PROJECT AT A GLANCE
A large-scale high-rise mixed-use residential district located in Hudson Yards, New York City, USA required a decentralized ventilation strategy to support high-density residential towers while maintaining compliance with ASHRAE 62.2 and NYCECC requirements.(ERV System)
The development includes 15 Hudson Yards and surrounding residential towers, totaling approximately 1,800,000 SF and serving more than 600 residential units.
EXINDA C130 ultra-slim energy recovery ventilator (ERV) units were selected to enable decentralized in-unit ceiling installation across multiple high-rise buildings with extremely limited ceiling plenum space and congested mechanical shaft conditions.
Project Summary
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Project Type | High-rise mixed-use residential district |
| Location | New York, NY, USA |
| Building Complex | 15 Hudson Yards + surrounding towers |
| Total Size | ~1,800,000 SF |
| Units Served | ~600+ residential units |
| Ventilation Strategy | Decentralized in-unit ERV system |
| Airflow Design | 130 CFM per unit |
| Equipment | EXINDA C130 Ultra-Slim ERV |
| Installation Type | Ceiling-mounted decentralized system |
| Key Constraint | Ultra-tight ceiling plenum + shaft congestion |
| Compliance Target | ASHRAE 62.2 / NYCECC |
DESIGN CHALLENGE
Engineering Constraint
The Hudson Yards residential district presented extreme mechanical design constraints driven by ultra-tight ceiling plenums in high-rise residential units combined with heavily congested vertical shaft infrastructure.
Traditional centralized ventilation systems would require extensive duct routing through shared shafts, increasing pressure losses, coordination complexity, and installation risk across multiple towers.
Engineered specifically to satisfy the balanced ventilation rate mandates of ASHRAE 62.2 and NYCECC performance path for high-density multi-family buildings.
Eliminates common multi-family drop-ceiling condensation risks and installer mismatch issues via an integrated auto-balancing ECM system that requires no complex condensate drain piping.
COMPETITOR DESIGN CONTEXT
Standard high-rise residential ventilation strategies in New York typically rely on Broan ERV systems or centralized ducted ventilation networks distributed through vertical shafts.
These systems often require complex shaft coordination, higher static pressure duct design, and manual TAB commissioning across multiple floors and towers, resulting in increased construction risk and extended commissioning timelines.
For projects specifying Broan ERV systems, EXINDA offers an engineering equivalent with identical physical footprints and certified performance parameters.
ENGINEERING SOLUTION
The EXINDA solution implemented a fully decentralized in-unit ERV strategy across all residential towers within the Hudson Yards district.
Each residential unit operates an independent C130 ERV system designed for direct ceiling integration, eliminating dependency on centralized duct risers and reducing cross-floor airflow coordination complexity.
Key System Characteristics
- Ultra-slim chassis optimized for ultra-tight ceiling plenum conditions
- 130 CFM balanced airflow per residential unit
- Stable performance at 0.4 in.w.g external static pressure
- Integrated ECM auto-balancing control system
- Fully decentralized in-unit ventilation architecture
- High-efficiency energy recovery core for heat and humidity exchange
TECHNICAL COMPARISON
| Parameter | Conventional High-Rise ERV System | EXINDA C130 System |
|---|---|---|
| Installation Strategy | Centralized shaft-based system | Decentralized in-unit system |
| Ceiling Plenum Requirement | High | Ultra-low (ultra-slim design) |
| Static Pressure Handling | Moderate | Stable at 0.4 in.w.g |
| Airflow Balancing | Multi-zone TAB required | Auto-balancing ECM system |
| Shaft Dependency | Required | Eliminated |
| Commissioning Complexity | High across towers | Simplified per unit |
INSTALLATION OUTCOME
Structural Impact
The ultra-slim ERV design enabled full deployment within tight ceiling cavities without requiring structural modification or redesign of existing ceiling systems across multiple residential towers.
Construction Efficiency
Decentralized system architecture eliminated reliance on congested vertical shafts, significantly reducing coordination complexity between mechanical contractors and structural constraints.
Ventilation Performance
Stable airflow performance was maintained at 0.4 in.w.g across all units, ensuring consistent ventilation delivery under varying pressure conditions in high-rise environments.
Multi-Tower Scalability
The decentralized design enabled repeatable installation across multiple towers within the district, reducing system variability and simplifying commissioning workflows at scale.
ENGINEERING INSIGHT
In ultra-high-density urban developments such as Hudson Yards, mechanical shaft congestion and ceiling plenum constraints are often more limiting than airflow capacity or equipment sizing.
Decentralized ultra-slim ERV systems allow ventilation compliance to be achieved without redesigning shaft infrastructure, making them highly suitable for next-generation high-rise residential districts.
WHY EXINDA
EXINDA ERV systems are increasingly selected for high-rise and district-scale residential developments due to their ability to:
- Solve ultra-tight ceiling plenum constraints in high-rise units
- Operate reliably under congested mechanical shaft conditions
- Maintain ASHRAE 62.2 / NYCECC compliant ventilation performance
- Enable scalable decentralized deployment across multiple towers
- Reduce commissioning complexity in large district developments
CONCLUSION
This Hudson Yards residential district application demonstrates that ultra-slim decentralized ERV systems can effectively support ventilation design in one of the most mechanically complex urban environments in North America.
By eliminating dependence on centralized duct shafts while maintaining stable airflow performance at high static pressure conditions, EXINDA provides a scalable, code-compliant ventilation solution for next-generation high-rise residential developments.
