FLEXLAB, short for the Facility for Low Energy Experiments, opened this summer at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Scientists, architects, and engineers can use these four buildings to mimic the conditions inside and outside just about any building on Earth to test different elements for energy efficiency.
The buildings can simulate temperature, sun exposure—even the body heat of people sitting inside them. One of the test beds rotates 270 degrees to track the movement of the sun so that it can emulate the light exposure a building would get at different latitudes or in different seasons.
The new $16 million facility’s biggest value will come from validating models that can predict how a certain window or a shade will perform in a particular location. The facility lets researchers swap out cladding, shades, and windows to test different configurations.
About 1,000 sensors monitor multiple building dynamics such as power, airflow, and lighting. Portable “occupant thermal generators” mimic the body heat of people sitting in a space. Large cooling and heating systems can make up for the lack of temperature and humidity variation in the Bay Area.
(http://gizmodo.com/the-rotating-building-where-the-offices-of-the-future-w-1602471614)
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Mar 28, 2016
Occupant egress simulations that impact codes fall short, researchers say
Building evacuations in emergencies are too dangerous as a result.
School Construction | Mar 28, 2016
National report on school buildings reports $46 billion annual funding shortfall
Millions of students said to be learning in obsolete facilities.
Codes and Standards | Mar 25, 2016
ASHRAE grants fund human thermal comfort database project
Aim is to help better understand thermal comfort in residential and commercial buildings.
Codes and Standards | Mar 25, 2016
OSHA finalizes new silica dust regulations
Construction industry has until June 2017 to comply.
Wood | Mar 23, 2016
APA updates Engineered Wood Construction Guide
Provides recommendations on engineered wood construction systems.
Codes and Standards | Mar 23, 2016
Affordable housing advocates differ on micro-apartment policy
New York’s luxury micro units could be first step to developing affordable units.
Codes and Standards | Mar 21, 2016
GRESB launches Health and Well-being Module for real estate industry
Optional supplement to environmental, social, and governance assessment.
Codes and Standards | Mar 4, 2016
U.S. Supreme Court lets San Jose affordable housing law stand
Law attempts to alleviate Silicon Valley’s high housing costs.
Codes and Standards | Mar 2, 2016
WELL standard offers multiple benefits for owners, says real estate executive
Could be a recruiting tool for occupant companies.
Cultural Facilities | Mar 1, 2016
China bans ‘weird’ public architecture, gated communities
Directs designers of public buildings to focus on functionality.
