Monday, March 4, 2013

Activity 3.3.4 Energy Codes

1.    Follow the link to What’s Happening in Your State. Based on the map and key, what is the status of the energy codes in Indiana (where the Keystone Library building is located)? What is the energy code status in neighboring states? What is the energy code status in your state? 

In my state and in Indiana (which are the same) the energy code status is ASHRAE 90.1-2007. In the neighboring state of illinois the energy code is 2012 IECC. In another neighboring state of Ohio the energy code is 2009 IECC. In the southern neighbor of Kentucky the energy code is 2009 IECC. In the northern neighboring state of michigan the energy code is
ASHRAE 90.1-2007.

2.    What is needed in order to comply with the energy code (using the prescriptive approach presented in the PowerPoint) with regard to the unheated slab on grade for the Keystone Project? If the project were located in Montana, what would be the requirement for perimeter slab insulation? 
 
Neither have extra requirements about unheated slab grade or insulation.

3. Calculate the percentage of exterior wall composed of fenestration to verify that the area of fenestration is less than or equal to 40%.

29% good
4. Assume that the client would like to provide shading for the fenestrations on the south face of the building in order to protect the library books and resources from damage from the sun. Research methods to provide window shading and paste in a preliminary design that would provide shading such that the resulting projection factor does not restrict the use of windows based on the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient.
 
You could add an over hang to provide shade or you could use shades. 

5. Calculate the heat loss through the new second floor wall in the Keystone Library Renovation. Assume an interior temperature of 68 degrees F and an exterior temperature of 32 degrees F.  

A= 1078.63 , U= (1/1.67)= .5988, T= 36 degrees    

Q'= 23251.81
 
Conclusion
6.    What is the purpose of energy codes?
The purpose of energy codes are to make sure that buildings are energy efficient.
7.    How does adding a vestibule improve energy efficiency?
It helps keep the building warm or cool by not allowing a direct flow of the outside weather into the building.
8.     What recommendations would you make to improve the energy efficiency of the existing structure during the renovation process for the Keystone Library?
You could add solar panels to try and make the library more self sustaining. You could also add overhanging eaves and shades to keep the rooms cool.

3.3.6 HVAC Systems

1.    What is important to consider when designing an HVAC system?
 Some factors that are important to consider when designing an HVAC system would include; efficiency, site orientation, and air infiltration.

2.    How does the HVAC system affect the design of the building structure?
It would affect the design of the building because you would need to desgin specific rooms to support the system.
3.    How does an engineer know the requirements for mechanical design of an HVAC system?
An engineer would know these requirements by looking at the specific requirements within the codes.
4.    Why is it important for architects to be aware of how mechanical systems are designed or constructed?
It is important for architects to be aware because they need to build around the mechanical systems and make sure there is enough room for all the equipment.

5.    What information must an architect provide to a mechanical engineer to ensure proper design and placement of the mechanical systems?
He would need to provide the engineer with plans and layout of the building in order to make sure everything will work between the two plans.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Activity 3.1.2 Land Use and Development Regulations

1. Identify the Building Code that applies in Noblesville by reviewing Section 154.04 Adoption of Rules by Reference in the Noblesville Code of Ordinances.

Indiana Building Code


2. Visit the Indiana Association of Building Officials website at http://www.iabo.com/ and follow the link to Current Codes. On which model code is the current Indiana Building Code based?

2006 International Building Code


3. Using the International Building Code, find the Use and Occupancy classification of the proposed new Keystone Building.

A-3 Assembly uses intended for worship, recreation or amusement and other assembly uses not classified elsewhere in Group A


4. Using the International Building Code, describe each of the four types of construction. Based on the existing structure, under which of these types of construction could the Keystone Building fall? See section 503.1.

Types I and II. Types I and II construction are those types of construction in which the building elements listed in Table 601 are of noncombustible materials, except as permitted in Section 603 and elsewhere in this code.

Type III. Type III construction is that type of construction in which the exterior walls are of noncombustible materials and the interior building elements are of any material permitted by this code. Fire-retardant-treated wood framing complying with Section 2303.2 shall be permitted within exterior wall assemblies of a 2-hour rating or less.

