Columbus City Schools Ft. Hayes Building 66 Renovation

This project involves the comprehensive renovation of this historic 3-story, 21,000 SQ FT building on the Ft. Hayes campus. The renovated facility will serve as the new home to WCBE radio station as well as the Audio Production Program and Filmmaking & Television Production Program that are part of the Ft. Hayes Career Center. The building had not been occupied for several decades and required significant system improvements to support the new programming spaces. 

The A/E team worked with the school district and individual user groups to develop a Program of Requirements for each department’s needs. Spaces included computer labs, audio control room, recording studio, broadcast studio, post-production studio, green screen room, collaboration space, offices, restrooms, storage, and kitchenette.

AEC was responsible for providing mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and technology engineering services. Mechanical system improvements included the addition of domestic cold and hot water systems and water service with backflow prevention, new gas-fired hydraulic boilers, new primary pump loop including variable frequency drives, new air-cooled chiller, new air handling systems with variable air volume, independent cooling systems for tech rooms and storage rooms with technology equipment, and new controls systems.

Electrical system improvements include new electrical service and distribution throughout, LED lighting throughout the building, decorative color changing lighting and stage lighting in each performance room, optical fiber and cooper outside plant connections, new data systems, new telecommunications main grounding busbar, access controls, and alarm monitoring system. Additionally, a relay-based lighting control system is being used to achieve the multiple levels of control and dimming required in offices, training rooms, and conference rooms.