Electrical Power – RMH Group

Built in Lockheed Martin’s former rocket assembly building, the GPS III Processing Facility (GPF) spans nearly 50,000 square feet of assembly and test areas for new GPS III satellites. The facility features an industry-leading production line that enables highly efficient manufacturing of GPS III satellites. The facility includes:

A 32,900-square-foot, SCIF-level, Class 100,000 cleanroom high bay that serves as the “factory floor” and houses assembly stations, a solar array test fixture, and a space vehicle transfer fixture
A 960-square-foot thermal vacuum chamber that simulates the conditions of space for testing purposes
A 2,880-square-foot, two-story anechoic test chamber that allows for testing of antennas and telemetry equipment without sound or electromagnetic interference

The GPS III program replaced aging GPS satellites while improving capability to meet the evolving needs of military, commercial, and civilian users worldwide. GPS III satellites deliver enhanced accuracy and improved anti-jamming capability, extend the spacecraft’s design life, and add a new civil signal interoperable with international global navigation satellite systems.

As the project’s electrical engineer, RMH designed normal and backup power systems, lighting, grounding, fire alarm system detection and notification, lightning protection, access control, and public address systems for this critical facility.

Photo credit: Lockheed Martin Space Systems

The Alexander Dawson School Innovation Center represents a comprehensive approach to K-12 science education, featuring specialized learning environments designed to support the school’s innovative curriculum. The 24,000-square-foot, three-story building houses science classrooms and laboratories, as well as a shared makerspace with associated wood and metal shops and storage areas.

The Innovation Center serves as both an educational hub and campus welcome center, creating the first destination for visitors and prospective students. The facility incorporates four high school-level laboratories, three middle school-level laboratories, one K-5-level laboratory, computer labs, and specialized workshop spaces. The building design emphasizes visual connections to the outdoors and campus features while putting internal activities on display through intentional transparency.

The facility achieved LEED Gold certification, reflecting the project’s commitment to sustainable design principles. The building functions are integrated into the campus landscape, creating a cohesive educational environment that aligns facilities with the school’s divisions and departments.

As the project’s mechanical and electrical engineer, RMH provided mechanical and electrical design services, including AV/IT/security systems, and bid and construction-phase services. The design emphasized low energy use by evaluating multiple HVAC system options to optimize performance and efficiency for specialized laboratory and educational spaces.

Wells Concrete’s new Brighton facility consolidates two existing Denver locations into a single, comprehensive manufacturing operation to enhance production capability and flexibility for the Denver market. The 122,673-square-foot precast facility sits on 64.5 acres and features year-round indoor production capabilities for architectural precast and outdoor structural forms, with lifting capacity upgraded from 15-ton to 25-ton cranes to accommodate larger products and higher volumes.

The manufacturing facility incorporates long-line prestressing forms and an expanded inventory of movable forms to meet diverse project demands. The versatile production facility enables identical product manufacturing with consistent quality while maintaining flexibility to meet demanding schedules and minimize project risk. The specialized facility includes a 4,500-square-foot mold shop, steel shop, lunchroom, office, maintenance bays, boiler and air-compressor room, production area, beam bed/storage area, tool room, QC lab, chemical storage area, and washroom.

As the project’s mechanical and electrical engineer, RMH provided mechanical and electrical design and construction-phase services for the new concrete pre-stress plant. Services included chilled water, steam, compressed air, power, and natural gas systems to support the specialized manufacturing operations.

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.

The Space Operations Simulation Center (SOSC) provides an ultra-stable environment for developing, evaluating, and testing precision instruments and navigation systems for space vehicles. Sophisticated facilities enable full- and sub-scale simulations of ranging, rendezvous, docking, imaging, descent, and landing operations—all of which are necessary for the success of manned and robotic missions to Earth-orbiting platforms and celestial bodies. The 41,000-square-foot building includes a 16,000-square-foot high bay with a robot wing and an airlock, four mission operations centers, two control rooms, a two-story lobby, and support spaces.

