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PROJECT PROFILE
LG Multi V III System Proves Top Performer for WeWork

A pioneer in the design, construction and management of coworking

office space for small businesses and startups, WeWork provides
boutique office space, shared and collaborative workspaces and
unique services to small business communities in New York, Los
Angeles and San Francisco.
Since launching in 2009, WeWork has quickly grown from an
innovative concept to one of the premier providers of cutting-edge
start-up communities to these key markets. With eight buildings and
over 5000 members in 2013, WeWork continues to build great spaces
that empower startups and connect small businesses to one another.

organziation for start-ups. The project involved the careful renovation

of a historic 10-story building located at 175 Varick Street, originally
constructed in 1927. One of the key components of the retrofit was
replacing an out-dated HVAC system comprised of self-contained
vertical units on each floor of the building, including a maintenance
room required to operate the system.

Unique Building Retrofit Poses HVAC Challenge

The previous HVAC system was not only loud and inefficient, but also
took up valuable floor space, said WeWorks Head of Communications,
Karly Venuto. We realized fairly quickly that we needed a more
integrated HVAC solution that could deliver more effective
temperature control based on individual tenant needs without
compromising the open design of the new space or adding to office
noise levels.

Establishing WeWork collaborative work environments often involves

retrofits of existing buildings. In 2012, WeWork identified a 75,000
square foot space in New Yorks up and coming Hudson Square/Soho
West nighborhood to renovate for shared office space, in addition
to housing WeWork Labs, the companys networking and support

In collaboration with mechanical engineers at Guth DeConzo

Consulting Engineer PC, the WeWork construction team determined
that a Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) system was the best solution
to satisfy these goals, while working within the constraints of the
buildings historic architecture and construction.

[ PROJECT DETAILS ]
PROJECT NAME
WeWork Shared/Collaborative Workspace

PRODUCT
LG Multi V III Heat Pump

LOCATION
Hudson Square/Soho West
New York, NY

CLIENT
Nino Bosco
Head of Construction, WeWork

MECHANICAL ENGINEER
Matt DeConzo
Principle, Guth DeConzo Consulting
Engineers, P.C.
LG APPLIED REPRESENTATIVE
James Moran
Klima New York, LLC

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PROJECT PROFILE
The best HVAC solution for WeWorks Varick
Street location was undoubtedly a single
system that could provide zoned temperature
control to work spaces of varying sizes
without a lot of ductwork or taking up
existing floor space, said Matt DeConzo,
principle of Guth DeConzo Consulting
Engineer, PC, We knew that we wanted to
install a roof-top VRF system, however, given
limited roof space for condensing units
and extreme piping lengths required to
reach each floor, we faced some significant
challenges.

Multi V Raises the Bar for High Rise

Application
After meeting with representatives from top
manufacturers, the project team identified an
LG Multi V VRF solution as the top contender,
meeting all of the requirements and more.
LGs Multi V III Heat Pump system was the
only solution that could fit within the limited
footprint on the rooftop and offer both
horizontal and vertical piping distances
required to deliver custom temperature
control to more than 50 individual zones on
multiple floors of the building.
The ease of piping, design and lay-out
were big differentiators for the LG Multi V
III solution, added DeConzo. The compact
footprint combined with robust piping

capabilities of the Multi V system design

easily met our needs for an application where
traditional direct expansion AC systems
would struggle, or simply not allow.

And upon project completion, the central

control enables scheduling, monitoring and
troubleshooting of all individual floors and
zones as a unified building system.

In addition to performance, design and sizing

benefits, the LG solution delivered another
important differentiator technical and
logistical support. In partnership with local
representative, Klima New York, LG assisted
with both contractor training and installation
support during the process, including a
hands-on training course for the mechanical
contractor at a nearby LG Training Academy
location. This was an integral component due
to another unique challenge, an unusually
aggressive construction schedule.

While flexible system design and control

features were key factors in keeping on pace
with the aggressive construction schedule,
the hands-on training with our mechanical
contractor was also invaluable, said Nino
Bosco, head of construction for WeWork.
These components all contributed to
completing a nearly impossible construction
schedule and allowing occupancy of the
spaces much faster than we could have
achieved with any traditional HVAC solution.

Due to tenant needs, WeWork required a

phased, floor-by-floor renovation approach,
with the initial floor to be completed in just
eight weeks, less than half the usual time
allotted for projects of this size. Multi Vs
modular design proved to be an asset for this
renovation approach, allowing for standalone installation on various floors to match
the retrofit schedule.
Using LGs AC Smart control system, each
floor could also be added to the centralized
system as it was completed, without
compromising temperature control or
comfort for anyone working in the building.

LG Solution Improves Work

Environment & Bottom Line
The Multi V system is helping WeWork achieve
cost savings on many fronts from savings
on installation and materials, to lowering
utility bills through higher energy efficiency
and zoned temperature control, to reduced
maintenance and lifecycle costs.
In addition to lower upfront costs due to
a faster and easier installation process,
WeWorks construction team was able to
realize cost savings through reduced labor
and materials; including decreased ductwork,
electrical wiring and piping needs. Using LGs
AC Smart control system, there is no longer
a need for a dedicated third-party Building
Management System (BMS), eliminating the
high cost for BMS hardware and integration.
Through installing a VRF system, WeWork also
benefits from higher efficiency ratings (IEER
up to 24.5), reduced maintenance needs and
a longer system lifecycle. Integral condensate
pumps and safeties on indoor units also
contribute to reduced maintenance and
repair costs.
According to WeWorks Bosco, With the
custom temperature control options, much
quieter system and ability to maintain our
open ceiling plan, we certainly met our
comfort, efficiency and design goals with
the LG HVAC solution. We have happy,
more comfortable tenants and staff, while
regaining 300 to 400 square feet of usable,
leasable office space on each floor, which is a
significant contribution to our bottom line!
In addition to completing renovation for
all ten floors at the Varick Street location,
WeWork is currently retrofitting additional
workspaces in New York and San Francisco
with LG Multi V systems.