Van Boerum & Frank Associates (VBFA) served as the mechanical consultant providing HVAC, plumbing and fire protection design for the Young Living Global Headquarters. The intricate architectural design with its curved walls and spaces along with the sheer size of the building provided the design team with an assortment of complex challenges to overcome. VBFA designed linear diffusers/grilles to align with the curvature of the spaces. To keep the project economical, single linear slot diffusers were used in lieu of continuous diffusers. The owner opted to use the variable-refrigerant-flow (VRF) system as the basis for the HVAC design.

VBFA’s team designed a VRF system with multiple energy recovery ventilators (ERV). The ERV units provided the required ventilation rates and proper pressurization of the building while the VRF system conditioned it. This technique was used in the majority of the building.

The Young Living Global Headquarters includes office space, full-service kitchen with cafeteria, laboratory, research and development and fitness center. The building also includes a 3-story water fall, reflecting pool with tropical plants and trees and a 4-story grow wall located in the central court. VBFA and the design team met the challenge of these unusual spaces found inside a non-traditional office building and the owner was pleased with the award-winning result.