Award Winning – RMH Group

BAE System’s specialized testing and manufacturing facilities support critical space missions, including the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) program. The 4,042-square-foot clean/non-destructive test lab was developed to thoroughly clean and test critical flight hardware for national asset programs. As the next-generation Hubble Telescope, the infrared JWST enables astronomers to study the entire history of the universe. The lab’s built-in flexibility accommodates testing and cleaning for other satellite missions as well.

The lab’s large parts spray room, where bulkier flight hardware is cleaned with hazardous solvents, features an innovative air-diffusion system that delivers evenly distributed, cleanroom-quality airflow. This system moves vapors away from staff and limits flammability risks. Building Information Modeling (BIM) software was used to design large, complex ductwork for the small ceiling plenums in the spray rooms. Additional safety measures include applying intrinsically safe process piping controls to limit voltages in the presence of flammable vapors and developing a chemical container emergency depressurization system.

As the project’s mechanical and electrical engineer, RMH designed custom air systems to address the limited plenum space. The design incorporated vertical unidirectional airflow using fan-filter units, a custom hood, hazardous exhaust systems, and point-of-use laboratory systems, including nitrogen, house vacuum, deionized water, and dust collection. Electrical systems included electrostatic discharge protection, heavy power for support equipment, photosensitive “yellow” lighting, branch grounding, and overhead hoist electrical systems.

Home to 11 federal agencies, the Byron G. Rogers Federal Office Building in downtown Denver was targeted by its owner, the U.S. General Services Administration, for an extensive modernization project to significantly improve energy efficiency and deliver advanced updates to this important example of 1960s-era Federal architecture. This design-build project involved comprehensive upgrades to all major building systems housed within the 18-story, 494,000-square-foot office tower and minor improvements to the adjacent courthouse. The upgrades are projected to reduce energy use in the office tower by nearly 70 percent relative to current levels.

In addition to improving building envelope insulation, the most significant energy savings were achieved by implementing a chilled-beam system to replace the building’s inefficient, inflexible mechanical system. A chilled-beam system is an advanced method for distributing heating and cooling throughout the building with minimal energy waste. It primarily uses water at a moderate temperature to condition building spaces. After capturing heat generated by building occupants, computers, lighting, and solar gain, a thermal tank in the basement stores and circulates this heat through the building’s chilled-beam system as needed.

The retrofitted building features additional energy-saving technologies, including 100% LED lighting, enhanced daylighting, and roof-mounted solar thermal collectors that provide all of the building’s domestic hot water. Water-conserving strategies are expected to reduce water use by 40 percent. The comprehensive modernization positions this Federal facility as a model for sustainable government building operations while preserving its architectural significance.

As the project’s mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineer, RMH provided comprehensive MEP engineering services for this transformative modernization project.

RMH modernized the mechanical and electrical systems at the historic St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver, Colorado. Initially built in 1907, with additional buildings constructed during the Depression era, the seminary required thoughtful upgrades to improve energy performance and occupant comfort while preserving its architectural heritage.

RMH designed the upgraded lighting systems to meet current life safety and energy codes, enhance illumination, and simplify maintenance. Our team selected energy-efficient lamps and custom historic-style fixtures to maintain the campus’s character.

To install a large air handling unit in the chapel tower, RMH designed a lightweight, all-aluminum vertical unit. The unit was assembled and field-erected on site by lowering components through the bell tower to avoid exceeding structural load limits.

Because new ductwork would compromise interior aesthetics, RMH engineered a hydronic heating and cooling system. This approach minimized wall and ceiling penetrations while delivering high energy transfer efficiency.

In the library, which houses rare and historic books, the team was required to maintain strict temperature and humidity levels using evaporative cooling with chilled water backup. Leveraging Denver’s dry climate, the refectory kitchen and chapel use evaporative cooling. At night, the chapel is flushed with cool outdoor air to reduce daytime cooling loads.

