The Aerospace Communications Facility (ACF) will consolidate research laboratories that are currently located in seven different buildings on Lewis Field into a single, state of the art research facility consisting of efficient, flexible laboratories, anechoic test chambers, RF-shielded laboratories, collaboration spaces, information technology support areas, and a dedicated rooftop platform for communications antennas.
A prominent feature of the facade is an articulated skin that reflects the pragmatism of the campus. Etched concrete, glass, corrugated metal, and an undulating sunscreen work to broadcast research and create interior environments that foster innovation, manipulate lighting, and reflect the research within.
The building is designed to achieve a LEED Gold rating and be Net Zero Energy Ready (NZER), incorporating energy features identified in the Net Zero Energy Buildings Roadmap prepared by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). What does it really mean to be NZER ready? What are the strategies? Does the next paragraph cover it?
The design team investigated energy use drivers (including a current plug load survey), established an EUI target, analyzed the building design and systems, performed an energy cost summary, calculated anticipated CO2 emissions, cataloged life cycle costs, identified return on investments for optimized building systems, and identified the site’s potential for renewable energy production. The design for a photovoltaic array adjacent to the building is at-the-ready for when funding becomes available.
Team:
Architects: NASA Aerospace Communications Facility
Client: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) John H. Glenn
Collaborative Partners:
APTIM (Safety Consultant)
dbHMS (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection Engineer)
Environmental Design Group (Civil/ Environmental Engineer and Surveyor)
Field Management Services (RFI/EMI Mitigation Designer)
Guidepost Solutions (Security Consultant)
HERA Laboratory Planners (Laboratory Planner)
Terracon (Geotechnical Engineer)
The Concord Group (Cost Estimation)
Thornton Tomasetti (Structural Engineer)
Thornton Tomasetti-Weidlinger Protective Design (Protective Design)
Threshold Acoustics (Acoustical Designer)
Waveguide Consulting (Communications Engineer)
