NAU College of Business Administration

Flagstaff, Arizona

Northern Arizona University’s College of Business Administration facility houses administrative offices, classrooms, an auditorium and multi-use common areas for students and teachers to congregate. The project adopted a design approach called “Adaptive Comfort.” The concept widely tested in European markets, asserts the principle that a user is more likely to accept a wider range of temperatures if the following conditions are provided: controllability of systems, fresh air and air movement. Both psychological and physical comforts are provided to the user, while the primary benefit of energy savings is achieved creating a win-win situation. The project team also managed to eliminate potable water usage for irrigation while maintaining their goal to create beautiful and inviting outdoor spaces for students to enjoy.

Sustainable Strategies

• The combination of mass in concrete floors with air plenums above takes maximum advantage of thermal lag in all seasons

• Upper windows automatically open to release heat in summer months

• Skylights and clerestory windows throughout reduce the need for artificial light

• Significant outside air is delivered via operable windows

• Exterior lights use shields and low-pressure sodium lamps to minimize light trespass in keeping with Flagstaff’s dark sky policy

• Under-floor air system reduces energy for heating and cooling by delivering conditioned air directly to occupied areas

Project Results

• LEED for New Construction GOLD level achieved

• 34% energy cost savings above ASHRAE 90.1-1999 energy standard

• 100% savings of potable water for irrigation

• 93% savings of potable water for domestic uses

• 86% of construction waste was diverted from the landfill