passive strategies

Orientation and Passive Strategies

The CSL team started out by sketching the CSL on an east-west axis, with the bulk of the building's glazing on the north and south facades. On the northern facade, the entry of diffused light into the building was encourages through large glazed areas.

To prevent the possibility of heavy cooling loads on the eastern and western facades due to direct glare in the mornings and evenings, glazing surfaces on those facades were minimized. This strategy was combined with the careful selection of landscape elements to further reduce cooling loads. For example, deciduous trees provided shade in the summer, while their bare branches allowed sunlight to enter the building in the winters.

Image showing on the left are:[1] Natural Ventilation flow in the South Wing [2] Day-lighting design in the South wing[3] Natural Ventilation flow in the Atrium

Sustainable Lighting Strategies

The daylight performance of the CSL building was maximized by design, with a goal of 80% daylight autonomy and at least 30 foot candles (approximately 320 lux) of daylight illuminance in majority of the occupied spaces. In doing so, most of the ambient lighting needs in the spaces could be met without the use of electricity in the daytime. For controlled day lighting within its spaces, CSL uses a combination of strategies such as light shelves, overhangs and louvers.

The Building Envelope - Vertical Elements

The CSL design team laid emphasis on choosing a heating and cooling system that incorporated a healthy amount of natural ventilation. To do this, in-depth computational fluid dynamics were studies were used to arrive at the optimum locations, sizes and number of windows. A combination of upper and lower window openings was found to maximize the flow of air in the interior of the building. The narrow shape of the building further helps enable good manipulation of the flow of air through the building.

Through a well insulated roof and wall system, the heating and cooling loads of the building were managed. Behind the atrium walls and above the drop ceiling in the office areas, a soy-based phase change material was added. The material added very little to the physical thickness of the building, but added thermal mass.

Image Reference:https://www.world-architects.com/it/architecture-news/reviews/phipps-conservatory-and-botanical-gardens-center-for-sustainable-landscapeshttps://access.living-future.org/phipps-conservatory-center-sustainable-landscapesDiagrams - Building In Bloom by Mary Adam Thomas

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