Mechanical Design and Engineering

GFT designs mechanical heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems that strike a balance between efficiency, reliability, and long-term value.

High performance does not have to mean higher cost; by integrating envelope optimization with mechanical, plumbing, lighting, controls, and fire protection systems, we deliver right-sized solutions that reduce capital costs, energy use, and carbon impact. We focus on operational simplicity, maintainability, and system uptime so facilities perform as intended long after occupancy. Our expertise in sustainable design, commissioning, and system integration supports new construction, renovations, and modernizations.

Specialized Mechanical Solutions That Move Your Facility Forward

We deliver resilient mechanical solutions that strengthen facility performance, reduce risk, and support reliable, efficient operations.

Mechanical System Assessments for Resilient, Reliable Performance
We evaluate existing mechanical systems through a resilience-focused lens, identifying vulnerabilities, operational risks, and opportunities for improved reliability. Our assessments consider redundancy, failure modes, and alignment with current and future operational demands.
Our engineers develop actionable recommendations to strengthen performance under everyday demands and unexpected conditions. Outcomes include reduced lifecycle costs, improved uptime, and data-informed capital planning strategies that help owners manage risk, extend equipment life, and prioritize capital investments with confidence.
Sustainable and Resilient Mechanical Design
Our team integrates sustainability and resilience into every stage of mechanical design, ensuring systems remain energy-efficient, adaptable, and durable. We balance decarbonization goals with reliability, constructability, and cost certainty.
Using LEED® principles, energy modeling, and life cycle cost analysis, we design systems that safeguard against climate impacts, fluctuating loads, and evolving operational needs. The result is lower operational costs, improved indoor environmental quality, and systems designed for long-term performance and maintainability.
Fire Protection
Our fire protection engineers design and evaluate systems that protect life, property, and mission-critical operations. We provide code-compliant fire suppression, detection, and alarm systems tailored to facility use, occupancy, and risk profile.
Services include system assessments, design for new and existing facilities, and integration with mechanical, electrical, and life safety systems. Our approach prioritizes reliability, constructability, and maintainability while supporting regulatory compliance and uninterrupted operations.

Commissioning Services for Reliable, Long-Term Performance
Our commissioning and retro-commissioning services verify that systems perform reliably under real-world conditions, not just ideal ones. We evaluate system response during peak demand, transitional modes, and abnormal operating scenarios. We identify inefficiencies, fine-tune operations, and validate control sequences to support continuous, resilient functionality. This process reduces downtime, improves energy performance, and gives owners confidence in system readiness.
Integrated Mechanical Design for Complex Facilities
We design mechanical systems for facilities with complex operational, regulatory, or environmental requirements. By coordinating closely with architectural, structural, electrical, and process teams, we deliver integrated solutions that improve constructability and streamline installation. Our approach supports reliable operations, simplifies maintenance, and aligns systems with how facilities are used over time.

Featured Projects

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Compressed bales of cardboard and aluminum cans stacked inside a recycling and materials handling facility.

27th Avenue MRF Upgrades Advance Phoenix’s Zero Waste Vision

Phoenix, AZ

Plaquemines Parish Detention Center exterior with security fencing, entry drive, and parking area.

Plaquemines Parish New Detention Facility

Davant, LA

Modern transit facility building with gray metal panel exterior, large angled windows, and ADA-accessible parking spaces in front under a clear blue sky.

Port Authority Transit Corporation Control Center Relocation

Lindenwold, NJ

A modern control room featuring multiple screens displaying data analytics in an organized workspace in a well-lit office environment.

Modernizing WMATA’s Backup Operations Control Center 

Landover, MD

Aisle in a data center with rows of black server racks, overhead cables and lighting, grated floor, and a ceiling-mounted security camera.

High-Availability Data Center and Security Operations Control Center Design

Landover, MD

Aerial view of an electrical substation beside multiple rail lines, transmission towers, maintenance buildings, and nearby wetlands.

Meadows Maintenance Complex Substation Design

Kearny, NJ

Fayette County Jail at dusk with exterior lights on, a mostly empty parking lot, and a highway in the background under a cloudy sky.

New Fayette County Correctional Facility

Uniontown, Pennsylvania

A moveable bridge crossing a body of water that has opened to allow boats to pass through.

Loxahatchee Moveable Bridge Rehabilitation

Jupiter, Fla.

A bright library with yellow walls, wood floors, star tables, blue chairs, colorful books, and big windows for young readers.

St. Francis Xavier School Lease Conversion

Brooklyn, N.Y.

Indoor view of a zero-emission bus maintenance facility showing buses on lifts and hydrogen fuel detection systems.

Fresno Area Express (FAX) Zero-Emission Bus Transition

Fresno, Calif.

An exterior view of a municipal bus maintenance garage. A hydrogen-fueled bus is in front of two garage doors.

LAVTA Zero-Emission Bus Fleet Transition

Livermore, Calif.

An exterior view of the DRJTBC Langhorne operations and maintenance facility.

DRJTBC Southern Operations and Maintenance Facilities Improvements

Langhorne, Pa.

Employee Spotlight

Career Opportunities

Employee Spotlight

Ryan Stephen, PE

Person in button-down shirt poses outdoors with trees and mountains softly blurred in the background.

Employee Spotlight

Kimberly Ulishney-Carr, EIT, QCxP

A woman wearing light-colored clothing with glasses, sitting in a garden with a canopy and pink flowers.

Employee Spotlight

Tony Conchado

A man stands by a set of windows that have open, draping, linen curtains. He is wearing a blue suit, white shirt, and blue patterned tie.

Employee Spotlight

Jonny Rogado, PE, SPRAT I

Featured News & INSIGHTS

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8 Tips to Land an Engineering or Architecture Internship

A diverse team of architecture and engineering interns meet in a modern office.

Webcast

UPCOMING 9/24: Beyond Hollywood: The Reality of Modern Fire Protection

Silhouette of firefighter in raging flames.

Webcast

Alignment 101: Vertical Hydropower Generating Units

GFT worker in safety gear smiles beside a large hydropower turbine component in an industrial facility.

Leadership Team

Meet The Team

Joe Snyder, PE

Director of Mechanical Practice, Buildings & Places

Meet Joe

Man wearing glasses, a dark suit, and striped tie, smiling in a bright, modern office setting.

Giuseppe “Joe” Tulumello

Division President, Buildings & Places

Meet Joe

Markets

Explore the markets where our Buildings & Places expertise is applied to meet complex client and community needs.

Complementary Solutions

Learn how our services work together to support successful outcomes for people and places.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of facilities do you support?
We work with clients in various settings, including commercial buildings, educational spaces, federal and civic buildings, industrial and manufacturing facilities, laboratories, and other specialized environments that require strict environmental, safety, or regulatory controls. This includes operationally intensive and mission-critical facilities.
Do you provide sustainable or LEED® consulting services?
Yes. GFT integrates sustainable design strategies and supports LEED® certification, including guidance on energy-efficient systems, water conservation, and environmentally responsible design approaches.
What is included in a mechanical system condition assessment?
A mechanical system condition assessment evaluates system age, condition, performance, safety, and code compliance to identify risks, prioritize upgrades, and support informed capital planning.

What life safety and fire protection services do you provide?
We design and evaluate life safety systems that protect occupants and support safe facility operation. Our services include life safety and code analysis, fire suppression design, fire alarm and mass notification systems, and fire flow testing, delivering code-compliant and reliable solutions.
How do you balance first cost with long-term performance?
We evaluate mechanical options using life cycle cost analysis, operational risk, maintenance requirements, and energy performance to ensure upfront investments deliver long-term value without sacrificing reliability.