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The inaugural course of the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Building Envelope Movement includes medical office buildings using hybrid vacuum insulated glass and net-zero concrete and timber community centers.
The inaugural course of the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Building Envelope Movement includes medical office buildings using hybrid vacuum insulated glass and net-zero concrete and timber community centers.
The West Medical Building of Boulder Community Health has a hybrid vacuum insulated glass installation and 2 inches of continuous rigid insulation, and the Lubber Run Community Center in Arlington, Virginia has “thermal” insulated concrete walls. One of the projects. It is recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for its high-performance building envelope design.
These projects represent the first category of the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Building Envelope Movement (BEC) program, which was launched in 2020 to recognize the leadership of the building team in terms of envelope performance.
Organizations are eligible for four types of recognition:
The BEC plan also recognizes:
Let's take a look at the winners of the Better Buildings Building Envelope Campaign in 2021 (project description and statistics provided by DOE's BEC program):
Description: Boulder Community Health's newest medical office building provides an eye clinic and an outpatient surgery center for Colorado's leading retina clinic. Energy-saving design elements include a masonry wall with 2 inches of continuous rigid insulation material, supplemented with R-19 batting in the stud cavity, which exceeds the specification, and the canopy at the south entrance of the building, which will accommodate 99 kilowatts of photovoltaic in the future Array.
The building showcases the emerging hybrid vacuum insulated glass (HIVG) technology, which improves year-round energy efficiency and comfort by reducing heat conduction and convection from windows. Compared with the U value of 0.29 for low-radiation insulating glass, the U value of the north facade of the HVIG used in this project is 0.071, and the U value of other facades is 0.064. HVIG also allows the visible light transmittance to be reduced by 13%, thereby reducing the glare of external walls with high solar radiation.
The Building Envelope Campaign technical team assisted Boulder Associates by calculating the window opening value of the standard thermally broken aluminum frame used in this project, because HVIG's glass center U value is atypical.
Performance data: size: 29,652 sf kBTU/year saving: 266,417.1 BEP value: 10.8 BEP improvement: 46%
Description: The American Geophysical Union (AGU) regards its seven-story headquarters as a "living laboratory." A few years ago, when the mechanical system of this building built in 1994 began to fail, AGU chose to refurbish it with the goal of becoming the first net-zero commercial refurbishment in Washington, DC. Almost 100% of the building shell has been reused.
AGU is working hard to achieve an energy intensity of 13 per year, which is far below the target of the AGU climate zone. Glass windows were installed at the front of the building, and photovoltaics and green roofs were installed. The building uses new studs and closed-cell sprayed thermal insulation materials for thermal insulation, with an R value of 15.7. The R value of the roof is 30, and the U value of the windows and related components is 0.23. Three-piece, inflatable, dynamic glass windows are colored on-demand with electrochromic films to optimize solar gain.
The building is equipped with a dedicated outdoor air system with hydroponic plant repair walls and air quality monitors, DC-powered lights and workstations, rainwater reuse, radiant cooling, and an urban wastewater system that transfers water to the exchange system. The system From water, reduce dependence on coolers.
Performance data: Size: 71,486 sf kBTU/year Savings: 930,021.4 BEP value: 19.7 BEP Improvement: 50%
Submitting company: American Geophysical Union
Description: The Lubber Run community center is the link between the city and nature. This concrete and timber building is rooted on a 4.5-acre site, with a sculptural base and iconic roof. In order to maximize the use of the open space, the green space was raised to cover the underground parking lot and project space. The net-zero design of the project has a sealed, high-performance, cost-effective housing. Cast-in-place concrete, copper cladding and Thermomass systems contribute to sustainable design.
The Thermomass system improves performance by embedding thermal insulation in the mass wall, thereby reducing the environmental impact of the original concrete. Rock wool insulation materials can resist humidity accumulation and are more environmentally friendly than plastic insulation materials. The concrete used in this project is injected with CO2, which can isolate CO2, reduce the hidden energy of the concrete and increase its strength.