Type IV. Type IV construction (Heavy Timber, HT) is that type of construction in which the exterior walls are of noncombustible materials and the interior building elements are of solid or laminated wood without concealed spaces. The details of Type IV construction shall comply with the provisions of this section. Fire-retardant-treated wood framing complying with Section 2303.2 shall be permitted within exterior wall assemblies with a 2-hour rating or less. Minimum solid sawn nominal dimensions are required for structures built using Type IV construction (HT). For glued-laminated members the equivalent net finished width and depths corresponding to the minimum nominal width and depths of solid sawn lumber are required as specified in Table 602.4.

Type V. Type V construction is that type of construction in which the structural elements, exterior walls and interior walls are of any materials permitted by this code.


The keystone building will most likely fall in type IV


5. Compare the allowable Building Heights and Areas (IBC 2009 Table 503) for the Keystone Library using different construction types. What is the least restrictive construction type that can be used for the Keystone Library? Is a fire-protective layer required over the structural elements? Note: The letter A indicates that the structural members are protected by a fire-rated coating or cover (sheetrock, spray on, or another approved method). The letter B indicates that the structural members are not protected by an additional fire-rated coating or cover.

The least restrictive contruction type that can be used in type V-A because it can be built out of anything. No fire protective layer is required.


6. What materials do you propose to use for the new interior walls and floor for the Keystone Building? Justify your answer.

A variety of materials would be acceptable due to the fact that the outside is made of brick, and also the fact that it has steel supports. I personally would choose wood and drywall because it is inexpensive and easy.


7. Use the IBC to determine the Occupant Load (IBC 2009 Section 1004) for the Keystone Building assuming a second floor is added per the Keystone Library Renovation Preliminary Building plans (see Revit file). For now, conservatively assume that the second floor is entirely stacks and that the first floor is entirely reading rooms. In addition, because there is currently no plan to include an outside stairway to the roof, assume that the occupants of the green roof must exit through the 2nd floor. The building inspector has determined, based on the planned use of the green roof as additional reading area, that the occupant load for the green roof may be based on the requirements for reading rooms.

Reading Room-178
Stacks-47


8. The occupant load is used to determine the minimum egress width for the building. Use the IBC to determine the required total egress width (IBC 2009 Section 1005) for the Keystone Building including the second floor.

47 inches is the minimum width of egress for the building.


9. What is the minimum number of exits required for the Occupant Load (IBC 2009 Section 1021)?

4 exits is the minumum number required in accordance to the occupant load.

10. Read IBC 2009 Section 1021.2. Is it permissible to have only a single exit from the ground floor? From the second floor? Justify your answers.

Only one exit shall be required from Group R-3 occupancy buildings or from stories of other buildings as indicated in Table 1021.2. Occupancies shall be permitted to have a single exit in buildings otherwise required to have more than one exit if the areas served by the single exit do not exceed the limitations of Table 1021.2. Mixed occupancies shall be permitted to be served by single exits provided each individual occupancy complies with the applicable requirements of Table 1021.2 for that occupancy. Where applicable, cumulative occupant loads from adjacent occupancies shall be considered in accordance with the provisions of Section 1004.1. Basements with a single exit shall not be located more than one story below grade plane.



The answers to the following questions should be researched in the Noblesville Code of Ordinances and the Noblesville Zoning Map.

11. In which zoning designation does the Keystone building property lie? (Refer to the Keystone Library Site Location Map to help locate the site on the zoning map.)

Planned Business


12. Describe the purpose of this zoning designation. Document your answer with a section number from the code.

The purpose of the PB District is to encourage well-planned business uses, particularly with respect to unified design, safe ingress-egress, adequate and properly located parking and service facilities and convenient and safe pedestrian accessibility. Shopping centers are good examples of types of uses in the PB District. The PB District is also designed to service the motoring public through such uses as motels, restaurants, or service stations. The PB District shall only be permitted along or at the intersection of major arterials as specified by the Thoroughfare Plan element of the Comprehensive Plan.

