Notable Projects: Commercial

University Town Center, Santa Cruz, California

Notable Engineering Features

• Hydronic heat pump system
• Full commercial kitchen

This landmark mixed-occupancy building, designed by Thacher and Thompson Architects, is located on Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz. The first floor retail spaces were designed with flexibility in mind including a grease interceptor system and commercial kitchen exhaust system to allow restaurant occupancy. The hydronic heat pump system offers flexibility and energy efficiency for both the retail and office spaces and allows sub-metering of most of the electrical use for each tenant. The two floors of SRO apartments at the upper level were heated with energy efficient hot water baseboard units. All HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection designs were produced by Axiom EngineersSM.