Overview

Owner: Carnegie Institution of Washington, Corporation, nonprofit

Architect: EHDD Architecture

Builder: DPR Construction, Inc.

Location: Stanford, CA

Building type(s): higher education, lab, campus

Size: 1,010 sq. meters

Project scope: 2 story building, new construction in suburban setting

Completion date: March 2004

Rating: AIA/COTE Top Ten Green Projects in 2007

This building achieves 72% reduction in carbon emissions associated with building operation and a 43% reduction in embodied carbon for building materials, while providing comfortable and highly functional space for researchers.

Key features included building orientation, daylighting, sunshading, natural ventilation, a ‘night sky’ radiant cooling system and an evaporative katabatic (downdraft) cooling tower. Addressing biodiversity and water conservation were also primary aims of the design and construction team. Salvaged wood and FSC certified woods were extensively used for building construction as well as interior furnishings. Recycled concrete aggregate, no irrigation landscaping, low flow or waterless fixtures also helped to conserve water and other resources.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS

Water use is a concern in this arid climate. A native oak woodland habitat—including perennial grasses, chaparral and two species of oak—was planted obviating the need of a permanent irrigation system. Water serves as the conduit for the building's "night sky" system, a low-energy cooling system that allows a 50% reduction in water use compared to a conventional, water-cooled chiller. Water also provides energy- and water-efficient cooling in the katabatic cooling tower and serves as a highly efficient medium for heat transfer in the radiant floor and ceiling systems. All rainwater that falls on the roof is collected in the thermal storage tank to be utilized during the heating season.

Chilled water for cooling is produced with the night sky system, eliminating air conditioning compressor loads. A thin film of water is sprayed on the roof at night. The water is cooled through radiation to cold, deep space and stored in an insulated tank. That chilled water is then circulated during the day throughout the building, using 90% less energy than a chiller. Fans are used solely for ventilation. Most lighting has occupancy sensors and is dimmed with photo-controls when daylight is sufficient.

The project's embodied carbon emissions were reduced by 43% primarily through the substitution of flyash for cement. Finish materials were kept to a minimum. Exterior redwood siding was salvaged from wine vats. Tables in the conference room and lobby were milled down and finished from trees salvaged from a nearby municipal yard. Workstation tabletops were derived from salvaged doors. One-fourth of the casework and all lab sink faucets were salvaged. Recycled aggregate substituted for 20% of site concrete aggregate.