High Performing Buildings - Spring 2008 - (Page 71)

Interpreting Nature The building owner’s desire to showcase a large ecosystem restoration, including man-made wetlands and ponds, was accomplished with the design team’s goal to develop LESSONS LEARNED a building that embodies the metroparks’ commitment to the natural environment. Developing multipurpose uses for spaces within the building and outﬁtting them with speciﬁc equipment helped create a Cost Modifications The metropark’s fiduciary responsibility to meet the original budget without cutting corners in terms of performance required the evaluation of cost modifications versus performance. After thorough evaluation, the owner decided to lower the overall project cost. Significant cost modifications, which largely impacted the performance of integral building systems, led to extended time spent by the project team troubleshooting foreseeable construction issues. Commissioning An additional casualty of cost modification was a commissioning process that was anticipated but later removed. Initially, some mechanical equipment did not operate as expected. While programming to meet the designed sequence of operation, some assumptions were made that were not clearly defined in the sequence. These assumptions caused the makeup air-handling unit to operate differently than intended. The problematic units were not discovered until the seasons changed and user complaints were received months later. A commissioning process would have benefited the architect, engineer and builder by preventing this situation and other unforeseen issues. It also would have saved the design and construction team valuable time and money. The weighted benefits of commissioning would have been of particular use due to the project’s remote location. Spring 2008 © Justin Maconochie Photography, Courtesy of SmithGroup Underwater Structure Challenges Originally, the pond room floor was designed to be level with the adjacent pond level viewing corridor. However, the floor was lowered prior to construction when the acrylic glazing manufacturer informed the client that there were hefty additional costs for a custom-sized enclosure. All agreed to accept the standard-size enclosure, subsequently lowering the pond room well below the building, pond level finish floor and building sump system. Faulty construction of a concrete kneehigh sill wall around the base of the dome caused leakage, requiring the replacement of the entire concrete wall and complete drainage and refill of the pond’s water. During reinstallation of the membrane waterproofing system and reglazing of the acrylic structure, a dry sump was provided in the center of the domed room to further protect the dome’s perimeter from overflow risk in case of a broken seal. A supplemental exterior drainage pipe-portable sump system also was provided around the underwater pond structure late in the construction phase. Central Control System When the project was being designed, a computer, software, and custom front-end central control system were initially included, due to the project’s complexity and HVAC systems. However, with the project over budget at the time, these features were removed to save on costs. Following the building’s construction, the client began receiving temperature complaints. Other than setting up some type of data monitoring system, no way existed to determine what was causing temperature fluctuations. Every time an issue arose, another trip to the distant project site was required. If the planned front-end computer system with communication capabilities was installed as originally planned, and more accurate estimates were provided, much of the troubleshooting could have been accomplished and, in some cases, avoided, without having to visit the building. Once on-site, all that was available was a small keypad/screen to view the setpoints and operating state of the equipment, making it difficult to see how the system was controlling the equipment. ﬂexible multipurpose facility with ecologically minded features. The facility supports environmental education and nature interpretation, showcases water resource management and incorporates sustainable design practices. In the Discovery Center, visitors can explore below the surface of the water’s edge and experience the mysteriously rich and diverse worlds of wetlands and natural habitats. • Lighting illuminates the underwater classroom, making it visible from above. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Camille Sylvain Thompson is a senior communications specialist for SmithGroup and a freelance writer. Contributors to the article include Paul Urbanek, AIA, project lead designer and vice president of SmithGroup; David Kistler, P project .E., lead mechanical engineer and principal of SmithGroup; R. Bruce Comstock, project construction administrator and associate of SmithGroup; and Michael Arens, chief engineer of Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority. HIGH PERFORMING BUILDINGS 71

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of High Performing Buildings - Spring 2008

High Performing Buildings - Spring 2008
Daikin AC (Americas)
Contents
Seattle City Hall
SEMCO
3M Energy & Advanced Materials
Price
Sofame Technologies Inc.
Sweetwater Creek Visitor Center
ASHRAE Certification
Greenheck
Daylighting Strategies That Maximize Benefits
Energy Conservatory, The
ASHRAE e-learning
Ecobuild America
CTG Energetics, Inc.
Cambridge City Hall Annex
Tate Access Floors, Inc
Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute
31 Tannery Project
Building Owners & Managers Institute
Indian Springs Discovery Center
International Facility Management Association
ASHRAE Healthcare
Fulton Companies, The
AAON, Inc.

High Performing Buildings - Spring 2008