Building Systems Design

Michaels designs mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems for many types of commercial and industrial buildings. We take a “no band-aids” approach to our design. Our solutions always consider the big picture.  We dig deep to find building issues and find the best solution that fits the needs of the building and the needs of the owner.

We incorporate modern, efficient systems into existing buildings and achieve value for the owner by re-using or renovating existing equipment when possible.  Our engineers also create building energy models to analyze building and system design alternatives.  This helps inform the design process such that the right decisions can be made early in the process.

Michaels also provides construction administration.   As the construction administrator, we act as the owner’s representative to resolve discrepancies and ensure the construction reflects the design intent, working with rather than against the contractor, and keep the construction process moving.

Lighting can be taken for granted because it simply works or it can make a statement.  The choice is ultimately up to the customer.  The key to making it happen means the right questions need to be asked. Once the direction is understood, getting to the desired result takes experience, rather than just design software.

Michaels Energy has experience working with architects to achieve energy efficiency and code compliance while facilitating visual tasks and achieving the desired effects.  With nearly 20 years of experience designing lighting projects, Michaels brings the right personnel with the right questions to each project to achieve the results both the architect and the owner are looking for.

Controls systems design is an intelligent process that balances owners needs with the designers and contractors. Our process uses our deep technical expertise and couples it with exceptional personnel management skills to ensure the owner gets what they’re paying for.

Michaels Energy has a deep understanding of the building controls market. Almost all systems have the ability to provide effective control in the hands of the right installer, which is crucial. We focus on helping owners seeking new control systems to cut through the marketing hype and focus on the dedication of the vendor to developing a long-term working relationship.

Good power distribution is seldom noticed.  However, poor power distribution is likely to cause problems whenever changes or additions are made.  Poor flexibility within the power system can take what should be a small, inexpensive project and add significant costs or even make it cost prohibitive.

Good power distribution design starts with selecting the appropriate voltage for the system.  Sometimes this is obvious others times it is not. This is dependent on both the largest load and also the balance between large and small loads. From there it’s coordination with the owner, as well as other trades, that will determine the system layout.  System demands need to be relayed to the architect in a timely manner so infrastructure can be accounted for in a reasonable way.  The keys to good design are flexibility and growth potential, without going overboard and wasting upfront costs.

Many mechanical engineers rely on the project controls contractor to “design” and specify their controls. This leaves many critical decisions in someone’s hands who may have different priorities and may not understand the clients’ needs as we do. They also typically use canned one-size-for-all sequences (algorithms) to save contractor cost at the expense of long-term energy waste for the building owner or tenants paying the energy bills.

Michaels understands and employs the cutting edge controls sequences.  This means the building gets a controls system that is capable of providing the necessary functionality, has capacity for future expansion, achieves energy savings compared to the status quo, all while keeping comfort in mind.

Michaels will guide the owner through the process of selecting a controls system, balancing owner budget, and project needs while identifying savings opportunities and writing controls sequences.

A building issues assessment identifies cost effective ways to retrofit existing systems to address performance issues or failures and increase comfort and energy efficiency.

We begin with client interviews to identify known issues and symptoms.  The site assessment begins with a walk-through of the facility to determine preliminary needs.  It involves a combination of troubleshooting, systems engineering, and correcting the cause of problems.  Our engineers have over 30 years of experience finding problems and designing solutions.  The ultimate goal is comfort and performance improvement – happy, productive occupants and employees lead to happy customers and enhanced productivity.

Commissioning is a quality control process to ensure the building is running optimally, day one. Michaels’ process uses both forward looking metrics as well as backward looking tests to verify systems are operating as intended. It’s an intelligent process that balances owners’ needs with the designers and contractors. Our commissioning process uses our deep technical expertise and couples it with exceptional personnel management skills to ensure the owner gets what they’re paying for.

This process prevents construction scheduling mishaps, ensures all systems are properly installed and functioning, and maximizes system efficiency from the start.

Michaels provides sustainability and LEED consulting (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for existing buildings and new construction nationwide. LEED was created to define “green building” by establishing a common standard of measurement. LEED helps to develop high-performance, sustainable buildings as well as raise consumer awareness of green building benefits.  Michaels provides LEED AP consulting services throughout the U.S. for design and construction projects seeking LEED certification.