Challenges include the holes found in the air and moisture barriers during the air penetration test, many of which are located at the connection points of the straps supporting the copper coating. Penetration testing emphasizes the need to check the tightness of the connection point before covering the connection point with a wall panel.
Performance data: Size: 56,425 sf kBTU/year Saving: 182,683.2 BEP value: 11.8 BEP Improvement: 21%
Submitting company: Arlington County Parks and Recreation
Description: The BVSD Education Center consists of a series of buildings originally built in 1963, and the latest addition was completed in 1983. BVSD conducted a detailed energy and performance analysis based on the owner’s project requirements for the proposed wall and roof components.
The working space was configured for flexible collaboration, and one side of the building was demolished and replaced by a two-story building with a reduced footprint and more parking spaces. The exterior wall components were built using DuPont Thermax wall system, which itself is sealed. All transitions from Thermax system to adjacent materials are sealed, especially windows and doors, top to roof, and bottom to foundation.
These improvements solve a series of structural defects, including substandard codes; degraded building appearance; inefficient windows; end-of-life roofs and boilers; and work spaces configured as single-person spaces with permanent walls. The space utilization efficiency is low, and the functional flexibility is limited.
Performance data: Size: 43,043 sf kBTU/year Savings: 297,230.5 BEP value: 8.1 BEP Improvement: 46%
Submitting company: Boulder Valley School District
Description: The Catalyst Building is a mixed-use office and higher education building in the South Landing Ecological District. It uses high-efficiency equipment and has heat sharing and storage capabilities with the adjacent buildings it serves.
Zero-energy, zero-carbon buildings demonstrate high performance and sustainability through all aspects of their design. The building envelope maximizes thermal performance while using sustainable materials. The entire building uses cross-laminated timber, as well as external insulation and triple-glazed windows.
The cross-laminated timber used in the catalyst building contributes to its zero-carbon design to a large extent. Customized triple-glazed windows and highly insulated walls and roof minimize thermal interruption. The closed building design achieves a penetration rate exceeding the Passive House standard.
The performance analysis and design of all building systems require extensive coordination. The building required extensive envelope analysis to understand the performance of the building components and identify any potential thermal bridging points.
Performance data: Size: 160,000 sf kBTU/year saving: 1,018,759.7 BEP value: 8.2 BEP improvement: 56%
Description: Vergennes Community Housing is a newly built mixed-income multi-family rental property with 24 apartments and indoor and outdoor facilities. The development is designed with passive house air-sealing targets, local planting and low-flow fixtures.
Fresh air ventilation system, low VOC (volatile organic compound) finishes and passive lighting strategies are applied. In order to improve energy efficiency, electric vehicle charging stations were built, photovoltaic power generation was used, and LED lighting and triple-glazed windows were used in the building. In addition, the property is also equipped with a heat recovery ventilation system and a high-performance mechanical system.
Vergennes is a walking/cycling location with community gathering space, infill development and public transportation facilities. The property is built with durable designs and materials to meet Efficiency Vermont's high-performance standards for multi-family homes.
The cooperation of a diverse team composed of a group of passionate experts has produced this development, which integrates the needs of residents, communities and the environment.
Performance data: Size: 23,500 sf kBTU/year Saving: 240,213.2 BEP value: 6.3 BEP improvement: 66%
Description: Credit Human is a federal credit union chartered in 1935 and opened a new headquarters building in 2021. This 12-story podium-style tower was developed as part of a two-building Grade A office building. This new building sets a precedent for the continued urban development of the area and recognizes the architectural history of San Antonio.
Energy and water conservation strategies have reduced the electricity and drinking water required by local utilities by approximately 97%. Strategies include hybrid geothermal loop cooling/heating system, 1 MW photovoltaic system, water-cooled variable refrigerant flow HVAC system, rainwater collection and condensate collection system, advanced plug load control and high-performance building envelope structure. The air tightness is 0.088 cfm/sq ft @75 PA.
Credit Human's goals include obtaining LEED Platinum certification and designating the structure as a green building. The building uses high-performance glass, and a large glass window system is placed from the upper front to the rear to minimize solar gain. The thermal fracture and shell penetration in the window assembly are carefully coordinated. Periodic envelope testing and simulation are essential to achieve high-performance buildings.
