Page 153 - Zero Net Energy Case Study Buildings-Volume 3

CENTRAL ENERGY FACILITY OPERATIONS CENTER
CASE STUDY NO. 17
structures back to the historic core. By placing the CEF at the end of one of these long axes, the structure would both terminate that axis and link it in an important way to the whole campus fabric.
To reinforce this idea, the architects created a canopy structure over two-stories in height, float- ing above the office building, that created a large-scale architectonic feature to serve as an end to that axis. The canopy functionally serves as the support structure for solar PV panels that provide power directly to the office building and thus advertises its ZNE characteristic.
The axis termination with the CEF and the office building’s “solar canopy” would only be visually successful if the large cold water storage tanks and electrical substation were hidden in the line of sight from the long axis. Placing the electrical substation on the back side of the CEF would be a simple solution, but the three tall cold water storage tanks would only be hidden if they were wrapped by other parts of the building and placed on a level below grade. The design team proposed this design approach and tested its effectiveness by studying the sightlines near the facility. The height of the solar canopy was determined by these sightline studies and ensured the visual screening of the cold water storage tanks. The smaller hot water storage tank became a distinguishing feature and the heart of the CEF.
(Left) Diagrammatic section through the CEF showing lowering of hot water storage tank (#3) and OSHPD plant (#4) below grade and the floating solar canopy above the office building (#1 & #2).
(Below) East facade of the of- fice building, visually dominat- ed by the large solar canopy floating above the building.
PHOTO: ROBERT CANFIELD Zero Net Energy Case Study Buildings, Volume 3 139