8 ways to cool a factory

The Legends at Berry active adult housing complex in St. Paul, Minnesota helped transform a former industrial site into a thriving residential campus. 

MagicPak All-in-One^® HVAC Systems provided the energy-efficient heating needed to handle extreme Minnesota winters while enabling architects to create an inviting home environment—and even qualify for additional funding incentives.

The project team for the 18-story high-rise for seniors slashed the building’s greenhouse gas emissions by 94 percent and its heating energy demand by 91 percent.

When your HVAC system was new, it was designed to keep the indoor environment comfortable, functional, and safe. Over time, that system can drift out of alignment, leading to wasted resources, excessive energy consumption, and reduced occupant comfort.

The National Institute of Building Sciences also calls for code changes and greater cooperation between building owners and the AEC community.

Tenants increasingly expect a well-crafted property that feels unique, authentic, and comfortable—with technologically advanced systems and spaces that optimize performance and encourage collaboration and engagement. The following guidance will help owners and property managers keep tenants happy.

When accounting for the total cost of ownership and the potential return on investment, owners and developers should consider total energy usage, the lifespan of building systems equipment, the recruitment and retention of occupants, and lease rates.

Energy-efficient building design starts with the building envelope, but the building systems have a tremendous impact on energy use as well.

Building Design+Construction readers and editors select their top building products for the past 12 months in the fourth-annual 101 Top Products report.