Engineering Elevation: Refining Electrical and HVAC Systems at the Rivian Facility in Palo Alto, CA

We recently undertook a comprehensive due diligence project for Rivian, a leading electrical car manufacturer, at their two-level facility in Palo Alto.

Our primary objective was to assess the existing building systems in relation to the desired programming and determine necessary modifications to align with the new programming. The scope encompassed mechanical, plumbing, process piping, and fire protection (MPF) systems. We developed preliminary floor plans for the MPF systems, aiding MPF sub-contractors in estimating installation costs. Our primary challenge was maximizing the use of existing systems to optimize construction costs.

The facility housed diverse laboratories, each equipped with specialized mechanical systems like general, VOC, and particle exhausts, with an added 20% capacity for future loads. Clean rooms were catered to with fan-powered HEPAs. Notably, we transitioned the building's pneumatic controls to a more efficient Direct Digital Controls (DDC) system. While we leveraged existing plumbing infrastructure, new systems were introduced for compressed air, nitrogen, argon, and process cooling water. The fire sprinkler system, already in place, underwent modifications to suit the new lab spaces.