My name is Brian M. Curran, and I was hired by a mechanical contractor to create the HVAC duct shop drawings for a penthouse apartment renovation located on Hudson Street in Tribeca, New York City.
Below is a brief overview of the project scope and how the ductwork was detailed for installation. If you’re a contractor looking for mechanical shop drawings, I have 18+ years of experience and I can help with your next project.
Project Location
Above is a photo of the building where the work took place.
The penthouse is located at 67 Hudson Street, a historic Renaissance Revival-style building in the heart of Tribeca’s landmark district. Originally constructed in 1894 by the architectural firm Cady, Berg & See, the building was built as a branch of New York Hospital, replacing an earlier Chambers Street location. This free-standing, five-story pre-war structure houses 19 loft-style residences above former medical offices and features a total area of approximately 25,500 sq. ft.
One of the building’s most distinctive features is the famed Staple Street Skybridge, a pedestrian bridge built in 1907 that connects 67 Hudson Street to its neighboring annex.
The building’s entrance is marked by its original wrought-iron gated porte cochère, adding to the charm and historic character. Converted to condominiums in the mid-1980s, 67 Hudson Street combines historic architectural details with modern luxury, making it a unique and refined urban retreat in Tribeca.
Project Overview
This project involved renovation work within a single-floor penthouse residential space. The HVAC system was designed to serve multiple zones while remaining fully concealed above the finished ceilings.
The air conditioning system consisted of three ceiling-concealed fan coil units (FCUs) paired with energy recovery ventilators (ERVs). Each unit served a separate zone within the apartment. ACCU-01 served the living room, ACCU-02 served the kitchen and closet areas, and ACCU-03 served the bedroom. All units were concealed ducted types located above the ceiling.
Fresh air and exhaust air for each indoor unit and ERV were ducted vertically to and from the roof level. Each unit included one outside air duct and one exhaust duct connection routed toward the roof. An additional exhaust fan, located above the ceiling, served areas requiring dedicated exhaust and discharged to the roof.
Air distribution varied by space. Linear slot diffusers were used in the living room and bedroom to provide a clean architectural appearance and allow for even airflow across the living areas. Supply grilles were used in the kitchen and closet areas, while ceiling diffusers served the corridor and toilet areas for both supply and exhaust extraction.
Oval ductwork was utilized for the main distribution runs to maximize the limited ceiling space available within the penthouse. Compared to rectangular ducts, oval ducts provide the same airflow while taking up less vertical space, making them ideal for tight plenum conditions. They also integrate smoothly with circular branch ducts that connect to the individual air terminals, helping maintain both efficiency and a clean, concealed installation above the ceilings. Circular branch ducts connected from the oval mains to the individual air terminals. Due to restricted plenum depth, careful routing and coordination were required to maneuver ductwork above the ceiling while maintaining proper clearances.
All supply ducts were insulated with a 1” internal liner. Outside air ducts were wrapped with 1” insulation. Exhaust ducts were left uninsulated in accordance with project requirements. Manual volume dampers were installed on each supply branch to allow for proper air balancing.
Per the contractor’s request, unit dimensions were referenced directly from the manufacturer’s product data sheets, and both duct elevations and unit heights were clearly noted on the drawings.
There were no major conflicts during the shop drawing process. The primary challenge was limited ceiling space typical of high-end residential renovations, requiring careful duct routing and adjustments to ensure all systems fit properly above the finished ceiling plane.
The HVAC Shop Drawings
Below are the HVAC duct shop drawings I created for this Tribeca penthouse project. Please click the image to launch the PDF.
Contact
I’m based in NYC, and I take on projects from across the country. Contact me today at 718.441.3968, text me today at 646.504.5230, or email me today at brian@draftingservices.com.