The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is in the process of building one the most energy efficient buildings in the world. NREL’s Research Support Facility (RSF), expected to be competed in 2010, will consume only 33% of the energy of similar building in existence today and only 50% of the energy of buildings built to current code. With the addition of on-site renewable energy, the building could approach net zero energy. To select the design and construction team for the project, NREL developed a performance based design-build procurement process which required prospective teams to develop a concept design and substantiate how they will achieve the goals set forth for the project. This session will review NREL’s ground-breaking procurement process and showcase the designs innovative developed by each of the three teams in pursuit of the project. NREL’s use of performance specifications with substantiation requirements for a federal project is unique and is an example of how to achieve high performance buildings quickly and economically.
Each competitor will present their project and describe the concepts used to achieve low energy design. This session affords a rare glimpse into the competitive process and the decision making that accompanies design competitions. Rarely does the public have the opportunity to see designs developed by all of the shortlisted teams—especially in one setting. |
