Low Energy Building Design 2008

Design Brief

Class Objectives• ‘… aims to impart an understanding of,

and provide practical experience in, the different aspects of design relating to the engineering of the built environment and the energy systems therein.’

Key Activities and OutcomesActivities:• generate design hypotheses;• undertake performance and cost appraisal;• factor in sustainability considerations;• communication of findings.

Outcomes:• deepen core understanding of the building as an energy

system;• develop problem solving and analysis skills;• understand and communicate performance, cost and

sustainability issues;• develop team working and communication skills.

Class Overview – Semester II• working within a team, you will develop a concept

design with the emphasis on new engineering approaches to sustainability.

• it is expected that one or more computer tools will be used to appraise options and support decision-making in relation to– energy consumption and the impact of demand reduction

measures;– the role of embedded new and renewable energy supply

technologies;– the environmental performance of the design;– the environmental impacts of the embodied and operational

energy.

Class Overview• team embers will take responsibility for the

relevant technical sub-systems such as:– form and fabric;– ventilation and heat recovery;– HVAC, renewable energy systems and control;– and– lighting and electrical systems.

• teams will operate as an integrated unit at all times

• a team member will take responsibility for project co-ordination

Class Format• the class will meet at 2.00 on Tuesdays in M309

class tutors will be present to advise and comment on the progress of the design

• however, it’s YOUR design and your responsibility to develop it

• you are expected to do significant amounts of background reading and design work outwith the tutored period of the class

• …. come prepared to summarise the work undertaken in the previous week and with any questions you may have

Assessment• assessment will be based on 4 group

presentations (weeks 3,6,9,12) and a web site (week 11):– 16394 25% assignments 25% presentations

50% web site– 16392 50% presentations 50% website– 16469 (continuation of assessments) + 50%

web site

Design Brief• your basic brief is to develop an initial

design for a low-energy supermarket located on the outskirts of Inverness

• the supermarket is intended to be a prime example of sustainable, low energy design and is intended to be an exemplar for the retail stores of the future

Design Brief• the proposed site is located North of

Inverness across the Kessock Bridge near the small village of Charlestown

• the site is located on a slight south-facing slope with a relatively open south facing aspect looking on to the Beauly Firth.

• the site is bounded by the A9 road to the North and Charlestown to the South.

Location

X Proposed SiteProposed Site

City of Inverness

Location

X Proposed SiteProposed Site

Location

X Proposed SiteProposed Site

~200m

~50m

Specifications• The client’s basic specifications for the supermarket are as follows:

– superstore catering for– food and drink (on-site bakery)– clothing– household and electrical goods – in-store cafeteria for 100 people– staff meeting and changing area– office for store management and admin– HGV access and delivery area– parking for 300 cars – public transport access– fuelling station

• any additional information required for the design will need to be researched or assumed by the design team.

Specifications• The client also has the following aspirations for the building:

– showcase for low-carbon energy technologies and energy efficient design (70% less energy consumption than standard)

– striking and innovative design that complements the surrounding landscape

– no mechanical ventilation (ex. toilet and kitchen extracts)– maximum use of natural light– use of heat recovery and other energy efficient technologies– ease of access for cyclists and public transport– full disabled access– the supermarket is competing against many others in the town and so

its green credentials must set it apart from its rivals– finally the development must not cause traffic congestion on the nearby

A9

Useful ToolsSimulation:• ESP-r www.esru.strath.ac.uk – detailed simulation modelling

package (can be used to model all energy subsystems)• Google Sketchup – www.google.co.uk – free drawing package• TRNSYS (See Tutors) – detailed systems modelling package• Merit www.esru.strath.ac.uk – renewable energy selection tool • Retscreen - http://www.retscreen.net/ - renewable energy selection

tool • Homer http://www.nrel.gov/homer/ – renewable energy selection tool• DIALux http://www.dial.de/ – lighting design tool• LT Method (see Tutors)

Web:• HTMLKit www.htmlkit.com – web site development tool