RMH’s role for this fast-track project included electrical/lighting design, lighting modeling, energy modeling, and LEED consulting. RMH met the challenge of spearheading the LEED effort for a project with an accelerated schedule and complex technical spaces not typical for a LEED-targeted facility. The facility achieved LEED-NC Gold certification.

In a related project, our engineers designed a 50-foot-tall, six-degree-of-freedom robot system used to design and test autonomous spacecraft guidance systems within the SOSC facility. The high-precision robot maneuvers and docks full-scale spacecraft mock-ups with minimal deflection under load. The design included a unique 2,000-psi hydraulic counterbalance system that supports the vertical-axis platform’s 36,000-pound mass.

Photo credit: Lockheed Martin Space 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

RMH provided mechanical, electrical, and lighting design services for a high-performance cabinetry manufacturing facility featuring 80,750 square feet of production space, 97,000 square feet of warehouse, and 22,300 square feet of administrative offices.

To safely manage large volumes of combustible wood dust generated during production, RMH engineered a 1,800-linear-foot dust collection system with 50,000 CFM capacity. The system captures heavy wood particles at 47 high-velocity pickup points and delivers them to an exterior baghouse. During the winter, the system reclaims heat by returning filtered air to the building.

To mitigate explosion risks, multiple infrared spark detection and suppression devices within the ductwork are integrated into the design. At the baghouse, RMH designed a pressure-sensitive detection and chemical suppression system to enhance safety and compliance.
Our team also designed a 2,350-square-foot, Class I, Division 1 paint vault equipped with a hazardous exhaust system, specialized grounding, and dedicated power and lighting systems to support safe and efficient operations.

RMH provided mechanical and electrical engineering services for the LEED Gold-certified CAB Barracks Complex at Fort Carson, Colorado—a $94.9 million design-build project supporting the 13th Combat Aviation Brigade. From the outset, the team prioritized energy efficiency, livability, and cost-effective delivery to achieve net-zero energy performance.

Spanning 370,156 square feet, the complex includes three H-shaped, four-story buildings with apartment-style units for 994 soldiers. The design integrates advanced sustainable systems to reduce energy consumption and enhance occupant comfort.

Key energy-efficient features include:

Radiant heating and cooling with active chilled beams
Heat recovery chiller and 5,000-gallon thermal storage tank
Dedicated outdoor air systems with heat recovery ventilation
Solar thermal panels that meet 30% of domestic hot water demand
Gravity thin-film shower drain heat exchangers
400 kW ground-mounted photovoltaic arrays offsetting 25% of annual energy use
Vacancy and occupancy sensors for lighting control
Automated window sensors and LED lighting throughout

RMH also engineered the adjacent Central Boiler and Chiller Facility (CBCF), which supports the barracks and future development on the Butts Field Plateau. The CBCF includes six condensing boilers, three 400-ton chillers, and over 81,000 feet of hot and chilled water distribution piping.

This project set a new benchmark for sustainable military housing and supports Fort Carson’s transformation into a net-zero energy installation.

The expanded Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St. Francis Medical Center offers an exceptional level of care for infants born before 32 weeks of gestation, those weighing less than 3.3 pounds, or critically ill babies who require breathing assistance. The expanded NICU includes several enhancements:

Increased capacity from 30 to 46 beds
Two couplet rooms, allowing mothers and their babies to stay together while receiving expert, round-the-clock care. At the time, the St. Francis Medical Center’s NICU was the only one in Colorado and only the fourth in the nation to feature couplet rooms.
Additional space for caring for multiples, such as twins and triplets
Advanced room lighting designed to support and stimulate infants’ circadian rhythms
A family sleeping area with privacy partitions and fully private restrooms
An outdoor patio and wellness garden
A NICU family lounge for families of patients to connect with others in similar situations
A dedicated breast milk storage room
A family pre-discharge room to help parents prepare for returning home

The NICU expansion was the first phase of a multi-part project comprising 168,000 square feet and costing $102 million. This project also included a new emergency department, operating rooms, antepartum rooms, and space for future growth. RMH is serving as the project’s mechanical and electrical engineer, as well as the lighting designer.

