AIA Home > SBSE Home > Teaching Resources > Carbon Neutral Design > Carbon Neutral Teaching > Theis - Comprehensive Building Design Studio > Envelope Design

> Bagneid
> Boake
> Chalfoun
> Demers + Potvin
> Elzeyadi
> Guzowski
> Haglund
> Kaiser
> La Roche
> Peña
> Rashed-Ali
> Stannard
Theis
Comprehensive Building Studio
• Site Analysis - Senses
• Site Analysis - Topography & Vegetation
• Site Analysis - Climate
• Site Analysis - Site Visit
• Design Strategy - Sustainable Elements
• Schematic Design - Resource Consumption
• Design Development - Envelope
• Design Development - Details

> Thomson

Projects (by teaching topic):
visit this link to see the projects sorted by the carbon related topic

> Frameworks and Goals
> Site
> Building Form / Integrated Design Overview
> Envelope
> Passive Strategies
> Efficient Mechanical Strategies
> Energy
> Materials
> Water
> Miscellaneous Related Topics
> Integrated Topics

Resources

Links

The Carbon Neutral Design Project:

Carbon Neutral Teaching: Curriculum Materials Development

Chris Theis
School of Architecture, Louisiana State University

Comprehensive Architectural Design Studio
Senior Studio

Design Development - Building Envelope

certificate
The image above illustrates some of the
performance simulation graphs for the project.

Design Performance Objective

Comprehensive Building Design Project:
William M Colmer Visitors Center and Park Headquarters

Student: Amy Fruge

Software/Tools:

COMcheck

Fall 2007 Arch. 5001 (UG) Comprehensive Architectural Design Studio

Part 7 - Design Development - Building Envelope

These images illustrate the design development phase of the project and specifically the refi nement of the building envelope to assure that it will meet the performance expectations of the initial computer simulations.

Investigative Strategy

Use COMcheck and BuildingGreen Suite in the design and detailing of the building envelope.

Evaluation Process

Accurate utilization of COMcheck, especially the proper input of information and the validation of this information through detailed drawings.

Evaluative Criteria

Accuracy.

Cautions - Possible Confusions

COMcheck is relatively easy to use but, as with any software, the proper values must be entered. Students sometimes enter values (such as R-values for walls and U-values for glazing assemblies) without understanding the implications (wall thickness, cost, etc.).

Range of Applicability in terms of CLIMATE

This type of project responded to the HOT HUMID climate zone in this instance, but it can easily be modified to suit any climate type.

Range of Applicability in terms of TYPE

This type of approach is suitable for any scale or type of building.

Reference Material

COMcheck http://www.energycodes.gov/comcheck/
BuildingGreen Suite www.buildinggreen.com
Stein, Reynolds, Grondzik, Kwok. Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings.

Duration of Exercise

Depends on the complexity of the project, but usually can be accomplished in a few hours.

Degree of Difficulty / Previous Knowledge Required

Relatively easy.