Better Family Life Center

icon served as the design/build mechanical contractor for this $1.4M project to convert the 100+-year-old Ralph Waldo Emerson School into the Better Family Life Arts and Cultural Center. This project involved a complete renovation of the building into usable office space, classrooms, and cultural rooms. The building produced many installation challenges including 18” to 24” thick interior masonry walls and strict historic architectural guidelines.

icon Mechanical was responsible for the design and installation of a new HVAC system. New systems included an energy-efficient water source heat pump system, rooftop units, cooling tower, and a new HVAC control system. icon presented the owner with many different design options that allowed the owner to pick the system that met their affordability and efficiency goals. A prime example of one of these options was a water meter that was added to the cooling tower to allow the owner to receive a $1500 credit from MSD every year.

The Owner and General Contractor on this project praised icon for our ability to meet and exceed participation goals with 35% minority participation and 35% MBE subcontracting. Our individual effort in minority participation allowed the General Contractor to meet their overall project participation goals.

icon led BIM drawing coordination during the design to ensure a timely and efficient installation. We received many complements from the General Contractor on our drive to plan our work and stick to the project schedule.