Energy Modeling For Sustainability

Evolving software for modeling energy dynamics makes it easier for architects and engineers to design green buildings
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From GreenSource
B.J. Novitski

Remodeling to LEED Platinum

Rumsey Engineers recently worked on a major renovation of a vintage 1926 two-story, 14,000-sf building in downtown Oakland. The new headquarters for Stopwaste.org, an organization that coordinates source reduction and recycling programs in the county, earned LEED Platinum certification. Komorous-Towey Architects of Oakland implemented a number of design strategies. They reworked the east-facing main facade and broke open the formerly solid north wall to more than double the amount of glazing. Rumsey energy modeler Kajal Chatterjee used eQUEST to simulate envelope insulation, glazing, electric lighting, and mechanical systems. She began by modeling the existing building as a baseline against which to gauge various design improvements.

 

Bowie Gridley Architects added 115,000 sf to the historic Hayes Manor for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

Images courtesy Bowie Gridley Architects

 

The original building was poorly insulated, so the designers considered how much insulation to add to the roof and walls. By incrementally testing various amounts of insulation, Chatterjee was able to demonstrate an optimum level. The software indicated a clear point of diminishing returns, where the energy-benefit curve ceased to climb steeply. The amount of rigid insulation varied due to roof slope but averaged 14 inches.

 

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Originally published in GreenSource
Originally published in April 2008

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