Page 23 - Zero Net Energy Case Study Buildings-Volume 1

PACKARD FOUNDATION HEADQUARTERS BUILDING
CASE STUDY NO. 1
Low Energy Design Strategies
Every aspect of the planning and design of the building was discussed in terms of the sustain- ability goals and, in particular, zero net energy performance. Beyond the organizational issues included in the zero carbon planning discussions, these included not only the traditional aspects of building programming, site planning and the building’s physical systems, but also user be- havior and supporting the green-conscious culture of the workplace. This focus of all of these discussions determined the final design outcome and the building environment in place today.
Planning / Concept
The Headquarters site is a triangular-shaped block in downtown Los Altos, CA, which was re- quired to accommodate roughly 50,000 sq. ft. of building, parking and programmatically useful exterior space. Concept design studies, which included analysis of building forms to optimize thermal characteristics and daylighting, led to a two-wing, two-story scheme with a south-facing courtyard between the two narrow office blocks.
The narrow office blocks spaced apart by the green courtyard also provided opportunities for cross ventilation via openable windows in all office space. The shape of the site and the align- ment of the city’s local grid required the arrangement of primarily east- and west-facing facades. Given the warm climate in this location, this building massing required attention to proper solar control on windows while, at the same time, allowing ventilation and daylight openings.
Courtyard View Looking South (below)
Zero Net Energy Case Study Buildings: Volume 1
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PHOTO: JEREMY BITTERMANN