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Welcome to High Performing Buildings |
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This quarterly magazine is published by ASHRAE and distributed to building owners, facility managers, architects, contractors and engineers. Our mission is to help decision makers in the building community learn about the benefits of innovative technologies and energy-efficient design and operation. We do this with case studies of exemplary buildings, developed through the support of leading practitioners in the sustainability movement.
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High Performing Buildings is available in digital form at no cost. Click on the animated icon to view the Summer 2009 digital issue. |
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Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation |
Repairing the World
The Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation in Evanston, Ill., committed to ethical architecture when it decided to replace its synagogue. The congregation overcame the limitations of a small site by identifying opportunities for flexibility and efficiency, reducing the planned space by 25%. Reclaimed maple from on-site trees that could not be saved was used to clad the ceremonial door, while pieces of broken masonry from the previous building fill exterior gabion walls. Highly efficient, flexible HVAC equipment contributes to the energy savings, which have exceeded design expectations.
 Read the entire article: Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation
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Designing Efficient Lighting |
Reducing Costs, Emissions
Office, retail and service buildings are the largest consumers of energy in the U.S. To reduce energy consumption, lighting strategies can be used and may include simple lamp/ballast changeouts, automatic controls and daylighting. These vary according to a building’s use. Success depends on early collaboration of design, construction and commissioning professionals.
Read the entire article: Designing Efficient Lighting |
Prague’s Gold Standard
The 900,000 ft2 CSOB Headquarters is one of the Czech Republic’s largest, most sustainable and most energy-efficient buildings. Tanks in the basement store rainwater, which is used to water the green roof, indoor gardens and the surrounding landscaping. Automatic controls turn off an area’s heating or cooling when a window is opened, adjust the external shading system and return thermostats to nighttime setpoints after business hours. Natural light from atria, light wells and windows allow offices to dim or turn off artificial lights.
Read the entire article: CSOB Headquarters |
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U.S. Homeland Security, Omaha |
Secure and Sustainable
The Department of Homeland Security designed its Omaha facility to be welcoming, energy efficient and secure. Lightshelves and skylights maximize the daylight introduced by the glass façade. The building wraps around a courtyard, which provides daylight to interior offices and a secure place to enjoy the outdoors. The building received an ENERGY STAR® rating of 85.
Read the entire article: U.S. Homeland Security, Omaha |
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Stellar Commercial Building |
Better by Design
The design and construction firm Stellar compares the performance of a LEED® Silver office building on its headquarters campus with an older office building, which is used for similar purposes. The firm analyzes how the higher performing building affects operating costs and indoor environment, using the data to advise clients. Compared to the older building, the newer office building uses 35% less energy per square foot and uses 8% less energy per occupant, which will improve as occupancy increases.
Read the entire article: Stellar Commercial Building |
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