flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Can energy hogs still be considered efficient buildings? Yes, say engineers at Buro Happold

Can energy hogs still be considered efficient buildings? Yes, say engineers at Buro Happold

A new tool from the engineering firm Buro Happold takes into account both energy and economic performance of buildings for a true measure of efficiency. 


By Buro Happold | December 20, 2013

Dissatisfied with the one-dimensional nature of defining energy efficiency as it relates to commercial buildings, international engineering firm Buro Happold developed a metric that links energy use to economic performance. The Building Economic Energy Coefficient (BEEC) could help many commercial building owners whose properties use a lot of energy (input), but add economic value to their cities and regions (output). This metric can also be a game changer that influences how local governments create policy to monitor the energy use of buildings.

(Download Buro Happold's white paper on the subject.)

Most systems of measurement deem a building efficient or inefficient based solely on how much energy it consumes. By contrast, BEEC measures a building’s energy use against economic performance indicators to give a more complete picture of a building’s productivity -- hence its overall efficiency. For example, a building might use less energy, but its tenants do not contribute as much to the regional economy. By this definition, another building that uses more energy might have an exponentially greater economic performance, making it more efficient.

When observed from this more comprehensive vantage point, some buildings that were previously thought of as energy hogs are revealed to be using energy more efficiently than many low-energy buildings. Buro Happold used proprietary research from CoStar Group to determine economic performance of commercial buildings in New York. 

“Energy efficiency is framed in a very black-and-white way – either a building has low energy intensity or it is considered wasteful. With this research, we can now see whether or not commercial buildings are putting energy to good use. It allows us a much more nuanced and complete picture of what’s really going on with energy use,” said Steven Baumgartner, PE, CEM, HBDP, LEED AP, associate at Buro Happold, who led the research team, along with Jim Coleman and Amelia Aboff of Happold Consulting, Buro Happold’s strategic consulting arm.

City officials, building owners, and members of the AEC industry measure a building’s energy use on a per square foot, per year basis. This is known as its Energy Use Intensity (EUI). EUI is a very useful metric in determining a building’s performance but it only tells half of the story.

“Buro Happold has been a pioneer in sustainability for decades, and now we are intensively involved in the challenges of the 21st century,” said Craig Schwitter, PE, BSCE, MSCE, principal. “We are a multidisciplinary firm that brings a comprehensive approach to problems at multiple scales – from the individual building to the region. This groundbreaking research will have a major impact on the way that energy use is discussed and regulated as we meet the ongoing challenges of an increasingly complex world.”

BEEC data is currently limited to New York City commercial buildings. With more funding, Buro Happold hopes to expand the scope of the research to include more cities, and with greater detail. “This is a huge first step toward redefining energy efficiency,” added Baumgartner, “and we’re excited to take this research to the next level.”

Related Stories

| Jan 26, 2012

Siemens launches smoke detection knowledge center

New knowledge center web site demonstrates efficacy of smoke detection. 

| Jan 26, 2012

Hendrick Construction completes Osso Restaurant in Charlotte

Designed by François Fossard, Osso's upscale interior includes tapered, twisted decorative columns and an elegant fireplace in the center of the lounge. 

| Jan 26, 2012

HOK partners with USGBC on design of Haiti children's center

Passive design principles give form to a sustainable, restorative environment for the children of Haiti.

| Jan 26, 2012

American Standard names Gould as president and CEO

Gould succeeds Don Devine, who led the successful turnaround of American Standard Brands.

| Jan 26, 2012

Summit Design+Build completes law office in Chicago

Applegate & Thorne-Thomsen's new office suite features private offices, open office area, conference rooms, reception area, exposed wood beams and columns, and exposed brick. 

| Jan 24, 2012

New iPad app ready for prime time

Siemens’ versatile application connects users to APOGEE BAS control and monitoring functions via wireless network connectivity. The application directly interacts with BACnet/IP and Siemens APOGEE P2 field panels. 

| Jan 24, 2012

Vyhanek joins Thornton Tomasetti’s Kansas City office

Vyhanek will assemble a new MEP team in the Midwest to support Building Performance and Property Loss Consulting practices. 

| Jan 24, 2012

U of M installs new lighting at Crisler Player Development Center

Energy efficient lighting installed at PDC reduce costs and improves player performance.

| Jan 24, 2012

Rockingham County Judicial Center receives USGBC Gold NC v.2.2

The Rockingham facility is the first judicial center in North Carolina to seek certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Building rating system. 

| Jan 19, 2012

LEED puts the 'Gold' in Riverside golden arches

McDonald's restaurant recognized for significant energy savings.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021