High Performing Buildings - Spring 2009 - (Page 42) allowing the air conditioning to be shut down in unoccupied areas. At 72°F ± 3°F the system runs in ventilation-only mode. Ventilation in the building’s two basement car park levels is controlled by sensors that turn exhaust fans on only when set threshold levels of carbon monoxide are detected in the air. The building’s servers are also located in the basement levels, removing their heat load from the air-conditioned office spaces. No additional cooling is provided for the servers. A dehumidification unit was originally included in the air-conditioning system design and was installed during the refurbishment. After the building’s first year of operation, it was found that the office maintained appropriate conditions without additional dehumidification. As a result the unit was decommissioned During the design process a displacement air-conditioning /chilled beam system was considered. It was rejected because the floor-toceiling height would not be sufficient to allow proper mixing of the airstreams. Humidity control and access issues with the existing elevators and stairwells also precluded the use of this system. in early 2007, reducing energy consumption by around 1.85 MWh. Lighting As discussed previously, a complete re-engineering of the building’s façade has allowed much greater levels of daylight to enter the office space. The majority of artificial lighting is provided by T5 fittings, supplemented by conventional compact fluorescents. Artificial lighting is controlled using the same infrared motion Szencorp purchased a typical office building (top) in 2004 and transformed it using energy- and water-saving technologies. The original façade (top) of the building was replaced with fullheight low-emissivity glass and external shading (bottom). This renovation maximized daylight penetration while minimizing glare and heat gain. 42 HigH Performing Buildings spring 2009 The Szencorp Building at 40 Albert Road is a well-known landmark in one of Melbourne’s biggest business districts. It is located close to the central business district and is near major public transport routes, popular restaurants and cafés, and a short walk from the Melbourne Botanical Gardens.
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