Mill River Park

Located in downtown Stamford, Mill River Park provides a space for community gathering of its residents and commercial businesses. Recently, the city has experienced considerable residential growth while also becoming home to many businesses. Mill River Park Collaborative sought to build a venue that would not only support the park’s daily operations but also provide a space for environmental education and programs for its growing community. In collaboration with Centerbrook Architects & Planners, Kohler Ronan provided MEP/FP and technology designs and services for the park’s new Whittingham Discovery Center.

The new buiding serves its community as a learning and development center that combines its educational programs with the city’s surrounding nature and environment. Whittingham Discovery Center features environmental science labs with advanced technology as well as interactive exhibits. The location of the new center within the park allows for easy access to the park’s walking trails and includes a public plaza and open-air skating rink and fountain just outside it doors. Solar panels cover the roof, providing 85% of the building’s energy, in alignment with Stamford’s goals to pursue greater solar energy. Additionally, outside its upper level doors sits a green roof that also serves as an event space.

The HVAC system design for the new center has many of the technologies and recommendations noted by ASHRAE and the CDC that provide improved air quality and indoor environmental conditions. The mechanical systems include energy recovery ventilation designed to provide ventilation to all occupied spaces in accordance with LEED Indoor Air Quality requirement. These include improved air quality strategies such as enhanced filtration and carbon dioxide monitoring. The ventilation design for these spaces will ensure proper air changes and that minimum levels of outside air are being provided.

Photo credit: © Jeff Goldberg/Esto