Our design improved lighting efficiency by specifying LED and fluorescent fixtures, installing occupancy sensors, and using photocells to reduce energy use during daylight hours.

RMH provided mechanical, electrical, and lighting design services for the expansive Philip S. Miller Park and Miller Activity Complex.. Nestled among the area’s scenic geological formations, this 320-acre park delivers a wide range of indoor and outdoor recreational experiences for residents and visitors.

RMH designed systems to support the park’s diverse amenities, including a synthetic turf athletic field, zip line courses, and a 2,500-seat amphitheater for concerts and live events. The 2,850-square-foot Millhouse offers flexible indoor and outdoor spaces for weddings, family gatherings, and special events. Visitors enjoy picnic pavilions, an outdoor fireplace, and water features such as two ponds fed by a recirculating creek and a splash pad for children.

Inside the Miller Activity Complex, RMH engineered systems for full-sized and half-sized turf fields, a 3,000-square-foot play area, a 5,000-square-foot trampoline zone, batting cages, and an 18-hole golf simulator. The indoor aquatics center features a lap pool, a leisure pool with a winding water slide, and a vortex whirlpool that simulates rushing currents.

Our team delivered energy-efficient, code-compliant solutions that enhance comfort, safety, and functionality across the entire site.

The Southeast Wyoming Welcome Center is a 27,000-square-foot multi-use facility that blends sustainability, education, and hospitality. More than a rest stop, the center houses interpretive museum displays, the Wyoming Office of Tourism, and warehouse space for the Wyoming Department of Transportation.

RMH worked closely with the owner and design team to deliver a highly energy-efficient building powered by renewable resources. Photovoltaic panels installed on the roof and walls generate 27 kW of electricity, while five on-site wind turbines contribute additional zero-emissions power, offsetting over half of the building’s electrical demand.

To maximize HVAC efficiency, RMH designed a ground source heat pump system with more than 11 miles of geo-exchange coils buried beneath the 26.6-acre site. This system leverages the earth’s stable temperature to provide reliable heating and cooling year-round.

Our team engineered thermal displacement ventilation in public and office areas to improve indoor air quality and occupant comfort. This low-energy system introduces air at floor level, allowing it to rise naturally and exit through ceiling vents. Daylight harvesting strategies, supported by the building’s long axis and narrow footprint, reduce reliance on electric lighting. High-efficiency fixtures and controls supplement natural light when needed.

Photo credit: AndersonMasonDale Architects and Sampson Construction

At NREL’s Flatiron Campus, cutting-edge research focuses on testing emerging wind technologies and accelerating their market availability. Researchers conduct a series of tests and accurate transient simulation studies to understand how individual wind turbines handle grid disturbances. Field testing wind turbines can be both expensive and time-consuming.

RMH’s Controllable Grid Interface Row 1 (CGI-1) test system design supports this process by significantly reducing the time and cost of testing wind turbines by enabling controlled laboratory testing. The 9 MW CGI combines hardware and real-time control software, operating with existing 2.5 MW and 5 MW dynamometer facilities (also partially designed by RMH). This setup simulates grid disturbances on wind turbine terminals and estimates the impacts of turbine responses on the grid. The CGI test system project created the first U.S. test facility with fault-simulation capabilities and the only system globally fully integrated with two dynamometers designed to work with four types of wind turbines, including the largest wind turbine drivetrains used in land-based markets. The CGI-2 project enhanced the campus’s capabilities by increasing connected grid power from 9 MW to 19.9 MW, complying with local utility requirements.

RMH also designed the electrical and communications infrastructure to connect dynamometers used for testing wind turbine drivetrain components with the grid and fault simulation areas. This infrastructure features ride-through capability and safely withstands abnormal grid conditions such as faults. RMH configured the CGI system flexibly to connect multiple test objects, including utility-scale wind turbines, other renewable energy generation systems like photovoltaic arrays, and grid-scale energy storage units.

