Natural ventilation makes this library coolest building on campus

摘要

Architecture rules at this new Judson University building, which houses an expanded library and the division of art, design, and architecture. "Seeking a facility worthy of an evolving architecture program that is seeking accreditation, the university conducted an international design competition," said Norm Bower, KJWW public relations coordinator. London-based architect Alan Short of Short and Assocs., a pioneer in low-energy, naturally ventilated, and passively cooled buildings, designed the facility. The design team's challenge was to treat light and humidity issues in a library and art environment, where these factors could seriously damage the contents of the 8B,000-sq.-ft building. Dominant energy-conscious features of the building are its photovoltaic, natural ventilation, and natural daylighting systems. Optimizing solar gains in the spring and fall is intended to allow the building to run naturally, with little or no mechanical intervention, for six or more months of the year. The building is expected to earn a USGBC LEED silver rating.