Building Green without the Technology: When Architecture and Engineering Intersect

James Collins, Jr., Payette
Charles Klee, Payette

In an era where LEED® certification and sustainability have become commonplace in the construction industry, many innovative measures are being explored, including green roofs, desiccant wheels, photovoltaic panels, and even wind turbines. The predominant model, however, still views sustainability as a separate layer on top of the architecture. Green design is all too often the product of new technologies applied over relatively traditional design solutions. With the need for strict environmental control, laboratories offer a different challenge to the design team. This presentation will compare two projects that view sustainability differently. In these case studies, conventional technology is used as a synergistic link between engineering and architectural design to produce real savings of natural resources.

At Columbia University's Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory campus, the new Gary C. Comer Geochemistry Building (2009 R&D Laboratory of the Year) demonstrates how innovative planning can separate intense chemistry laboratories from less demanding office areas, thereby enabling substantial savings through simple yet efficient building systems. Every major design decision from the placement of the building to the design of the office mechanical systems was reviewed for sustainability within a strict doctrine of cost control. The solution raises the bar on sustainability while still relying on everyday technology and normal construction practice.

The renovation of the Physics, Department of Material Sciences Engineering (DMSE), Spectroscopy, and Infrastructure (PDSI) Project at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) shows how energy consumption can be reduced while expanding functionality. Encompassing 50,000 square feet of new construction and 75,000 square feet of fully renovated space, the PDSI project also provides infrastructure improvements for approximately 250,000 square feet and life safety improvements for nearly 300,000 square feet. Renovation of the Main Group Buildings links together 1 million square feet of academic space.

Designs will be considered relative to the degree of innovation and how to measure this objectively. Analysis will include quantitative comparisons of comparable design problems, including:

  • Using building geometry to optimize thermal performance.
  • Organizing unusual floor-plate configurations to optimize surface area to volume relationships. Examples include a "skip stop" section that connected a two-story laboratory wing to a three-story office wing to reduce both material and energy consumption.
  • Compartmentalizing air distribution to limit the amount of air needed for low-intensity areas.
  • Using dedicated outdoor air systems or other low-recirculation solutions to capture energy savings.

Biographies:

James H. Collins, Jr., AIA, LEED AP, has served as president of Payette since 1998, after joining the firm in 1979. He is an energetic advocate for Payette's design focus and a vital link to clients. As a practicing architect, he designs research environments in campus settings. His design elevates the craft of building and is noted for its prototypical inventiveness. Mr. Collins is a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree and a Master of Business Administration degree, both with distinction. Mr. Collins was elevated to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects in 2009. In 2003, he was awarded the Rensselaer Alumni Association Fellows Award honoring an individual of exceptional achievement. Mr. Collins is an active lecturer and has served on numerous design juries, boards, and advisory groups for architectural education. He is the author of “Design Process for the Human Workplace,” in The Architecture of Science, published by MIT Press.

Charles S. Klee, AIA, LEED AP, has contributed to several projects at Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Columbia University during his eight years at Payette. Recently tapped to lead the firm's Research and Innovation Initiative, his work focuses on forging new ground with respect to sustainability and building science. Mr. Klee has also served on the Payette Management Committee as well as the Information Technology and Building Technology Advisory Groups. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering with distinction from Swarthmore College and his Master of Architecture degree from Carnegie Mellon University.