Page 77 - Zero Net Energy Case Study Buildings-Volume 1

With the understanding that sustainable water resources are bound up with sustainable energy resources, the client ultimately supported the ZNE design objective when the A/E design team demonstrated that this objective could be achieved within the prescribed project cost budget. The design team was given neither additional project budget nor design fees to produce this type of building design and to confirm its performance through energy modeling. They nevertheless were able to accomplish this and the client fully embraced the concept.
The design team was given the project with a mandate to meet a tight construction budget and to work with the construction manager and general contractor from the beginning. The HVAC system design was carried out using a design-build process, where the design engineer com- pleted 50% Construction Documents, reviewed the final drawings of the design-build mechanical contractor and provided construction observation services. With the public-project construction budget, this process required a set of low-energy design strategies that was practical, affordable and “state-of-the-shelf”.
Low Energy Design Strategies
To meet the tight construction budget, basic economic measures of building planning and design were assumed from the outset. These included very simple building form and low cost building systems. The challenge then was to utilize effective passive systems in addition to standard components to accomplish the low energy use level required for a ZNE building.
(Below) View of entry area
WATSONVILLE WATER RESOURCES CENTER
CASE STUDY NO. 4
Zero Net Energy Case Study Buildings: Volume 1 61
PHOTO: BRUCE DAMONTE