Journal Entry For

Module 7 - Building Envelope Systems

For 2 Units

Walls

For the walls, I wanted something with high thermal resistance considering in a previous module, nearly 30% of the year would require active heating. I went with EIFS on Mtl. Stud for all the walls besides curtain walls because it has one of the largest R-values and weighs less than traditional stucco. However, in future modules, I would like to adjust the exterior finish because it admittedly doesn’t look that pretty.
I added curtain walls and exterior glazing to the areas that were not adjacent to offices, security room, restrooms, or the theater. Essentially, any room that benefited from privacy, I did not attach a curtain wall / exterior glazing. Everywhere else, I did, because I wanted to maximize access to outdoor views and daylighting.

Flooring

Since heating was a priority, I wanted a thick concrete slab for all flooring with a oak finish for aesthetic purposes.

Roofs

As per the module on green roofs for 220B, I chose a “Steel Truss - Insulation on Metal Deck - EPDM” for my roofing material. The primary reason for this was to support a green roof, but it also has excellent thermal resistance properties. More than half of the roof area is covered by a green roof and the other empty space I plan to fill with solar panels.

Windows

The location of windows was dictated by the spaces it was attached to. For example, I ensured that every office had a window and light shelf attached to it. First and foremost is access to outdoor views, but it also provides daylighting. I didn’t touch glazing because in previous modules, I found that glazing did little to improve the EUI of a building. In future modules, I will have to consider the type of glazing. Most windows were of the type “Window-Casement Double,” which were a type that I felt was the most aesthetically pleasing for my exhibition center.

Skylight surfaces were above areas where the movement of people was important. People will always be moving up and down the stairs and going up and down the elevator, so it was important to ensure that these spaces are well lit.

Doors

Most exterior doors were that of the “Door-Exterior-Double-Two_Lite” due to their commercial use and aesthetic look. No thermal properties were appointed these doors due to minimal effect on overall building EUI, but will be adjusted in future modules.

Shading/Sun Control Features

The primary shading feature of my building is that of an overhang on the southern-facing side of the building. You will notice that the second floor extends into a terrace and goes 4’ over the southern face of level 1. The same goes for the roof on top of level 2. I focused on the southern-facing side for roof overhang because that is where the sun shines strongest. For other areas of the building, having shading over the windows was less important because I want more heat & daylight into the building. For my location, no direct cooling is needed — seems that the Bay Area weather is cool enough!

For 3 Units

Baseline Energy Model

With the choices and specifications I have made in my Building Element Model, and adjusting the range of values related to the envelope and operating schedule to that of the BIM value, the following EUI was obtained:

I would say I was rather surprised how far I am from Architecture 2030, but at least relieved that I passed ASHRAE 90.1. My guess is the way that I’ve modeled the floors, roofs, and walls could be adjusted since the building model on Insight looks as if parts of the roof is unconnected. Below are the ranges of values adjusted to my building element model. There is definitely improvement to be made with the WWR of my walls. Although access to outdoor views are nice, if I can increase the amount of curtain wall and decrease the amount of windows instead, then it’s a win-win.

Explore Other Factors With Insight Optimization

After performing energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements, the following EUI was obtained:

Plug load efficiency, lighting efficiency, daylighting & occupancy controls, PV surface coverage, PV payback limit, and PV panel efficiency were all adjusted to obtain an EUI of 14.2, which meets Architecture 2030. There is an incredible amount of potential for energy reduction of my building, as shown from insight. Plug load efficiency and PV payback limit being the two greatest contributors towards EUI reduction. I realize that even if poor design decisions are made towards the building envelope, improving the energy efficiency of end uses and producing on-site renewable energy can still make miles of a difference for a building.

See below for individual adjustments of factor tiles related to efficiency and renewable energy:

For 4 Units

Revit Illuminance Readings

Level 1 (NE) This illuminance reading captures level 1 looking towards the NE of the building. This is the first exhibit that people will walk into, so I want to ensure that it is properly lit.

From this rendering, I can tell, the stairwell blocks a lot of light. In fact, the stairwell appears to be the only aspect of Level 1 that is properly lit by daylight. I will have to incorporate more skylights to light up this space for sure.

Level 2 (SW)

This space views towards to the outdoor terrace. My thinking was, because the outdoor terrace is southern-facing and has a lot of curtain walls, daylighting should be ample in this 3D view.

Interestingly enough, there does not appear to be much daylight in this space besides the few feet on the floor and roof that leads to the curtain walls. I could reduce the overhang on Level 3 that goes over these walls to increase the daylight that comes in.

Level 2 (SW)

This is level 2, but on the Northern half of the building, separated by the skywalk. I am interested in the daylight of this space because we are away from the southern-facing curtain walls on the Southern half of the building. I would expect that daylighting is low in this vantage point.