Building Envelope Systems - Alessandro Kerr

Original Design

After cleaning up some of the recommendations from Module 6, the baseline design is as follows:

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Original Building Energy Use

The insight energy model was created for the baseline building design. This would help quantify the effects of manipulating various building envelope systems. The baseline EUI score can be seen below:

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After review of the insight model, modifications to the operating schedule, plug load efficiency, and lighting efficiency were made. These were changed to reflect the current conditions in the BIM model.

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As for the wall material, roof material, and WWR’s, it seemed none of the options made a substantial difference. For this reason, it just appears that the roof requires some sort of insulation to gain significant EUI savings. Moreover, any insulated wall/WWR seem to have negligible effects on the EUI. The final selection will be discussed further below.

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Daylighting Analysis (Original Design)

The daylighting analysis was completed to determine the need for windows, glazing, and shading features. The analysis was completed for August 1st. The results below show that there are several areas that require additional shading/glazing elements. In addition, the red zones are “dead zones” where there is no natural daylight. These zones will be fixed through internal windows. On the other hand, the zones that are bright yellow are mostly on the south east corner of the building. For this reason, shading elements will be incorporated on these faces of the building (see ACC link for updates).

Level 1 9am Lighting Analysis
Level 1 9am Lighting Analysis
Level 1 3pm Lighting Analysis
Level 1 3pm Lighting Analysis
Level 2 9am Lighting Analysis
Level 2 9am Lighting Analysis
Level 2 3pm Lighting Analysis
Level 2 3pm Lighting Analysis
Level 3 Lighting Analysis
Level 3 Lighting Analysis
Level 3 3pm Lighting Analysis
Level 3 3pm Lighting Analysis

Features of the Final Building Envelope

  • Large curtain wall on the south-east corner opening to the lobby of the building.
  • 10 degree slanted curtain wall
  • Bamboo light shelves on the south-east corner curtain wall.
  • Vertical fin bamboo shading on the north-west walls
  • Large windows along the east side of the building to enjoy the view of the lake.
  • Glazed 2-ply low-e (0.2) curtain wall glass on south and east faces of building.
  • Single glazed curtain walls on the north and west sides of the building.
  • Embedded curtain walls on all sides of the building.
  • Exterior envelope includes insulated wood framing and a stucco exterior (selected to have a higher thermal mass than solely curtain walls on all exterior faces)
  • Overhanging balconies on the east wall for shading/protection from the elements.
  • Ground floor includes insulated concrete slab.
  • Green roof with insulated concrete slab below. Access via stairs, some sort of lounge space will be available on the roof.
  • Inclusion of interior light shades/curtains on the south/east sides if needed. Will be added when interior detailing is completed.

Shading over south-east curtain wall with bamboo light shelves
Shading over south-east curtain wall with bamboo light shelves

Final Layout (South-East Corner)
Final Layout (South-East Corner)
Final Caption (North-West Corner)
Final Caption (North-West Corner)

Locations and Properties of Wall Surfaces including Windows and Shading Features

South/East Walls:

(1) Insulated Wood Framing with Stucco exterior (R = 64.7, Thermal Mass = 8.6)

(2) Embedded Exterior Double Glazed Curtain Wall (Double Glazing - 1/4” thick, low-E (0.2), VLT = 0.55)

(3) Bamboo lighting Shelves on the corner curtain wall (2ft depth). This helped with shading during the summer months but allowed most light to pass through in the winter months.

Bamboo Light Shelves.
Bamboo Light Shelves.

North/West Walls:

(1) Insulated Wood Framing with Stucco exterior (R = 64.7, Thermal Mass = 8.6)

(2) Embedded Exterior Single Glazed Wall (Single Glazing - 1/4” thick Pilkington, low-E, VLT = 0.90)

(3) Intermittent fixed windows to reduce interior dead zones (1/4 inch single glazed).

(4) Vertical Bamboo Fins to shade windows.

(5) Overhanging balconies to protect lower levels from sun/elements.

On these walls, the glazing was reduced to save cost and due to the lower intensity of sunlight hitting these walls.

Interior:

To counteract the dead zones, several interior windows were added.

Vertical Fins
Vertical Fins
Overhanging Balconies
Overhanging Balconies