STAQ Pharma is transforming pediatric healthcare by addressing a critical gap in the pharmaceutical supply chain: the availability of sterile, small-dose medications for children. At its cutting-edge 18,400-square-foot cGMP 503B outsourcing facility in Colorado, this innovative startup repackages adult-dose medications into precise pediatric doses using advanced robotic automation. These smaller doses are essential for pre-operative, operative, and post-operative procedures in pediatric care.
The facility includes 5,000 square feet of highly automated cleanroom space designed to meet the highest standards for sterile-to-sterile drug repackaging. Robotic systems ensure exceptional sterility, accuracy, and efficiency, helping STAQ Pharma deliver safer and more reliable medications for pediatric patients.

To support this pharmaceutical-grade environment, the HVAC system maintains an ISO 7 cleanroom classification through a cascading clean-to-dirty pressure hierarchy. Inside the robotics enclosure, conditions are even more stringent, achieving ISO 5 classification. Energy-efficient design strategies, including variable airflow modes for occupied and idle states, enable significant energy savings while maintaining strict air-change requirements.

Breckenridge Brewery, at the time, Colorado’s fifth-largest craft brewer, unveiled a new $35-million brewery campus in response to growing demand and community engagement. Located in Littleton, the 79,150-square-foot, three-building complex blends rustic farmhouse aesthetics with modern brewing innovation and sustainable design. The campus includes:

Brewhouse Building: Featuring brewing and malt handling areas, a hops cooler, boiler plant, offices, conference room, and a tasting room.
Production Building: Home to fermentation, bottling, barrel aging, canning, kegging, dry goods storage, and a quality control lab.
Restaurant Building: A full-service restaurant with indoor seating, a lounge, a kitchen, and a gift shop.

Designed for scalability, the facility starts with a brewing capacity of 70,000 barrels annually, with potential to reach 300,000 barrels.
Sustainability was central to the design. Energy-efficient evaporative cooling supports process areas and the kitchen. Natural ventilation in the Brewhouse enhances indoor air quality. Destratification fans improve seasonal comfort, while 95%-efficient condensing boilers provide heating. A water reuse system captures and filters wastewater for landscape irrigation.

The Student Success Building is the first structure in the Metro State “neighborhood” on the Auraria Higher Education Campus, designated exclusively for use by Metro State students and faculty. Metro State shares the Auraria campus with two other institutions: the University of Colorado Denver and the Community College of Denver. This new facility encompasses approximately 145,000 square feet and includes functional spaces for classrooms, offices, critical support services, the Office of the President, as well as special programs and departments.

Metro State is dedicated to reducing carbon emissions associated with campus operations; therefore, sustainability was a key requirement for this building. As the mechanical and electrical design engineer for the project, RMH implemented high-performance building systems, which feature efficient heating and cooling systems, low-water-use fixtures, and reliable power supplies.

BYU-Idaho is Idaho’s largest private University, sitting on a 430-acre campus with a district heating loop providing space heating for 40 buildings. RMH served as mechanical, electrical, and controls engineer for this project to add cogeneration capabilities to the Rexburg campus heating plant. The University replaced its coal-fired boiler plant with a new, multi-leveled heating plant containing a combined heat and power (CHP) system using natural gas. The project began with a conceptual study/economic analysis, which investigated the economic viability of adding cogeneration capabilities.

After completing the conceptual study and economic analysis, RMH designed the installation of a nominal 5.7MWe natural gas turbine with a 50,000 pph HRSG, which has a calculated simple payback of eight years. RMH’s design for the gas turbine featured a fully enclosed evaporative cooling system to increase the turbine output, as well as a turbine enclosure heat reuse system.

To enhance minimally invasive surgeries for patients, Penrose Hospital constructed a new interventional hybrid operating room on the second floor. This facility features advanced medical imaging devices that allow surgeons to visualize and access smaller areas of the body, making procedures less traumatic than traditional surgical methods. As the mechanical and electrical engineer on the project, RMH designed the HVAC, plumbing, normal and emergency power, and lighting systems to support the new operating room, control room, and various supporting devices, including new diagnostic equipment, medical equipment booms, and surgical systems integration equipment.

