Midtown Blogger/Manhattan Valley Follies: High Performing Buildings

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WaterHub at Emory University: Atlanta

As water resources grow increasingly taxed and scarce in communities across the U.S., an Atlanta university is turning to an unlikely resource to reduce its drinking water demand: the local sewer. The WaterHub at Emory University turns waste into a resource, recycling wastewater via an ecological treatment facility–the first of its kind in the U.S. Its sustainable treatment process sets an example of how adaptive technology can be used to meet water needs while reducing water costs.

Web Exclusive: Stevens Library at Sacred Heart Schools: Atherton, Calif.

For schools in drought-stricken areas, net zero energy and water strategies help future-proof against utility rate hikes. But, the price tag for net zero can be too high for school budgets. Fortunately, a library project at Sacred Heart School in northern California illustrates that it is possible to deliver a net zero energy building within a conventional budget while teaching kids about the value of conserving resources.

Web Exclusive Q&A: State of Our Schools

Mike Rowland, facilities director of Georgia’s Education Department, discusses how insufficient funding for school facilities impacts student learning.

Web Exclusive: What's New in Sustainable Building Products

A sampling of products designed to save energy and reduce environmental impact.

Web Exclusive Q&A: 749 University Row

Scott Heckel, P.E., describes how the building team helped the developer mitigate financial risk.

749 University Row: Madison, Wis.

Conceived during the building slump of the Great Recession, this multi-tenant building in Madison, Wis., tells an important economic story: a developer-driven project can attain a high level of performance while remaining competitive and replicable in the market.

Web Exclusive Q&A: The Edge, Atlanta

How does a building team deal with energy efficiency in an old building while maintaining its historic integrity? Author Carmen R. Evans details how this challenge and others were overcome.

The Edge: Atlanta

Existing buildings hold tremendous potential for reducing the overall environmental impact of energy used by buildings. One Atlanta design firm sought to prove the possibilities for energy excellence in an existing building by transforming a 1940s former hardware shop. Located in a historic neighborhood undergoing revitalization, the project also exemplifies the complexities involved and care required to maintain ongoing performance in a living, breathing building.

Roxbury E+ Townhomes: Boston

Conceived as a replicable prototype for family-friendly, energy-efficient urban townhomes, this four-unit project in Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood is proving the possibilities for market-rate, high performance housing. Traditionally, highly sustainable housing has been designed on a custom basis, available to customers willing to pay the associated cost premium. This net positive energy project proves that sustainable housing can also be affordable for homeowners, make business sense for developers and help reinvigorate urban neighborhoods.

Corporation Hall: Kalamazoo, Mich.

Home to America’s first outdoor pedestrian shopping mall, Kalamazoo, Mich.’s downtown has persisted as a vital part of the city, making it the ideal location for a developer seeking to revitalize the neglected 137-year-old Corporation Hall by integrating technology with sustainable and energy-efficient design.

ENERGY & MECHANICAL SYSTEMS

Archive »Topics & Opinions

Finding Common Ground: Defining Zero Energy Buildings

Buildings that produce more energy than they consume have moved from concept to increasingly common reality in recent years. But until a few months ago, no general, industry-wide agreement existed as to what exactly defined such a building.

Kent W. Peterson, P.E., Presidential Member/Fellow ASHRAE; and Paul Torcellini, Ph.D., P.E., Member ASHRAE

Resiliency: From Surviving to Thriving

When disasters strike, buildings can turn into traps as they did in Hurricane Katrina, or they can provide places of refuge.

Sarah Foster, Managing Editor, with Christopher Weems and Rebecca Matyasovski, Associate Editors. Tani Palefski, Assistant Editor, provided additional research.

LED Lighting

When designers of the first net zero energy school in the U.S. considered how they would approach the lighting design differently using today’s LED technology, the results extended far beyond just switching out the lightbulbs.

Robert Anthony Hans, P.E., and Kenny Stanfield, AIA

IAQ in HPB Case Studies

Good indoor environmental quality is a key goal of high performing buildings, but often is not factored into sustainable building discussions and programs.

Kevin Y. Teichman, Ph.D., and Andrew K. Persily, Ph.D., Fellow ASHRAE, and Steven J. Emmerich, Member ASHRAE

Rainwater: The Untapped Resource

Energy and water are inextricably linked. Roughly one quad of energy per year could be saved in the United States if we reduced water consumption by 10%.

Michael Nicklas, FAIA