Archive for September, 2011

Photovoltaic Transparent Glass

Monday, September 26th, 2011

As design teams’ seek creative ways to make their architectural solutions more sustainable, the building industry has responded with some very innovative products.

One such product is Photovoltaic Transparent Glass which is a type of Building Integrated PV product.   In reality, this product is basically a “frit” of PV laminated into the glass. You can select whatever density or pattern of “frit” you want – the denser the more energy production.  These products can be used in curtain walls, brise soleil, skylights, ventilated facades, parking lot shades, etc.

With the low power costs in the US, the ROI is often times difficult to justify, but the aesthetic and high visibility of these products are gaining popularity with designers and some building owners.

Click here to access our Solar Strategies Resource Folder and check out the BIPV folder specifically for Transparent PV.

Click here to access the DesignGreen blog to comment and for archived information.

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LEED for Healthcare Launched

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011

Although LEED for Healthcare was released in November 2010, there was a waiting period for LEED Online documentation system to become functional.  LEED Online is now functional and LEED for Healthcare has been fully launched.

Starting on January 1, 2012, all federal and licensed inpatient, outpatient, and long-term care facilities seeking LEED certification must use the LEED for Healthcare rating system.  More information about LEED for Healthcare and resources are available at  www.usgbc.org/leed/healthcare.

HKS DesignGreen has developed a 1 hour GBCI approved LEED specific course about the requirements of LEED for Healthcare that can be shared with Owners and project teams who are considering or will be required to use this new rating system.

Click here to access the DesignGreen blog to comment and for archived information.

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MEP Consultant Expectations

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011

HKS’s commitment to the 2030 Challenge, spawned innovative changes to our standard C401 Agreement with our MEP Consultants.  These changes are catching the attention of the AE community (including the AIA) for their ability to promote greater integration of engineering innovation into the architectural design process.

In essence, the agreement requires our consulting engineers to assist our design teams in achieving aggressive energy budgets for our projects and to proactively inform our design teams of energy efficiency measures appropriate to achieve these targets.

The specific details of the requirements can be found in sections 3.1.14 of the Agreement.  There are also other requirements regarding water conservation and LEED Certifications in the subsequent sections. Click here to access our master C401 agreement.

Click here to access the DesignGreen blog to comment and for archived information.

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Guestroom Automation Systems

Tuesday, September 6th, 2011

Energy is the hospitality industry’s second greatest operating cost.  Studies have shown that for every degree of thermostat setback, approximately 3% of the guestroom energy is saved. In addition to temperature, automated systems can be used to control guestroom lighting, window treatments and even plug loads.

These systems typically have two different levels of control; the first level is through the property management interface, which adjusts the settings immediately when a guest checks-in and can even be tailored to specific guest-history information. The second level of system interaction is a magnetic strip at the guestroom door or a guestroom keycard switch which signals entrance and exit activity during the guest’s stay. Motion detectors in the entrance corridor, living and bath areas also signal when a guest is in the room. The system can detect when a guest’s room is empty through these two detection systems and modify the room settings accordingly.  Between guests, rooms can be set to an energy saving mode even when motion is detected by cleaning staff.

Guestroom automation systems have been used in HKS projects such as City Center’s Aria Hotel and The Montage Beverly Hills.

Click here to access the DesignGreen blog to comment and for archived info.

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Electric Vehicles Infrastructure Design Guideline (EVI)

Tuesday, September 6th, 2011
 

Due to uncertainty in gas prices, our need to reduce dependency on foreign oil, and the evolution of an ever more environmentally conscious consumer, the reality of mass produced electric vehicles is quickly approaching.

Right now, most of the major car manufacturers are embracing EV technology.  Soon we can expect at least twenty different plug-in models on the road.  Electric vehicles are here to stay, and they’re going to require safe, reliable ways to stay charged up.

The projects we design today need to incorporate the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (EVI) necessary to support the EV charging demands of tomorrow. 

Click here to access the draft Electric Vehicle Charging Station Guidelines (EVCS).

Click here to access the DesignGreen blog to comment and for archived information.

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