INT322 Wk. 2

Building systems include structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and interior components that must work together efficiently. Key features like airlocks, cupolas for ventilation, and elements such as caissons and piles provide stability. Parapets, domes, and exposed rafters shape roof design, while fascias and soffits offer a finished look. Sustainability is enhanced through green roofs, hydroponics, and living machines for wastewater treatment. Concepts like albedo, solar reflectance, and daylight help manage energy use, while graywater, whitewater, and blackwater address water management. Techniques like scale jumping and xeriscaping promote shared resources and water conservation, aiding sustainable design.

Judson's Harm A. Weber Academic Center includes many of these sustainability features. One of these is how it is framed. The exterior walls of HAWAC are "stick framed" extensions, approximately four feet away from the pre-cast concrete walls. These framed volumes create chase spaces for vertical airflow as part of the natural ventilation system and provide relief for solar shading. Additionally, the framed design helps with daylighting by allowing light to bounce indirectly into the building. The combination of brick veneer, EIFS, and metal panels completes the exterior finish, contributing to the building's energy-efficient and sustainable design. 

The materials used for the building were concrete for thermal mass, brick veneer on the lower exterior, and EIFS (Exterior Insulation Finishing System) with metal panels on the upper levels. White metal panels around windowsills, jambs, and heads reflect daylight inside, enhancing natural light. A glazed atrium further improves daylighting and airflow, while suspended ceilings aid acoustics. These materials and finishes work together to support the building's energy efficiency, ventilation, and daylighting goals.

There are several sustainable features of this building, including its site. The building includes a hybrid natural ventilation system that draws cool air from the lower levels and exhausts warm air through roof stacks, minimizing energy use. A photovoltaic (PV) system is integrated into the southern facade, generating electricity while increasing airflow efficiency by heating the air within the ventilation stacks. The extensive landscape design also incorporates ecological elements such as bioswales, permeable surfaces, and stormwater control to filter pollutants and support biodiversity. These features contribute to energy savings, air quality improvements, and environmental stewardship.

Judson's Harm A. Weber Academic Center showcases sustainable design through its use of energy-efficient materials, natural ventilation, and daylighting. The building's framing, concrete for thermal mass, and exterior finishes like brick veneer and metal panels enhance its efficiency. A photovoltaic system and eco-friendly landscaping with features like bioswales and permeable surfaces further reduce energy consumption and support biodiversity. This design makes this building a model for sustainability and environmental stewardship.