The McCormick & Company headquarters building is a seven story renovation project located in Hunt Valley, Maryland. The project consists of the selective demolition of the existing office building structure as well as the addition of a one story learning development center and dining commons space. In total the project is approximately 362,000 square feet with a construction cost just below $64 million. The senior thesis capstone project will leverage knowledge gained over the past four years within the Architectural Engineering program to complete four primary analysis topics which could improve the building and construction methods used to complete. In conjunction with the four analysis topics which display a depth of knowledge in construction, two breadth analyses will also be completed to demonstrate an understanding of the other disciplines within the AE program. The following proposal identifies the analyses chosen and how they will be executed moving forward.

Analysis 1: Mechanical Plant Redesign

            The current building design has called for a selective demolition of the mechanical and electrical rooms which leaves existing partitions and structure. The project team has expressed that this design has caused delays due to unforeseen and difficult exiting conditions. This proposed analysis will investigate the advantages of a complete demolition in this location for a redesign of the mechanical and electrical rooms. New construction of the space could potentially reduce both the cost and schedule in comparison to the current approach. In addition to cost, schedule, and logistics analyses on this topic, a breadth analysis will be executed to redesign the structural system of the rooms.

Analysis 2: Geothermal HVAC

            As a project pursuing LEED Platinum rating, it is clear that sustainability is extremely important to the Owner and future Tenant. The implementation of a geothermal system to provide heating and cooling for the building could significantly increase the sustainability of this building. An underutilized meadow to the north of the building will be the proposed location for this geothermal well system which will reduce energy usage of the building. Both up front and life cycle cost analyses will be completed to determine the value of this system in addition to a revised construction schedule and logistics plan for this new system. As a breadth topic the system will be designed along with other equipment necessary to integrate this system with the current design.

Analysis 3: Alternate Façade

            The terra cotta and wood façade panels are both sourced internationally which has required significant lead times for procurement and allow little room for error. This analysis will propose the use of similar materials which are sourced domestically as a replacement for the current materials. This investigation will determine the cost and schedule savings that could be achieved with alternative materials while striving to maintain the high quality expectation which have been set by the Owner.

Analysis 4: Industrial Construction Safety Practices

            The final proposed analysis will focus on improving the safety practices of both this particular project and the commercial construction market as a whole. The industrial construction market has proven time and again over the past decades that their safety culture and protocols are more effective than those of the commercial construction industry. To help determine why industrial construction is generally safer both a literature review of industry trend and practices as well as interviews with experienced members of both markets will be conducted. Based on findings from this research a series of suggestions will be made for changes to the project specific safety plan as well as general safety practices in the commercial construction market which could potentially help to improve safety across the industry.