The Vineyard on Lancaster
Fort Worth, TX
Expertise
- Community
- Faith-Based
- Municipal
- Residential
Services
- mechanical / plumbing engineering
- electrical engineering
- civil engineering
Size
- 17,090 SF
BHB provided civil and MEP engineering and design services for two, new mixed-use buildings at Union Gospel Mission. One of the buildings is 8,500 SF and includes community programs, a clinic, and 60 apartments that are approximately 800 SF each. The second building consists of 2,340 SF of on-site case management and community space on the lower level and 44 apartments of around 870 SF each on the upper levels. The community space includes a community room, leasing office, and laundry services for residents. A total of 6,250 SF is also dedicated for parking.
The mechanical design included separate HVAC units for each family apartment, which allowed for easy maintenance and in-unit control for the residents. Exhaust from each apartment was served by a central exhaust system, which reduced energy demand.
One of the challenges when designing the HVAC system for this multifamily building was its structure. The lower floor-to-floor height reduced the overall construction cost and increased overall square footage, but presented design challenges due to the limited available ceiling space for ductwork, equipment, and piping. After careful coordination with the architect and structural engineer, it allowed the design team to play a creative role in integrating structure with the other elements housed within the ceiling space, such as ductwork and mechanical equipment. A central outside air system on each floor was also used to improve ventilation control and eliminate stack effect driven airflows that can adversely affect indoor air quality.
The electrical design planned for the future build-out of the shell space, which was sufficient during the construction of Club 1401 and the Medical Clinic located on the first floor of the mixed-use building.
A challenge was coordinating with the existing Oncor electrical distribution, which was required to be taken from overhead to underground, and reconnecting the existing Union Gospel Mission facilities. Due to the limited space for additional utility poles, a unique approach was to provide a single transformer that provided sufficient power for both buildings, where both buildings are connected to a utility secondary enclosure.
The buildings were able to assist 104 individuals and families during the global pandemic by providing affordable housing with purposeful amenities.
The Texas Apartment Association awarded The Vineyard on Lancaster the Affordable Housing Award for innovation in new affordable housing construction. Additionally, AHF (Affordable Housing Finance Magazine) bestowed the 2020 Readers Choice Award in the Special Needs category on the mixed-use development.
Key People
-
Richard J. Watters, PE
Richard J. Watters, PE
Principal | Senior Mechanical Engineer
Richard Watters came to BHB after working with a design-build contractor in the area for two years. As an active member of BHB’s leadership team, Richard manages some of the firm’s multiple long-term engineering projects, including healthcare, commercial, oil and gas, retail, and municipal. He is experienced in sustainable design, energy studies/audits, design-build, hospitality, data centers, critical environments, medical gas systems, and construction administration.
Richard has been named one of the Top 40 Engineers Under 40 in the country by Consulting-Specifying Engineer Magazine and one of the Top 20 Engineers Under 40 in our region by Engineer News-Record magazine.
In the office, his hands-on style has helped him successfully find solutions for clients and mentor young engineers. Outside of the office, Richard has been past president of the Fort Worth Chapter of ASHRAE and has been active with various student organizations as a guest speaker or project sponsor; he also travels back to Texas A&M to guest lecture and has sponsored projects for the construction science department at Texas A&M.
With his wife Yesenia, he enjoys being outside with their kids, traveling, working on multiple home improvement projects, and helping others. They have sponsored scholarships for children in El Salvador, his wife’s native country, who would otherwise not have access to advanced education. In addition to these, they also have four annual scholarships locally at TCU and UNT. Expanding on this desire to provide resources and forward momentum for everyone, Richard is also a founding board member of the Paul Schulte Foundation, a non-profit organization with a goal to empower, inspire, and facilitate individuals with disabilities.
Project Experience
Arlington Animal Services Center
Doss Heritage and Culture Center
Ott Cribbs Public Safety Center
Star-Telegram Building
Texas Wesleyan University Jack and Jo Willa Morton Fitness Center
Education
Texas A&M University:
Master’s Degree/2001/Mechanical Engineering
The University of Texas at El Paso:
Bachelor’s Degree/1997/Mechanical Engineering -
Ali Buron, PE
Ali Buron, PE
Associate | Mechanical Engineer
As a third generation engineer, you could say that it is in her blood – but Ali didn’t always dream of mechanical engineering. When she was young, she wanted to be an actress, even landing the leading role in her fourth grade school play. She still loves the stage today, but has since considered a career in law before ultimately falling in love with engineering during her studies at TCU. It was there that she met Richard Watters through a mock interview event and became interested in working at BHB. She is now a project manager for healthcare and commercial projects among others, and is an active member of the Fort Worth chapter of ASHRAE.
Having grown up hunting and fishing at her grandmother’s farm, Ali still enjoys outdoor activities. She plays on an intramural kickball team, which she loves for the opportunity to compete and meet new people. At home she has two weenie dogs named Ruff and Ryder, who love visiting dog friendly restaurants in Fort Worth and bossing around their mom.
Education
Texas Christian University:
Bachelors/2010/Mechanical Engineering
-
Thomas Wilson, PE
Thomas Wilson, PE
Associate | Electrical Engineer
Thomas has always wanted to be an engineer; as a child he played outside with his brother, building cities in the dirt with matchbox cars, wood block buildings, and even designing roads. He enjoys the profession’s capacity to provide a creative outlet through math and problem solving. His early work experience took place in his Oma’s convenience store, expanding his world view from an early age and instilling in him an appreciation for the diversity of people and their experiences. He ultimately found BHB through interactions with electrical engineer, Paul Morris, while Thomas worked for the City of Fort Worth. He was impressed with the company culture and quality of work that he had the chance to review, and knew the company would be a good fit for him.
Thomas enjoys volunteering at church, cooking on his barbeque pit, camping, and spending time with his wife, Aryana, and daughter, Penelope. He also enjoys a good cumbia, domino game of 42, or really any activity involving a gathering of his friends and family. He is an active member of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers.
Education
Texas State University:
Bachelors/2010/Manufacturing Engineering