The Denver Federal Courthouse: Energy-efficiency in a new Federal building
The US Federal Courthouse Expansion in Denver, Colorado is twelve story, 16,112 m{sup 2} project to be constructed adjacent to several existing Courthouse and Federal buildings in downtown Denver. The project has been designated a sustainable design showcase by the General Services Administration, and additional funds were made available to the project for sustainable design features. The design achieves a high level of energy efficiency through a combination of strategies that seek first to reduce building lighting and HVAC loads as low as possible, and then satisfy the remaining, loads through a combination of state-of-the-art, high-efficiency mechanical, electrical, and renewable energy systems. The unique attributes of the Denver climate--sunny skies and low humidity, are utilized throughout the design to minimize energy consumption. The resulting building provides a visible expression of sustainability through the incorporation of a set of features that are designed to work together in an integrated energy-efficient building system. Careful life-cycle assessment of materials and building practices results in minimized use of natural resources as well as a healthier environment for the occupants. The use of local materials is emphasized and the building is designed to have a 100-year life. Issues addressed in material selection include sustainability, recyclability, toxicity, and maintenance. The criteria used to establish the success of the design are contained in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. Although the building is currently entering final design, a LEED gold rating is expected.
- Research Organization:
- Architectural Energy Corp., Boulder, CO (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 20050770
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: SOLAR 99, Portland, ME (US), 06/12/1999--06/16/1999; Other Information: PBD: 1999; Related Information: In: Solar 99 conference: Proceedings of ASES annual conference -- Proceedings of 24th national passive solar conference, by Campbell-Howe, R.; Wilkins-Crowder, B. [eds.], 779 pages.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
14 SOLAR ENERGY
GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS
COLORADO
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
BUILDING MATERIALS
DESIGN
GLAZING MATERIALS
DAYLIGHTING
LIGHTING SYSTEMS
VENTILATION SYSTEMS
EVAPORATIVE COOLING
ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
SPACE HVAC SYSTEMS
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
PERFORMANCE