TP Mechanical is currently delivering major mechanical system upgrades for the University of Kentucky’s White Hall Classroom Building. The facility, originally built in 1969, is receiving a complete interior renovation as part of a $75 million modernization effort. Spanning 130,000 square feet, the building has long served as one of the campus’ primary lecture facilities. The renovation will enhance flexibility, student comfort and instructional functionality.
Renovations began in October 2023 and are set to finish by March 2026. TP Mechanical, with a 32-person crew, is upgrading HVAC and plumbing systems, integrating them into the older structure.
TP’s Scope:
- Domestic water piping
- Waste and vent systems
- Steam and condensate piping
- Hydronic mains for both hot and chilled water
- Fixture replacements
- Four air handling units
- Two heat exchangers
- 16 VRF indoor units
Working with a 60-year-old building comes with challenges. The basement mechanical room serves both White Hall and the Patterson Office Tower, but access is limited to standard double doors, which are too small for large equipment. TP Mechanical solved this by bringing in components on pallets and assembling them onsite with scaffolding. Over several weeks, crews built the air handling units and heat exchangers right in place.
While most of the hydronic piping was built off-site, branch lines and sizing still needed adjustments in the field. To get ahead of challenges, the team made early site visits to check space constraints and map out delivery routes. That upfront planning kept things moving smoothly and helped avoid delays. Even with long equipment lead times, the project is still on track – thanks in part to strong project management from general contractor Pepper Construction.
