Toronto-based Diamond Schmitt Architects is taking a leadership role in the development of a sustainable design databank focused on energy-use reduction. The firm's new ecoMetrics tool allows for a comprehensive analysis of data from energy simulation models across a wide range of the company’s building types.
“What began as a response to The 2030 Challenge for energy efficiency in buildings evolved into a powerful, interactive visual database containing energy simulation models for more than 40 of our LEED certified projects and other projects with energy simulation models,” said Birgit Siber, Principal at Diamond Schmitt Architects. “This tool comes from the recognition that energy use in the building sector is the most difficult and pressing sustainable design challenge.”
The ecoMetrics database contributes to an informed discussion on appropriate energy use reduction targets among clients, consultants, trades, and architects by taking into consideration the many determinants of energy use efficiency, including location, building type, passive initiatives (orientation, massing, thermal performance) and active systems (mechanical and electrical systems), and distills the data into one simple formula: kWhr/m2/year, or kilowatt use per square metre of space per year.
“This allows for a detailed comparative analysis, which is a major step forward in informing energy demand decisions in the future,” said Mike Szabo Principal at Diamond Schmitt Architects. The ecoMetrics tool highlights design factors impacting energy efficiency, such as volume-to-floor area efficiency; ratio of glazing to wall; occupancy loads; and specific program requirements, including ventilation rates and HVAC system efficiency.
“The power of data visualization is that it allows us to break down the energy use equation in order to ask the right questions to facilitate and drive innovation,” Szabo added. “We’re measuring performance so that we can manage our projects, strive for net zero energy use, bring value to our client, our team, and contribute to the public discourse on energy use reduction."
Related Stories
| Apr 27, 2012
Hampton Bays Middle School winner of the first National Green Ribbon Schools Program
School was the first LEED-certified public school in the state of New York.
| Apr 26, 2012
USGBC announces inaugural Green Apple Day of Service
On Sept. 29, 2012, participants from all over the world will volunteer to make the schools and campuses in their communities healthier and more sustainable.
| Apr 26, 2012
Orange County, Fla. high school receives NAIOP “Public Development of the Year” award
School replacement designed by SchenkelShultz Architecture and constructed by Williams Co.
| Apr 25, 2012
Bubble skyscraper design aims to purify drinking water
The Freshwater Skyscraper will address the issue of increasing water scarcity through a process known as transpiration
| Apr 25, 2012
Thornton Tomasetti/Fore Solutions provides consulting for Biologics Support Center
Project receives LEED Gold Certification.
| Apr 25, 2012
McCarthy introduces high school students to a career in construction
High school students from the ACE Mentoring Program tour the new CHOC Children’s Patient Tower in Orange, Calif.
| Apr 25, 2012
J.C. Anderson selected for 50,000-sf build out at Chicago’s DePaul University
The build-out will consist of the construction of new offices, meeting rooms, video rooms and a state-of-the-art multi-tiered Trading Room.
| Apr 24, 2012
ULI Real Estate Consensus Forecast, projects improvements for the real estate industry through 2014
Survey is based on opinions from 38 of the nation’s leading real estate economists and analysts and suggests a marked increase in commercial real estate activity, with total transaction volume expected to rise from $250 billion in 2012 to $312 billion in 2014.
| Apr 24, 2012
McLennan named Ashoka Fellow
McLennan was recognized for his work on the Living Building Challenge.
| Apr 24, 2012
AECOM design and engineering team realizes NASA vision for Sustainability Base
LEED Platinum facility opens at NASA Ames Research Center at California’s Moffett Field.