Peel Art Gallery, Museum, and Archives

In association with HDR Architects, WalterFedy provided mechanical, electrical, structural, and civil engineering services for improvements required at the Peel Art Gallery, Museum, and Archives (PAMA). The PAMA site is comprised of four buildings and engineering upgrades were required at Buildings 3, 5, and 7. 

Our team conducted multiple field surveys over a period of three months, and varying weather conditions, to assess causes for building envelope failure and associated water infiltration. Our subsequent report identified operational efficiencies that can be phased in over time for improved performance, including adding a high pressure atomizing humidification system to provide primary humidification for the facility; switching the energy source for all six reheat coils at the heat pumps from geothermal ground loop fluid to hot water from the existing condensing boilers to ensure sufficient reheat throughout the year; adding air flow control dampers to the supply air ducts feeding the acclimatization room in the upper floor and the work room on the main floor to increase temperature control in these rooms; adding control valves on the hydronic heaters located below the glazing on the upper and main floors; revising control sequences to automate control functions currently requiring manual adjustment; and completing air and water balancing, as well as a full commissioning process for all HVAC systems.

Structurally, we reviewed existing steel framed structure for Building 5, to determine if it had adequate capacity to support the additional load that would be imparted by infilling the existing window openings with concrete block. Our civil work included site servicing for storm locations.