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Department of  Design and Environmental Analysis Cornell University

    1.  External Consideration

    2.  Core & Envelope

    3.  Indoor Ecology

    4.  Material/Product Content

    5.  Ecotecture Worksheets

    6.  Additional information.

          7Redarrow.gif (61 bytes)  Case Studies

    Use the table of contents to go directly to specific topics


 
  

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DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
 

External Consideration Design Outcome N/A

Site Planning

   
Site Selection -renovated a former fire extinguisher manufacturing plant, original site altered minimally  
Campus vs. High-Rise - one story office and warehouse  
Solar Access & Orientation  -east-west axis  
Prevailing Winds     X
Adjacent Buildings     X
Disturbance of site throughout construction -attempts to minimize destruction and maximize reuse of existing materials  
Construction Waste Management -reused existing foundations, exterior walls, roofing, windows, lighting & HVAC units.  -number of existing building materials donated to Habitat for Humanity  
Access/Egress & Circulation   X
Outdoor Lighting & Safety     X

Environmental Impact

   
Restoration & Preservation of Flora & Fauna -extensive mature vegetation in the area, new vegetation added to areas between operable exterior office windows  
Groundwater control/ erosion control -initiated a review procedure for groundwater control  
Ecosystems (air, water, soil) -use of nontoxic products, maintains a testing lab for presence of bacteria and problematic chemicals  

Transportation

   
Biking /Walking  -remote location  
Mass Transit -remote location  
Shuttle /Bus -remote location  
Commuter Rideshare     X
Parking -parking provided for 220 cars  

Noise & Vibration

   
Effect of surrounding noise & vibration on new buildings -vegetation added to increase acoustic privacy  
Amount of noise released into environment -vegetation added to increase acoustic privacy  

Core & Envelope

Design Considerations N/A
Circulation    
Stairwell Placement  

Lighting, Heating & Cooling -reused existing HVAC  
Wayfinding     X
Building Form /Shape -reused existing warehouse  
Energy Efficiency -outside air units retrofitted with economizers   
Harmony w/Environment - located in industrial setting  
HVAC    
Self-sufficient     X
Renewable Fuels -future implementation of solar heated hot water  
Fossil Fuels -utilized existing HVAC system and updated with economizers  
Ventilation -existing operable windows, HVAC ductwork removed and new installed  
Cooling System -original maintained and economizer added on, -utilize outside air below 55° as a means of cooling  
HVAC Intake & Exhaust - retained original locations, some added to roof   
Personal Environment Modules  

Glazing    
Lightshelves  

Daylighting Monitors -incorporated daylighting monitors to provide natural light throughout entire office area

 

Occupancy Sensors -occupancy sensors  in offices, conference, training and labs turn off lights when unoccupied

 

Superwindows     X
South Facing Glass -east-west axis provides excellent opportunity for daylighting  
Skylights & Clerestories - enclosed offices w/clerestories and interior windows admit maximum daylight  
Courtyards & Atria     X
Insulation / Energy Efficiency    
High Insulation -previous insulation kept  
Low Emission     X
Recyclable & Natural Materials     X
Earth Covered Building     X
Asbestos -asbestos was found in building, and removal executed

 

Building Lifecycle/ Longevity    
Adaptive Reuse - reused existing manufacturing plant  
Monitoring Systems or Devices     X
Materials    
Natural Materials - cost prohibitive  
Recyclable & Renewable -several materials used in the renovation contained recycled content waste  
Local Materials - Using local materials when cost -effective  
Non-toxic/ Low-toxicity -designers took steps that were economically viable to reduce the presence of toxic substances  
Harmony w/Environment -retained as a warehouse   
Roofing    
Storm Water Drainage     X
Roof Top Units -used to collect daylight  
Solar Units -considered, but too expensive at the outset  
Indoor Ecology Design Considerations N/A
Space Planning    
Smaller spaces w/large group areas     X
Shared spaces - warehouse & offices are open plan  
Telecommuters     X
Indoor Air Quality    
Air Changes per hour -offices receive 1.5 CFMs per sf, laboratories 2 CFM per sf, & .7 CFMs per sf in the warehouse

 

Smoking Policy  

Air Filtration  

Natural Ventilation -operable windows in offices  
Building Materials - most reused from existing building  
"Breathing Skin" - utilize outside air to cool  
Pesticide Use - not permitted  
Indoor Flora - individual preference  
Lighting    
Natural Daylighting - incorporation of daylighting monitors provides natural light throughout the entire office area  
Artificial Lighting - used existing High Pressure Sodium with modified layout, installed new T-8 energy efficient bulbs in electronic ballasts  
Circuiting & Switching     X
Material / Product Content Design Considerations N/A
Furniture    
Natural & Recycled -existing workstations from the previous headquarters in NJ were relocated, repaired and reused  
Raw Materials     X
Acquisition     X
Processing & Mfr. - consult The Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings for efficiency info.  
Product Distribution     X
No / Low Emissions - MSDS, on-site testing and phone conferences with manufacturers provide the basis for evaluation of materials  
Renewability     X
Walls & Partitions    
Natural & Recycled -client requested that non-toxic & recycled content products be used wherever feasible   
Raw Materials     X
Acquisition     X
Processing & Mfr. - consult The Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings for efficiency info.  
Product Distribution     X
No / Low Emissions -warehouse repainted with a high-durability, non-VOC paint  
Renewability - attempts to locate durable materials  

Fabrics

   
Natural & Recycled - furnishings recycled from previous headquarters  
Raw Materials     X
Acquisition     X
Processing & Mfr. - consult The Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings for efficiency info.  
Product Distribution     X
No / Low Emissions - MSDS, on-site testing and phone conferences with manufacturers provide the basis for evaluation of materials  
Renewability - attempts to locate durable materials  

Flooring & Carpeting

   
Natural & Recycled - natural linoleum flooring recommended, but due to cost vinyl flooring used  
Raw Materials - lobby tiles made from crushed light bulb slag  
Acquisition     X
Processing & Mfr. - consult The Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings for efficiency info.  
Product Distribution     X
No / Low Emissions - MSDS, on-site testing and phone conferences with manufacturers provide the basis for evaluation of materials  
Renewability     X

Appliances

   
Natural & Recycled - when cost effective, used recycled appliances  
Raw Materials     X
Acquisition     X
Processing & Mfr. - consult The Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings for efficiency info.  
Product Distribution     X
No / Low Emissions - MSDS, on-site testing and phone conferences with manufacturers provide the basis for evaluation of materials  
Renewability - utilize energy efficient ,   -low flush toilets use only 1.5 gallons per flush, but require more than one flush per use  

Finishes & Laminates

   
Natural & Recycled     X
Raw Materials     X
Acquisition     X
Processing & Mfr. - consult The Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings for efficiency info.  
Product Distribution     X
No / Low Emissions - MSDS, on-site testing and phone conferences with manufacturers provide the basis for evaluation of materials  
Renewability     X

Products

   
Natural or Recycled - utilized recycled products when available

 

Product Distribution  

No / Low Emissions - MSDS, on-site testing and phone conferences with manufacturers provide the basis for evaluation of materials

 

Disposal & Renewability - recycling policy in-house

 

External Considerations Case Study

Core & Envelope Case Study

Indoor Ecology 
Case Study

Material/Product Content Case Study

© Cornell University, April 1999