Depth Topics

A proposed redesign of the lab make-up air configuration will be explored.  This involves utilizing transfer air from offices and other non-hazardous spaces to be used as make-up air for the exhaust-driven lab spaces.  This will greatly reduce the amount of unused ventilation air from being exhausted from the building.  It will also reduce the district steam and chilled water loads of the AHU’s and the chilled beams.

In addition to the make-up air modification, I will be researching the addition of a Ground Source Heat Pump.  This will also result in reduced district steam and chilled water loads throughout the year.  Energy savings and operating strategies will be analyzed to achieve optimal performance.

Breadth Topics

The breadth topics to be analyzed include natural daylighting strategies and construction impacts of all of the design changes proposed.

The natural daylighting strategy involves adding double height windows that extend into the large plenum space between floors, as well as integrated light sensors and continuous dimming ballasts.  This can be implemented in the majority of the lab and office spaces throughout the building, potentially leading to significant energy savings.

Construction impacts will be researched for the make-up air modification, GSHP, and double height windows.  Specifically, the schedule impacts, cost impacts, and coordination issues of each of these design changes will be assessed.

 

Georgetown University New Science Center

Washington, DC

Kevin Edstrom  |  Mechanical Option

Original Proposal

The Thesis Proposal is a document outlining topics for redesign and analysis of various building systems of the New Science Center.  The document includes potential outcomes and goals, as well as the tools and methods that will be used for detailed analysis of each topic .

Depth Topic

A proposed addition of a solar-thermal system will be researched and analyzed.  This will result in reduced district steam demand, which will reduce the operating costs and carbon footprint of the building.  A detailed solar study will be preformed to address the shadows of the adjacent mechanical penthouse structure on the collector performance.  Various applications and system types/layouts will be assessed.  All additional equipment will be sized.  An energy simulation and a life cycle cost analysis will be performed to determine the payback period of the proposed system.

Breadth Topics

The breadth topics to be analyzed include structural and construction impacts of proposed solar thermal system.

The structural analysis will be performed on a typical bay of the roof that would support the proposed solar collectors.  The additional loads will potentially require a redesign of the existing structure.  Any price impacts due to resizing of structural components will be included in the life cycle cost analysis.

Construction impacts of the proposed solar thermal system will also be assessed.  This includes any major constructability issues such as collector support systems and integration.  Trade coordination and potential schedule delays due to the solar thermal installation will also be addressed.

 

Final Proposal