Powering Rural Progress
Mike Hessman, P.E., Mechanical Engineer
T.I.P. Rural Electric Cooperative (REC) has long served as a vital energy provider across central Iowa, supporting homes, farms, and businesses in multiple counties. As operations expanded and technology evolved, the need for a more efficient, centralized facility became clear. The new headquarters in Brooklyn, Iowa, was designed to meet these growing demands—bringing together office space, fleet operations, and infrastructure support in one modern, purpose-built location.
WPE provided MEP design on the team led by Martin Gardner Architecture to deliver the new 52,000-square-foot facility, which includes 19,000 square feet of office space and 33,000 square feet of warehouse, fleet storage, wash bay, and cold storage, along with a pole yard and fuel dispensing station.
The site was designed for all-electric operation of the mechanical systems. The HVAC system is supported by a geothermal heat exchanger field serving water-source condensing units, coupled with heating and cooling variable refrigerant flow (VRF) units in the office areas. Desiccant dehumidification with energy recovery ventilation and exhaust provides dehumidified outside air and exhaust air for restrooms and locker rooms, ensuring superior indoor air quality. A full building automation system monitors, controls, and alarms the HVAC systems.
Fleet and warehouse zones are heated via in-floor radiant systems powered by duplex electric boilers for redundant operation. Crossflow ventilation and exhaust fans provide comfort ventilation, gas monitoring, and mitigation in the wash bay, garage workspaces, and parking areas.
Plumbing systems include sanitary waste and vent systems, domestic water, compressed air piping, and sand/oil separators for fleet areas. Electric water heaters support the facility’s hot water needs. The building is fully sprinklered for fire protection.
The electrical design features high-bay LED lighting, power distribution to HVAC and plumbing systems, and rough-ins for security and communications. Site lighting combines wall packs and pole fixtures, with power extended to signage, outlets, and fueling equipment. A backup diesel generator supports critical loads.
Completed in 2025, the project reflects a forward-thinking approach to rural utility infrastructure—efficient, resilient, and built to serve.
Mike Hessman, P.E., Mechanical Engineer, Cedar Rapids
Mike Hessman, P.E. is a Mechanical Engineer supporting our Cedar Rapids, IA office. He has more than 37 years of engineering and project management experience.
