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