Commercial Buildings
Achieving Radically Energy Efficient Retrofits: The Empire State Building Example
In order to avoid reaching unsustainable levels of atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations, we must reduce GHG emissions by 75% by 2050. “Deep” commercial building retrofits are an essential part of the solution. A “deep” retrofit is (1) a package of integrated, whole-building energy efficiency measures that (2) is coordinated…
Pulling the Levers on Existing Buildings: A Simple Method for Calibrating Hourly Energy Models
Comprehensive building retrofits require an investment grade audit in conjunction with a calibrated hourly energy model. Even with the most thorough audit processes, uncertainty still remains when identifying and modeling building parameters. This uncertainty propagates throughout the final calibrated model and affects the quality of the energy saving estimates. This…
Energy Modeling at Each Design Phase: Strategies to Minimize Design Energy Use
Design teams often use energy modeling as an accounting or code compliance tool to establish that minimum requirements are met. Used in this way, significant opportunities to inform and improve building design are overlooked. Properly used, energy modeling can provide outputs that optimize a building’s energy consumption, reduce life cycle…
Autodesk AEC Headquarters and Integrated Project Delivery: Factor Ten Engineering Case Study
This paper describes the design and construction of Autodesk’s Headquarters building. The building was a “triple win”: design and construction costs were below target (benefiting both the design-build team and owner); designer and contractor profits exceeded targets; and the building achieved LEED-CI Platinum and all other goals. The building demonstrates…
Accelerating Campus Climate Initiatives: Breaking Through Barriers
Accelerating Campus Climate Initiatives: Breaking Through Barriers is a practical guide for anyone working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at a college or university: sustainability directors, CFOs, presidents, students, faculty, and staff. Venturing beyond an individual project or best practice, the book explores a wide range of challenges these committed…