Ohio University Nelson Commons

HEAPY provided Mechanical-Electrical design, Commissioning, and LEED Program Management for the 151,058 SF Ohio University Nelson Commons. The project included a master plan to address the future needs of the university.  Building organization, serving, kitchen support, and interiors were upgraded.  The building remained occupied during the renovation.

The main improvements to the Student Dining experience allow for multiple venues with exhibition serving areas with five concepts including a Salad Bar, All-day Breakfast, Barbecue, Italian, and Asian Fusion.  A grab-n-go area was strategically located for students on the go, as well as a highly visible retail store.  The new dining hall seats 850 students.

The new entry draws students in and features a large 2-story space with a sky-light atrium allowing them to go to the retail store, dining, or café.  A small cafe with natural lighting and a pub-like atmosphere is included as well.  The Banquet space was developed as a secondary function to the building and has easy access to the main kitchen area, dishwashing, and storage. The back of the house’s kitchen area, storage, and workspace were minimally adjusted to support the newly developed spaces.

This project included the renovation and construction of four (4) new air handling units, sized to provide all areas of the building with comfort control while maintaining required make-up air and pressure control integrated with 13 modulating kitchen hood exhaust systems.

MEP, fire protection, and technology systems were upgraded.

This project is an energy-efficient building with ‘Silver” Level certification through the LEED process through USGBC.