 |
| Conference room at the LEED Platinum Great River Energy building in Maple Grove, Minn. Note the underfloor air diffusers in the floor and high windows for daylighting. |
Summary
Sustainable building trends are gaining steam, even in the current economic downturn. More than five billion square feet of commercial space has either been certified by the U.S. Green Building Council under its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program or is registered with LEED. It is projected that the green building market's dollar value could more than double by 2013, to as much as $140 billion.
This interest in sustainability is sparking technological innovation, too, as Building Teams and manufacturers work together to make systems that use resources more efficiently. This is evident in the steadily growing number of sustainable mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) technologies—notably displacement ventilation, power metering and monitoring, integrated daylighting and dimming systems, and hands-free, low-flow plumbing fixtures. Take this free AIA/CEU course from Building Design+Construction.
What you will learn
After reading this article, you should be able to:
* List mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) system approaches that offer savings in energy and resources.
* Describe why buildings using underfloor air distribution (UFAD) must be different from those employing standard ducted systems.
* Discuss how power monitoring and metering support green building.
* Explain how integrated daylighting-and-dimming systems work.
Take this free AIA course at:
http://www.bdcuniversity.com/mep-technologies-eco-effective-buildings?courseid=1732 (one-time registration required)
Related Stories
| May 7, 2012
2012 BUILDING TEAM AWARDS: Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital
How a Building Team created a high-tech rehabilitation center for wounded veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
| May 3, 2012
2012 BUILDING TEAM AWARDS: Rush University Medical Center
This fully integrated Building Team opted for a multi-prime contracting strategy to keep construction going on Chicago’s Rush University Medical Center, despite the economic meltdown.
| May 3, 2012
U of Michigan team looking to create highly efficient building envelope designs
The system combines the use of sensors, novel construction materials, and utility control software in an effort to create technology capable of reducing a building’s carbon footprint.
| May 3, 2012
Zero Energy Research Lab opens at North Texas
The living lab—the only one of its kind in Texas—is designed to test various technologies and systems in order to achieve a net-zero consumption of energy.
| May 3, 2012
Ground broken for $94 million hospital expansion at Scripps Encinitas
New facility to more than double emergency department size, boost inpatient beds by 43%.
| May 3, 2012
Rudolph and Sletten, Inc. wins CMAA award
Firm recognized for the renovation of Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College’s Student Administrative & Griffin Student Center.
| May 2, 2012
Building Team completes two additions at UCLA
New student housing buildings are part of UCLA’s Northwest Campus Student Housing In-Fill Project.
| May 1, 2012
Time-lapse video: World Trade Center, New York
One World Trade Center, being built at the site of the fallen twin towers, surpassed the Empire State Building on Monday as the tallest building in New York.
| May 1, 2012
Gilbane to build $100 million cranberries manufacturing facility
Gilbane to provide design build services for a new Lean manufacturing facility for Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc., beverage products.