Found in 159.107

13. What is the minimum lot size within this designation? Does the Keystone Property meet this requirement? Document your answer with a section number of the code.

20,000 sq. ft. found on chart in 159.107
The keystone Property does meet the lot size requirement.

14. What is the maximum building height according to the Noblesville ordinance?

3 stories or 35 ft.

15. Read Section 159.120 of the Noblesville Code of Ordinances. Record any information that is important to the redevelopment of the Keystone building.

A.) Allowable Use of Land and Building.
(B) Property Access. Every building hereafter erected or moved shall be located on a lot with frontage and access on a street, and provide for safe and convenient access, fire protection, and required off-street parking, except as otherwise provided in § 159.107(C).
(C) Number of Buildings Per Lot. Every building hereafter erected shall be located on a lot unless otherwise specified for planned developments. In no case shall there be more than one principal building used for residential purposes, and its accessory buildings, located on one lot, except as otherwise provided in this chapter for a mobile home park or planned development. If two or more principal non-residential buildings are located on a lot, the space between such buildings shall be as established by the yard setback requirements of the district in which the use is located.


16. Is the Use proposed in Keystone Building Project permitted on this property? Document your answer.

The use proposed in the Keystone Building Project is permitted on this property. 159.120 section A defines the uses.



17. When developing a property, when is landscaping and screening required?

Landscaping and Screening. Landscaping and/or screening may be required in the following situations:
(1) Interior parking lot islands;
(2) Perimeter parking lot buffering;
(3) Buffering for non-residential uses abutting residential uses;
(4) Surrounding outdoor storage and waste disposal areas;

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Essential Questions 2.3

1.     How do you achieve a balance between cost-saving measures, important features, and environmental responsibility when designing a residential structure?
By knowing the needs of your client, you can create a design that has the important features your client needs, if affordable. If you know your budget and you can use energy star rated appliances to save energey and protect the environment.
 
2.     What are the advantages and disadvantages of using 3D architectural software rather than creating hand-produced plans?
Hand Produced plans can be a lot quicker because you dont have to add all the base material details that are required in the software programs. An advantage of using the 3D software however, is that your drawings will be more accurately dimensioned and, due to the 3D imaging you can produce an image of your final product.
 
3.     Why are organizations such as LEED important?
Organizations such as LEED are important because they keep our buildings and projects more enviromentally friendly.
 
4.     When planning a project, how does the availability of public utilities impact the design?
The availability of public utilities impact the design because it can control where the house is built, how the house is positioned, and the placement of water heaters/softeners in order to allow specific pipes and lines to efficiantly get through the building.
 
5.     What options are available for the management of wastewater from a building?
Options for wastewater management depend on the location of your home. If you live in the country, a septic tank is the common method. If living in a more urban area a public sewer system is ususally available.
 
6.     What are the important considerations when design a plumbing system?
Some important considerations when designing a plumbing system would be to keep the water heater near the majority of plumbing fixtures that use hot water. Also, you should try to keep the warm water pipes away from the exterior of the home to prevent cold air from reaching them and freezing them in the winter. Finally, the sewer main and the water main should be seperated enough so that if the sewer main were to be comprimised, the water main would not be affected.
7.     Why should a designer know about the different types of lighting and their applications?
A designer should know about the different types of lighting and their applications so that they can provide the most efficient design to conserve energy. By knowing about the advantages of the most effecient window placements, the designer could make the home need much less artificial lighting during the daytime.
 
8.     What are the important considerations when designing an electrical system?
Some important considerations when designing an electrical system is the placement of outlets and the placement of switches and how they connect with eachother.
 
