San Francisco Public Utilities Commission headquarters is planning to go green this march. The present building at the left above will be replaced by the new eco-friendly design (right picture). The project’s design features include a highly efficient exterior building enclosure including exterior sun shades, natural ventilation with the use of operable windows, reduced lighting power densities through space planning and solar and wind harvesting to meet a significant portion of the building’s energy demand.
Photovoltaic system and Solar panels
A is integrated into the building design to provide power, reduce heat loads on the higher floors, and serve as a work of art. will be embedded in portions of the facade, and solar greenhouses are included on every floor to represent San Francisco’s natural soil and vegetation conditions at the corresponding elevation.
Wind turbines and electrical lighting
Wind turbines will be stacked behind glass along part of the facade and on the roof. Great emphasis was also placed on harnessing natural daylight, where appropriate, to reduce the load needed for the building. To maximize daylight from the perimeter glazing, light shelves were integrated into the window walls.
Water Consumption
In addition, waterless urinals, faucet sensors, and on-demand water heaters will be used so that each occupant’s water usage should only be five gallons per day; and wastewater will be recycled through basement filters, and then put to use in toilets and the cooling system.
