The building envelope is exceedingly energy
efficient. With the structure kept inboard of the building's
skin, a non-combustible, high R-value system wraps the building,
including structural insulated panels on the roof and continuous
wall cavities filled with dense pack cellulose, which stop
all infiltration. In a blower door test conducted by Efficiency
Vermont, the building achieved a permeability of 0.16 air
changes per hour.
The daylighting strategy includes triple
glazed fiberglass, operable windows, with a center section
having photovoltaics within the glazing. The use of vertical
and horizontal insulated, translucent panel systems at the
shed bends are dramatic and effective, balancing solar gain
from the south with daylight from the north. NPS manufactures
remote location power systems, which are tested in the Environmental
Testing Lab (ETL) and on the support matrix integrated into
the south elevation. This innovative system permits fine-tuning
of shading strategies, installation of photovoltaics and
solar hot water, and a highly visible way for the building
to “learn” from ongoing company research. The
mechanical system uses waste heat and electrical energy
of the test operations throughout all seasons.
The budget of $106/sf is a completed construction
budget (site & building) for a design based on comprehensive
environmental considerations using LEED guidelines as a
base review. While a low first cost expense was achieved,
the design still sought to reduce the life cycle cost of
the building, cut energy use and enhance durability. A payback
analysis of building components allowed effective choices
to be made early in the design stages. The choice of interior
materials, paints and finishes minimizes the use of VOC’s
and improves the Indoor Air Quality. This kind of analysis
enables thoughtful design.
The program developed spatial needs for
the different components of the business to be housed; the
design engineers, the environmental testing lab (ETL), the
sales group, and the management team have room to grow within
the flexibility of the new building. The program spaces
fit into a simple shed with the high side to the south and
the low to the north, balancing sunlight from the south
and daylighting from the north. The vertical clearance requirements
in the ETL staggered floor levels throughout the section.
There is a company culture of ad hoc meetings and spaces
for these are provided, both inside and outside.