The Avondale Aquatic Center is a modern, energy-efficient facility designed for comfort, safety, and community engagement. It features locker rooms, showers, restrooms, staff offices, a nurse station, a lifeguard office, and a food truck/snack area.

Mechanical systems include split system heat pumps and evaporative cooling with natural gas heating. Ventilation and exhaust systems support indoor air quality in high-fume areas. Plumbing uses lead-free materials, low-flow fixtures, and efficient water heating. Fire protection meets NFPA 13 standards.

RMH upgraded the electrical system to include an 800A service, installed LED lighting with smart controls, and set up infrastructure for solar and EV charging. In addition, the design enhances security with access control, surveillance cameras, and fire alarms. RMH designed site lighting to minimize light pollution and created durable, comfortable interior lighting.

This facility reflects a commitment to sustainability, functionality, and user experience.

RMH provided mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design services for a new 16,500-square-foot outpatient orthopedic clinic offering a wide range of services to address various musculoskeletal conditions and injuries. Located on the second floor of a medical office building, the facility provides therapy and pain management services.

The space creates a supportive, healing environment for patients, families, and staff. The design follows evidence-based best practices, incorporating safety measures, healthy materials, and biophilic elements inspired by nature to create a calming and restorative atmosphere. The facility meets high standards for performance and patient care, positioning it as a model for future healthcare design.

This project advances high-power electric vehicle (EV) charging by developing a megawatt-scale battery emulation framework at the Flatirons Campus. The system enables real-time testing of EV charging scenarios, focusing on integration with renewable energy and grid infrastructure.

At its core is a custom-designed MWh-scale lithium-ion battery emulator that replicates the dynamic behavior of various battery chemistries used in heavy-duty vehicles and stationary storage. Using Digital Real-Time Simulators, hardware-in-the-loop techniques, and grid simulators, the team built a robust platform for evaluating charge/discharge cycles and system-level interactions.

This infrastructure supports research in Vehicle Grid Integration, Behind-the-Meter assets, and Distributed Energy Resource applications, paving the way for more innovative and resilient EV-grid ecosystems.

RMH provided comprehensive electrical, mechanical, and plumbing engineering services for a new 43,000-square-foot, two-story facility supporting global scientific field missions. The building, more than twice the size of its 1970s predecessor, includes offices, electronic and wet laboratories, an ITAR-controlled warehouse, and connects to two existing aircraft hangars.

Both hangars support NCAR’s Gulfstream V and C-130 research aircraft. RMH’s electrical design scope included:

Upgrading Hangar A’s electrical service from 120/208V to 277/480V
Power and lighting design for a new locker room in Hangar B
Integrated lighting and controls design throughout the facility

This facility enhances NCAR’s ability to support airborne research and innovation worldwide.

Danone, one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies, completed a renovation to consolidate two separate office spaces into a unified 36,000-square-foot building. This transformation aimed to accommodate the evolving demands of the workplace and to support a growing number of employees working hybrid schedules. The new design provided flexible office spaces for employees, allowing them to work collaboratively regardless of their positions. The project team completed while the facility was fully operational.

RMH delivered comprehensive demolition design drawings and executed electrical load and lighting calculations for the electrical design. Our team designed power systems to support collaborative spaces, a coffee bar, and computer equipment. We also implemented interior lighting and controls that complied with local building codes, updated the existing power distribution system diagram, and prepared a fire alarm performance specification.

On the mechanical side, RMH produced demolition design drawings and conducted HVAC load calculations while modifying air distribution, heating water piping, and DDC controls to accommodate the new layout, including large conference rooms, collaboration areas, and open and individual office spaces. RMH designed the mechanical system to incorporate rooftop units with VAV and fan-powered VAV boxes. Additionally, we developed a fire protection performance specification to ensure the safety and efficiency of the renovated space.

