Case Studies

Aldo Leopold Legacy Center :

Baraboo, Wisconsin

Completed in 2005, this project remains a benchmark in our company for using energy modeling to inform building design. Early in the project timeline, we assessed various envelope options from the simple (6" SIPs or 8" stick built construction) to the more complex (would a concrete mass wall separating the fully conditioned office space from a minimally conditioned thermal flux zone mitigate temperatures in the minimally conditioned space more than it would increase the cooling load in the office). As the project progressed, we used energy modeling as both a proof of concept tool and as a design tool. For example, there was significant concern that using radiantly cooled slabs and a fresh-air only ventilation system would lead to comfort and moisture problems. The design called for outdoor air pretreatment by an earth duct hypocaust system whose performance had to be assessed for sizing. The concept of using waste heat from the photovoltaic array inverters to reheat the cooled, dehumidified ventilation air stream was modeled and vetted. Control strategeis for the use of natural ventilation in the office space were developed through the coupling of the energy modeling tool with a bulk airflow modeling tool.

The Aldo Leopold Legacy Center was awarded the most LEED points ever at the time of its completion and was the first building to have been recognized by the US Green Building Council as being carbon neutral in operation. Perhaps most importantly of all, the building was outfitted with a sophisticated data monitoring system and work continues within the design team to learn more about the differences between the building modeled during design and the building in actual operation and to use that knowledge to push the building's energy use ever lower.

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