Assignment 1 - questions

M. What is any are the conflicts between strategies?
The conflicts that come to mind would be trying to light your building with daylight during the summer months when you are also trying to cool it. The more daylight you are utilizing the more cooling effort will need to be exerted. Another conflict that comes to mind is space for all the different elements that are necessary for the different strategies. I will revisit this once I hear about every one's strategies.

N. What are the economics of climate design and how do they relate to other sustainable strategies (productivity, health, etc.)?
Economics of climate design can improve our lifestyles. We are reducing our carbon footprint and can save money on heating, cooling, electric and water costs by utilizing our climates to our advantage.

O. How can the psychometric chart (Climate Consultant 3) help?
The climate consultant three is a great program that provides us as designers with specifics for our areas. Although we live in our areas, and most likely experience the climate and are aware of some of the factors, it is nice to have specific information that we can rely on for our designs. It is also extremely helpful for those who design outside of the immediate vicinity that they live or work in.

P. Calculate your carbon footprint and tell us what architects can do about it.
See Carbon Footprint post.

Assignment 1 - Carbon Footprint

So I calculated my carbon footprint twice. I figured it with the miles I was commuting with my old job to the miles I do now. It was 21.1 tons when the average is 7.5. Now with my new job.... 5.2! Can you believe that? That's insane. That is the only thing I changed. I went from commuting about 150 miles a day to around 6 a day and it dropped that much. I think we should all get rid of our cars!!

As architects we can obviously utilize green design in our buildings but if we pay attention to things like developing areas where a car is not necessary we can eliminate a lot! I mean look at my number above. I think this topic stretches way beyond just architects but unfortunately I feel like so many in today's society are turning to us to solve the problem and not looking at the simple things they can do as well. We also need to make that extra step now in order to save the future.

Assignment 1 - Plan & Section

The above chart illustrates the light tactics that need to be considered when designing.

My current office is located in downtown White Plains on the 7th floor of an 8 story building. The work stations are located on the south side of the building and currently gain plenty of daylight. Shading devices are not provided and could be utilized in the summer and early fall months. The work spaces are located in the first 19'-6" of a 45'-0" wide building. The northern side of the building contains a few work stations but mostly printing and model making stations.

In order to determine the number and head height of windows necessary to achieve the desired daylight factor the above chart and following calculation were utilized:

Head height requirement:
19.5' (depth of room) / 2.5 = 7.8'

As a general rule one can utilize the 2.5h day lighting guideline which means that calculating 2.5 times the head height of your window will result in the floor area covered by the daylight.

Horizontal light penetration:
4' (width of window) x 2 = 8'

The required area of daylight apertures for the work space:
A= (0.050 DF x 19.5' depth of room)/(0.2 target of average DF)= 9.75 SF

The square footage of the apertures are 24 SF

These drawings demonstrate the day lighting techniques utilized the the fall in NY. The windows will need adjustable shading devices due to the lack of need of them during the winter and spring months. I have demonstrated adjustable shading devices in this drawing but deciduous planting could be utilized as shade devices as well. The zones are also indicated on this plan as to their DF requirements and the 15/30 guideline. Task lighting will need to be provided at each desk for optimal lighting coverage in the work zones.

After the phone conference with my affinity group tomorrow night things are likely to be revised. Look for changes after tomorrow evening.

Climate 3 Studies

LOCATION: NEW YORK CITY/LAGUARDIA
LONGITUDE: -73.88
LATITUDE: 40.78
ELEVATION: 3.0

Slide 5 - The sky cover range during the fall season in New York can be as low as approximately 12 in September and as high as approximately 94 in December.
Slide 9- The fall months require little to no shade need as the months are generally colder. The afternoons in the month of September can become hot requiring the need for shading. Shading devices are not an extreme necessity during the fall months so adjustable shading devices (as discussed in The Green Studio Handbook may be an element to consider when designing buildings in NY. Side lighting will also need to be considered for the fall months based on the angle of the sun during the fall season.

Slide 10 - The Sun chart is consisten with the shade chart above demonstrating sporadic timesin the fall months when shade is needed, but as a general rule of thumb, shade is not needed.

Slide 11 - The daily graph demonstrates that the sky cover has such a large range and varies throughout the months of the season of fall.
The monthly graph helps clarify the percentages. As a rule of the thumb one can base their design so the sky cover percent to be 30-60 before and after sunrise during the fall months. The same range can be utilized for design during sunrise to sunset in the first half of fall, however, once November arrives the sky cover is 60-80 from sunrise to sunset. Throughout the fall season one can expect some amount of sky cover at all times in NY.

Slide 12 - The 3d charts provide the same information as the above slides, however, one can visualize the changes in the sky cover throughout the given months.