Performance data: size: 216,946 sf kBTU/year saving: 844,357.6 BEP value: 8.7 BEP improvement: 47%
Submitting company: Credit Human Federal Credit Union
Description: EMS Station #51 is a regional example of net zero and energy-efficient buildings. Before the addition of active renewable energy, the building used 80% less energy than the standard building, which improved the efficiency of the building.
With the addition of 48,000 kilowatt-hours of photovoltaic arrays, inverters and rack systems, monthly electricity costs have been reduced by 78%. In addition, improvements in the envelope structure have reduced the need for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, as well as significant savings in HVAC.
The project has reached R-51.23 roof insulation and R-27.85 wall insulation, which are far higher than the minimum requirements of the specification. For under-slab insulation, concrete slabs are applied on two layers of 3 inch EPS foam with vapor retardant. The fiberglass frame, insulation, glass, and inoperable windows reached a U value of 0.22. The aluminum shading device on the windows provides 100% shading in summer.
The project contractor is local and has limited experience in sustainable/net-zero construction, which affects the project design approach. The project team works under tight budgets, paying special attention to air tightness goals.
Performance data: Size: 8,726 sf kBTU/year Savings: 90,321 BEP value: 5.0 BEP Improvement: 52%
Submitting company: Athens (Ohio) County
Description: The industrial center building addition (ICB-A) of Fermilab connects the building area of two existing facilities to reduce the external building envelope and follows the guidance established in the 2018 Fermilab campus master plan in principle. This building is the first step to focus activities, implement planned expansion, and provide better access and circulation for the buildings in the industrial complex.
An additional overhead assembly area equipped with a 40-ton bridge crane will help fulfill the promise of building cryogenic modules-approximately 10 meters long structure containing superconducting magnets or cavities-used to operate Fermilabs and accelerators of cooperative institutions Charged particle beam. The space has already been used to assemble the cryogenic modules of the high-brightness Large Hadron Collider accelerator upgrade project. There will also be a low shelf area dedicated to quantum science. A mezzanine space will be used for future office expansion.
Challenges and obstacles to connecting facilities include the need to maintain the daily building operations of existing buildings, while strengthening parts of the roof structure to accommodate snow pile loads and integrating building systems such as fire alarm systems.
Performance data: Size: 24,921 sf kBTU/year Savings: 168,693.2 BEP value: 15.3 BEP improvement: 25%
Submitting company: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
Description: Prairie Trails School is a single-story elementary school originally built in 1966. It has recently undergone several upgrades in the building envelope. The exterior wall system adopts a new heat-insulating rail breaking system, and a new fiber cement wall panel is installed on the new frame.
The original single-layer aluminum window system is replaced by a new double-layer thermally broken curtain wall frame system, which uses three-layer double-layer low-emissivity insulating glass. The existing roofing system was replaced, and polyisocyanurate foam board was used for insulation, and the roof insulation performance value was increased from the lowest code R-30 to R-65. In addition, the entire perimeter of the building was excavated and a new basic insulation layer was installed to reduce the heat transfer underground.
Challenges include exposure to winter weather and the need to adjust the PHIUS certification process designed for residential applications to accommodate school facilities. The design team, owners and contractors must also participate in training courses to understand and meet the PHIUS certification requirements. In addition, local companies lack experience in certification of blower doors.
Performance data: Size: 28,737 sf kBTU/year Savings: 1,120,743 BEP value: 8.9 BEP improvement: 69%
Description: Building 246 was originally built in the 1880s and is the site of the Regimental Orientation Plan of the US 3rd Infantry Regiment (Old Guard), the oldest active infantry unit in the US Army. Building 246 The building envelope was modernized to exceed current energy codes while maintaining the historical structure of the envelope. U-values for windows, R-values for opaque walls, thermal comfort and other elements have been improved. Increased heat and water accumulation are alleviated.
The existing historical windows are equipped with new double-glazed thermally insulated windows and thermally broken frames, which increase the performance of the window components to 40% beyond the specification requirements. The exterior wall was refurbished with continuous insulated R-22 behind the existing solid masonry facade, achieving a 50% improvement over the specification.
