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Maguire Headquarters & Manufacturing Facility | |
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After more than 100 years in business, Maguire leaned into progress with the development of a new, larger space to accommodate their growing water tank construction and maintenance business. That space involved a 75,000 square foot manufacturing facility and adjacent 30,000 square foot corporate office and 10,000 square foot shop.
The design focused on sustainability and innovative solutions to support employee health, earning it a Fitwel certification for creating environments that promote physical, mental and social well-being. FitWel is a certification system developed by the Center for Active Design (CfAD), a non-profit organization that aims to promote health and wellness through design. The program focuses on promoting occupant health and wellness, improving indoor environments, and supporting sustainable design efforts.
Ventilation rates for all the buildings were increased from code minimums to assist in this certification. To support employee comfort, the owner also took the unique approach of air conditioning the entire manufacturing space.
Lighting in the offices was designed for both flexibility and user comfort, including customizable dimming and multiple lighting control zones in open offices.
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Mike Fisher is an Electrical Engineer and Manager of the Sioux Falls office of West Plains Engineering. He served as the Project Manager and electrical lead for the Maguire project.
Email Mike
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Designing for Wellness
The MEP Engineer's Role in Creating Healthy Buildings
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With the rise of wellness-focused design, certifications like the WELL Building Standard, FitWel, and other standards like the Living Building Challenge and Passive House, are redefining the way we design, build, and occupy buildings. This includes optimizing air quality, water efficiency, and thermal comfort, as well as incorporating natural light, promoting physical activity, and supporting mental health. Furthermore, designers carefully select materials that are sustainable, recyclable, and have low environmental impact, and incorporate features that reduce energy consumption, waste, and water usage. | |
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Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
If recent history has taught us anything, it’s that IAQ is a critical factor in maintaining occupant health. To promote optimal IAQ, MEP engineers look at:
- High-efficiency air filters and proper maintenance schedules
- Ventilation systems that provide adequate outdoor air exchange rates
- Air cleaning technologies such as UV or bipolar ionization systems
- Proper exhaust ventilation in areas with high pollutant sources (e.g., kitchens, laboratories, pools, etc.)
Air Monitoring
To ensure optimal IAQ isn’t just designed, but maintained, continuous monitoring is essential. Incorporating smart air monitoring systems can track several parameters and use the data to adjust ventilation rates and filter maintenance.
- CO2 levels: CO2 is a common indoor pollutant that can cause drowsiness, headaches, and decreased productivity. Monitoring CO2 levels helps ensure adequate ventilation.
- Particulate matter (PM): PM includes dust, pollen, and other airborne particles that can aggravate respiratory issues. Monitoring PM levels helps optimize filtration systems.
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): VOCs are chemicals emitted by building materials, furnishings, and human activities. Monitoring VOC levels helps identify potential sources of indoor pollution.
- Temperature and humidity: Temperature and humidity affect occupant comfort, productivity, and IAQ. Monitoring these parameters helps maintain optimal thermal comfort and prevents moisture-related issues.
Water Efficiency
Water conservation is essential in well-building design due to its obvious environmental benefits, but also impact on human health, cost reduction, and building resiliency. The mechanical design should focus on:
- Low-flow fixtures
- Greywater reuse systems: Greywater is the wastewater generated from sinks, showers, and washing machines. Reusing greywater for irrigation, flushing toilets, or other non-potable purposes can reduce water consumption and decrease the burden on municipal water treatment systems.
- Rainwater harvesting systems for non-potable uses
- Water-efficient cooling systems, such as air-side or water-side economization
Natural vs. Artificial Light Exposure
While electrical engineers are responsible for artificial lighting systems, they must consider smart use of natural light in their approach, as it has been shown to be essential for human health and productivity. General considerations include:
- High-performance glazing systems that maximize natural light transmission
- Lighting controls that adjust artificial lighting levels based on natural light availability
- Skylights, clerestory windows, or other natural light-enhancing features
Thermal Comfort & Control
Creating an environment that provides for simple physical comfort is low hanging fruit in terms of occupant health and productivity. The MEP approach is equally simple – design systems that are effective, efficient, and provide for precise customization. This falls under the purview of the mechanical team, which will look at:
- High-efficiency HVAC systems that maintain exact temperature control
- Radiant flooring or ceiling systems for improved thermal comfort
- Thermal comfort controls, such as thermostats or radiant temperature sensors
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As we look to the future of building design, it's clear that the phrase 'healthy buildings' is more than just a buzzword – it's a call to action. By prioritizing occupant health, sustainability, and well-being, we can create spaces that truly thrive. | |
Article authored collaboratively by WPE engineers and staff. | |
Caring For People And The Planet | |
Wounded Knee Community School Replacement | |
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The design for the new Wounded Knee Community School in Manderson, SD was laser-focused on improving how schools operate in terms of energy efficiency, maintenance, and occupant comfort. The new 72,800 square foot K-8 elementary school, 4,200 square foot maintenance building and 48 residential duplexes are designed to create a community of facilities to care for people, and the planet.
Mechanically, our team made environmentally conscious choices like a geothermal system with water heaters that are heat pumps as well, and plumbing fixtures that minimize water usage. As a LEED project, it goes above ASHRAE 62.1 for indoor air quality and uses demand control ventilation to save energy when certain spaces are unoccupied. It also has a planned flush-out procedure for after construction to assure optimal air quality in the building before students and staff ever use it.
Electrically, we incorporated LED fixtures and occupancy sensors to minimize energy waste. We also doubled down on safety with a comprehensive video surveillance system that includes cameras, digital video recording, and access control.
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Michael Heinrich, P.E., BEAP, BEMP is head of the Mechanical Department in Rapid City and is the lead Mechanical Engineer on the Wounded Knee School project.
Email Michael
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Check out some of our projects featured on social media and the news! | |
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Levitt at the Falls Expansion
Sioux Falls, SD
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SD Mines Surbeck Center Expansion
Rapid City, SD
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Welcome Tessa Robinson!
In January, we welcomed Tessa Robinson as our new Human Resources Director.
Tessa is a Black Hills State University graduate and a Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Senior Certified Professional (SCP). She will be heavily involved in recruiting talent and cultivating an amazing team experience at WPE.
Email Tessa
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Happy 25th Anniversary Bernadette! | |
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Our very own Accounting ace, Bernadette Holzer, celebrated an incredible 25 years with WPE in January. Dette has been a key part of our firm-wide financial operations since 2000. She’s also a genuinely caring coworker always willing to answer questions, talk through challenges, or just chat about what our kids are up to these days.
Congratulations Bernadette and thank you for being such a special member of the WPE team!
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WPE Celebrates E-Week 2025! | |
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More than a week-long event, Engineers Week is a year-round commitment to making a difference. This year’s theme was “Design Your Future”, which was both a call to action and a celebration of the limitless possibilities in engineering. Our annual WP-E-Week celebration promoted the forward-thinking work we’re doing today, and empowered our team to have a voice in designing their own future as engineers and employees at West Plains Engineering. We also took time to recognize and appreciate our team with gifts and treats a-plenty!
Check out a few photos from the event above, and visit our social media sites to see the insights, stories, and project features we shared throughout the week.
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This publication is partially generated using AI but edited and verified by human experts. | |
Rapid City, SD | Sioux Falls, SD | Casper, WY | Cedar Rapids, IA | | | | |
