Architecture Commons^™

Airflow Simulation And Analysis Of A Campus Courtyard Research For The Design Of U.C. Davis International Complex, Phase I, Corey T. Griffin, J. Moore, Srg Partnership

Research-Based Design Initiative

Natural Ventilation has the attractive qualities that it is free and unlimited. The task is how to utilize it in such a way that it properly transports its capacity in making a well-conditioned environment. Preliminary design of a campus is tested and studied, in an attempt to find out if the geometry of the building provides suitable amount of air through its courtyard. The courtyard is the most important space requirement of the project. The main focus of the preliminary design analysis is to create a comfortable condition within the courtyard, since it will open up onto the different wind …

The Principles Of Exterior Wall Systems, M. Coon, A. Green, T. Stephens, Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects

Research-Based Design Initiative

To assist designers and clients alike in understanding, investigating, and detailing wall systems, Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects has created a document known as the Principles of Exterior Wall Systems (PEWS). This assemblage of information highlights their main types of wall systems including rain screens, mass walls, curtain walls and other systems while consisting of graphic models, sections, and diagrams. In an effort to further enhance the PEWS document, an investigation of alternative material options provides additional consideration to provoke conversation and deliberation. This additional materials database documents a variety of different interior and exterior insulation types. Detailing the attributes of …

Efficacy Of Replacement Windows In Building Energy Retrofits: A Post Occupancy Evaluation, Chris Rockhill, Heidi Crespi, Corey T. Griffin, Boora Architecture

Research-Based Design Initiative

The thermal performance of replacement windows has made considerable progress in a short time frame. Few studies have been carried out with regard to application of new and retrofit windows to pre-retrofit windows. The goal for this energy retrofit is occupant comfort, as 80% of a buildings energy use goes toward maintaining this standard.Any effort to make this load more efficient is worth investing and warrant post occupancy evaluation to make more informed decisions about future investments. This study gives great insight into the potentials, positives and negatives for utilization and employment of data loggers with thermal couples, infrared thermography, …

The Role Of Structures In Daylighting Retrofits For Existing Buildings: Exploring An Iterative Workflow For The Schematic Design Phase In Building Retrofits, Portland State University. School Of Architecture

Research-Based Design Initiative

Existing buildings, particularly those with deep floor plates, must be retrofitted to reduce electricity consumption. The structural systems of existing buildings can both inhibit and support daylighting retrofits, specifically the use of skylights. This research explores the interactions of structural systems and daylighting through the use of simulation software, specifically the ability of structure to reduce glare by blocking direct sunlight and distributing light more evenly.

Improving The Integration Of Sustainable Strategies In Schematic Design: Developing A Multi-Faceted Tool To Improve Thermal Resistance In Architectural Enclosure Systems, M. Boyce Postma, Jacob Spence

Research-Based Design Initiative

This study seeks to develop a tool that can be quickly and easily used by schematic designers to set a thermal resistance target for the complete enclosure system and receive options in a variety of variables to achieve that goal.

A Critical Assessment Of Concrete And Masonry Structures For Reconstruction After Seismic Events In Developing Countries, Heather Mcwilliams, Corey T. Griffin

Research-Based Design Initiative

Overview: The infrastructures of developing countries, old and new, are in severe danger of the next natural disaster, only due to the fact that there is zero concern for the overall use of materials. And although the awa reness of poor construction tech niques have been presented, engineers and arch itects are continuously proposing systems tha t are destined to be hazards once the next disaster hits. Not only is the use of concrete economica lly unsustainable, but it is also the most vulnerable material when seismic activity hits the surface. As the international community helps developing countries such as …

Optimizing Efficiencies In Multi-Performance Upgrades To Unreinforced Masonry (Urm} Buildings, Julie Mcevoy Baines

Research-Based Design Initiative

In 2001, the City of Portland identified over 1,900 URM's, many of which have never been seismically upgraded. These structures will pose a serious risk to occupants both during and after a seismic event. In this collection of historic structures live and work thousands of families, school children, and professionals. Additionally, due to their lack of wall insulation and outdated mechanical systems, these URM buildings tend to perform poorly in terms of their energy use. It is important to understand why energy upgrades to our existing building stock is necessary. Buildings account for 40 percent of the emissions of carbon …

Barriers In The Implementation Of Cross-Laminated Timber As A Sustainable Alternative Structural System In Multi-Family Multi-Story Housing, Portland State University. School Of Architecture

