Later this year, the newest building at the University of South Carolina’s Darla School of Business expects to achieve LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The 260,000-sf building, which opened in August 2014, is on a path to be recognized as the first net-zero energy higher education facility of its kind in the southeastern U.S.
The university was chosen by the U.S. Department of Energy to partner with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory as part of DOE’s Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative, whose goal is to provide marketable net-zero energy commercial buildings by 2025.
Rafael Viñoly Architects was the architect of record on this $108 million project, and Atlanta-based Stevens & Wilkinson provided the engineering design via its Columbia, S.C., office.
The building’s efficiency features include:
• HVAC systems with under-floor air, active chilled beams, and variable air volumes, all designed to reduce the energy needed to heat and cool the building. A separate HVAC system serves the school’s 500-seat lecture and performance hall. Stevens & Wilkinson also worked with an acoustics consultant, which lead the firm to increase duct sizes for a quieter environment.
• Sustainability is achieved through the use of green turf for heat reduction, reusable waste management systems, and natural daylighting. Rainwater is harvested for irrigation and toilet use, which should the building’s overall water usage by more than 50%.
• Electrical equipment on each of the building’s six levels is charged by two vertical power feeders connected to the building’s main switchgear. An emergency power system services life-safety loads and emergency equipment in the event of power outages.
• An energy monitoring system measures power used by such equipment and components as interior and exterior lighting, heating and cooling, fan motors, elevators, kitchen equipment, and building-plug loads. “Given our region’s hot, and at times, humid climate, our team’s efforts will help curb the amount of energy needed to effectively heat and cool a building of this size and magnitude.” said Keith Branham, PE, LEED AP, Senior Vice President, Director of Engineering for Stevens & Wilkinson.
The net result has produced an optimized energy performance of 43%, which exceeds ASHRAE’s 90.1 standard for these kinds of buildings. The school was made more flexible by incorporating entries on multiple levels. And civil engineering design ensures proper storm water management for flood prevention, site utilities, and government agency approvals.
Related Stories
| Aug 16, 2022
DOE funds 18 projects developing tech to enable buildings to store carbon
The Department of Energy announced $39 million in awards for 18 projects that are developing technologies to transform buildings into net carbon storage structures.
| Aug 15, 2022
Boston high-rise will be largest Passive House office building in the world
Winthrop Center, a new 691-foot tall, mixed-use tower in Boston was recently honored with the Passive House Trailblazer award.
Hotel Facilities | Aug 12, 2022
Denver builds the nation’s first carbon-positive hotel
Touted as the nation’s first carbon-positive hotel, Populus recently broke ground in downtown Denver.
Energy Efficiency | Aug 11, 2022
Commercial Energy Efficiency: Finally “In-the-Money!”
By now, many business leaders are out in front of policymakers on prioritizing the energy transition.
| Aug 8, 2022
Mass timber and net zero design for higher education and lab buildings
When sourced from sustainably managed forests, the use of wood as a replacement for concrete and steel on larger scale construction projects has myriad economic and environmental benefits that have been thoroughly outlined in everything from academic journals to the pages of Newsweek.
Legislation | Aug 5, 2022
D.C. City Council moves to require net-zero construction by 2026
The Washington, D.C. City Council unanimously passed legislation that would require all new buildings and substantial renovations in D.C. to be net-zero construction by 2026.
Sponsored | | Aug 4, 2022
Brighter vistas: Next-gen tools drive sustainability toward net zero line
New technologies, innovations, and tools are opening doors for building teams interested in better and more socially responsible design.
Sustainability | Aug 4, 2022
To reduce disease and fight climate change, design buildings that breathe
Healthy air quality in buildings improves cognitive function and combats the spread of disease, but its implications for carbon reduction are perhaps the most important benefit.
K-12 Schools | Aug 1, 2022
Achieving a net-zero K-12 facility is a team effort
Designing a net-zero energy building is always a challenge, but renovating an existing school and applying for grants to make the project happen is another challenge entirely.
Codes and Standards | Jul 29, 2022
Few projects and properties are being built beyond code
Clients and architects disagree on how well building to code provides resilience, according to a recent report by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in partnership with Owens Corning.
