We're getting enough of a critical mass of SCUPers in SCUP's LinkedIn group that a question or issue occasionally catches fire. On Thursday, October 28. Chris Whitney, of URS Corporation posted this question: "We are studying using Chilled Beams as a alternative HVAC system in a Residence Hall. Has anybody else installed this equipment? Looking for feedback for both the school and our engineering team." By mid-day on Friday, there were several useful comments.

For those who may not know anything about chilled beams, here's the Wikipedia page on chilled beams as a starter. Apparently, "multiservice chilled beams" have been in use in Europe for a while and are catching on in the US: "A multiservice beam seeks to combine building operations into a single unit. These beams can contain lighting fixtures, sprinkler systems, smoke detectors, security sensors, motion detectors, intercoms, power distribution centers, fiber optic distribution centers, and much more."

In reply to Chris, I noted that a past SCUP Link had mentioned the use of chilled beam technology at Furman University to overcome some issues with short floor-to-floor heights. I also noted that the folks from KAUST had talked about this during their presentation at the recent North Central Region annual conference in Cincinnati, which Chris chaired. (A very good conference, BTW. That region is meeting at Iowa State in October 2011. Plan to be there.)

Jill Morelli of the University of Washington shared that she had used it, very successfully, in the union at the University of Washington Medical School: "It provides even cooling and heating, i.e. we get few complaints and we believe we have saved about $1M in utility bill payments this past winter."

Karen Cribbins-Kuklin of Anshen+Allen shared that she has used chilled beams in an historic building at UCLA back in the late '90s. And recommended a mock-up approach, if possible. Morelli then agreed what that.

James Goblirsch of HGA said that he was considering the chilled beam technology for an academic building in Minnesota, and further asked: "Does anyone have energy use data on chilled beams vs. air-side economizers in heating load dominant climate zone."

Do you have that data, or links to it. Do you have anything else to share, or ask, about this topic. If so, please go to the SCUP LinkedIn group and join the conversation!

Recently added:

Laura Werniak of HCFH Architects noted:

Active chilled beam combines ventilation with cooling. Fresh air from a centralized air handling unit will enter the space via the chilled beam. The design of the chilled beam induces the air circulation within the room. The resulting system is often smaller compared to the passive units and better integrated. 

The smaller ductwork makes this system advantageous for older buildings with smaller or more obstructed ceiling plenum space, and buildings with heavy steel or concrete structural frames that constrain the installation of larger ductwork. Because the air velocities are lower and there is no motor nor other moving parts within the space, a chilled beam system is quieter than most other systems, this is particularly helpful in learning environments but maybe less critical in living situations. 

Typically, the system is used with a 100% outside air unit, together with an energy recovery system, further increasing the overall energy efficiency of the building.

Learn from experts in four realms, who provided a comprehensive and pragmatic look at planning for sustainable renovation of residence halls originally built in the 50s and 60s. The webcast was transmitted live on Thursday, September 16, 2010. Information about the presenters can be found below the video or here.

We captured brief video, below, from the live stream. High-quality video of the entire webcast can be purchased from SCUP here. The webcast was a co-production of the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International (ACUHO-I) and the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP). 

Susan J.D. Gott
University Planner
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Sue Gott has served as the University of Michigan’s (UM) university planner since September 2002. As the university planner, she is responsible for guiding master planning and development of the UM campuses. She oversees planning of capital projects including buildings, parking structures, utilities, roads, open spaces, and plazas. Gott also ensures an integrated and coordinated approach to physical planning and design on campus in respect to site planning and site design. She serves as an important link with the community to coordinate UM projects with community planning initiatives. Prior to her current position, she was an adjunct professor with UM’s Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, where she instructed graduate studies in the fundamentals of the planning practice. She was also a senior planner at the consulting firm JJR Inc., where she practiced campus planning, transportation and environmental planning and urban design. She is highly regarded for her focus on integrated planning, environmental stewardship, advocacy for public art and efforts to promote historic preservation.