9.     What information is important when documenting the design of a building?
Having accurate dimmensioning, good use of annotation, and a key to identify marks. These help the client or whoever is looking at the design to get a clear picture of what you are going to make.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Habitat for Humanity House Project

Description
The affordable housing project I designed is a Habitat for Humanity house located in Noblesville, IN. A map of the area is provided below. This house was designed for the Woodward family, a family of two. There is one adult and one child sharing a two bedroom home. Incorporated into the house are the following sustainable design features: Feasible daylighting and Energy Star rated appliances. Being constrained to the Habitat for Humanity guidelines, I had to keep the house within 900 square feet. To give the relatively small home an open and, thus, larger feeling, I arranged all of the home's rooms around an open living room/kitchen/dining room area that was separated with a small partician to save space, provide an open, flowing atmosphere, with some privacy to those in the kitchen and dining area. The client originally wanted an attached porch, but after incorporating it into the design, it put the total area over the limit. Removing it, however, put the area somewhat under the limit so I enlarged the size of the bathroom. We agreed that this was an acceptable compramize.



Bubble Diagram and Rough Sketch


Renderings


Site Plan


Dimensioned Floor Plan



Elevations (all 4)


Wall Sections with Lables


Window and Door Schedule


Room Schedule with Total Sq. Footage



Electrical Plan


Plumbing Plan




Calculations

Water Pressure Calculations
LengthL=16565.3ft
Flow RateQ=100gpm
Hazzen-Williams CoefficientC=100
Diameterd=8in
Static Head=109.81ft
Head LossHf=7ft
Dynamic Head=102.83ft
Actual Pressure=44.51psi


Part 1: Calculation of site runoff prior to addition of parking lotPre-development
Pre-development  (for 100 year storm)
Q = CfCiA
C = 0.1
i = 3.05
A = 0.5 acres (from site plan)
Q= (1.25)(0.1)(3.05)(0.5) = 0.2 cfs

Post-development (for 100 year storm)
Q = CfCiA
C (grass) = 0.1
C (asphalt) = .95
C (roof) = .95
i = 3.05
A (grass) = 0.47 acres
A (roof) = 0.02 acres 
A (drive way) = 0.01 acres
Q = [(1.05)(0.1)(3.05)(0.47)] + [(1.05)(0.95)(3.05)(0.02)] + [(1.05)(0.95)(3.05)(0.01)]
Q = 0.15 + 0.06 + 0.03
Q = 0.24
Change in runoff
ΔQ = Qpost - Qpre 
ΔQ = 0.24 - 0.2
ΔQ = 0.04
The change in runoff of the post development site is .04. Digging a small ditch will provide proper space for the water to go.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Activity 2.3.2 Green and Sustainable Energy

1.  Rainfall falls on most parcels of property throughout the world. Describe one method that could be used to collect this natural resource.
Website: http://www.rainxchange.com/
This method of rainfall collection uses the gutter system of the house through making the whole system continuous, leading the water into a filter an then into a storage tank underneath the ground.  The water can be reused if a pump is put into the storage tank.
2.  Describe an innovative construction method or technique that benefits the environment.
Solar Pannels "harvest" the suns energy and uses the electricity gathered to power things in the home or building.



3.   During the construction cycle of the building, materials and components are delivered to the site. List a strategy that you will use to recycle the waste produced during the construction phase. 
This Company recycles and reuses the wastes produced in the construction cycle.  Using this contact information and using this company to recycle the left over metals and wood would be a very efficient strategy to use.


4.  Energy use is high in commercial buildings. What might a designer do to reduce energy consumption in a building?
Website: http://eartheasy.com/live_energyeff_lighting.htm
A designer might plan for all of the lights in the house to be LFCs to reduce electrical consumption and to use all energy star equipment and utilities.


5.   Building sites offer natural resources that can be utilized for the life of the building. Describe a method to use a site’s natural resources in the construction of the structure.        
If the building was built in a place where slate was abundant than roofing the building with slate would be an efficient choice.  A back draw of this idea is that not too many buildings will be build around a slate quarry.



Conclusion

Describe an original green and sustainable idea that you have. Choose one that is not currently in use as far as you know.
 
Hydrogen power in place of petroleum or diesel fuel is a much more effeciant way of powering our cars. It produces smaller amounts of pollution and is a more sustainable energy source, as there is so much water to extract hydrogen from.


Describe an improvement that you believe could be made to the building where you live. Describe why it is an improvement.

An improvement to my house more efficient windows and heating systems.  This would lower heating costs in my house.