Award Date

1-1-1997

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Architecture (MArch)

Department

Architecture

Number of Pages

170

Abstract

This is a study of passive and climate responsive architecture applied to commercial buildings. Commercial buildings-ncluding offices, educational facilities, civic and governmental buildings, health care and retail businesses-lay an important role in the US energy use picture. In an attempt to be more environmentally sensitive and to preserve our natural resourses the US government and the private sector have long been involved in an effort to reduce energy consumption and our dependency on non-renewable energy in new buildings through energy conservation and innovative passive solar strategies as an alternative to the energy wasting buildings that exist all around us. This alternative approach emphasizes the use of simple technology to take advantage of the onsite energy available from the natural environment in combination with the architecture, rather than relying on mechanical components to heat, cool and light our buildings; This study reviewed a number of buildings that are considered to be on the leading edge of passive and low energy technology and examines the passive solar and energy conserving features. As part of the effort to better understand the activities in passive solar usage and to encourage a wider use of climate responsive architecture the performance of these buildings have been evaluated. Each project was examined in terms of reduction of energy costs, energy use and construction costs as compared to a comparable non-passive builDing Some of the general trends found in these buildings are described as well as actual energy consumption and initial construction cost data to indicate cost effectiveness of energy features in various climate conditions.

Keywords

Building; Commercial; Design; Efficient; Energy; Passive; Performance; Solar; Trends

Controlled Subject

Architecture; Force and energy

File Format

pdf

File Size

4444.16 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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Rights

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