accomplished with local cooling devices.
The computational laboratories and associated offices are also designed
to maintain a 70 to 76 F temperature range to comfortably accommodate
computational analyses, write-up, and other focused activities. Conference
and meeting areas offer unobstructed views to the high-bay laboratory.
A focus on energy efficiency, sustainability
Materials chosen for the building envelope address energy-use reduction,
maximize daylight and views, and generate renewable energy. The material
palette consists of insulated metal panels, for a tighter exterior envelope;
clear low-e glazing to maximize daylight and views through the building;
translucent Kalwall to provide ample diffuse north light into the high-bay;
and crystalline photovoltaic (PV) panels.
The original energy model showed lighting accounting for 14% of the
baseline model, making an attractive and easy target to reduce energy use,
according to Rew.
One goal of the project was to eliminate the need for artificial light during the day. Proper solar orientation—along the east-west axis—is a good
starting point for effectively using daylight.
The high-bay laboratory is clad in glass and translucent panels on the
north elevation, where the team wasn’t concerned about solar heat gain.
Essentially a light-filled atrium, it requires artificial light only at night. The
glass and translucent panel façade, along with clerestory windows, brings
ample light into the north edge of the mid-bay, computational laborato-
ries, and office spaces. The south elevation—associated with the mid-bay
and computational laboratories—is clad with a combination of clear
low-e glass and exterior shading devices to allow daylight to penetrate the
building, while controlling solar heat gain. A fixed light-louver, made with
convex-shaped blades, allows natural light further into the mid-bay space.
On the office floor, a horizontal slot window with a shading above provides
as much light as possible.
