This project in Los Banos was completed in 1999 and consists of approximately 19,000 square feet of licensed skilled nursing and 70,000 square feet of residential convalescent care. The facility has a pronounced Spanish architectural style, which includes tiled hip roofs. The challenge to Patton Air Conditioning was to design an HVAC system that was effective, efficient, quiet and flexible for the distinct needs of a nursing home, without the ability of placing major equipment on the roof.

The solution for the skilled nursing wing was a central plant consisting of a chiller, boiler and pumps located in a remote equipment yard. While the hip style of the roof precluded large equipment being placed there, through careful coordination with the architect and other trades, Patton A/C was able to design a unique attic equipment area. A catwalk located directly below the roof ridge provided easy access to the fan coils located symmetrically on either side of the catwalk. The result is a system that meets the extreme demands of a licensed skilled nursing facility, providing code-required precise space air pressurization relationships and high-efficiency filtration, while also providing effective conditioning, efficiency and flexibility. The central plant also serves multi-purpose areas of the non-licensed residential care facility.

Packaged air conditioning units condition the non-licensed residential wings. A carefully designed roof-well system provides a place to conceal the smaller units without compromising the integrity of the architectural design. Each unit utilizes a variable volume and temperature (VVT) zoning system. These VVT systems provide individual thermostatic control to each bedroom, while maintaining system effectiveness, without the higher cost of the central plant that the skilled nursing area demands.

This project took over three years from design conception to actual completion. At the time of the grand opening celebration, the majority of the facility was already reserved with residents. Today it is one of the most sought-after skilled nursing and residential care facilities in the state.