Southport Engineering Associates is now NV5

Established in 1996 by Kenneth A. Mackenzie, P.E., Southport Engineering Associates has grown into a trusted provider of mechanical and electrical engineering services. The firm specializes in innovative solutions for complex engineering challenges, particularly in the renovation of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems in existing buildings. This expertise enables Southport to deliver designs that are cost-effective, technologically appropriate, and sustainable.​

Key Market Sectors

  • Hospitality (including restaurants)​
  • Commercial​
  • Residential​
  • Educational​
  • Light Industrial​
  • Religious Buildings​

Southport’s flexible approach allows adaptation from conventional design-bid-build construction to design-build project delivery methods.​

Geographic Reach

The firm holds active engineering licenses across numerous U.S. states, including:​

  • Alabama​
  • Connecticut​
  • New York​
  • New Jersey​
  • Pennsylvania​
  • New Hampshire​
  • Vermont​
  • Massachusetts​
  • Minnesota​
  • Rhode Island​
  • Washington D.C.​
  • Maryland​
  • Virginia​
  • Georgia​
  • Florida​
  • Illinois​
  • Nevada​
  • Arizona​
  • South Carolina​
  • California​

Internationally, Southport has consulted on projects in the Caribbean and Central/South America.​

Leadership Team

  • Kenneth A. Mackenzie, P.E., CEM, CBCP – Founder​
  • Michael Fabrizi, P.E. – President​
  • J. Walter Williams, P.E. – Vice President​
  • William J. Urban, P.E. – Vice President​
  • Erik P. Zimmitti, P.E. – Vice President​
  • Joseph J. Geffert – Vice President​

Each leader brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to quality, ensuring that Southport maintains its reputation for excellence in engineering services.

Why Choose Southport

Southport’s paramount focus is on quality. The firm prides itself on attention to detail, thoroughness, and the ability to tailor designs to meet specific client constraints. The extensive experience in renovating MEP systems provides a fundamental understanding of real-world applications, resulting in more efficient, cost-effective, and buildable engineering solutions for new construction projects.​

For over 25 years, Southport has been committed to providing strategic advice that supports informed capital investment into client assets. The firm’s core business revolves around delivering targeted and effective engineering solutions that align with the business needs of its clients.

Southport Engineering Associates offers a comprehensive suite of engineering services tailored to address the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) needs of buildings. Our expertise extends to commissioning, energy solutions, and Owner’s Representation services, ensuring that building owners and operators receive holistic support for both operational and capital planning requirements.

MEP Engineering

We provide a wide array of engineering services for both new construction and renovation projects, including:

  • Mechanical Engineering: Designing central heating and cooling plants, air distribution and ventilation systems, Variable Air Volume (VAV) and Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems, boilers, building automation and controls, and onsite utility plants.
  • Electrical Engineering: Developing electrical distribution designs, distributive generation, lighting and dimming control systems, power quality evaluation and design, and emergency and standby generator/power systems.
  • Plumbing Engineering: Designing domestic water systems, sanitary systems, kitchen plumbing systems, grease interceptors, backflow preventers, medical gas systems for healthcare offices, and ensuring compliance with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
  • Fire and Life Safety: Implementing fire protection systems, sprinkler and pre-action systems, fire pump designs, fire alarm systems, and smoke control and building pressurization systems.
  • Mission Critical Systems: Providing multi-level redundant air conditioning, IT room designs, facilities requiring critical power and air conditioning, and N+1 and 2N redundancy systems.
  • Design-Build Services: Collaborating with contractors and manufacturers to deliver turnkey projects that streamline scheduling and offer cost-reduction opportunities.

Commissioning

Our commissioning team engages in design reviews, testing, and equipment handovers across various asset types. We utilize calibrated testing and monitoring equipment to assess actual performance and energy usage patterns, enabling building owners and operators to enhance comfort and maximize returns on MEP equipment investments. Our commissioning services include:

  • Verification of installation
  • Observation of startup and reviews
  • Performance testing
  • Warranty reviews
  • Personnel training
  • Retro-commissioning
  • LEED-required commissioning
  • Municipally-required commissioning (e.g., NYC Local Laws 85/87)

Energy Services

Approaching energy efficiency from an owner’s perspective, we identify, underwrite, and execute a broad spectrum of energy efficiency projects for both existing buildings and new constructions. Our team excels in life cycle cost assessments, facilitating comparisons of energy efficiency investments against other capital uses. Our energy services encompass:

  • Energy and water audits
  • Life cycle cost assessments
  • Onsite energy production solutions (co-generation, geothermal, wind, and solar)
  • Operator coordination and training
  • Capital project administration

Owner’s Representation

Leveraging our extensive experience in renovating existing MEP systems, our senior team members adopt the mindset of building owners and operators. We offer services directly to building owners, asset managers, and operating company personnel, assisting with critical budgetary decisions and the integration of new technologies into building infrastructures. Our Owner’s Representation services include:

  • Property condition assessments (focused on MEP systems)
  • Capital budgeting and forecasting
  • Vendor and manufacturer vetting
  • Due diligence on new and emerging technologies
  • Peer reviews of engineering designs

Through these comprehensive services, Southport Engineering Associates ensures that our clients receive tailored, efficient, and effective solutions for their building engineering needs.

Southport Engineering Associates has an extensive portfolio of projects across various market sectors. Below is an organized list of select projects by their respective markets:​

Hospitality

  • Renaissance Charleston
  • Newport Marriott
  • Lotte New York Palace
  • Kimpton Monaco
  • The Waldorf Astoria
  • Cancun Hilton
  • Sandy Lane
  • Louisville Marriott
  • Hilton Cabo San Lucas
  • MGM Grand
  • New York Marriott Marquis
  • New York Hilton Midtown
  • Sheraton LaGuardia
  • The Plaza

Commercial

  • Branson Ultrasonics Headquarters
  • 600 Steamboat Road
  • Interactive Brokers
  • L’Catterton
  • 55 Railroad Avenue
  • 400 Atlantic Street
  • Freepoint Commodities
  • 7 Hanover Square
  • 55 Fifth Avenue
  • Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals

Residential

  • Watermark Pointe
  • River House
  • MEWS Greenwich

Educational

  • Greenwich Academy
  • Brunswick Academy
  • Rippowam Cisqua School
  • The School of the Holy Child

Religious

  • First Congregational Church
  • St. Thomas More Church
  • St. Mary’s Parish

Healthcare

  • Stamford Hospital Women’s Health Center
  • AFC Urgent Care
  • WestMed – Westchester Medical Group
  • Yale / New Haven Hospital

Restaurant

  • Brooklyn Diner
  • 800 Degrees Woodfired Kitchen
  • The Granola Bar
  • Praxair Corporate Cafeteria

Museum

  • Yale Center for British Arts
  • Bush Holley Museum

For detailed information on each project, including scope, services provided, and client details, please visit Southport Engineering Associates’ portfolio page.

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With over 20 years in the business, Southport Engineering Associates has mastered the ability to provide for our clients. We are there before the call.

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