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Jae Yong Suk • Keith Graeber • Andrew Harper • Michael Siminovitch
Abstract:
Integrated management of commercial lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems is considered as one of the most promising building energy-efficiency and demand management strategies. A traditional approach to building automation includes a collection of independent control systems, one for each building end use, with limited or no communication among individual systems or devices such as electric lighting, shading, fenestration, some process loads and HVAC systems.
Significant research has been completed to improve the overall energy-efficiency of end-use devices and reduce operating hours through automated control. However, few accounted for the interdependence of lighting, fenestration and HVAC systems in an effort to improve the overall indoor environment.
The project goal was to refine, install and evaluate a pre-commercial Integrated Building Control System (IBCS) under real-world conditions to demonstrate the feasibility of an integrated controls approach and validate its potential for improving commercial building energy efficiency and demand flexibility. To do this, the project established a communication platform that lighting, fenestration and HVAC industries, refined control algorithms to optimize the performance of the individual building systems with respect to energy savings and occupant comfort, and verified system operation and costs in a real-world building.
A small-scale IBCS was installed and tested in a laboratory space equipped with an HVAC unit, an actuated window, actuated roller shades, 2x4 LED troffers, and a suite of various monitoring and control devices. After the lab test, the IBCS was deployed in a 2,068 sf office building at UC Davis campus.
The field deployment and building energy modeling results verified system design, procurement, installation and commissioning under real-world conditions for the new technology at scale. Project outcomes show that the IBCS can reduce HVAC, lighting and shading loads by 10 to 40 percent over typical baseline systems depending on building application, size, location, geometry and climate zone.
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Elizabeth L. McCormick
Abstract:
Sealed indoor environments have created artificial, homogeneous ecosystems that sever ties between humans and the natural world. This paper scrutinizes this disconnect, emphasizing the vital role that variations in temperature, light, and humidity play in spatial perception. The intentional elimination of environmental unpredictability from the built environment for spatial and thermal consistency is explored, unveiling the impact on human experiences and well-being. Inspired by the urban legend of ‘catfishing,’ the paper delves into the engineered dichotomy between artificial environments and natural weather, questioning the rigid boundaries that isolate humans. It contends that homogeneity, whether physical, social, or theoretical, robs the built environment of richness and vibrancy. This research advocates for transcending dichotomies to foster interaction, adaptability, and ecological cooperation, creating spaces where the complexities of the human condition can flourish. Acknowledging that environmental challenges cannot be solved by technology or behavioral change alone, this paper proposes a paradigm shift in architecture, advocating for blurred lines between inside and out. By harnessing the synergies between technical and social change, this synthesis research seeks to provoke a holistic approach to human occupation, addressing both human and environmental challenges concurrently.
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Mary Ben Bonham • Kyoung-Hee Kim
Abstract:
BioFacades Classification provides a framework to articulate methods and benefits of building-nature integration in dense urban settings. This presentation will present the classification system and highlight key features and challenges of this emerging area of practice.
Built environment researchers are increasingly interested in ways that building enclosures and biological organisms can cooperatively intersect to contribute positively to human wellbeing and to support biodiversity in urban ecosystems (Butt et al, 2018; Grobman et al, 2023). In addition to green walls, planted balconies, and green roofs, building-nature integration can take innovative or unexpected forms. For example, researchers are studying the potential for building skins to be designed with layers and materials that support microalgae growth (Kim, 2022) or the growth of desirable microbial communities to enhance human health (Herr et al, 2022).
Like bioclimatic design, building-nature integration requires deep investigation into local climate and cultural patterns of occupation. Because building-nature integration also considers flora and fauna, the interdisciplinary aspect of enclosure design broadens to include natural scientists. A nomenclature and classification system is needed to assist researchers, building designers and façade manufacturers in establishing goals and communicating performance benefits in the complex process of developing bio-integrated building enclosures.
The classification system expands on the cartesian and wall layer taxonomy for building-nature integration proposed in the Façade Tectonics SKINS article, “Biofacades: Integrating Biological Systems with Building Enclosures” (Bonham & Kim, 2022). The framework encompasses a range of engineered solutions that blur the boundaries between artificial and natural systems. This research aims to develop a common language that diverse stakeholders and collaborators can use to evaluate sites, building systems, and measures of success when designing for building-nature integration.
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