Air Curtains for Improved Comfort and Energy Efficiency

Challenge

Navy Pier® is a 3,300-foot-long pier and entertainment site sitting directly adjacent to the shore of Lake Michigan in the city of Chicago. Its proximity to the large body of water subjects it to lake effect weather which can moderate temperatures in the humid Midwest summers but also lead to increased snowfall in the winter. This body of water also provides the city with a lake breeze as a dominant feature. When Navy Pier undertook a multi-million dollar renovation in 2015, operators knew Mars air curtains had to be a feature in their next iteration as the city’s most important all seasons venue for experiences and exhibition spaces hosting live music, performances, cultural events and a multitude of restaurants.

While not technically the windiest city in the United States, it is true that lake gusts are legendary in this midwestern hub with an average wind speed of 10.3 mph. Vast centers like Navy Pier that welcome over nine million visitors annually must manage a flow of guests and air entering and exiting throughout the multiple buildings throughout the day and night. With a destination this important to the community, it was essential that the renovation advance the pier as a community hub with thermal comfort as a non-negotiable feature.

The Solution

The architects and specifying engineer agreed that Mars Phantom units would fit in well with the aesthetic of the renewed space while providing the thermal comfort the brand is known for providing. A series of units were installed along the north side windows that face the patio. The side-by-side units provide 24/7/365 barrier-free air stream protection so doors can open and close at will for free-flowing passage of visitors and protect the interiors from cold, lake-driven air in the winter, hot humid pest-laden air in the summer and the windy, dusty air dictated by the in-between seasons

The Phantom units are typically installed as recessed units when architectural features allow. This results in seeing only the grates visible in the ceiling with the housing submerged behind drywall. Phantom units are also chosen for their lower sound profile when sound output is an important consideration.

As an additional feature, the Navy Pier renovation team and Mars engineers chose hot water-heated Phantom units to enable the added comfort of heating during the colder, windy, snow-driven months. Controller switches can be set to run after the door shuts to add more heat to the interior. And, in the hotter, humid midwestern summer months, chilled water can be run through the units to cool the air passing through the unit and mitigate sticky, hot air from affecting the internal climatic conditions.