GK Engineers, LLC provided comprehensive mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) design services for the Houston Community College (HCC) Food Service Project, completed across four campuses: Stafford, Central South, Northeast, and Eastside. Each campus renovation included modifications to existing systems and new installations to support updated food service facilities, with designs tailored to the specific site conditions and operational needs. All work was performed in compliance with applicable codes and standards established by the Authority Having Jurisdiction and the State of Texas.

The mechanical design for each campus involved evaluating and modifying existing HVAC systems to support new kitchen exhaust and ventilation requirements. GK Engineers performed detailed load calculations to confirm existing system capacities and ensure adequate heating and cooling performance following the renovations. New kitchen hoods and associated exhaust systems were designed to meet code-required airflow and grease removal standards, while existing ductwork and air distribution systems were adjusted and rebalanced to accommodate the increased ventilation demand. At the Stafford, Central South, Northeast, and Eastside campuses, rebalancing efforts were critical to maintaining proper indoor comfort and air quality while offsetting the added exhaust loads.

HoThe electrical design encompassed new power distribution and lighting systems to support both the kitchen equipment and general facility needs. GK Engineers designed branch circuiting for HVAC equipment, plumbing fixtures, and food service appliances, ensuring proper load distribution and coordination with existing electrical infrastructure. Each site received new interior lighting layouts, with fixture selection coordinated between the architect, owner, and lighting supplier to achieve consistent illumination levels and energy efficiency across campuses. At the Central South campus, additional exterior site lighting was provided along walkways to improve nighttime safety and visibility for students and staff.

The plumbing design included modifications and extensions to existing domestic water and sanitary systems to serve the new kitchen layouts. GK Engineers utilized existing on-site utilities, connecting back into the main service lines to minimize disruption and cost. New plumbing configurations were developed to serve added fixtures and equipment, ensuring appropriate flow rates and drainage capacity. New grease traps were incorporated at the Central South and Eastside campuses to accommodate expanded food preparation areas, while the Stafford and Northeast campuses reused existing grease traps that met operational requirements.

Lighting power design was performed in accordance with current code requirements, with fixture placement and selections coordinated between the architect, owner, and lighting supplier. Site lighting and façade lighting were incorporated to enhance safety and visibility throughout the property while maintaining energy efficiency.

Plumbing design included complete domestic water and sanitary systems to serve all residential units. GK Engineers designed the domestic water service and branch distribution to supply plumbing fixtures throughout the development, routing the main domestic line to within five feet of each building and coordinating with the civil engineer for final utility connections. The sanitary sewer system was similarly designed to connect to the building’s internal drainage and extend to the utility connection point outside the building. A central hot water system with branch recirculation was incorporated to provide efficient and consistent hot water delivery.

Additionally, GK Engineers designed the fire protection infrastructure to include a fire department connection (FDC) and building fire entry, along with delegated specifications for the fire protection system to be designed by others.