Tag Archive for: HVAC

Designing Prosperity: Transforming Iroquois High School and Paving the Way for Comprehensive, Skills-Based Training

Committed to providing students with state-of-the-art facilities that foster technical knowledge and employability, Jefferson County Public Schools has embarked on a transformative project at Iroquois High School to renovate an existing skilled trades teaching facility into a premiere building for technical career training for the large and culturally diverse student body. This comprehensive plan will […]

The Intersection of Comfort and Sound: How Quiet HVAC Systems and Good Acoustics Contribute to Higher Learning

Acoustics and Well-being Well-designed classrooms are central to learning. While students and staff may not immediately consider what they hear (or don’t hear), noise control is fundamental to their learning environment. As architects and engineers specializing in higher education design, we have an obligation to minimize these distractions, making acoustics an integral aspect of design […]

3 Strategies to Help Colleges Prioritize Deferred Maintenance Post-COVID

The realities of a pandemic have made running a college or university harder than ever. Institutions must simultaneously plan for a murky future state while trying to keep the doors open today. This balancing act impacts nearly every decision made and every dollar spent. Even during the best of times, facilities leaders almost always need […]

6 Ways to Save on Operational Costs in the Time of COVID-19

The current pandemic has drastically changed the business landscape and has many organizations looking for ways to cut costs. Here are some of the best ways to maximize your budget and reduce operational costs.   Adjust building controls to reduce energy consumption If your facility is currently closed or at reduced occupancy, adjusting your building […]

Using HVAC to Help Prevent the Spread of Illness

COVID-19 is transmitted through saliva droplets from the mouth and nose. These droplets are released by coughing, sneezing, or speaking. It is possible for them to remain in the air for hours and potentially be transmitted through ventilation systems. Your HVAC system is one tool you can use to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and […]

How to Choose the Right HVAC System for a K-12 School

Many factors help us determine what mechanical systems are best for a project Owner. The decision depends on their building type and what it will be used for, as well as their financial and operational priorities. For K-12 schools, there are unique considerations we must often take into account when choosing HVAC and other building […]

A Word from Our Owners – St. Joan of Arc Church

Molly Ellsworth has been the Parish Business Manager at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church for eight years and served various churches in Indianapolis; Charleston, SC; and Chicago for 25 years. She earned both undergraduate (B.A. History) and graduate degrees (Master of Leadership Development) from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College.     Schmidt Associates worked with St. […]

Q&A Session with Brad Wallace

Fast Facts About Brad Discipline: Engineering Hometown: Lebanon, IN Education: ITT Technical Institute Favorite Place on Mass Ave: Bru Burger or Condado     Brad Wallace, senior HVAC mechanical designer, is a country boy at heart. He’s an open book and is almost constantly smiling. Learn more about him. Where did you grow up? I […]

What is VRF?

VRF (variable refrigerant flow) is a sophisticated HVAC technology. Invented around 30 years ago, this is known as the “Rolls Royce” of air conditioning systems. The use of the VRF mechanical system can assist in achieving LEED certification for facilities. The basic elements of VRF systems are: Refrigerant liquid is used as the cooling/heating medium, […]