ProjectXspring2009

Building B Conceptual Sketch

2009-04-01T22:12:00.000-07:00

Site Plan Development

2009-03-25T00:43:00.001-07:00

With the schematic design of Building A complete, we have transitioned to the design of the interpretive center (Building B). We are refining the site plan to include the interpretive center and a deeply shaded pergola. The pergola is conceived as a climate moderating outdoor element that connects the interpretive center to the fuel processing building. We have selected the southeast corner of the lot as the site of the interpretive center because it affords an excellent balance between physical, climatological, and experiential access.

Interpretive Center (Building B) Program

2009-03-24T23:04:00.000-07:00

Building B

2009-03-24T12:36:00.000-07:00

Diagram of sizes and relationships for Building B program.

Presentation For Mid Review

2009-03-19T08:40:00.001-07:00

Final Boards for Mid Review

2009-03-18T15:09:00.000-07:00

Cascaded carbon emissions - Project A

2009-03-08T10:36:00.001-07:00

Cascaded energy use by fuel type - Project A

2009-03-08T10:33:00.000-07:00

Cascaded Site/Source energy use - Project A

2009-03-08T10:25:00.001-07:00

Cascaded parametric modeling - Project A

2009-03-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

The selected design alternatives have been parametrically modeled and applied to the base case model, one on top of the other ("cascaded"), to estimate their impacts on whole building energy performance. These design features have been incorporated into the final schematic design of the Project A building.

Discrete parametric modeling example - materials study

2009-03-08T08:42:00.000-07:00

This example (Project A materials study) illustrates the way design alternatives have been modeled in eQUEST as discrete parametric runs. The results are compared to the base case in order to estimate the impact of each measure on overall building energy performance.

Discrete parametric modeling - Project A

2009-03-08T08:31:00.000-07:00

The table lists the design alternatives that have been parametrically modeled in eQUEST as discrete modifications to the base case energy model. The results of these "discrete parametric runs" have been used to evaluate individual design alternative effectiveness with regard to their impacts on building energy performance.

eQUEST energy modeling overview

2009-03-08T08:09:00.000-07:00

A major goal of this project is to explore methods that can be used to create beautiful and functional energy-efficient buildings. With this goal in mind, we have used eQUEST (DOE2) to quantify the energy performance characteristics of all design alternatives. This means that energy modeling has been used from the beginning of the design process to inform critical design decisions. ProjectX explores the integration of cutting-edge quantitative energy modeling tools into the traditional architectural design process, however the information gained from this approach is not the only factor guiding our design decisions.

Energy modeling has been used in three distinct phases as part of our design process:

1. Preliminary building Shape Study

2. Discrete parametric modeling of design alternatives

3. Cascaded parametric modeling of design alternatives

Preliminary building shape study

A beginning building form grew, in part, out of the information gained from the preliminary building shape study (see 2/15/09 and 2/20/09 posts). The building was refined and set to comply with the requirements of ASHRAE 90.1 Appendix G to form the "Base Case" eQUEST energy model.

Discrete parametric modeling

A series of design alternatives were parametrically modeled and evaluated against the base case model. These discrete parametric runs have been used to steer numerous design decisions.

Cascaded parametric modeling

A final eQUEST model has been created that is based on information gained from the discrete parametric modeling process. The design alternatives that have been selected and incorporated into the final schematic design are cascaded over the base case in order to estimate whole building performance.

Page Layout in Revit

2009-03-07T20:31:00.001-08:00

North Elevation

2009-03-07T11:05:00.001-08:00

Initial Building A Form

2009-02-22T16:24:00.000-08:00

Project A Refined Building Shape Study

2009-02-20T15:09:00.000-08:00

The initial building shape study (Shape Study 2) has been refined to incorporate basic daylighting controls into the base case model. All other model definitions of the initial study remain the same. The addition of daylighting controls will provide further insight into the effect of building shape on overall building performance. The results of this study are reported according to predicted site and source energy use.

Project A Initial Building Shape Study

2009-02-15T13:00:00.000-08:00

We have used eQUEST to make initial inquiries (Shape Study 2) into appropriate energy-efficient building configurations. Starting with an absolutely "dumb" square box basic information has been used to define the initial base case:

1. 5000 sqft office/warehouse building

- Office-1800 sqft (40%)

- Warehouse-3000 sqft (56%)

- Restrooms-200 sqft (4%)

2. Phoenix, AZ TYM2 weather data location

3. HVAC-DX coils with natural gas furnace

4. No daylighting

5. Square footprint (70.7ft x 70.7ft)

6. Perimeter zone depth - 15ft

7. Floor to floor height - 17ft

8. Metal frame construction (R19 insulation)

9. One door on each facade

10. Double pane clear glazing with aluminum frames (without thermal breaks)

11. Window to wall ratios

- North/South - 32.6%

- East/West - 10%

12. No exterior window shades

13. Building operates 7 days/week from 7am to 4pm

Based on the above described base case a number of different building configurations have been parametrically modeled in eQUEST using the EEM wizard. The results of this shape study have been summarized according to predicted site and source energy use.

