Glenn KatzPlease enter Your Name to link to your Design Journal, and paste a link to your personal folder on ACC in the ACC Folder Link field above.
Building Model
Building Envelope
For the building's exterior envelope, two types of curtain walls were utilized: Exterior Glazing and a Solar Power Glass Facade, alongside a basic wall constructed with a metal stud layer. The Exterior Glazing features a glazing type that is ¼ inch thick, employing low-E/low-E/clear glass with an emissivity (e) value of 0.05. The Solar Power Glass Facade combines the same glazing type with monocrystalline solar cells. Initially, the intention was to use amorphous crystalline material; however, due to availability issues, monocrystalline was selected as a substitute.
The solar power glass facade was strategically implemented on the east, west, and south sides of the building. This decision was driven by several factors:
- Daylighting Optimization: The primary motivation for using curtain walls in the design is to maximize natural daylight within the building, thereby reducing the need for electric lighting and, as a result, decreasing energy consumption.
- Enhanced Views: Another significant reason for this choice is to offer visitors expansive views, especially with an atrium located in the lobby. The curtain walls allow visitors to look through to the roof and courtyard, enhancing their experience within the space.
- Solar Energy Generation: The integration of solar cells within the glass facade serves a dual purpose. It not only blocks part of the sunlight, preventing excessive brightness and heat from entering the building but also maximizes the area available for solar power generation. This significantly increases the input of solar energy, contributing to the building's sustainability and energy efficiency.
Curtain Wall on West & East Sides
Curtain Walls on South Side
For the building's north side, the primary material is the metal stud layer wall, although sections still incorporate the regular exterior glazing facade. This approach ensures that the building benefits from thermal efficiency, natural light, and energy generation while maintaining aesthetic appeal and visitor comfort.
Curtain Wall on North Side
Exterior Basic Wall on North Side
Roof & Skylight
For the roof of the sustainable design exhibition center, I have conceptualized two distinct types: the Solar Power Glass Roof and the Green Roof.
Solar Power Glass Roof & Skylight
The primary feature of the center's roof is the Solar Power Glass Roof, which boasts an R-value of 10 hr-ft²-°F/BTU. This innovative roofing solution consists of double-pane glass with solar cells embedded between the panes. Unlike traditional solar panels that block all sunlight, this design maintains gaps between each cell within the module, providing a degree of transparency. Due to the absence of a specific template or model for a solar power glass facade, I simulated its properties by combining glass glazing with solar modules on top, aiming to represent the intended one-piece, aesthetically pleasing design. The roof is sloped at a 34-degree angle, optimizing the solar panel's exposure to sunlight for efficient energy generation. This design not only allows for the generation of solar power but also enhances natural daylighting within the lobby, reducing the reliance on electric lighting. The solar panels effectively moderate the amount of natural light and heat entering the space, ensuring comfort and energy efficiency.
Green Roof
The north side of the roof, receiving less sunlight, is designed as a Green Roof with an R-value of 2.07 hr-ft²-°F/BTU. This section can support a variety of vegetation, including grass and small trees, which absorb solar energy and act as a thermal mass. The green roof's design focuses on capturing and retaining heat during the day, which is then released, creating a warm layer that significantly reduces heat loss during winter. Though the R-value is relatively low, the green roof's potential for thermal regulation, coupled with its environmental benefits, makes it a valuable addition to the building's sustainable design.
Doors
Exterior-Revolving-Full Glass Metal Door
- Location: Installed at the building's north side as the main entrance.
- Purpose: Chosen for its large capacity to accommodate the flow of people, ideal for entry purposes. The revolving design minimizes heat loss in winter and is efficient for managing large crowds.
Double Glass Doors
- Location: Four units are placed on the first floor's exterior; two on the north side, one on the east side, and an additional one on the north side.
- Purpose: These serve as exits and are crucial for emergency egress. In the event of an emergency, such as a fire or power outage, the natural light through the glass doors guides occupants to safety. This type is also the primary choice for the interior of the building, promoting transparency and natural lighting.
Exterior Double Glass Door on Curtain Wall
Single Glass Doors
- Location: Two doors are located on the patio of the second floor, each connecting to stairways on opposite sides.
- Purpose: They function as emergency exits for the second floor, providing additional safety routes.
Sliding Glass Door
- Location: Positioned on the north side to connect the café with the patio.
- Purpose: Enhances the café's ambiance by offering expansive views and the option to extend seating outdoors. This door type is also selected for large offices, conference rooms, and large exhibit spaces, facilitating smooth traffic flow with entrances and exits on opposite sides.
Single Flush Doors
- Location: Used within the interior for the electrical room, restrooms, and storage areas.
- Purpose: These doors are chosen for areas where privacy and security are paramount, and the movement of people is restricted. Their design caters to utility spaces within the exhibition center.
Shading and Overhang Design
- Overhang on the Second Floor: Positioned on the north side, it minimizes direct sunlight, reducing heat gain and creating a comfortable outdoor area for use during summer and rainy days.
- Dual-Purpose Patio: The second-floor patio not only provides additional outdoor space but also shades the first-floor main entrance, improving comfort and reducing cooling needs.
Energy Model Insight
The initial model, as entered into the energy simulation tool without modifications, shows my building with an EUI of 191 kBtu/sf/yr. This figure falls short of my expectations, primarily because it does not yet account for the integration of the solar glass system. More importantly, this simulation cannot cover the curtain wall with solar module, which is affect my EUI outcome the most.
Original Energy Model
I first changed it to Baseline EUI by narrowing the operating schedule to BIM value, lighting efficiency at 0.3 W/sf, and plug load efficiency as 0.6 W/sf. The EUI goes down to 173 kBtu/sf/yr
After refining the Building Information Modeling (BIM) parameters, I achieved an EUI of 79.7kBtu/sf/yr, which marks a modest improvement. The analysis identified key factors impacting building efficiency: the Window Material and WWR on southern, western, and eastern walls, infiltration rates, and the HVAC system.
I opted not to conduct the solar panel analysis through the website as it made negligible adjustments to my EUI. This limitation arises because the platform fails to recognize the incorporation of my solar glass curtain wall and solar glass roof into the design. If these elements were accurately accounted for, I anticipate the EUI would decrease by half or even more (less than 40kBtu/sf/yr). This is due to the extensive coverage of both walls and roof with solar panels, potentially exceeding 100% energy coverage, leveraging renewable energy to significantly enhance the building's efficiency.
Daylighting Analysis
First Floor
Second Floor
