From 2010. (After the quakes, our mileage may vary): The aim of this study was to investigate the design of the Erskine Building at Canterbury University in New Zealand to assess its performance as a passively designed educational building. Although it has been 12 years since the building was complete it is still noteworthy as an example of sustainable design excellence and for its high user performance rating. Interviews with the client and design principals showed it to be an example of high-level, early concept stage integration. A detailed energy audit revealed an energy use index already less than the latest target benchmark for existing buildings in New Zealand of 150 kWh/m² per year. Temperature measurements in the staff offices indicated that the occupants were able to maintain conditions related to their individual preferences. Most gratifying of all, a questionnaire survey conducted in 2001 revealed that the building was rated very highly in terms of its acoustic, lighting, air quality, summer and winter temperatures, and overall comfort performance, by both the staff and students who used it. The paper concludes with the main lessons learnt from the investigation that could usefully be applied to contemporary projects.
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 07:28:53 +0000
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