Optimal HVAC inside an unoptimized Architecture

I have designed many HVAC systems, for all kinds of buildings, in all kinds of sizes.  Most of the time, no one asked if the architectural design was optimal from the energy efficiency viewpoint.   Sometimes, if there was a building element to tweak, a window overhang for instance, the architect would be performing the smallest of energy savings by design, or optimization. As HVAC designer, I optimized the HVAC to get the cost down, because, over the years, this was a great way to maximize value. 

Not so with architecture.  Forgive me for saying so, but mainstream architectural design has not really advanced much in 20 years.  The on-again off-again demands for energy efficiency did not really impact on the bulk of design.  Architectural design, specifically, envelope design, has not seen much scientific improvement in mainstream construction beyond better vapor barrier applications and superior glass tint.  I know someone will tell me otherwise.  Come on, please correct me. 

The evolution of building efficiency over 25 years seems to be mainly in the appliances,  better equipment, better light fixtures  and lamps, and building “energy controls”.  Since I entered the business I was taught to carefully write control sequences, add variable flow controls, add energy recovery loop wherever possible, and specify better light ballasts.  I was wearing only my title of engineer and it sometimes felt like designing in my sleep.

But we have global warming now.  There is an urgency in this. We have to create sustainable designs everywhere, in practice, ASAP, and not just in demonstrations by university and government researchers.   HVAC, lighting and architecture have to be designed together from the beginning.    

Architecture can, indeed, be more than a users ‘program’ and a database of room specifications.  The design should take advantage of everything we know about the science.  Integrated design is more than a buzzword for me.  As an expert designer of  HVAC systems, I have routinely designed to exceed the ASHRAE 90.1 ‘Energy’ Standard, just because it makes good sense, economically or envinromentally.  

In the past, when the architect and I shared ideas about the envelope and building form in the beginning, decisions are made that can greatly reduce energy usage.  I’d like to do that more often, since interesting synergies can happen.  Daylight and solar energy are very important aspects of optimal architecture that can never be overstressed and need to be promoted.  Energy usage can go down down down.  How low can we go? Try a net-zero energy building.  They are out there.  

Google searche “