Glenn KatzOverview
- Key / Essential / Unique Design Features that you explored in your project.
One of the pivotal aspects of my project involves incorporating curtain walls and crystalline facades with solar shading. These elements serve to passively illuminate the building, reducing the need for artificial lighting and thereby conserving energy. Additionally, they enhance the distribution and consistency of natural light throughout the building by capturing and redirecting it to areas with lower illumination levels.
Another notable feature is the integration of green roofs. These roofs play a dual role in energy conservation and biodiversity enhancement within urban environments. Moreover, green roofs extend the lifespan of roofs and add aesthetic appeal to buildings, enriching the overall urban scenery.
- Your Big Successes -- what worked very well and what features you're most proud to share as examples to inspire others.
I'd highlight the sophisticated design of the plumbing system. This includes a greywater reuse system that collects, treats, and repurposes wastewater from sinks. After undergoing filtration and treatment to eliminate contaminants, the treated water is reintroduced into the building for utilization in water closets. Additionally, I've opted for low-flow plumbing fixtures, with the discharge directed to the sewers.
- 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.
My primary hurdle lies in coordinating the interaction of each system. Ensuring that all MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) systems do not intersect with the structural model is crucial, demanding a 3D perspective during the design phase. If given the opportunity to approach it again, I would opt for a less conservative structural model. This would provide more room for accommodating MEP systems without the concern of intersection.
- Lessons Learned -- what sage words of advice would you share with other students who are embarking on a similar project.
Designing my own building from initial sketches to a comprehensive model has been a deeply fulfilling journey. This project has been invaluable in honing my Revit skills, which I anticipate will greatly benefit my future career. Through this experience, I've cultivated both a designer's perspective and an engineer's mindset as I progressed towards the project's completion.
One piece of advice I would offer is to approach building design with a blend of creativity and practicality.
