High Performing Buildings - Winter 2011 - (Page 18)

Charles ingram Photography lessons learned Multiple funding sources and accompanying restrictions divided the renovation into eight or nine individual projects. if the multiple funding sources had been pooled, the multiple project phases could have been consolidated, which may have resulted in better bids, eased implementation, and improved overall project clarity. the radiant panels combined with the ceiling fans have been tremendously successful in providing thermal comfort to the occupants and improving acoustics. The low profile of the panels has made them ideal for insertion into the existing historic structure, preserving the daylight and views through the high windows. the reuse of the historic ductwork complemented the new hvaC zoning of the radiant panels on a room-by-room basis. This matching allowed for the ductwork to provide the ventilation air, while the panels conditioned the space in a decoupled HVAC strategy. The reuse of the ductwork also preserved large portions of the existing building structure. the nature of the exposed systems creates a powerful teaching tool for future architects and designers occupying the spaces. for instance, every seismic upgrade element became a final finish in the completed spaces. And where new systems occurred, they either became a part of a new architectural element or were inserted adjacent to historic elements. This approach placed elements such as the cable tray next to the historic interior arches in the corridor and power/telecom wiring inside the shear walls. the existing building’s floor structure presented a challenge. The design team found that the floor consisted of a concrete pan system with a 2 in. depth at the top of the pan, and the wood floor sleepers were cast into a concrete topping. The team determined that it was not economically feasible to alter the floor system, so a radiant ceiling system was designed, rather than a radiant floor system. The ceiling system also is more responsive to space temperatures than a floor system, offers acoustical benefits, and is reconfigurable for future renovations. Building renovations were designed to allow for future evolution and growth of the building’s program. The radiant ceiling can be taken down and reinstalled. The concrete shear walls were placed at the building corners, and no other load-bearing walls were added. The mechanical spaces were maintained out of the way on the first floor, and the elevator was repositioned into the building corner for a future lobby. These efforts retained the rest of the building for program uses. The building has already been renovated for the first building program expansion project, which began in may 2010. Given the limited budget, the design team adapted renovations to the existing conditions where it made sense. for example, the existing classroom module was maintained for the new office and studio spaces. new systems for the existing classrooms were inserted without demolition of those spaces. likewise, instead of allocating resources to seismically brace all ceilings and walls, many of those elements were removed to enhance the building program. This design approach yielded great harmony between the new and existing elements. 18 HigH Performing Buildings Winter 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of High Performing Buildings - Winter 2011

High Performing Buildings - Winter 2011
Commentary
Contents
Portland State's Shattuck Hall
Oberlin College's Adam Joseph Lewis Center
Dell Children's Medical Center
CMTA Office Building
EPA Region 8 Headquarters
Honda's East Liberty, Marysville Auto Plants
Advertisers Index

High Performing Buildings - Winter 2011