The 2006 competition focused on the mixed-use renovation of the Dallas Power & Light building in a historic area of Dallas. The renovation includes converting the majority of the former office building into residential apartments, with retail space occupying the first floor of the building.
For the HVAC system selection category, students selected water source heat pumps, giving the system a life cycle cost of $7,464,000. The system calls for water-source heat pumps to parallel the one rooftop unit serving floors two through 20 and an additional rooftop unit for the first-level retail area.
For the ventilation category, students chose a rooftop unit paralleled by WSHP for residential units, and a rooftop unit serving the retail areas. The system also allowed for lower cost and emissions as well while allowing the building meet Standard 90.1 without compromising historic integrity of building.
For the HVAC system design category, the students designed a decoupled outdoor air system with a parallel sensible system with an energy cost of $4.72/square foot per year.
The entry’s sustainable design features included pervious sidewalk materials, photovoltaic glass panels inside the cafeteria, translucent, diffuse light-transmitting walls and reflective roofing materials. The students’ design also includes a naturally ventilated atrium near the lobby and a naturally daylit cafeteria that is also shaded to save on energy costs.
The competition recognizes outstanding student design projects and encourages undergraduate students to become involved in the profession.
