Academic facilities are a unique challenge (… and opportunity) to design and operate. There are many challenges with these facilities ranging from the wide range of programmatic requirements (class rooms, offices, shops, kitchens, dining, labs, gyms, natatoriums, common space, etc.), school board leadership & the decision process, as well as overall funding & budget control. The magnitude of the these facilities is significant – just in Massachusetts, there are almost 400 school districts, over 1800 public schools, and well over 100 colleges & universities.
Fortunately, there are mature resources available to support these projects. These range from the bCollaboration for High Performance School (CHPS) toolbox, USGBC/LEED, Whole Building Design Guide (WBDG), as well as MSBA Model School Program. These tools and the reporting measures in place through the AIA 2030 Challenge are supporting the overall energy reduction strategies needed to control the operational energy costs and manage each facility’s carbon footprint.
On the engineering / facilities side, fundamentals that are required in academic facilities include power, communications & data infrastructure, security provisions, and environment controls. Environment controls encompass: Light, Temperature, Humidity, and Indoor Air Quality.
The visual environment (light) is one of the more challenging aspects of building design, often under- emphasized during the design process, yet has a significant impact on the educational environment and operational energy for the building. Additionally, studies have demonstrated a tie between lighting and student concentration levels.
Basic design can provide the required lighting levels (typically 30-50 foot-candles depending upon the space program) through energy efficient lamps (T8 or better), and electronic ballasts. Good fixture selection, placement, and daylighting controls and switching are the starting point, but a review of the space use and desired flexibility / adaptability of the space are key. Understanding where the instructor will present materials along with the media (smart boards, projectors, etc.) will influence the lighting design and ideally eliminate the all-too-often glare/hot spots on vertical surfaces.
The next level is to understand the room’s color scheme, surfaces, and associated reflectivity. Color quality/temperature and lighting levels are highly influenced by the space surfaces and as such the overall quality of the space can be realized during the design phase. Reflective colors can increase the overall lighting levels in the space without an increase in energy versus lower-level reflectivity surfaces.
Glare and ‘visual comfort’ have become increasing issues over the past several years – especially given the ‘push’ for daylighting under the guise of Sustainable Design. We’ve all been in spaces recently where there is a high percentage or poorly located windows which allow direct sunlight into the space, thus creating an uncomfortable environment. These spaces either ‘remain as is’ or shading systems are employed. Control measures for glare start with the building design & analysis to optimize daylight while controlling glare through passive strategies (orientation, building shape, window/fenestration – location/ type / selection, landscaping) and then active strategies including shades / blinds. As a last measure, lighting levels within the occupied space can be increased to reduce the overall contrast for occupant
comfort.
The analysis tools available today (i.e. Ecotect) and their interoperability within the BIM environment are allowing us the opportunity to make more informed decisions for our projects and especially in the academic market sector. These analysis tools coupled with good design practices and communication with the client will ensure we continue to improve our designs for the next generation of students. Joy.
Chad A. Wisler, PE LEED AP BD+C is a managing principal atVanderweil Engineers, LLP in Boston, MA.