On Wednesday, November 19, we hosted Josephine Zurica, P.E., LEED AP BD+C, CPHC of Pennoni, who delivered a fascinating talk on the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineering challenges involved in office-to-residential conversions in NYC.
Transforming large office buildings into multifamily housing often requires significant additions or modifications to the existing MEP systems. For example, office buildings use considerably less water, while residential units require extensive new piping to support kitchens and bathrooms. Heating and cooling also pose challenges, particularly when newly created interior rooms – such as home offices – are far from the traditional HVAC systems located near the building’s façade.
Beyond the engineering challenges, Josephine also walked us through the relevant zoning and building code requirements that must be addressed. In short, Josephine’s insights offered a compelling look at the technical, financial, and policy hurdles inherent in adaptive reuse – highlighting both its promise and the careful coordination and problem-solving needed to make these projects economically viable while ensuring safe and high-quality living spaces.
