Chicago, IL -- October 8, 2008

On November 8, 2008 two cranes will lift a new air handling unit 568 feet to the roof of the Chicago Temple. The unit has approximately 30 pieces weighing 16,000 pounds each. This mammoth task is the first step in modernizing the 84-year old building with all new HVAC, plumbing and fire protection systems. All these mechanical systems have been designed by dbHMS.

Chicago temple is home to the congregation of the First Methodist Church of Chicago. The Church was built in 1924 and is located in the heart of Chicago Loop. The building  has 23 floors dedicated to religious and office use. The Church itself uses the first four floors and the sky chapel 400 feet above street level.

The Chicago Temple was designed by the architectural firm Holabird & Roche in the Gothic style. A congregation of 1000 can still be seated in the first floor sanctuary. Floors five through 21 are rented mainly to lawyers, who appreciate the proximity to the city courts.

Updating the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems is especially challenging since the building is 95 per cent occupied. dbHMS’ designs of the new mechanical and electrical system has qualified the building for Com ED and Federal tax incentives. The building owners will get a one-time $500,000 federal tax rebate and an additional $100,000 rebate from Com ED over a three-year period.

Overall, the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems exceed the federal efficiency tax credit by 40.5 per cent. That means that the Chicago Temple will reduce energy use by 1,830,000 kwhr/yr according to study done by Full Circle. The building will save $181,000 per year and reduce its annual carbon footprint by an equivalent of 118 people.

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