MEP Engineering for a 57,638 sq. ft. Exhibition Space at American Dream Mall
SECTOR
Commercial
LOCATION
New Jersey
FACILITY SIZE
57,638 sq. ft.
PROJECT TYPE
Interior Fit-Out
SERVICES
Full MEP Design
TIMELINE
2-3 months
Project Overview
Nearby Engineers designed the MEP systems for a 57,638 sq. ft. exhibition space at American Dream Mall, New Jersey. Located on the first floor of a G+2 building, the space had no direct rooftop access for conventional rooftop HVAC units.
The project combined high occupant loads, large performance stages, a dry kitchen, strict ceiling-height requirements, and existing mall infrastructure. The MEP design also had to work with the mall's cooling tower, exhaust, and utility systems while reducing the initial cooling requirement to meet the project budget.
The Challenge
No Rooftop Access for Conventional HVAC
The first-floor location made conventional rooftop units impractical. The HVAC system had to work within the available building infrastructure and architectural constraints.
Preserving Ceiling Height
Deep structural beams meant conventional ducted HVAC would require approximately 22 inches of clear height. This was impractical for a large exhibition space where maintaining ceiling height was important.
Reducing the Cooling Requirement
The initial cooling requirement was approximately 310 TR. The project budget required a lower cooling capacity while still meeting occupant comfort and code requirements.
Managing High Occupancy and Existing Infrastructure
The high occupant load created significant ventilation requirements. The project also had to connect to the existing cooling tower, building exhaust, and utility infrastructure while integrating dry kitchen exhaust and toilet exhaust.
Managing Stage Electrical Loads
The exhibition space included significant electrical loads from performance stages. The design had to account for actual operating conditions rather than assuming that all connected loads would operate simultaneously.
Electrical Material and Cost Considerations
Conductor material and the electrical room configuration had to balance project cost, safety, and code requirements.
The MEP Engineering Approach
Designing HVAC Around the Space
The HVAC engineering approach was developed around the structural and ceiling constraints. Conventional ducted HVAC would have required approximately 22 inches of clear height because of the structural beams.
Instead, the design used strategically zoned distributed heat pumps, reducing the need for large overhead duct runs. Drum and concentric diffusers were used across the large open exhibition space.
Reducing the Cooling Requirement
The initial 310 TR cooling requirement was reassessed against ventilation and occupancy requirements. Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (DOAS) on the east and west sides separated the outdoor-air requirement from primary space conditioning.
A GPS-based strategy was also used to reduce ventilation loads while maintaining indoor air quality. The resulting design cooling requirement was reduced from 310 TR to 194 TR.
Using the Mall's Existing Infrastructure
The MEP design incorporated existing mall infrastructure wherever practical. Kitchen exhaust was integrated with the building's existing exhaust system, while toilet exhaust was routed through an existing shaft identified in coordination with the landlord engineer. A dedicated toilet exhaust riser was provided.
Designing Electrical Systems Around Actual Loads
The electrical design accounted for the significant connected loads associated with the performance stages. Since not all loads were expected to operate at full capacity simultaneously, diversity calculations were used to determine a more realistic electrical demand.
A dedicated fire-rated electrical room was also incorporated into the design.
Considering Material Cost in Electrical Design
Copper conductors would have added significant material cost. Aluminum was therefore evaluated as an alternative while maintaining the required electrical performance and code requirements.
Project Outcomes
- Reduced cooling capacity by 116 TR: The designed cooling requirement was reduced from 310 TR to 194 TR, a 37.4% reduction.
- Reduced overhead ductwork: Distributed heat pumps reduced the need for large overhead ductwork, helping preserve approximately 22 inches of clear ceiling height.
- Existing infrastructure reused: Cooling, exhaust, and available shaft infrastructure were reused wherever practical, avoiding unnecessary new building pathways.
- Optimized stage electrical demand: Electrical demand was calculated using diversity based on actual operating conditions rather than assuming all connected loads would operate simultaneously.
- Cost-conscious conductor selection: Aluminum conductors were evaluated as an alternative to copper while maintaining required electrical performance and code compliance.
- Streamlined permit review: The project progressed through DCA review with minor observations before IFC documentation was prepared.
- Additional projects secure: 2 additional projects were secured after onboarding the brand in 2025.
Table of Contents
Need MEP Design for an Exhibition Space?
Project Journey
Existing Building Assessment: The team assessed the cooling tower, building exhaust, plumbing connections, available shafts, structural conditions, and ceiling limitations before developing the systems.
System Development & Optimization: HVAC systems were developed around the structural constraints while cooling requirements were reassessed against occupancy and ventilation. Electrical systems were developed in parallel, including stage-load diversity and conductor evaluation.
Coordination & Documentation: The MEP systems were coordinated with the architectural design, landlord requirements, and existing mall infrastructure. The MEP package went through the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) review with minor observations, followed by the preparation of the Issued for Construction (IFC) sets after permit approval.
Why Nearby Engineers?
The project required MEP engineering that could work within an existing mall rather than around it. HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and exhaust systems had to respond to structural constraints, high occupancy, stage loads, and budget requirements while making practical use of existing infrastructure.
Planning MEP Design for a Large Exhibition or Event Space?
Large exhibition and event spaces require careful coordination of HVAC, electrical, ventilation, and existing building infrastructure. NY Engineers can help develop practical MEP systems around your space, occupancy, and project requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
MEP engineering covers the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems required for an interior fit-out. MEP design also considers existing infrastructure, occupant loads, equipment, architectural requirements, and codes.
MEP design for an exhibition space includes mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems designed around the building and space requirements. MEP engineering services can also include coordination with architectural and existing building systems.
HVAC engineering can use alternative equipment and distribution strategies when rooftop units are not practical. At American Dream Mall, distributed heat pumps helped address the lack of rooftop access and ceiling-height constraints.
HVAC design services consider occupant loads, ventilation, ceiling height, available infrastructure, and space usage. The HVAC design for this project also had to work with the existing mall infrastructure.
The HVAC engineering approach reassessed cooling against ventilation and occupancy requirements. DOAS and a GPS-based ventilation strategy helped reduce the designed cooling requirement by 116 TR.
Electrical design can use diversity calculations based on expected equipment operation instead of assuming all connected loads operate at full capacity simultaneously.
As part of the electrical design, aluminum conductors were evaluated to reduce material cost while maintaining required electrical performance and code compliance.
Yes. Cooling towers, exhaust systems, utility connections, and available shafts can be incorporated into MEP design where practical, reducing the need for unnecessary new infrastructure.