Paul J. Wuennenberg
Principal
Mackey Mitchell Associates

Paul J. Wuennenberg, AIA, ASAI, LEED AP, joined Mackey Mitchell Architects in 1989 and became a firm principal in 1998. He is recognized throughout the country as an expert on facilities for student residential life. He has been a frequent speaker at ACUHO-I and has produced in-depth books on student housing. Wuennenberg has developed concepts for student housing of the future, and his designs have won two People’s Choice awards in ACUHO’s 21st Century Project competition. He recently was invited to participate in the Chief Housing Officers Bootcamp, where he was the only architect on the panel. Wuennenberg holds a bachelor of architecture from University of Kansas.

Andrea Trinklein
Executive Director, Residence Life & Housing
Emory University

Andrea Trinklein, PhD, LEED AP, is the executive director of residence life and housing at Emory University. Previously, she was the director of housing at Georgia State University. She has over 27 years of professional housing experience at Western Illinois University, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and Nebraska Wesleyan University. Trinklein is a frequent national and international presenter. She has served as chair of Commission III - Housing and Residential Life for the American College Personnel Association (ACPA), and in leadership roles with The Association of College and University Housing Officers-International (ACUHO-I). She has been involved in numerous renovation and construction projects throughout her career. At Emory, she played an integral role in the program design and construction of four residence halls, which achieved LEED Silver or Gold certification. Trinklein is a senior faculty member for Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University. She received her PhD in administration, curriculum, and instruction with a higher education emphasis from the University of Nebraska.

Nadia Zhiri
Principal, Vice President
Treanor Architects

Nadia Zhiri, AIA, LEED AP, is a principal for Treanor Architects’ student life design studio, and believes in architecture’s ability to support and enhance the learning environment. Zhiri holds degrees in both environmental design and architecture from the University of Kansas, and has dedicated her career to the design of healthy student life facilities. She has spent the last year writing articles and speaking to groups about how to transform dated residence halls into high-performance buildings that better support a school’s mission. Zhiri's designs have won such honors as the People’s Choice Award for Product Showcase at ACUHO-I’s 21st Century Project, and College Planning & Management’s 2009 Grand Prize for Education Design Showcase.

Gustavus University's residence halls went through a green renovation this summer. The Gustavian Week provides some of the details.

The summer construction projects, especially the stone infill on the Complex windows, were of a large enough scale to require a general contractor. Gustavus brought in Gosewisch Construction to aid campus employees with the summer projects. The addition of a contractor allowed the projects to be completed in the limited time span of the summer, and also allowed some of the Gustavus work force to engage in projects in academic buildings as well as residence hall renovations.

“We have the ability to change things pretty quickly and easily,” Strey said. “My hope is that students like the renovations that they see happening and the upgrading of the facilities. It’s all part of the college’s long range plan that is important for the college to stay up to date.”

SCUP's webcast later this week, Sustainable Residence Hall Renovation: Teach Your Old Dog New Tricks, is a must-see if you are interested in this topic and wish to begin planning for renovations next year. It is co-produced by ACUHO-I.

In August of 2007, Building Design & Construction magazine surveyed a scientifically drawn sample of members from three major higher education professional organizations: APPA; the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP); and the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). Together, the three groups represent a diverse workforce within the U.S. higher education sector. Recipients of the online survey were asked to gauge their level of knowledge, interest, and action with regard to green buildings and sustainable practices at their institution.

Principal findings of the survey

Nearly nine in ten (85%) respondents said they have incorporated sustainable design and green building principles in recent building projects, and just 5% said they have no plans to incorporate green in future building projects.

Both SCUP and APPA members have seen a sharp increase in green building projects, compared to 2004. About half (47%) of SCUP respondents said they have incorporated
sustainable strategies “quite extensively” in recent building projects, up from 26% in 2004. While 42% of APPA members have implemented green extensively, up from 14% in 2004. The green adoption rate among AASHE members is at a healthy level as well, with 86% having incorporated sustainable design in recent projects, 40% having done so extensively.

About half (47%) of respondents said they are willing to pay up to 5% more for green, and about one-fifth said they would fork out an additional 6 to 10%. Just 9% of respondents across the three groups said a cost premium for green is not acceptable.

Relatively low-cost approaches for reducing energy consumption—including energy management, automated lighting controls, and daylighting - topped the list of sustainable action items that have been implemented or are planned for upcoming projects. Strategies for improving indoor air quality are also popular.

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