Kinesiology Building Wins ASHRAE Technology Award

We are pleased to announce that the University of Michigan Kinesiology Building has won a 2023 Technology Award from the Philadelphia chapter of ASHRAE. The ASHRAE Technology Awards recognize outstanding achievements by ASHRAE members who have successfully applied innovative building designs. Projects are evaluated on six metrics, including environmental impact, cost effectiveness, maintenance and operation, innovation, indoor air quality, and energy efficiency. Winning designs incorporate ASHRAE standards for effective energy management and indoor air quality and serve to communicate innovative systems design.

The Kinesiology Building is a transformative renovation that brings together three separate locations that comprised the School of Kinesiology under one roof in the heart of central campus. Preceding the renovation, the building consisted of a myriad of mechanical systems each serving various research programs. The rooftop was cluttered with different pieces of outdoor equipment, each with various parts, components and operational characteristics. Rather than subject the building and its occupants to a long-term phased retrofit, Ballinger fully transformed the building from a maintenance-intensive energy hog to a showcase of innovative flexibility. A simple retrofit of building systems can improve reliability and cut energy consumption significantly, but a gut renovation can be transformative by enhancing performance and providing associated benefits in recruitment and retention, user experience, and productivity – benefits that can more than offset the higher initial cost.

Associate Principal Michael Radio PE, CEM, BEMP, LEED AP BD+C led the systems design. “Recognition for this project means a lot to me,” said Mike, “It serves as a reference point for how existing buildings can transform to meet today’s decarbonization ambitions.”

As a chapter winner, the Kinesiology Building is now eligible for a Region 3 ASHRAE award.