Case Study Assignment

Having read through, in detail, all of the case studies from the 2012 winners of the AIA Top Ten (www.aiatopten.org), pick one of the winners to read again in more detail, then research other sources on the project. Gather as much information as you can on the project, paying specific attention to the selection, sizing, and integration of systems we discussed in class. Write a case study with a maximum of five pages of text, and five pages of supplemental images and sources. The highest quality case studies will include the following:

Background:
Identify the site location and local climate (using at minimum a psychrometric chart, chart of heating and cooling degree days, and chart of rainfall), the climate zone, and local biome. List the codes applicable to the project, and any standards or best practices followed.

Systems:
For each of the systems listed on the next page, identify (a) the architectural design approach to minimize the load noting whether that approach targeted meeting code or exceeding it, (b) details on any passive systems that were applied to reduce the load, (c) the active system chosen to meet the remaining load and how it provided efficient comfort, (d) the equipment within that system and any interesting facts about it or the selection process, and (e) any integration and operation issues among the architecture, systems, equipment, or occupant.

Case Study Assignment

Systems to be analyzed: Heating Cooling Ventilation Lighting Power generation/electrical distribution Stormwater management/plumbing Acoustics

Assessment:
Provide an analysis as to whether the project team delivered the best design possible. If you conclude that they did, identify why performance could not have been bettered. If you conclude that they did not, identify at least three specific design decisions that could have been bettered. In both cases, the analysis must be practical and rooted in decisions that can reasonably have been changed.

Appendices (maximum 5 pages):

At a minimum, three additional sources beyond the AIA top ten (in all its forms). Any images, charts, graphs, or additional sources that support your statements.
Formatting notes: 1. Font size to be no larger than 12 point and no smaller than 10 point. Paragraph spacing to be single-spaced within paragraphs and no more than one line in between. Margins should be 1 all around. 2. Psychrometric chart and climate data chart to be created by the student, not taken from a source. Provide the source for the data used to create the charts. 3. All sources used throughout the case study must be cited and listed. 4. Document to be submitted as a single PDF to the Case Study Assignment on Blackboard. All appendices must be able to be read in Adobe Reader at no greater magnification than 100%.