital facilities. The new construction work and expansion achieved LEED Gold certification for New Construction Rating System. Located on the campus of the National Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., the WRNMMC includes the 560,000-sq-ft America Building and the Arrowhead Building, a 165,000-sq-ft, 4-story addition to the existing hospital that houses emergency in-patient services.

Project highlights include:

• A 28% savings in energy costs to heat and cool the building was implemented using innovative technology in lighting systems, an enthalpy heat recovery wheel, which transfers energy between exhaust and incoming outdoor air (100% outdoor air instead of re-circulated air), and high-efficiency water-cooled centrifugal chillers.
• Lighting pollution controls prevent interior and exterior lighting from illuminating the night sky in addition to prevent lighting onto nearby plazas and buildings.
• The construction waste management plan averted 89% of the waste from landfills. By fabricating 80% of the overhead conduit in its pre-fabrication facility, M.C. Dean dramatically reduced on-site waste. All excess materials in the production of the fabrication were recycled. In addition, in-wall assemblies were completely fabricated with all packaging and excess materials recycled.