Drake University’s Meredith Hall HVAC & BAS Upgrades

At Drake University, Meredith Hall stands as a 65,000 square foot academic building constructed in 1965. Over the years, the building underwent several HVAC upgrades, and by 2022 the aging equipment caused inconsistent temperatures and difficult maintenance, leading to a major HVAC renovation project. 

A Strategic Campus-Wide Vision 

Drake University aimed to enhance comfort for students, faculty, and staff while setting up the foundation for a campus-wide Building Automation System (BAS). The priorities were clear: unify building controls under one scalable platform, reduce vendor dependency, and simplify long-term facility management. Baker Group provided a Niagara N4 BAS, chosen for its flexibility, scalability, and proven integration capabilities. This selected platform allows Drake to gradually transition other campus buildings into one unified system, eliminating reliance on a competing vendor. 

Some project highlights include: 

• Breaking Vendor Lock-In: Successfully integrated new BAS with existing equipment, proving the benefits of switching vendors. 

• Building Client Trust: Delivered proactive communication and service beyond what the previous vendor offered. 

• Seamless Teamwork: Collaborated closely with contractors and engineers, contributing to optimal design and implementation. 

Delivering Incomparable Value 

Though the proposal came at a slightly higher cost than the previous vendor, Drake trusted Baker Group for its technical expertise, forward thinking strategy, and commitment to a long-term partnership. This project not only modernized Meredith Hall’s HVAC system but also sets the stage for a cohesive, campus-wide automation platform.