CHALLENGE The Architecture at Zero 2016 competition challenge is to create a zero net energy student housing project at the San Francisco State University campus. The competition has two components. First, entrants will create an overall site plan to accommodate 784 housing units, student services, dining center, childcare facility and parking. Entrants are encouraged to highlight any energy efficiency strategies or systems shown, especially ones that apply to a district scale. Second, entrants will design one building, in detail, to indicate zero net energy (ZNE). In order to demonstrate the building design and its performance, entrants will provide required documentation and may also include supplementary documentation.
37* 47’ 35.32 N 122* 28’ 55.73 W
Within Confluence, solutions grow from place to provide an inimitable creation that engages the inherent bioclimatic pattern language of the site and reflects the spirit and priorities of San Francisco State University. Confluence, meaning coming together, celebrates local climate and culture through the intermingling of wind, fog and sun and the diversity of student experiences. The term confluence also reflects the natural phenomenon of winds accelerating as they enter a confluent zone (in this case between sculpted building facades). Within the patterns of nature and the soul of the university, our process was inspired by the community and landscape characteristics touched by the project. These unique characteristics were synthesized with broader criteria for habitat creation, rooftop food production, fog harvesting, renewable energy production, user wellness and, ultimately, student success. Through an intimate dialog with context, it became evident this site is characterized by patterns of heavy fog and prevailing winds, thus provoking the design solutions of curved facades to assist in wind harvesting and a fog scrim for the collection of water. Further, in an effort to balance the need for engaging outdoor space, buildings were sculpted to block the wind into a social courtyard with a solar canopy used to create a passively tempered oasis for students. Further, in order to meet net zero energy goals and because heating is the dominant energy load for this project, concentrated parabolic solar thermal collectors on the perimeter of the rooftop farms help round out the project’s renewable energy profile. Ultimately, for the project to succeed, it is vital to provide students with an elevated experience not one loaded with restrictions.
1938
2016
San Franciso State University - Site Solar Analysis 1600 Holloway Ave, San Francisco, CA 94132 37.7749° N, 122.4194° W Approximate site = 314,366 sf 1 kW system @ 180° Azimuth 38° optimal
20°
0°
90°
High Efficiency - SunPower X21 345W (61.4"x41.2" or 17.5sf) Fixed Open Rack System kWh/year $$$ saved @ $0.09/kWh (dollars/year) Total Footprint in SF (accounts for inter-row shading space) Single Axis Tracker System kWh/year $$$ saved @ $0.09/kWh (dollars/year)
1,563 142
1,544 139
1,373 122
958 85
88.9
74.3
50.7
50.7
1,549 138
1,531 136
1,360 122
948 84
113.6
96.6
65.6
65.6
1,571 143
1,551 139
1,374 122
951 85
181.1
154.6
105
105
1,752 269
Standard Efficiency - Kyocera KK 270W (65.5"x 39" or 17.7sf) Fixed Open Rack system kWh/year $$$ saved @ $0.09/kWh (dollars/year) Total Footprint in SF (accounts for inter-row shading space) Single Axis Tracker System kWh/year $$$ saved @ $0.09/kWh (dollars/year)
Thin Film - Solopower SP3 260W 45.5 or 27.3sf)
1,741 267
(86.5" x
Fixed Open Rack system kWh/year $$$ saved @ $0.09/kWh (dollars/year) Total Footprint in SF (accounts for inter-row shading space) Single Axis Tracker System kWh/year $$$ saved @ $0.09/kWh (dollars/year)
1,764 271
CONFLUENCE San Francisco State University Architecture at Zero 2016 37* 47’ 35.32 N 122* 28’ 55.73 W