Project Overview
Tree House School is an educational development in Pineville, North Carolina, designed around a distinctive circular architectural concept with interconnected building forms and open internal spaces.
Hashtech Consultancy was engaged to develop and coordinate the Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical, and Fire Protection systems at LOD 350, together with construction-ready shop drawing documentation.
The project required more than conventional MEP modelling. The building geometry created a different coordination environment, where routing, elevations, ceiling space, and service access had to be considered within a curved architectural layout.
The Challenge
Engineering MEP systems around a circular building.
The architecture was the defining coordination challenge.
Unlike a conventional building based on straight grids and repetitive corridors, Tree House School uses curved and circular geometry. MEP services therefore had to follow spaces that were not always orthogonal, while maintaining practical routing and coordination requirements.
The mechanical systems presented the greatest routing challenge, particularly the large ductwork running through already constrained corridors. Equipment located on one side of the circular building could require services to travel around the perimeter to reach another area.
At the same time, the design intent called for the ceiling to remain as high as possible. This created a very limited vertical zone in which multiple services had to coexist.
Plumbing introduced another layer of complexity. Curved mains and non-standard changes in direction required the team to work with odd-angle fittings, including approximately 11.25° and 22.5° configurations, rather than relying entirely on standard orthogonal routing.
The challenge was therefore not simply to place services in the model, but to determine how the systems could actually work within the architectural geometry.
Our Approach
- 01
Model Within the Architectural Geometry
The MEP model was developed directly around the project's circular geometry rather than forcing conventional routing logic onto the design. Service paths were reviewed against the architectural layout to maintain practical routes while respecting the intended spaces.
- 02
Prioritise the Available Ceiling Zone
With limited ceiling space, service elevation became an important coordination consideration. Large mechanical ducts were maintained at high level, while drainage routes were moved out of the main corridor coordination zone where practical, creating a more workable arrangement for the remaining MEP systems.
- 03
Develop Curved Plumbing Routes
Plumbing required particular attention to changes in direction created by the building's geometry. The team developed curved routes and used appropriate angled fittings where required, maintaining continuity of the system while adapting the installation to the architectural form.
- 04
Coordinate Multiple Disciplines
Mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and fire protection systems were coordinated as a combined environment rather than as isolated models. The process focused on routing, spatial relationships, clearances, intersections, and constructability before progressing to documentation.
- 05
Validate Before Documentation
The coordinated Revit environment was reviewed using the project coordination workflow, with Navisworks Manage supporting coordination and clash review. Once routing was resolved, the information was developed into shop drawing documentation, reducing the disconnect between the coordinated model and construction drawings.
Key Deliverables
Mechanical
HVAC ductwork and fittings; supply, return and exhaust systems; air terminals and accessories; mechanical equipment; MEP coordination; mechanical shop drawings.
Plumbing
Domestic water systems; sanitary and vent systems; storm drainage; plumbing fixtures and accessories; curved and angled pipe routing; plumbing shop drawings.
Electrical
Lighting fixtures; emergency lighting; electrical devices and fixtures; coordinated electrical layouts; electrical shop drawings.
Fire Protection
Sprinkler mains and branch lines; sprinkler heads; valves and fittings; fire protection coordination; fire protection shop drawings.
Project Impact
The completed LOD 350 multidisciplinary MEP model provided a coordinated digital representation of the building services within its unconventional architectural geometry. The work helped establish:
- Coordinated routing across four MEP disciplines
- Better use of the constrained ceiling zone
- Practical solutions for curved service routes
- Resolved relationships between large ductwork and other services
- Construction-oriented shop drawing documentation
- A consistent model-to-drawing workflow
Project Insight
When the architecture moves beyond the conventional grid, coordination has to move with it.
Tree House School demonstrated that complex MEP coordination is not only about identifying clashes. In unconventional buildings, the greater challenge is understanding how systems need to behave within the architecture.
The circular geometry required Hashtech's team to approach routing, elevation, fitting selection, and service distribution as an engineering problem rather than simply a modelling exercise.
Technology
- Autodesk Revit
- Navisworks Manage
- AutoCAD
- Bluebeam
- Autodesk Viewer
- ACC
Need MEP coordination for a complex architectural project?
Hashtech Consultancy provides MEP modelling, coordination and shop drawing services for projects where conventional routing approaches are not enough.
We’ll reply within one working day with questions, or with a scope and fee.