Page 246 - Alternative Energy Systems in Building Design

222 ENERGY CONSERVATION

building envelope. High-performance glass and a variety of insulation types create the
most efficient building envelope possible. The building exterior skin is constructed from
three layers of perforated metal strips. The roofs of all buildings within the campus
are covered with high-efficiency PV solar power panels. The eastern elevations of the
buildings have eight curtain walls that bridge the 10 towers. Each curtain wall is com-
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posed of 900 ft of high-performance argon-filled glass. To compensate for heat radi-
ation, a number of translucent megabanners are suspended in front of each curtain
wall. The banners are located above the finish grade, which preserves the beautiful views
of the San Jacinto Mountains.

MECHANICAL SYSTEM
The mechanical system employs a combination of radiant flooring, which is used for
both heating and cooling, and forced-air units that run from the same chiller and boiler.
The combination of an efficient envelope and a sophisticated mechanical system
provides a project that is 38 percent more efficient than Title 24 requirements. This not
only brings the project many LEED points in this category, but it also provides a
significant cost savings in the operation of these facilities.

MATERIAL AND RESOURCES

The builder specified local and recycled materials wherever possible. During the
construction phase, he kept a careful watch on how construction wastes were handled.
Materials were selected that were low emitters of VOCs. All contractors had restric-
tions regarding the types of materials they were allowed to use. The mechanical
engineering design deployed a three-dimensional model for the project that tested the
thermal comfort of the systems to comply with ASHRAE Standard 55 requirements.
The architectural building design ensured that 90 percent of spaces view natural light.

INNOVATION AND DESIGN PROCESS
One of the significant points applied to the project design included use of the buildings
as a learning center for teaching sustainability to visitors. Within the museums, exhibit
spaces are uniquely devoted to solar cogeneration, which is presented by means of
interactive displays where visitors can observe real-time solar and meteorologic statis-
tical data on the display.