A Renewable-Energy Research Laboratory Design

The project which is called the Hawaii Preparatory Science Building is constructed by Flansburgh Architects. This building designed for the Hawaii Preparatory Academy. The student will study, design and evaluate the renewable-energy technologies in this new 6,100 square foot renewable-energy research laboratory. A threshold which is exceeds the USGBC’s platinum LEED rating is the award-winning facility meets the Living Building Challenge.

This produces all of its own energy needs, harvests rainwater to meet its portable water needs, and it is also provides the natural ventilation and the views to 100% of its occupied spaces. To form the shape and the fenestration of the building during the design, the sophisticated energy models are used. In response to the science curriculum which is its houses, the Energy Lab is developed. To encourage the student discovery, exploration and the experimentation, the architect designs spaces from small project rooms, to a large research center, to a laboratory. The buiNlding’s configuration is facilitates a scientific study both the indoor and the outdoor, it is linking the interior spaces with the surrounding landscape. The system for study surrounds the student ad it is constantly reminded of their methods. Hawaii Prep’s Energy Lab offers a continuous sustainable ‘teaching moment’.

The building project itself is a LEED Platinum and Living Building Challenge candidate. It is attempts two exceptionally strict building programs, the latter applying material restriction and the point-of-manufacture radius limits. The photovoltaic and the windmill sources are generate the power for the building project. It is presently used only eight percent of the energy which it is produces, the remainder being net-marked back into the campus grid.  This project is captures and it filters all of its own drinking and wastewater, besides it is also generates a hot water from the solar thermal panels. The employs of an experimental radiant cooling system as an alternative to the air conditioning can be achieved, it because the building project is entirely naturally ventilated. Although there are many other green features, but perhaps the greatest sustainable contribution is the building’s alternative energy educational mission, it is where the students is actively learn from the built environment which is surrounds them.

Day lighting, Sun Shading and Views

To introduce, reflect and control the natural day light, the polycarbonate skylights, wood sun screens and the interior roller shades all work together. While to satisfy the foot candle minimums, tackle glare and enhance views, these components are strategically employed. I is resulting in a pleasantly lit the interior environment. The building project is entirely naturally ventilated by natural ventilation. To maintain the interior comfort, building automated louvers maintain temperature and relative humidity levels. If it is necessary, to induce the airflow, exhaust fans are activated.

Experimental Radiant Cooling System

A radiant cooling system is designed as an alternative to conventional air conditioning. At night, through the thermal roof panels, the water is circulated, cooled via llower evening temperatures, then it are stores in a below-grade tank for use as chilled water for air handling units during warm afternoons.

The integration with the site

This project itself is precisely located at the windward edge of the campus, it is to take full advantage of the abundant trade winds which accelerate down from the hillside above. Due to the south picturesque of 14,000 foot Mauna Kea volcano this site is faced. Due southern exposure optimizes solar thermal and photovoltaic panel performance and enable many interior building views directed toward the volcano and the valley below. It is given the favorable Hawaiian climate and the building’s dramatic hillside which is setting direct connections to the outdoors is enhanced via operable glass doors. In the east the entry court is located there, a large teaching porch is opens directly to the south, and a wind sheltered court to the west sponsors and outdoor is covered classroom. The topography of the hillside is reflected in the stepped, terraced arrangement of the building’s internal spaces, where storage tanks, solar panels and other systems have been strategically located to take advantage of this change in elevation.

Integration with the Community

The Elab online, which is website facility, is a virtual nexus of the information. To neighboring residents of Kamuela and to the virtual community beyond, the site tracks local weather data from multiple remote stations, monitors building systems and energy use, studies water consumption and rain collection, and offers all of this valuable microclimate and building data. To take the advantage of the Hawaii’s bridge between the West Coast and Asian Mainland time zones, the Energy Lab’s conference room has been designed. Where formerly Hawaii may have suffered from the geographical isolation, Hawaii Prep students now benefit by engaging both sides of the pacific during their regular school day via video conferencing.

Building Systems MonitoringN

Which is developed to function much like the human brain, the Energy Lab is capable of regulating its breathing, cooling/heating, watering and energy generation, it is via input from over 250 sensors.

The Energy Lab self-regulates its interior climate, maintaining temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide levels in all spaces at all times. Which is truly a marvel, this system optimizes building performance and is believed the reason for better than anticipated yields in performance thus far.

 

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