Donald Bren School of Environmental Science & Management - Building Envelope

Donald Bren School of Environmental Science & Management
Sustainability - Building Envelope

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Building Summary

Donald Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, designed by Zimmer Gunsul Frasca, at Santa Barbara, California, circa 2000.
A academic laboratory, classroom, and administration building, with concrete and stucco cladding, in a mild temperate climate and campus context. A high-sustainability building, based on active energy efficiency, daylighting, shading, and high recycled content materials.

Building Envelope

Extensive use of high-recycled content and sustainably harvested materials.

Primary Structure

"In the structural construction, a fly-ash mix was used in the concrete (20% in the first two floors and 17% in the upper floors). The structural steel has 80% percent recycled content (mainly from cars), the rebar is 80-100% recycled content, and the pan deck is made with 30% recycled content. The fireproofing material is made of gypsum, polystyrene, common cellulose, and recycled newsprint. It contains noasbestos or mineral fibers and is also HCFC, HFC, and CFC free."
— Donald Bren School

Windows

Operable windows allow individual comfort adjustments.
Window details

Cladding

Stucco and concrete cladding.

Roofing

White roof surface for heat rejection.
Roofing details

Images

Photo

Drawings

at Building page

Building Envelope Discussion

Donald Bren School of Environmental Science & Management Building Envelope

"The operable windows in the office wing have a mechanical interlock (a small sensor in the frame) so that, upon opening, the heaters in the offices are automatically turned off. The ventilation system for the laboratories is the most efficient available. The building is connected to the new multi-building chilled water loop to provide cost-effective cooling for the laboratory wing. The Bren chiller is also able to take on a portion of the total campus load when needed. The estimated savings by participating in this shared system is 85% of the run time on our chiller. Our cooling system consists of three towers with different size fans that stage upon demand. An 85% efficient boiler is used in the building.

"To reduce "heat-island" effect, an energy star "white cap" roofing material was chosen. The white material reflects light, thus cooling the building. The roof-integrated photovoltaic system allows Bren Hall to generate 7-10% of its power cleanly on site."
— Donald Bren School

"Construction waste management mandated; estimated 75% recycling rate. Wood paneling from certified sustainably managed forest. 24% of all materials (by cost) contain at least 20% post-consumer or 40% post-industrial recycled content. Specific materials contain 35% to 100% recycled content, including window frames, insulation, lab caseowrk, ceramic tile, acoustic ceilings and wall panels, toilet partitions, and carpet. Structural steel contains 77% post-consumer and 18% post-industrial recycled content."
— USGBC LEED certification summary

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