Designing for OFF

Ola!!!

I came across an AWESOME concept in GREEN DESIGN.  DESIGNING FOR OFF is a design concept where - 

"... designing efficiency and simple intelligence into the building so that systems can be turned off for the majority of the year." - High Performance Magazine

As I go forward with my interior design studies, I want to incorporate this kind of green design in my future projects.

The best method in achieving this design concept:

Diagram of a Wall

First, focusing on the building envelope. A lot of insulation is required for the walls up to value R-32 (Rvalue means resistance to heat flow. The higher the Rvalue, the greater the insulating power. tiny air pockets trapped in the insulation resist the passage of heat—heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. The thicker or more dense the insulation, the more air pockets and the higher the Rvalue). 

Facade - Rice Fergus Miller Office and Studio

There should not be a lot of glass in the building design (no more than 16%).

Interior - Rice Fergus Miller Office and Studio

The building should have a "passive-active" system; when the outdoor temperature is 55 - 77 degrees, the building transitions into "passive mode" where the occupants use the windows to manually adjust the temperature in the building. Ceiling fans can be used to increase air circulation through out the building. The HVAC System is now TURNED OFF. When the building opens up during passive mode, fresh air enters the space and provides several air changes per hour of outdoor air flushing throughout. 

Example of a Passive-Active System

Heat pumps which also have  energy recovery ventilators with enthalpy wheels help keep the heat pumps off 70% of the time. 

It is all controlled by sophisticated monitoring with a Direct Digital Control System that " provides occupants instant feedback on building energy performance and status" and turns those red and green lights on and off.

DESIGNING FOR OFF integrates passive systems like good envelope design and natural ventilation.  It may cost a lot more than a typical "design for on" system, but the operating costs will be far lower and the equipment should last far longer. 

- Eddy

World's Tallest Prefab Structure

OLA!!!

For about a month now, I have been doing some work at FOREST CITY. I have been learning so much about this company and learned that they are building the WORLD'S TALLEST PREFAB STRUCTURE!

B2 BROOKLYN

RENDERING OF B2 BROOKLYN

The Atlantic Yards B2 Modular Building will bring the most advanced design/build technology to the heart of Brooklyn. The 346,000-square-foot, 32-story tower will be the world’s tallest modular building. With 363 rental apartments, 50 percent of all units will be affordable to low- and middle-income households. 

MODULAR UNIT BEING FABRICATED

The project team created new techniques and systems that will allow the 930 modular units to be fabricated in a controlled, efficient environment while protected year round from the weather.  The units will then be trucked to the construction site, where they will be raised by cranes, stacked on each other and attached to the building’s steel frame. 

Given much of the work will take place off-site, there will be significant reduction in truck traffic, noise and dust in the community surrounding the project site. It is also estimated that modular construction will result in 70 to 90 percent less waste than traditional construction. B2 is expected to achieve LEED® Silver certification. (I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!!)

Modular buildings built in New York City must meet the NYC Building Code as well as all fire and life safety codes. Modular construction is also safer to build than conventional construction: this work method reduces work at heights and removes environmental factors (including snow, ice, water and mud). On-site workers are also safer as they are primarily working within finished, enclosed portions of the building, away from the typical risks of an open construction site.

TYPICAL UNIT IN B2 BROOKLYN

B2 will have 363 residential units, 50 percent (181) of which will be low, moderate and middle-income homes. The remaining 50 percent (182) will be market rate. The units will be evenly divided throughout the building and all will have the same quality appliances and access to the same public spaces, including a fitness center, bike storage, a resident lounge, game room, yoga/dance studio and roof terrace.  Each unit will have a washer and dryer.

Now to find my DREAM MODULAR HOUSE to build on my island of O'AHU!!!