Technical Assignment 3

Internal Loads & Use Scenario (VAV SYSTEM)

The use case I chose to analyze is for a lab building. Due to the stringent requirements for floor non-porosity, non-exposed operating components, and high air changes per hour, more progressive thermal comfort systems like chilled beams or radiant floors are not suitable. (In other portions of our addition where air handling requirements are not as strict, we are able to employ these methods.) This necessitated a classic variable air volume system, providing me experience with sizing these systems and (crucially for our structural system) locating them appropriately to negotiate our branching columns. I decided against using a central MEP or boiler room, despite the presence of one in the existing factory, in favor of integrated AHUs. This allowed the penthouses to be broken up into smaller units (compare the two lines on the bottom-left chart).

External Loads & Enclosure

The exterior is a non-loadbearing facade utilizing unitized terracotta panels backed up by rigid foam insulation and a traditional wall assembly with blown insulation. This is hung from the CLT floor slabs to reduce thermal bridging. The terracotta panels absorb solar radiation, while inset glazing and integrated light shelves admit daylight to the interior of the envelope. Because lab spaces cannot have operable windows, the glazing can be integrated into the wall assembly to provide a tighter thermal seal. This is helpful to reduce the traditional trend of perimeter spaces facing more extreme thermal conditions. For the same reason, three of the four corners are occupied by circulation or lounge spaces where people are less likely to stay for an extended period and feel temperature extremities. Finally, labs face the north for fewer solar gain-induced thermal swings, allowing writeup spaces to face the south for more plentiful daylight.