The roof was modernized, including continuous insulation and an air space for exhausting hot air to improve the comfort of the attic space. LED lighting and variable drive fan coil units have also been incorporated.
Performance data: Size: 52,500 sf kBTU/year Savings: 812,230.5 BEP value: 13.9 BEP Improvement: 47%
Description: The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers' global headquarters building is located near Atlanta, covering 11 acres. The building was built in 1978 and will be renovated in 2020. It consists of four wings, with concrete slab floors and floor beams, and precast concrete slabs on the outer walls. Challenges include a difficult move-out date to enable new tenants to own the old headquarters building.
New XPS insulation material with gutters and stucco finish was added to create the R-17 exterior wall. The window-to-wall ratio of the building also decreased to 33.5% in the east and west, and 41.9% in the north and south. A large all-glass lobby is replaced by a flat lobby roof with three translucent skylights.
Sprayed insulation materials were applied to the structure and sound-proof deck, resulting in a total insulation value of R-35. Eighteen translucent skylights are installed on the roofs of the east and west wings, and most employees work in open office spaces.
The building’s new conference center features classrooms with automatic shutters and access to a large deck area overlooking the lake. The outdoor walkway between the two wings is enclosed to provide the option of order fulfillment internally.
Performance data: Size: 66,700 sf kBTU/year Saving: 320,376.7 BEP Value: 6.7 BEP Improvement: 60%
Description: The Plant Science Building is a new platform for interdisciplinary research in the Centennial Campus Center of North Carolina State University. Throughout the building, the thickness of polyisocyanurate insulation meets and exceeds the specification requirements for wall components. The insulating layer is installed on the outside of the sheath, which is wrapped in a vapor-permeable air barrier for fluid applications.
Provide glass windows and thermally improved opaque components where beneficial. Brick hollow wall components and terracotta and composite panel back ventilation rain curtains are supported by thermal faults and track systems to reduce conductivity.
The project team and university architects selected glass windows that meet the requirements of solar thermal gain performance specifications and have no visual color changes. Most of the glass surface of the building is installed with sunshade devices, which are installed on the outside of the curtain wall. The wing-shaped shading profile has been adjusted with parameters, which can block direct sunlight while providing a view of the occupants of the campus.
In situations where structural elements may be exposed to external conditions, thermal conductivity is a major issue. The project team used intumescent and fluid-applied insulating coatings to provide thermal insulation and the necessary passive fire protection.
Performance data: size: 179,846 sf kBTU/year saving: 752,149.5 BEP value: 13.6 BEP improvement: 31%
Description: Vermeer No. 7 factory was rebuilt and expanded after a tornado in 2018. It is a brightly lit world-class manufacturing space that can provide higher air quality and safety. The 507,000 square feet of space in the Vermeer manufacturing plant contains three paint production lines, a production workshop, and a rest area offering healthy food options.
The company's main challenge involves winter construction. Cold weather requires the use of mechanical fasteners, not the best fully adhered fasteners. The walls of the factory are made of 12-inch thick concrete and foam prefabricated panels. Pera windows are installed on each wall panel to allow natural light. The windows are also double-glazed with aluminum frames to reduce heat transfer.
The roof of the factory is made of metal deck, 5-inch foam (R-30), half-inch Hardie board and rubber membrane; this reinforced structure allows safer walking on the roof. The internally designed and patent-pending air diffuser system cools the equipment and filters welding fumes and other pollutants. Hazardous waste is either processed and reused or used as fuel.
Performance data: Size: 507,000 sf kBTU/year Savings: 1,784,544 BEP value: 11.6 BEP Improvement: 20%
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Glass has always been a generator of ideas. Now, it is also a clean energy generator.
SOM and Fender Katsalidis are designing the project.
The metal wall panel system with different rib patterns and popular colors provides dynamic visual interest for two different new school buildings. The PAC-CLAD Precision series panels provide 45 standard colors and 12 panel options at a reasonable price, providing unlimited cladding possibilities.
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