You have heard the term, “Out of sight, out of mind.” This is true for mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems. For centuries, plumbing systems have been key in supporting the advancement of civilization and promoting healthy, safe environments. As is most often the case with plumbing systems, however, you don’t think about it until it breaks, and only then do you realize its importance.
As technology advances, the younger generations are becoming more distant from understanding the basic importance of plumbing systems. Behind those aesthetically pleasing plumbing fixtures are systems that are carefully designed and installed to meet safety standards and ensure sanitary, safe environments.
Why does it matter? The plumbing industry is losing younger generations to careers associated with other technologies and with the “out of sight, out of mind” plumbing systems, there is little to highlight the need for these systems to the younger generation. As plumbing designers and engineers, we need to be more creative in attracting the younger generations in our industry. One way to do this is to get them visual exposure of the inner working of MEP systems within the building.
Education buildings often have a diversity of MEP systems and can themselves be tools to reach out to the younger generations. Whether it is in the ceiling or a glimpse into a mechanical room, these systems together with a legend in key areas can spark the imagination of students and get them thinking about a career in MEP systems design.
Going above and beyond to hide the plumbing elements
Most buildings are designed to provide a carefully curated experience. Most people do not want to see random piping systems exposed, breaking the flow of the intended appearance and function of building programs. An exposed MEP system, if not properly coordinated, disrupts the architectural and interior design team's intended aesthetic and intent for the room. For a room designed to promote visual comfort, an exposed poorly coordinated MEP piping system most likely will not complement that theme.
Exposed piping is normally hidden from the public in back-of-the-house (BOH) spaces, custodial rooms, etc. In most cases, it is exposed for cost-saving and to increase accessibility, which are some of the reasons it is not accessible to the public. It is also not uncommon to see exposed piping in public areas painted black to cost-effectively “hide” the piping in plain view as shown in Image 1.
Exposed piping painted black. Image courtesy of Lowell Manalo
Educational buildings represent opportunities for exposed MEP systems to not only highlight the function and diversity of systems but also to stir the imagination of the people who use them. Properly implemented, these MEP systems highlight all that goes into supporting our building and will yield a rewarding experience and serve as a visual aid to students and building occupants.
When there’s an opportunity to educate, show it! Of course, the best place to start is the classroom
Education buildings often have a diversity of MEP systems and can themselves be tools to reach out to the younger generations. Whether it is in the ceiling or a glimpse into a mechanical room, these systems together with a legend in key areas can spark the imagination of students and get them thinking about a career in MEP systems design. Below are some examples to visibly highlight the practical application of engineering in everyday buildings.
The University of Texas Dallas Engineering & Computer Science West Building utilizes perforated ceilings together with lights above the ceiling level to highlight the MEP systems, as shown in Image 2.
Perforated ceiling with active chilled beam and systems beyond. Image courtesy of Lowell Manalo
The piping is color-coded by systems and closely coordinated so students can follow the systems and components that support both that room and other spaces within the building. Images 2 and 3 show the domestic water piping, which is color-coded green, and the laboratory compressed air piping, which is orange. Similarly, mechanical supply ductwork is blue while laboratory exhaust ductwork is green. This facility also provided glass panels in the walls behind the HVAC and piping risers in the lobby, allowing students to follow the path of these systems up through the building as shown in Image 4.
Combined open and perforated ceilings with color-coded piping. Image courtesy of Lowell Manalo
Glass wall panels highlighting laboratory exhaust ductwork, painted green. Image courtesy of Lowell Manalo
The thermal vacuum chamber inside the University of Arizona’s Applied Research Building is the focal point as you enter the building as shown in Image 5. The chamber uses liquid nitrogen and vacuum pumps to simulate the vacuum of space in support of their advanced technology programs. The chamber itself is surrounded by glass, giving students and visitors the ability to experience the systems that support the chamber from a safe vantage point. The chamber and its systems are presented in a way that provokes the curiosity of students and gets people to start asking questions about the systems supporting it.
University of Arizona’s Applied Research Building Thermal Vacuum Chamber. Image courtesy of Lowell Manalo
“Out of sight, out of mind” — is this one of the many reasons why advancements in plumbing systems are slow-paced compared to that of others? One thing is certain: the more we make our younger generation aware of these systems, the more we give them a sense of appreciation of how MEP systems in buildings function. Through these, we can highlight the efficient use of water and conservation of energy to spur imagination. Perhaps in the future, it will be one of these students or visitors who, having been exposed to these systems, that is the one who develops an innovative way to take our plumbing systems to the next level.
