Page 234 - Green Building Through Integrated Design

210 DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

4 Are we committed to enhanced commissioning throughout design and construction,
and possibly continuous commissioning during occupancy? In this case, is the com-
missioning agent under contract to provide a focused review of building control and
operating plans, early in the next stage, the production of construction documents?

RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS
Now is the time to get serious about including renewable energy systems in the proj-
ect. These questions focus our attention on the technical, economic, and financial fea-
sibility of solar and wind power especially, as strong project components.
1 How might the use of photovoltaic systems impact daily energy supply patterns
and potential economics of various energy use systems?
2 Have we considered the use of building-integrated photovoltaics in the project?
Because we can integrate the PV systems in several different ways, there needs to
be time for these studies to be made.
3 If there are going to be spandrel panels in the curtain wall, for example, can photo-
voltaics be incorporated on the south face of the building? Are there economic bene-
fits that would override the loss of power generation from having vertical solar panels?
4 Are there third-party partnerships that are willing to install a rooftop PV system
at no cost to the project and simply sell us the electricity?
5 Can we use a nearby roof for the PV system and include it in this project’s LEED
certification?
6 Have we considered solar water heating for this project?
7 Have we considered a free-standing wind turbine as a signature design element for
this project?

PLATINUM PROJECT PROFILE

Robert Redford Building, Santa Monica, California
The Robert Redford building provides offices for the National Resources Defense
Council, a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting public health and
the environment. Other tenants include the David Family Environmental Action
Center and the Leonardo DiCaprio e-Activism Zone. Completed in November
2003, the renovation of this 1917 three-story, 15,000-square-feet building cost $5.1
million. A 7.5-kW grid-connected photovoltaic system supplies approximately
20 percent of the building’s electricity demand and contributes to a 55 percent
reduction in utility costs (compared with a standard building). Treated rainwater and
graywater are used for toilet flushing and irrigation. Dual-flush toilets and water-free
urinals are used throughout the facility.*

*U.S. Green Building Council [online], http://leedcasestudies.usgbc.org/overview.cfm?ProjectID=236, accessed
April 2008.