The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Wyoming Supercomputing Center (NWSC) in Cheyenne represents a significant leap in our understanding of climate, weather, and Earth processes. Designed with a flexible, modular approach, the facility houses next-generation supercomputing systems up to 1,000 watts/SF. It supports researchers in crucial tasks, such as visualizing future climate scenarios and tracking hurricane paths. With a commitment to low energy performance, the NWSC achieves a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.08, positioning it among the top 1% of the most efficient data centers globally.

To capitalize on Cheyenne’s unique cool, dry climate, RMH engineers used evaporative cooling towers to provide sufficient cooling for NCAR’s supercomputing equipment for 96% of the year. A 150′ x 8′ ultra-low-energy fan wall cools air-cooled equipment on the data center floor. Waste heat from the supercomputer is reused to heat administrative areas and melt snow on walkways and loading docks. Additionally, a chilled-beam system delivers efficient cooling in administrative spaces, while ultra-efficient water-saving technologies achieve savings of up to six million gallons annually.

The facility encompasses 153,000 square feet, featuring modular data storage, a visitor center, and a 100,000-square-foot central utility plant. Furthermore, eco-friendly design elements, highlighted by LEED Gold certification, affirm the NWSC’s dedication to environmental stewardship and sustainability. This groundbreaking center advances scientific research and promotes energy efficiency and conservation on a grand scale.

RMH Group provided MEP engineering services for renovating and expanding the University of Colorado at Boulder’s recreation center. The project involved updating the 215,000-square-foot facility and adding 93,000 square feet of new space. The enhanced recreation center now offers expanded weight and cardio areas, a new ice rink with stadium seating and LED lighting, a three-story rock-climbing gym with a bouldering wall, an outdoor aquatics facility, an indoor turf gym, four lighted rooftop tennis courts, a new entrance and lobby, and renovated pools, gyms, and locker rooms.

Focusing on energy efficiency and sustainability goals, the project incorporates innovative heating and cooling systems that significantly reduce energy consumption. Features such as a heat recovery loop, which transfers excess heat to areas like the swimming pools and domestic hot water system, along with evaporative cooling, thermal displacement ventilation, radiant slab heating, and daylight harvesting, all contribute to the building’s energy profile. This recreation center earned LEED Platinum certification upon completion.

The RMH Group delivered comprehensive mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering services for the Children’s Hospital North Expansion. This project transformed a 47,000-square-foot clinic into a 236,000-square-foot pediatric hospital, addressing the growing needs of Northern Colorado and Wyoming families.

Key services included HVAC, medical gas, building automation, energy code compliance, and fire protection systems. The project utilized the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) method, ensuring efficient collaboration and innovation. Notable features include wireless lighting controls and advanced standby power generators, enhancing energy efficiency and reliability. The expansion also added a new medical office building, an outpatient clinic, and critical infrastructure upgrades. This leading-edge facility now offers comprehensive pediatric services, including orthopedics, cancer care, and emergency services.

The collaboration between the project team and the Owner’s staff led to creating a facility that achieved an Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of 150, surpassing the future compliance benchmark of 172 EUI set by the State of Colorado’s Building Performance Standards for hospitals by 2030.

The USAFA Hosmer Visitor Center, located just outside the North Gate of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, stands out in innovative engineering and sustainability. Covering 34,000 square feet as part of the TrueNorth Commons development, this facility plays a crucial role in the local educational and economic landscape.

RMH provided design and construction phase services for the Visitor Center’s mechanical, electrical, fire protection, specialty lighting, and low-voltage technology infrastructure systems. The design reflects the Academy’s four-class system while enhancing aerodynamics, featuring a striking Delta-wing roof inspired by the Air Force Thunderbirds and the Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk. Mechanical systems are cleverly integrated into the sides, preserving the sleek profile.

The radiant-slab cooling system maintains temperature in the impressive 80-foot-tall south-facing atrium, ensuring energy efficiency and comfort. Dynamic lighting highlights the tiered roof’s movement, amplifying the building’s architectural appeal.