Energy Star Benchmarking - Project A

2009-02-09T15:49:00.000-08:00

This information is for reference only due to certain limiting factors inherent in the Target Finder benchmarking system. This is because Target Finder in it current form is geared to handle office and warehouse buildings larger than the 5000 sqft (Project A) building.

Initially we did not understand that Target Finder was geared to relatively large (5000 sqft or larger) office/warehouse structures. This represents a major limitation of the usefulness of Target Finder to us in this particular project. Because our buildings are smaller than Target Finder allows, the accuracy of its results are questionable. For these reasons, we will use our eQUEST energy models for any further benchmarking activities.

APS EPR-5 Pilot Program and Rate Structure

2009-02-09T13:56:00.000-08:00

Grid electric power supplied by APS

This facility will fall under the APS E-32 rate schedule.

We plan to take advantage of the APS EPR-5 pilot program which allows net metering for on-site renewable power generation.

Codes, Codes, and more Codes

2009-02-08T09:46:00.000-08:00

SRP or APS

2009-02-07T22:20:00.001-08:00

APS in White
SRP in Gray

Our site is APS Electric

Get With The Program

2009-02-07T12:27:00.000-08:00

Building A Programing

Square Footage: 4000-5000

General:
North side, Large windows, entrance
East side, large entrance, capable of fire truck access
South side, windows
West side, solid with smaller entrance
Maintain language with other fire department training buildings

Algae Processing, in order of operation

Outside:
-Harvesting of algae from trenches
-Initial water extraction

Indoors:
-Drying (approximate size 5’x20’ 200 sqft)
-Pressing (approximate area 1000 sqft)
-Holding Tanks (approximate 160 sqft)
-Oil separator (approximate 80 sqft)
-Separate holding tanks for separated liquids (200 sqft)

Outside:
-Biodiesel storage tanks
-Biodiesel pump

Other indoor functions:
-Office/testing/research space (approximate 1500 sqft)
-Storage space (approximate 500 sqft)
-Bathrooms/showers/lockers (approximate 120 sqft)
-Circulation space (as needed for production)

Algae Biodiesel

Algae drying equipment

Close up of algae dryer

Press set up for large volume Biodiesel production, much larger than we will be doing in this facility but it gives you the idea.

Press for removing lipids from Algae

Holding tanks for pressed Algae lipids

Oil separator and holding tanks for separated liquids

Nice retro gas pump with Biodiesel logo

This is an schematic of a Biodiesel plant. Obviously its for a much larger production facility but our smaller facility will have many of the same parts.

Site transportation links

2009-02-04T14:26:00.000-08:00

Site Images

2009-02-04T14:03:00.000-08:00

2009-01-31T12:22:00.000-08:00

This is the initial LEED analysis for Project X.

37 Probably points

21 Points that we need to work towards to achieving

3 Points that may not work for our project

8 Points that are not possible due to preexisting conditions

Silver should be easily attainable with Platinum not out of the question.

The Top 20 Design Guidlines for Phoenix According to Climate Consultant

2009-01-30T22:13:00.000-08:00

You may have to click on the image to make it large enough to read.

Direct Normal Radiation, Dry Bulb Comparison

2009-01-30T22:07:00.000-08:00

This graphic shows a direct normal radiation chart on top of a a dry bulb chart for Phoenix. As you can see the two criss cross each other in the middle of the day during the summer months. Demonstrates graphically how bad the combo of outdoor air temp and solar gain can be for a building here.

Psychrometric Chart

2009-01-30T22:05:00.000-08:00

Psychrometric chart for Phoenix created by Climate Consultant

Wind & Dry Bulb Rose

2009-01-30T22:02:00.000-08:00

Combination of wind and dry bulb temperature rose of Phoenix from Climate Consultant.

Site Data

2009-01-30T18:07:00.000-08:00

This is a site data graphic that Alan sent to me as an example of a graphic representation of climate data.

BIG Ideas

2009-01-28T21:20:00.000-08:00

3.4.6. Big Idea

3.4.6.1. This project seeks to acknowledge the critical nature

of the sun and the potential of people to reconnect

with its fundamental power.

3.4.6.1.1. Building A = Solar harvester

3.4.6.1.2. Building B = Solar observatory

3.4.2 Site Analysis

2009-01-27T18:47:00.000-08:00

3.4.2.1 Solar Site Study

2009-01-27T17:35:00.000-08:00

2.1 Desert Bio-Fuels Deliverables

2009-01-27T17:27:00.000-08:00

2.1 Desert Bio-Fuels Deliverables

2009-01-27T17:26:00.002-08:00

2.1 Desert Bio-Fuels Deliverables

2009-01-27T17:25:00.001-08:00

2009-01-27T17:24:00.000-08:00

2.1 Desert Bio-Fuels Deliverables

2009-01-27T17:20:00.000-08:00