Design Briefs: Options & Opportunities
Not all energy-efficiency measures are appropriate for all building types, but some are especially useful for particular buildings. This Design Brief reminds designers and builders of opportunities they should consider in each of their projects. Summary: When focus is placed on the largest energy uses in a particular type of building, incorporating pertinent enhancements in a standard design can readily improve energy efficiency...

Design Briefs: Integrated Building Design
Using the integrated energy design approach, designers can cost-effectively lower building operating costs while improving workers’ comfort and boosting productivity. Summary: The integrated energy design process helps building owners and designers to economically reduce building operating expenses, while improving comfort and productivity for the building's occupants...

Design Briefs: Building Simulation
A few building simulation runs early in a project can lead to design solutions that, though they appear simple, significantly improve building energy performance. Summary: Computerized building energy performance simulation is a powerful implement for the virtual toolboxes of architects, engineers, and developers...

Online Tools: EDR Charette
EDR Charette is an online tool that allows you to quickly investigate the energy impacts of various design scenarios on a typical building, and then review the analysis graphically in an easy to understand web-based format. It enables you to quickly "draw" building components with drop down menus, and estimate how different design choices will affect energy use, energy costs, and the surrounding environment...

Software: eQUEST
eQUEST® is a sophisticated, yet easy to use building energy use analysis tool which provides professional-level results with an affordable level of effort. This freeware tool was designed to allow you to perform detailed analysis of today's state-of-the-art building design technologies using today's most sophisticated building energy use simulation techniques but without requiring extensive experience in the "art" of building performance modeling...

Case Studies: A Retailer Makes a Commitment to Daylight
HomeBase made a commitment to daylighting during a recent major remodeling campaign. Today, all 83 of this company’s home improvement warehouse stores use extensive skylights and photocontrols. HomeBase was, of course, concerned about saving energy and money...

The Newsletter: Let the sun shine!
Established more than 100 years ago, Ralphs Grocery Company is a retailer success story based on a commitment to quality, service, and innovation. The company's mission is simple: Give customers the very best. Those three commitments, especially innovation, are evident in the company's new store located in the Southern California community of Temecula...

e-News for Designers: e-News #38: Battling the Big Box Energy Bite – Lessons for Large Retail Design
There’s been a big explosion in big box retail buildings: In 1970, there were an estimated five square feet of retail space for each person in the U.S. By 2000, that figure had risen to 20 square feet per capita. Since the large retail (greater than 10,000 square feet) segment is the second greatest energy user of all commercial segments, the implications of this growth trend are significant...

The Newsletter: One way to get it all in...
The primary goal of sustainable design is to minimize the impact of new buildings on the environment, while ensuring the health and well-being of the occupants. The concept of sustainable design focuses on the following major issues: Energy efficiency Use of efficient and environmentally sensitive building materials Improved indoor air quality Resourceful landscaping practices Water conservation Construction waste reduction Pollution prevention In Southern California climatic conditions, one sustainable design strategy with numerous applications for retail buildings is utilizing natural light to enhance and improve store interiors...

The Newsletter: Natural ROI
A recent research study, completed in June 1999, has the retail world buzzing because it indicated a strong correlation between stores with skylights and increased sales. Sponsored by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the study has created significant interest among retailers wanting to energize their sales and lower their operating costs by integrating daylighting and other energy efficiency strategies into new stores...