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 St. Francis Medical Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, underwent an expansive project to cater to a 50% increase in patient volume since 2008, aiming to meet the growing community’s needs by expanding its capacity and enhancing care delivery.

The project included the construction of a 250,410-square-foot acute care facility, which features an emergency department, operating rooms, and an upgraded Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). It also provides additional space for future growth. Key features of the expansion are a 30,000-square-foot parking area, a 34,000-square-foot Emergency Department with adaptable space, two operating theaters, a 22-bay post-anesthesia care unit, and 12,500 square feet for future operating rooms on Level 1. Level 2 has reserved space for surgical expansion, while Level 3 saw a 31,000-square-foot NICU expansion and renovations. Level 4 includes interstitial space for mechanical and electrical infrastructure, and Levels 5 and 6 will accommodate 64 MedSurg beds. RMH also provided the design to update the central utility plant to support the expansion, including a new chiller, boiler, and cooling tower.

The project utilized an Integrated Project Delivery method, completing 56 days early and 2% under budget. RMH introduced innovations such as tunable LED white light technology in the NICU to support infant circadian rhythms, enhancing care quality. Additionally, sustainability and efficiency were emphasized through daylight harvesting and high-efficiency lighting, balancing energy savings with maintaining safe care environments.

Originally a World War II munitions plant, Building 48 has been transformed into a LEED Gold-certified and SITES Silver-certified office for the Department of the Interior’s Interior Business Center.

The project involved converting a 1940s-era warehouse into a modern, energy-efficient workspace. RMH designed advanced mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems that facilitated the building’s net-zero energy profile. A key feature was installing a Water Source Heat Pump (WSHP) system, which included perimeter single-zone units and additional units for interior zones and ventilation. This system capitalizes on Colorado’s dry climate through direct evaporative cooling, achieving a 75% reduction in energy consumption in shoulder seasons.

The electrical design focused on complete building electrification, incorporating three 240kW electric boilers that work with the WSHP. RMH kept the switchgear capacity below 4000A, creatively repurposing an old transformer for EV charging stations. A 200kW solar array on the roof and site solar at the Denver Federal Center supplied 100% renewable energy.

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.

At the heart of Denver, the Auraria Campus is a beacon of knowledge and opportunity, serving over 40,000 students, faculty, and staff from the Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and the University of Colorado Denver. The Campus HVAC Replacement project marks a significant step towards continuing to provide a conducive environment to learn and work while enriching the local community.

RMH is the prime consultant on the project, providing mechanical and electrical engineering services focused on replacing an aging mechanical infrastructure across the campus. This project provides more efficient and reliable service for nine key buildings on campus, covering over 1.25 million square feet. Recognizing HVAC upgrades as more than maintenance, RMH aims to respond to increasingly frequent and extreme weather conditions and the need for thermal comfort. According to Natasha Hernandez, RMH’s Vice President, the project aims to create the best conditions for learning, knowledge, and productivity for all campus users.

The project’s impact will extend beyond the buildings, transforming learning environments. AHEC can count on RMH’s expertise and commitment to providing top-notch HVAC solutions for its campus stakeholders and the surrounding communities.

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.

The Lockheed Martin Space Systems Gateway Center at the Waterton Canyon campus marks a significant leap in satellite production capabilities. This $350 million, 266,000-square-foot facility focuses on designing, manufacturing, and testing satellites. Within its expansive layout, 175,000 square feet of SCIF support secure operations for national security missions.

The Gateway Center features a high bay Class 100k clean room, enabling the simultaneous construction and testing of large and small satellites. It also houses a large thermal vacuum chamber that replicates the harsh conditions of space, allowing for rigorous satellite testing prior to launch. Complementing these facilities is a sizable anechoic chamber for safely testing satellite antennas, sensors, and communication systems, as well as a large volume airlock that streams the departure of completed spacecraft in a controlled, clean environment.

The project includes redundant power systems, uninterruptible power supplies, generators, and a central utility plant, achieved through meticulously coordinating highly technical equipment.