Overview
Replace this text with your reflections on your design journey through class from a higher level and share your insights about the entire experience. What were:
- Key / Essential / Unique Design Features that you explored in your project.
- Your Big Successes -- what worked very well and what features you're most proud to share as examples to inspire others.
- Your Big Challenges -- what aspects of the project created the biggest challenges and what would you do differently (in hindsight) to avoid or overcome these challenges.
- Lessons Learned -- what sage words of advice would you share with other students who are embarking on a similar project.
This quarter, my design journey was all about pushing boundaries while learning the hard way. I explored some unique ideas like innovative zoning, advanced hydronic heating, and a chilled water cooling system that really set my project apart. I enjoyed seeing how these design choices not only boosted performance but also proved that a tailored approach can beat a one-size-fits-all system.
I’m most proud of the independent floor systems that made a real difference in energy efficiency and comfort. Integrating these with a central management system allowed for dynamic adjustments that kept everything running smoothly. It felt great to see these ideas come together and work as planned.
Of course, there were challenges along the way, especially when it came to coordinating the independent systems with the central platform. Looking back, I would have spent more time on early testing and prototyping to iron out those integration issues. The biggest lesson I learned is to balance innovation with thorough planning and testing. For anyone starting out, be ready to iterate and refine your approach, and don’t be afraid to try new ideas while keeping practicality in mind.