S241 Building Conversion To New Facility
IMEG provided structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and technology engineering design services for the complete renovation and adaptive reuse of Building S241 to support the new My Navy Career Center.
The project included site investigations, engineering studies, full design plans and specifications, construction cost estimates, and associated engineering services.
The new contact center will accommodate 579 personnel and offer 24/7 self-service options, call center availability, shared service capabilities, and transactional HR support to Navy personnel. The scope included complete replacement of all building and furniture systems, exterior and interior walls, and finishes, leaving only the existing structure and stairwells. The new design included private and open offices for contact center agents and management personnel, support spaces, and upgrades to building systems. Support spaces included mechanical rooms, electrical rooms, communications rooms, fire riser room, restrooms, nursing rooms, stairwells, and janitor closets. An elevator was added to improve accessibility. Renovations also included additions and upgrades to the existing parking, new parking, sidewalks, utilities, landscaping, and maintaining and upgrading the existing 167 parking spaces.
A seismic evaluation was required due to the extensive renovation and the location in a high seismic region. Conducted in compliance with ASCE-41, the assessment determined that strengthening of the structural lateral resisting system, including the addition of shear walls, steel bracing, and strengthening of concrete members, was necessary.
A complete electronic security system (ESS) was designed in accordance with UFC 4-021-02, Electronic Security Systems. The ESS included an access control system (ACS/card reader system), closed-circuit television (CCTV) system, and an intrusion detection system (IDS). The existing electric service equipment, including the existing utility transformer, was evaluated for capacity to support the renovation and to ensure that B241A (adjacent to B241) remained operational throughout the renovation. Design and specification for a communications duct bank from S241 to the base communications building was included. This design required extensive coordination with the communications team at NSA Mid-South.
A complete, large format, AV system was developed for all conference rooms, training rooms, and huddle rooms, which included video teleconferencing capability with video source switching, automated projection screens, audio enhancement with microphone and ceiling-mounted speakers, and wall-mounted touchscreen interface to control electronic equipment.
The design also included the addition of an elevator, the enhancement of the elevated concrete slabs for heavier loads at conference room locations, and detailing associated with the attachment of the new curtain wall system.