Architecture 2030
Meeting the Challenge

The 2030 Challenge
All new buildings, developments and major renovations
shall be designed to meet a fossil fuel, GHG‐emitting,
energy consumption performance standard of 50% of the
regional (or country) average for that building type.
60% in 2010
70% in 2015
80% in 2020
90% in 2025
Carbon‐neutral in 2030 (using no fossil fuel GHG emitting
energy to operate).

The 2030 Challenge
These targets may be accomplished by implementing
innovative sustainable design strategies, generating on‐
site renewable power and/or purchasing (20% maximum)
renewable energy and/or certified renewable energy
credits.

The 2030 Challenge
“You’ve got to eat your energy
efficiency vegetables before
you can have your renewable
energy dessert.” – Jeff Lyng,
Colorado Governor’s Energy
Office
Photo provided by NREL

The 2030 Challenge
Source: Energy Information Administration,
1995 Commercial Buildings Energy
Consumption Survey

The 2030 Challenge
Innovative Design Strategies Hierarchy
Controls
Mechanical
Daylighting
Envelope

Envelope
Remember, code is the minimum allowed.
It won’t get you to your goal.
Instead, start with ASHRAE’s Advanced
Energy Design Guides
Use energy modeling early to determine
performance goals.
Climate zones change requirements.
Breckenridge is different than Denver.
Optimize window selections for
orientations.
Look at new technologies. SIPs, ICFs, etc.

At least they
can’t say they
don’t have any
windows.
Daylighting

Daylighting
Building needs to be oriented properly.
Need to aggressively target the use of
artificial lights.
Artificial lighting should be tied into
daylighting, and should dim when
conditions allow.
Windows need to a balance of thermal
performance, solar performance, and
visible light transmittance.
Christa McAuliffe E.S.
Direct light must be controlled!
Take advantage of the 300 days of
sunshine a year in Colorado.

Mechanical
Efforts in envelope and
daylighting should reduce
mechanical systems sizes.
Look at innovative
strategies: geoexchange,
natural ventilation,
evaporative cooling, energy
recovery, chilled beams.
220-ton heating/cooling “plant”
Integrate HVAC with
occupancy sensors.

Mechanical
Palmer Ridge High School,
Monument, Colorado

Controls
Can improve efficiency of
system, but won’t make up for
lost efficiency in envelope,
daylighting, or mechanical
systems.
Need to be flexible for future
technologies
Look at systems that integrate
all systems – lighting,
mechanical, and schedules.

Dilemmas
Gas versus electric?
Source Power: Do we design for the now (coal burning plants), or for the
future (renewable energy)?
Renewable energy sources – photovoltaic, wind.
Supply has gone up, but so has demand (and cost).
Limited control of the building performance after turnover. Energy
Star measures actual use.
Increase the education of our building users.
Include ongoing commissioning.

Christa McAuliffe Elementary
Owner: Colorado Springs
District 11
Architect: H+L Architecture
MEP: M.E. Group
61,000 SF elementary
600 Students
Opened August 2007

Christa McAuliffe Elementary
DDC, occupancy
sensors, district tie‐in
Controls Geoexchange, energy
recovery, VFDs
Mechanical
Daylight sensors,
dimming systems, light
shelves, Solatubes
Daylighting
R‐25 walls, R‐30 roof,
Glass: U=0.29, SC=0.47,
VLT=73%
Envelope

McAullife E.S.

McAuliffe E.S.

Christa McAuliffe Elementary
Final Thoughts
It reached the current (2008) goals of Architecture 2030.
Need to monitor ongoing performance and compare to model.
Projects started in the next two years will need to be even more
efficient to meet the 2010 requirements.
Eventually, we’ll need to include on‐site renewable energy (or
purchase credits) to achieve the requirements.

Meeting the 2030
Challenge
Questions?
Presented by:
Pete Jefferson, PE
Ravi Maniktala, PE