News

New lab will shed light – literally – on saving energy – Architects can get free advice on ‘daylighting’

Developers who want to learn how to build with more environmentally friendly projects now have a new tool at their disposal.

The Idaho Urban Research and Design Center’s Integrated Design Lab will open its doors today in Boise.

Ken Dey
The Idaho Statesman

http://www.idahostatesman.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041005/NEWS02/410050319/1029

The lab will give commercial developers the opportunity to see the benefits of incorporating energy efficiency and conservation efforts into a building’s design.

The lab, at 108 N. 6th St., will provide resources for developers to learn about "green" architecture methods that can help protect the environment, cut energy costs and reduce water usage.

Two of the most significant tools available at the lab will be the Overcast Sky Simulator and the Heliodon.

The Overcast Sky Simulator is a mirrored room that will test building models to see whether natural light is being used effectively on overcast days. The Heliodon mimics direct sunlight and tests the same models for direct sun penetration, which can affect heating and cooling needs in a project.

A focus of the lab will be to demonstrate to builders how they can incorporate "daylighting" into building designs. Daylighting is the process of using natural light, but not direct sunlight, to provide light inside a building.

The lab will offer its design consultation services, that focus on energy efficiency and sustainable designs free to architects, engineers and building owners throughout Idaho and eastern Oregon.

Funding for the lab comes from BetterBricks, a non-profit program of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance. The lab is also funded by the University of Idaho, the Idaho Energy Division and Idaho Power Co.

Kevin Van Den Wymelenberg, the lab’s director, said by testing models of projects, they can suggest changes to optimize energy efficiency.

Van Den Wymelenberg said this is the first lab of its kind in Boise that will allow developers to see the benefits of energy efficiency in a building’s design.

"This is really going to give them the tools to do what they need to do to create good-looking, high- performance buildings," he said.
As part of the grand opening this week for the Idaho Urban Research and Design Center’s Integrated Design Lab, several public events are planned that showcase the benefits of building environmentally friendly buildings. All events are free to the public and will be held at the lab’s new location, 108 N. 6th St. in Boise. Here’s a look at the schedule:

• 7 p.m., today — Gray water forum with architect Wayne Moody. Gray water is water from sinks, washing machines and exterior runoff that can be filtered and reused in toilets or for irrigation. Following Moody’s presentation there will be a panel discussion with state and local officials and local developers.

• 7 p.m., Wednesday — England’s BedZed Development. Bruce Haglund, a University of Idaho architecture professor, will speak about and show images of the BedZed project, a zero-fossil fuel housing project in England that features daylighting, passive solar design, natural cooling and a central biomass heating system.

• 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday — Open house at the lab followed at 7 p.m. by a presentation from Carnegie Mellon University professor Steve Lee, who will talk about "Bridging the Gap — Why Labs Matter." Lee is part of Carnegie Mellon’s Center for Building Performance and Diagnostics in Pittsburgh. The center has contributed to major building projects in the United States and around the world.

For more information about the events or the lab, call Kevin Van Den Wymelenberg at 724-9456.
— Ken Dey

Related Links

* BetterBricks http://www.betterbricks.com/default.aspx

* Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance http://www.nwalliance.org/

Sorry, we couldn't find any posts. Please try a different search.

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.