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Please note that the information on this page is just to familiarize yourself with the basics of sustainable design strategies.
You are highly encouraged to study on Net Zero Energy design strategies and large-scale 3D printing in construction
to push the boundaries to design your amazingly innovative building.
Net Zero Energy Building
Sustainable Design Process
ICON - 3D Printing
Passive Design Strategies for Heating, Cooling, & Ventilation
3D-PRINTED BUILDINGS
By Professor XU Weiguo's Team
Image credit: Professor XU Weiguo's Team
3D PRINTER
The 3D printer selected to be used as inspiration for this competition is ICON's next-gen Vulcan* construction system. Below you can find the 3D printer specifications:
Total Height
Print Height
Total Width
Print Width
Length
Weight
Operating Horizontal Speed
Nominal Power
Peak Power
Voltage
Water Requirements
Software
Size of operating crew
Printing Material Mixing & Pumping
Standard print bead
Required Concrete
15.5 feet
10.5 feet
46.5 feet
36.6 feet
up to 150 feet
9500 lbs / 4.75 tons
5-10 linear inches per second
16 kW
35kW
230/240 V single phase
2 GPM
Tablet-based controls
3-4 people
ICON Magma System
1" tall, 2.5" wide
ICON Lavacrete (proprietary mixture)
*ICON is a registered trademark and VULCAN is a trademark of ICON Technology, Inc. The Station Zero Competition is not affiliated with or sponsored or endorsed by ICON.
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN STRATEGIES
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN STRATEGIES
Considering sun orientation and climate when siting plays a critical role in controlling thermal gain during the day:
Considering sun orientation and climate when siting plays a critical role in controlling thermal gain during the day:
- A building should ideally be elongated in the east-west direction to ensure that fresh air is distributed throughout the building.
- A narrow floor plate can help optimize cross ventilation and distribute air current to different parts of the building.
FORM
FORM
DESIGN
DESIGN
CROSS VENTILATION
CROSS VENTILATION
The window placement and operation are necessary to achieve an optimal passive design in any climate. Adopting the following strategies can increasingly enhance cross ventilation effect:
The window placement and operation are necessary to achieve an optimal passive design in any climate. Adopting the following strategies can increasingly enhance cross ventilation effect:
Locating the openings on opposite sides of the building will help the cooler outside air to enter the building while warmer indoor air will be sucked out from the outlet openings.
The windward wall with windows (inlets) should ideally be located perpendicular to the prevailing winds.
Windows should be placed at a suitable height in relation to the prevailing winds.
The wind flow can be optimized by designing smaller inlets and larger outlets.
Any obstruction including wall partitions should be minimized in order to ensure faster wind flow inside the building.
Using materials that are less responsible for increasing the heat island effect around your building can enhance the cross ventilation effect.
The roof receives the most direct sunlight throughout the day and it is responsible for the most heat gain in hot climates. Adopting suitable strategies to minimize the thermal gain by the roof is necessary for a successful passively designed building:
Designing a light-colored roof helps the building absorb less heat. By choosing the appropriate roof material (white or special reflective pigments) the sunlight can be reflected.
Designing a double roof structure with an air cavity in between can considerably decrease the roof's heat gain during the day.
Choosing a material with high reflectance and high thermal emittance will reflect solar heat during the day.
ROOF
ROOF
DESIGN
DESIGN
SHADING DEVICES
SHADING DEVICES
An effective way of tackling thermal gain and overheating at different times of the day can be attained by designing appropriate shading devices for openings:
An effective way of tackling thermal gain and overheating at different times of the day can be attained by designing appropriate shading devices for openings:
- Shading devices (horizontal overhangs, vertical fins, etc.) for east, west, and south window openings can help control solar heat gain during the days. However, you need to design them strategically so that they do not eliminate daylight penetration during the winter.
- Incorporating mature/deciduous trees on the east and west sides of the building can mitigate daylight penetration and provide thermal gain control.
An appropriate application of the stack effect will immensely enhance the thermal comfort inside the building by generating airflow. This strategy will also help to replace the exhaust air with fresh air introduced by openings:
The variances in vertical pressure initiated by thermal buoyancy resulting from a difference in its temperature (3°F difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures) an air current can be created that exhausts the hot air from a space. The stack effect can be incorporated into your design by designing windcatchers, solar chimneys, etc.
The stack effect can be maximized by having a greater height between openings (inlets and outlets).
STACK
STACK
EFFECT
EFFECT
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
Thermal characteristics of both exterior and interior finish materials play a critical role in achieving the necessary thermal comfort inside the building:
It is recommended to use low-mass material in hot and humid climates to avoid overheating during the summer. Low-mass materials can cool the building by the potential breezes during the day and night
Utilization of materials with a high reflectivity factor to the short wave radiation and a high emissivity factor to the longwave radiation will considerably decrease the solar heat absorption during the day.
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