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PROJECT project
CONTROL STRATEGY AND SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
A central controller located on the eighth floor manages the building-wide HVAC system. This location was selected for practical access reasons, as maintenance personnel frequently access upper-level plant areas and roof installations.
Local controllers are installed within each plant room to manage the MS( mode selection) boxes and associated indoor units at floor level. This layered control approach enables both central oversight and decentralised operational flexibility.
The system was intentionally designed with approximately 20 % spare capacity to accommodate future tenant changes, increased occupancy densities or potential spatial reconfiguration.
Refrigerant pipework, branch connections and system sizing were all specified to support future expansion without requiring major plant replacement or disruption to occupied areas.
CONSTRUCTION IN AN OCCUPIED BUILDING The retrofit was executed within a fully occupied building under strict access control conditions. Work was frequently limited to weekends, and all site access required formal approval due to the building’ s secure tenancy environment. These constraints extended the programme beyond its originally anticipated six-month duration.
The project also faced significant security challenges during implementation, including repeated copper theft incidents linked to unauthorised site access prior to eviction of an informal occupant in the vicinity of the building. These disruptions required additional co-ordination, material replacement and logistical adjustments during construction. Despite these challenges, the project was successfully completed with full system commissioning and integration.
PLANT ROOM REFURBISHMENT AND FINISH QUALITY
Beyond mechanical replacement, all plant rooms were upgraded to a modern operational standard. Improvements included:
• Epoxy-coated floors
• Refurbished wall finishes
• LED lighting upgrades
• Structured cable tray installations
• Organised and clearly labelled refrigerant piping systems
These enhancements significantly improved maintainability, safety and visual presentation of the mechanical infrastructure.
The Mineralia Building HVAC retrofit represents a carefully engineered modernisation of legacy infrastructure within a constrained, occupied urban environment.
By combining standardised VRF heat recovery systems, zone-based load recalibration, demand-controlled ventilation and strategic reuse of existing building infrastructure, the project delivers a high level of operational flexibility while significantly improving energy performance and indoor environmental quality.
The result is a future-ready HVAC system that extends the useful life of a 41-year-old building while positioning it for adaptable commercial use in a changing tenant landscape. RACA
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RACA Journal I July 2026