600 Commonwealth Bldg
Project Overview
The project will consist of adaptive reuse of an existing office building to a 19 story apartment building located at 600 Commonwealth Blvd., Los Angeles, California. Total building area is 339,746 sq. ft. There is an existing 4-level underground parking which will remain as is. In addition, the project will include the following:
- Garage levels have a total area of 242,957 sq.ft.
- There will be new amenities such as gym, club room, KTV etc. on the garage level
- Levels 1-19 will have 412 apartment units
Project Scope
Comprehensive MEPF Design Services
Lam + Tea Engineering provided full Mechanical (HVAC), Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire Protection (MEPF) design services for this project. The design team ensured all systems were efficiently coordinated to meet performance, comfort, and safety requirements while maintaining compliance with applicable codes and standards.
Mechanical Engineering
The mechanical scope focused on delivering a reliable and energy-efficient HVAC system to ensure year-round comfort and indoor air quality. Design services included air conditioning and heating systems, kitchen and bathroom exhaust systems, and stairwell pressurization. The team also developed a smoke control system to enhance life safety and ensure proper building ventilation under emergency conditions.
Electrical Engineering
The electrical design provided a complete power and lighting solution to support the project’s operational needs. Scope of work included the design of a new electrical service, interior and exterior lighting systems, and building power distribution. Emergency power systems were also incorporated to maintain essential functions during outages. In addition, empty conduit systems were designed to accommodate telephone, security, and cable TV infrastructure. Coordination of outlet locations and utility connection points was based on drawings provided by others and integrated into the final electrical contract documents.
Plumbing & Fire Protection Engineering
The plumbing and fire protection design emphasized safety, reliability, and efficiency in managing water, drainage, and life safety systems. The scope included the design of building sanitary and storm drainage systems, hot and cold water systems, and a natural gas distribution system. A complete fire protection system was also designed, excluding sprinkler branch pipe layouts, head locations, sizing, and hydraulic calculations, which were to be provided by the Fire Protection Contractor.