This Study

The University of Waterloo has, on loan, the use of the Vital Signs Research Package. Various components of the resource package were used to facilitate more precise results during the field study. The digital camera, laptop, light meters, and HOBOs were used to obtain the data collected.

This study details how well Green on the Grand met its goals of passive and sustainable design.. In addition to investigating the effectiveness of the Green on the Grand with respect to its passive design and sustainability design objectives, the following hypotheses were established and are also investigated in this report.

Hypothesis 1: An office building can achieve a significant energy reduction through the successful use of advanced envelope construction and mechanical systems without affecting the occupant attitude or changing the quality of the work environment.

Hypothesis 2: A comfortable working atmosphere based on the maximization of natural daylighting can be achieved regardless of window positioning and distribution according to the cardinal axes, but not without the use of exterior shading devices.

METHODOLOGY OF INVESTIGATION: To test these hypotheses this investigation employed a case study approach. Both quantitative and qualitative methods of collecting data were used. These include:

A daylighting survey of building occupants was performed.
The building's thermal performance and light conditions were recorded for a two week period in March. This was achieved by programming a set of temperature, relative humidity and light dataloggers (HOBO's), which were located at various locations in the study area.
Interviews with the designers, architect and energy engineers, were conducted.
Photography and field notes.
Construction of a daylighting model for analysis of light penetration in different seasons, using a heliodon.

The Vital Signs Curriculum Materials Project

Last Modified: April 23rd, 1998