High Performing Buildings - Spring 2008 - (Page 51) peak demand time for energy use coincided with peak production of the photovoltaics.1 Despite the long payback period, the city chose to install this renewable technology as a demonstration and educational project where residents and students can access information about energy savings in real time on the Internet. It was a learning experience for everyone on this project, including the city. The building was the City of Cambridge’s first green municipal project and has set the standard for all of its future municipal projects. The 2004 renovation successfully merged best practices in historic preservation with sustainable design. It speaks to the city’s environmental values and can make for a healthier and more productive workplace, resulting in better service for residents and taxpayers. • References 1. Bhattacharjee, U. and J. Duffy. 2006. “Effect of PV on Reducing Demand Charges: Case Study of a 26 kW PV System in Mass.” Energy Engineering Program of the University of Massachusetts Lowell. http://tinyurl.com/2gjqlj. LESSONS LEARNED Collective Commitment to Sustainable Design This was a bold step for the City of Cambridge and has paid off in the sense that the city is committed to doing all major projects this way. The city is in the process of revising the zoning bylaws to require major developments to meet LEED standards. The city’s commitment to sustainable design at the outset and the collaboration exhibited by the design and engineering team made a very tricky and difficult project a pleasure to work on. Commissioning A commissioning agent was brought on at the conclusion of construction and start-up of the systems as required by LEED. We discovered conflicts existed in the geothermal system design and interface with the building management system. Had the commissioning agent joined the project during the design phase, most of these conflicts would have been avoided. Now, the City of Cambridge includes a commissioning agent on every major project. Historic Preservation Can Be Green Reasonable compromise is a viable avenue when dealing with a living, albeit historic, building. Because it was a complete interior renovation, we had the opportunity to focus much effort on a high performance envelope, i.e., windows, walls and roof, as part of our overall sustainable design toolkit. © Dan Gair/Blind Dog Photo, Inc. ABOUT THE AUTHOR William R. Hammer, AIA, is one of the founding principals of HKT Architects, Inc. in Somerville, Mass. High performance thermal-glazed windows with intermediate mullions p r i n g 2the8 S match 0 0 original building and meet the state energy code. HIGH PERFORMING BUILDINGS 51 http://www.tinyurl.com/2gjqlj
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