Energy, People, Buildings by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781859465875
Publisher: RIBA Publications
Published: 2021-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

09

CASE STUDIES

Introduction

Emergent understanding of the important role of feedback in delivering low-energy buildings means that more and more performance evaluation is underway. Nonetheless, the number of projects with data available for publication remains low.

The buildings in this book were chosen from the limited pool of exemplary projects with ambitious performance targets and reliable data because they represent a variety of building types: offices, higher education, a school, housing and a theatre. Two projects extend the geographic reach of examples beyond the UK: one in Denmark and one in America. Most feature natural ventilation in some form.

Ideally feedback is planned for from the start, with 'before' and 'after' occupant surveys, as well as an agreed strategy for monitoring energy and indoor environment quality (IEQ) data. Of the seven buildings, three had elements of feedback contractually agreed: the Rocky Mountain Institute (case study 4), Keynsham Civic Centre (case study 6), and the Enterprise Centre (case study 7). Moorlands Rooftop (case study 2), an architectural practice's own offices, was used by the architects to investigate many of the principles espoused in this book. At Carrowbreck Meadow (case study 3), the architects committed to the Soft Landings framework at project inception. At Frederiksbjerg School (case study 5), postoccupancy interventions tested the impact of different lighting solutions on student concentration and energy efficiency. Finally, the Everyman Theatre (case study 1) benefited from the involvement of an engaged head of facilities from the outset.

In contrast with many architectural publications that focus on the latest' built projects, buildings with performance data, by definition, are not brand new. The buildings featured in this book were completed between 2014 and 2016. It often takes two to three seasons for technical systems and controls to be fine-tuned for optimal performance so data can be collected and analysed and issues rectified. This initial bedding-in period is only a fraction of a building's lifetime. To be truly sustainable, buildings must be built to last, and cherished and valued by their occupants so they are well cared for over the years.

The buildings shown on the following pages exemplify inspirational design informed by climatic intelligence what Dean Hawkes describes as 'environmental imagination'.1

These seven buildings demonstrate that it is possible to design, construct and operate buildings differently in the face of the current climate crisis. And this is not only possible, it's essential.

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