The building is joining the "chilled water loop," an interconnecting air-conditioning system, through construction that is part of the University's Chilled Water Project.

The chilled water loop links several campus buildings. Construction to complete this system has spanned several years and will continue indefinitely. Henry, which is now partially surrounded by fences and construction equipment, is expected to be completed within the next month, said Chris Rogan, project manager with the University's Facilities and Services department.

The system works by cooling water at one of three main chilled water plants on campus and pumping the cooled water through underground pipes to the building. From there, the water travels through already existing coils within the building's vents. Air then travels over these chilled coils and is cooled as it travels through the vents and into the building's rooms, Rogan said. This creates cooler air and a more comfortable building.

Some modifications need to be made to the coils within Henry to save and protect the coils and convert the building to the chilled water loop, he said.

The main chilled water plants on campus are located at the corner of Main Street and Mathews Avenue, the basement of the Animal Sciences Building, and Oak Street where construction of the newest plant will be completed in spring 2004.

Buildings connected to the system will not need backup air conditioning because each of the chilled water loop facilities has its own backup system.

Some of the road construction on campus has been to install more underground piping to increase the size and effectiveness of the piping system.

Rogan said Facilities and Services plans to connect 11 more campus buildings to the chilled water loop this winter. More construction is expected in the next couple of years.

— Laura Jastram