Upon completion, this new 46,000 SF building will house Denver’s field office for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, a component of the Department of Homeland Security. The three-story building is pursuing LEED silver certification and is a testament to modular design, low environmental impact, the use of local materials, and enhancement of the site’s natural and architectural environment. The mechanical system utilizes a hybrid ground-coupled geothermal system to optimize temperature controllability and flexibility while providing exceptional performance.
The design and construction’s multi-faceted approach resolves a range of challenges common to many projects, including high energy use and cost. Overcoming these challenges requires diligent navigation by the project team to provide cost-effective solutions, while still considering the diametrically opposed requirements of an owner and tenant. Additionally, there are unique challenges to properly and feasibly implement green technology to ensure ultimate performance is achieved.
In this case study, the presenters explore the challenges and resolutions of a geothermal system to determine its correct size, identify accurate building loads estimation, and incorporate the impact of site geology and the repetitive process necessary for optimization. The pitfalls leading to excessively sized or undersized systems and the value of energy reclamation will also be examined. In addition, the key element of success - leveraging the combination of theory and practical experience - will be addressed. Lastly, the successful navigation of challenges presented by local and regional constraints, water rights law, and bridging the special requirement variances between owner and client will be discussed. |
