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
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.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 26, 2022
All-electric buildings – great! But where's all that energy going to be stored?
There's a call for all-electric buildings, but can we generate and store enough electricity to meet that need?
Concrete | Jul 26, 2022
Consortium to set standards and create markets for low-carbon concrete
A consortium of construction firms, property developers, and building engineers have pledged to drive down the carbon emissions of concrete.
Green | Jul 26, 2022
Climate tech startup BlocPower looks to electrify, decarbonize the nation's buildings
The New York-based climate technology company electrifies and decarbonizes buildings—more than 1,200 of them so far.
Education Facilities | Jul 26, 2022
Malibu High School gets a new building that balances environment with education
In Malibu, Calif., a city known for beaches, surf, and sun, HMC Architects wanted to give Malibu High School a new building that harmonizes environment and education.
Codes and Standards | Jul 22, 2022
Office developers aim for zero carbon without offsets
As companies reassess their office needs in the wake of the pandemic, a new arms race to deliver net zero carbon space without the need for offsets is taking place in London, according to a recent Bloomberg report.
Energy-Efficient Design | Jul 19, 2022
All is not lost: 3 ways architects can respond to the Supreme Court’s EPA ruling
The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling to limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s power to regulate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from power plants dealt a significant blow to our ability to fight the climate crisis with federal policy.
