Aronoff Center Condition Assessment

HEAPY partnered with the Aronoff Center for the Arts to conduct a comprehensive assessment of all plumbing, fire suppression, HVAC, electrical, and technology systems in this stunning and iconic performing arts space in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. The Aronoff is home to three versatile performance spaces: the 2,700-seat Procter & Gamble Hall, the 437-seat Jarson-Kaplan Theater, and the 150-seat Fifth Third Bank Theater. Visual arts also find a home in galleries on two levels.

HEAPY conducted a previous condition assessment for the facility in 2017 and was engaged once again to create an updated assessment of the current infrastructure and equipment. Our team collaborated closely with maintenance staff to receive input on known issues in the building as part of the evaluation. To ensure energy-efficient operations, our team also reviewed and analyzed the past 12 months of utility bills to determine if any utility usage was abnormal.

The assessment included visual inspection and documentation for the following systems:

• Cooling plant, including chillers, pumps, and towers
• Heating plant, including boilers and pumps
• HVAC systems
• Fire suppression and life safety systems, including proscenium curtain
• Domestic hot water heating
• Domestic water service
• Water softening
• Compressed air
• Plumbing fixtures
• Electrical distribution equipment, including switchboards, UPS, and panelboards
• Lighting and building lighting controls
• Technology systems, including CATV, structured cabling, cellular DAS, Wireless LAN
• Safety and security systems, including access control, CCTV, and intrusion detection

The final report offered comparative analysis of each of the building systems based upon general visual condition, code compliance, deferred maintenance, equipment life expectancy, and energy efficiency. Probable costs for each deficiency, as well as prioritized recommendations.