Integrated Design Approach - APS Prototype Elementary Schools

Integrated Design Approach - APS Prototype Elementary Schools

Here are some images from our Integrated Design Process with Miller Bonded Incorporated (MBI), the mechanical subcontractor for two of our APS Prototype Elementary Schools. VHGA provided the 3-D model of the building created in Revit and MBI used Navis Works to create the 3-D coordination for plumbing, mechanical, structural and some electrical components like the cable tray. Collision checking between the different disciplines is performed in the model and saves countless conflicts in the field.

Construction begins on Prototype Schools

APS Prototype Elementary School progress photo's. The top photo is of the large footing between the two story classroom wign and the upper level. That's a big a footing.

Construction Progress at V. Sue Cleveland High School

Construction is proceeding at break-neck speed. When completed the new V. Sue Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho will be the largest LEED certified project of it's kind in the State of New Mexico. The new High School scheduled for completion in the fall of 2009 will accomadate 2350 students in a 406,000 S.F. facility on a 140 Acre site complete with track and field athletic facilities.

Sustainable Design and LEED

Designed for LEED Silver Certification, all learning environments enjoy natural daylighting through north/south floor to ceiling windows, and extensive interior glass partitioning. An east-west orientation minimizes the need for excessive site cut and fill. Other sustainable features include landscapeand designto reduce "heat islands", rainwater collection, improved indoor air quality, building materials contain a large recycled content, geothermal wells, heat recovery, high performance glazing and solar shading devices.

Carbon Neutral Modeling

Van H Gilbert Architect PC continues to be on the forefront of sustainable design by accepting and committing to designing carbon-neutral buildings today, not 25-30 years from now. Van H Gilbert Architect PC’s commitment is evidenced by its development and use of 3-D Building Information Modeling (BIM) that is used in conjunction with Green Building Software. Green Building Software allows Van H Gilbert Architect PC to further enhance the integrated design process by performing in-house energy modeling on a real time design basis. Green Building Software provides whole building energy analysis including the building carbon footprint analysis.

Carbon Neutral Design at VHGA

We are looking into carbon neutrality for some of our future projects and will be utilizing the latest in energy modeling software to analyze the carbon footprint of our designs.

Being carbon neutral, or carbon neutrality, refers to neutral (meaning zero) total carbon release, brought about by balancing the amount of carbon released with the amount sequestered.

It refers to the practice of balancing carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels, with renewable energy that creates a similar amount of useful energy, so that the carbon emissions are compensed, or alternatively using only renewable energies that don't produce any carbon (this last is called a post-carbon economy).

BIM'ming on the Forefront

VHGA has recently purchased additional licenses/subscriptions of Revit. We now have as many licenses of Revit as we have of AutoCAD Architecture (we also have a license of Microstation and IRAS/B). Van H. Gilbert Architect has made a firm commitment to being at the forefront of BIM technology within the office. We analyze each project to determine the most appropriate software application before we begin design. Also exciting to us is that our consultants are becoming well-versed in BIM applications. The creation of a more complete BIM will assist the team during design by providing real-time coordination.

Building Information Modeling - BIM

How much BIM are you looking to achieve? Here at VHGA we are making BIM happen in every way available to us. We are working with our Consultants to develop a BIM strategy. We are attending conferences and discussing the concept with local and national contractors.
The image above represents a Revit project that the office has recently completed through the construction documentation phase and is now out to bid. We built the architectural BIM and modeled the structure. In our next project we hope to include our Engineering Consultants in the BIM process.

Solar Hot Water Panels

The new APS Prototype Elementary Schools have been designed to have Hot Water for the Kitchen and the entire building be provided with preheated solar hot water. Three four foot by eight foot panels will be located near the front entry to the building, and have a dual function - providing shade from the sun for the windows in the administration area. This sustainable design practice along with a high efficiency HVA/C system will reduce the energy consumption of the building by an estimated 47%!