Engineering Office-to-Residential Conversions for Occupant Safety and Comfort: The Case of Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing System

Many cities around the U.S. are rezoning their central business districts (CBDs) to allow for office-to-residential conversions. From a resiliency and sustainability perspective, conversions are a form of adaptive reuse, allowing CBDs to redevelop while reducing the embodied carbon production relative to new construction. However, while rezonings (and changes in building codes) state what designs are allowed (or prohibited) in these conversions, engineers must solve the multifaceted problem of how to make these buildings safe, healthy, and comfortable for the new residents, while adhering to the regulations and codes, and while keeping costs within the budgets established by the developers.

In this talk, structural engineer Josephine Zurica, P.E., LEED AP BD+C, CPHC, Principal Engineer at Pennoni will discuss some of the key engineering challenges related to providing the necessary mechanical, electric, and plumbing (MEP) systems for residential tenants in office-to-residential conversions. This talk will address the intersection of zoning and building codes with the practical engineering and economic challenges of realizing the intent of the codes, with a focus on several recent office-to-residential conversions in New York City. For AICP Planners, this even offers 1 AICP CM Credit.