Research-Based Design Initiative

Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) was first developed in the early 1990s in Austria and Germany and has been gaining popularity in residential and non-residential applications, mainly in Europe. Currently, panels are being manufactured in a limited number of places in North America, which allows CLT to be used in a few projects while trade organizations and governmental agencies adopt specifications and codes for its use. CLT is being used in Europe as the structural system for eight and nine story buildings with proposals up to seventeen stories. CLT is an engineered wood product consisting of glue laminated wood boards, approximately 20-60mm …

Balancing Optimal Daylight And Optimal Solar Gain Using Climate-Based Daylight Modeling, B. Deines, Corey T. Griffin

Research-Based Design Initiative

Designing an envelope that optimizes the solar radiation entering a building is critical to the quality of interior spaces. Some of this radiation is necessary for illumination. This decreases the need for electric lighting and significantly contributes to the quality of architectural space. In contrast, direct solar radiation can heat a space. In large buildings this heating often contributes to the cooling load and decreases overall energy performance. This study analyzes the daylighting potential of a five-story children’s hospital in Kentucky. It was an ideal candidate for a building which required both high quality daylight and minimal solar gain.

Osu Teaching And Learning Facility, Portland State University. School Of Architecture

Research-Based Design Initiative

OSU Teaching and Learning Facility

Air Temperature Stratification: A Post-Occupancy Study Of The 12|West/Zgf Office, Justin Wells, Matt Sedor, Corey T. Griffin

Research-Based Design Initiative

The primary method for cooling is through the ventilation system during winter. HVAC studies were done using computational fluid dynamic models by the engineers. They predict that heat will be transported by convective air currents that rise from the floor, through an “occupation zone” to the ceiling and then exhausted through the ceiling air plenum. Although the air is distributed relatively evenly through floor-mounted diffusers, it is unknown how evenly the heat flow through the office space is actually functioning. Therefore, a distributed network of sensors was found to be the best approach to sample air temperature from many points …

Lincoln-Juarez Land Port Of Entry Vehicle Processing Facility, Nathan Clifford, Dylan Morgan, Chad Norvell, Chris Kline, Raul Bayoan Cal, Matthew S. Melius, Tha Architecture

Research-Based Design Initiative

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

The indoor environmental quality of a building has a significant impact on occupant health, comfort, and productivity. Exposure to the exhaust fumes of idling vehicles is a dangerous but avoidable toxic hazard. Proper ventilation of vehicle inspection areas is essential, and to the maximum possible means, should be accomplished by natural ventilation. We intend to research the extent to which it is possible to use passive ventilation strategies to alleviate the auto exhaust exposure of officers and travelers using the Port of Laredo entry.

Comparing The Embodied Energy Of Structural Systems In Parking Garages An Analysis Of Three Built Projects: Cellular Steel, Precast Concrete And Post-Tensioned Concrete, Corey T. Griffin, L. Bynum, A. Green, S. Marandyuk, J. Namgung, Kpff Consulting Engineers

Research-Based Design Initiative

The structure of a typical office building contributes roughly one-quarter to one-third of the total embodied energy. Although the occupation phase of a building’s life cycle currently dominates energy use, as operational energy use is minimized through high-performance design, construction and equipment, embodied energy will play a larger role in the overall energy consumption of a building. Consequently, the structural system should be a primary target for reducing the embodied energy of a building. Parking garages offer an ideal case study for comparing the embodied energy of a variety of structural systems. As above grade parking garages have little operational …

A Multi-Performance Comparison Of Long-Span Structural Systems, E. Douville, B. Thompson, Corey T. Griffin, Kpff Consulting Engineers

Research-Based Design Initiative

When a building requires a long span, especially on the ground floor of a multi-story building, the long span often determines the structural system used early in the design pro-cess without any other consideration. Commercial and residential buildings are responsible for roughly 40% of all carbon emissions and energy use, more than any other sector in the USA. Moreover, this excludes the significant energy and emissions required to extract, process, trans-port and assemble building components. Globally, the production of cement alone accounts for 4% of carbon dioxide emissions. Consequently, reducing the environmental impact of building construction and operations is critical …

Preservation Sustainability Modernism: The Qualitative Analysis Of Valuing Modern Architecture Through Preservation And Sustainability, Portland State University. School Of Architecture

Research-Based Design Initiative

As sustainability becomes increasingly important, it has transformed design, construction, and operation of new buildings. Preservation has become a common sustainability strategy; however, it is much easier to argue the historical value of a hundred year old wood-framed house than a modern glass structure. Many buildings constructed with modernist ideals have more currently become a topic of debate for sustainable preservation. The tension stems between preserving embodied energy of existing buildings and reducing the operational energy with new construction. Originating from the counteracting beliefs in authenticity and modifications, the current need for better energy performance is best improved by integrating …