Project description
The Community Commons is a significant addition to the University of Denver campus, serving as a central destination for dining, student services, collaboration, and events. The new building, located on the site of the former Driscoll North facility, is designed to strengthen campus life by bringing key programs and gathering spaces under one roof. The project includes a large food service hall, offices for student services, flexible study and lounge areas, and a range of event and meeting spaces.
Cator, Ruma, and Associates provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and technology systems design, as well as contract administration, for the project. The building is supported by campus utilities, with steam, condensate, and chilled water provided from the central utility plant. Direct-buried piping was routed to a new lower-level mechanical room that houses chilled-water pumps with VFDs, a steam-to-water heat exchanger, heating-water pumps with VFDs, and a condensate return system.
Custom air handling units with supply and return fan arrays serve the building, using indirect direct evaporative cooling and heat recovery to support energy efficiency. Air distribution includes conventional overhead systems for the food service level and displacement ventilation for the upper floors to enhance comfort and air quality.
As part of the demolition and replacement sequence, utilities were carefully disconnected from the former Driscoll North at its bridge connection to Driscoll South, allowing Driscoll South to remain in operation. New utility connections for Driscoll South tie into the existing distribution mains on the east side of the building.
The project is targeting LEED Silver certification and is enrolled in the Xcel Energy Energy Design Assistance Program to help optimize energy performance and secure available incentives.
Guiding Principles for the Design
- A True Campus Gathering Place
- Smarter, High-Efficiency HVAC Strategies
- Integration with Campus Utility Infrastructure
- Sustainable and Incentive Aligned Design