Geary Engineering, Inc. provided the mechanical and electrical engineering services for the construction of a new theater complex at Village Point in Omaha, Nebraska. The mechanical and electrical systems included the HVAC, fire sprinkler, plumbing, power, lighting, storm drainage, fire alarm and sound systems. The theater has sixteen auditoriums that seat a total of 3,270 people with a large main lobby and projection level. The largest auditorium holds 366 seats and the smallest holds 88 seats. The build is a total of 73,500 sq. ft with a budget cost of $6,500,000.00.

The theater complex is heating and cooled with roof top units that are specifically designed for assembly areas. The roof top units are located on the roof in a manner to eliminate objectionable noise in the auditoriums. There is sound attenuation insulation and sound isolation roof curbs included as part of the installation. The rooftop units that serve the auditoriums are equipped with hot gas reheat dehumidification controls. The dehumidification is required due to the large number of people and the enormous load variation when the theaters are unoccupied. Each auditorium has a dedicated rooftop unit with four temperature sensors and a master programable thermostat located at a central location on the projection level.

The plumbing systems include central rest rooms and satellite rest rooms in each section of the theater. A wet pipe fire sprinkler system provides protection to the entire structure. The concession area includes soda piping, floor sinks, wash sinks and connections to food service equipment.

The building is served with a 277/480 volt electrical distribution system. There is a 1600 amp main service with distribution panels located throughout the theater. Step-down transformers are provided at the sub-panels for the projection equipment. The fire alarm system has voice annunciation integrated with the projectors and sound system to met National Fire Protection Association requirements.

Theatrical luminaries were used in the Lobby to highlight the 3D display models above the concession area. Highly efficient compact flourescent lighting was used throughout the interior of the building. The exterior lighting consists of high intensity discharge luminaries to the light the facade and to blend with the surrounding buildings.

Owner: Chateau Development Corp.

Architect: Sinclair Hille Architects

Square Feet: 60,000 Square Feet

The Park One Office Building was constructed as a Class 1 premier office space for Lincoln, Nebraska. The office building overlooks Holmes Lake and provides one of the best office locations in Lincoln.

The first and second floors of the Park One Office Building are heated and cooled with fan coil units.  The fan coil units are located above the finished ceiling and serves approximately 1500 square feet.

Each fan coil unit provides 1950 cfm of air, nominal 5 tons of cooling and 34,400 BTU’s of heating.  The fan coil units are all electric and are connected to the electrical meter for each tenant area.  Each fan coil unit has a thermostat strategically located in the tenant space.  Five ton air-conditioning units are located on the roof with refrigerant piping to DX cooling coils located in each fan coil unit.

The third and fourth floors are heated and cooled with roof top units.  The roof top units are located on the roof with ductwork extending to the tenant spaces on third and fourth floors.  Each roof top unit serves approximately 1500 square feet.

Each roof top unit provides 1950 cfm of air, nominal 5 tons of cooling and 92,000 BTU’s of heating.  The roof top units are gas heating with electric cooling and are connected to the gas and electrical meters for each tenant spaces.  Each roof top unit has a thermostat which will be strategically located in the tenant space.  Each roof top unit provides fresh air to the tenant spaces and are equipped with economizers to provide free cooling when outdoor air conditions allow.

The heating is supplemented with perimeter electric baseboard heating units located below the windows.  Each baseboard heater will be controlled from a thermostat mounted on the wall of the perimeter office.  The perimeter heating will provide additional comfort to the perimeter offices while cooling from the roof top units is required for the interior spaces.

Fresh air is provided to the space to provide quality indoor air for all tenants.  The fresh air is brought in through the roof top units.  The HVAC system also meets the requirements of the Uniform Building Cold for fresh air.  15 cfm per person of fresh air is provided.  For the purposes of the design, an occupant load of one person for every 100 square feet was used.

The HVAC systems are designed to provide an indoor air environment of 72 degrees at 50% relative humidity.

A 100-amp single phase panel is provided for each 1500 square feet of floor area throughout the entire building.

Geary Engineering, Inc. provided the mechanical, electrical and fire protection engineering for Lincoln’s premiere downtown theater complex. The theater has 70,000 square feet, 14 screens with a total of 2979 seats. The largest theater is 410 seats. The entrance from P Street brings movie goers into an expansive two story lobby that sets the atmosphere for a “Grand” experience as the patron is drawn to the concessions, game room, party rooms and to the movies beyond. A second story mezzanine provides space for projectors.

The Theatre is heated and cooled with an all electric heat pump system. The highly efficient heat pump system was selected to take advantage of Lincoln Electric System’s low rates. The heat pump system will provide substantial energy saving when compared to conventional gas fired systems. Packaged roof top heat pump units are located on the roof. The units are mounted on specially designed acoustical roof curbs to prevent noise from the roof top unit from disrupting the movie experience. With the large load variation from fully occupied to an unoccupied movie house, the heating and cooling system needed the capability to cool and dehumidify the theaters. Dehumidifying is provided by hot gas reheat coils in the roof top heat pumps utilizing the wasted energy from the cooling cycle of the heat pumps.

Large rest rooms are provided off of the Grand Lobby. Additional rest room facilities are located in each section of the theater to provide easy access from each theater. The concession area includes soda piping, floor sinks, wash sinks and connections to food service equipment. The Grand Theatre is fully protected with an NFPA 13 system fire sprinkler system. Other fire protection and life safety features are emergency lighting and a voice activated fire alarm system designed for assembly occupancies.

The building is served with a 277/480 volt electrical distribution system. There is a 1600 amp main service for the electric heating and a 1200 amp main service for lighting and power with distribution panels located throughout the theater. Step-down transformers are provided at the subpanels for the projection equipment. The fire alarm system has voice annunciation integrated with the projectors and sound system to meet National Fire Protection Association requirements.