The document summarizes a technical report for a proposed performing arts center at Hawaii Pacific University. It details the goals of achieving LEED Silver certification while incorporating Hawaiian values. A two-floor rectangular design was chosen, with a theater, cafe, classrooms, and offices. Energy modeling software was used to evaluate design options and reduce energy usage by 55.8% and water usage by 667,577 liters per year through features like a green roof, skylights, and low-flow fixtures. The center aims to utilize local and renewable resources in a sustainable way.

1. ENVS 4000: Final Project Debbie Durbin
Technical Report: Performing Arts Center for Hawaii Pacific University, Hawaii Loa Campus
May 2015
Summary
The aim of this project is to create a performing arts center for Hawaii Pacific University
that would keep with Hawaiian values and achieve a LEED Silver certification using local and/or
renewable resources. To explore possibilities, eQuest was used to determine the schematics and
any potential problems. A two-floor, rectangle minus a corner layout was chosen. The theatre,
corresponding rooms, a café and a set of bathrooms would make up the first floor. Classrooms,
practice rooms, general offices, and a library complete the second floor. The Centre would be
located between the Nursing Annex and the Academic Center and would utilize a green roof on a
white roof, local resources, and low-flow fixtures. The café would potentially be located partially
outside to take advantage of natural cooling. The green roof would have a water catchment
system with pipes leading to rain gardens used for the café. Overall energy use was reduced by
55.8%, from 49,189.58 kWh to 27,465.27 kWh. Water usage changes were calculated to save
667,577.50 liters per year.
Introduction
Beginning in the early 1990s, Hawaii Pacific College (HPC) began to look into a more
environmentally sustainable approach in anticipation to a merger with Hawaii Loa College (HL)
to create Hawaii Pacific University (HPU). Historical footprint data indicated that becoming
environmentally sustainable would be the best solution in the long run for the school, while
holding to the local idea of protecting the `aina from overuse.
The planning process has continued well into the 2000s. A draft concept plan was
generated in 2007 and a master plan was created in 2008. Several principles were developed
during this time (Hawaii Loa Plan for Student Projects):
1. Enhance the quality of education at HPU.
2. Create a campus with residential housing that supports strong teaching and strong
learning.
3. Use Hawaiian ideals to build a sustainable campus.
Purpose
The aim of the project is to develop a performing arts center for the Hawaii Loa campus
at Hawaii Pacific University. The goal is to have a performing arts center that conforms to the
university’s overall goals of becoming LEED certified at the Silver level while still incorporating
a Hawaiian sense of space.

2. ENVS 4000: Final Project Debbie Durbin
Methods
To complete the preliminary analysis of possible performing arts center concepts, the
computer modeling program eQuest was used. The program allows users to view multiple
options before construction begins. The requirements for the performing arts center are as
follows:
1. The center will be approximately a total of 25,000 ft2.
2. A 600-seat theatre, with storage rooms, a box office, and dressing rooms
3. General office space
4. A café
5. Classrooms and practice rooms
6. Restrooms
7. An electrical room
8. A library
9. A parking lot
10. Must incorporate using renewable resources.
Using the eQuest Schematic Design Wizard, two locations were originally looked at: the
lawn between the Academic Center and the Nursing Annex, and the area above the Soccer Field.
Two different layouts were also analyzed, a rectangle minus a corner and a trapezoid. The lawn
and the rectangle minus a corner shape were chosen for the final design with two floors. A
baseline energy calculation was then done to determine how and where adjustments would be
done to make the building as sustainable as possible while keeping the design feasible for the
school.
Once the baseline was completed, room placement was decided. Building materials and
products were then chosen. This included the types of windows, doors, lighting. It also included
the type of roof needed. The roof was chosen using a green roof calculator from Portland State
University, with a growing media depth of 6 inches, leaf area index of 2 and an 80% roof cover.
The results were later added to the initial baseline energy usage to calculate sustainable energy
usage. Water usage and the products needed were calculated using an indoor water use reduction
calculator provided by LEED.
Results and Discussion
Initial analyses determined that the rectangle minus a corner with two floors is more
efficient than a trapezoid with two floors. The shape leaves less awkward space. The building
faces north. Ceiling heights were kept at 12 feet for each floor. The breakdown of the Center
layout is shown in Table 1. The theatre and its corresponding rooms (except for the general
offices) would take up 38% of the Center’s space and is planned to be on the lower floor, along
with the café. The general offices, classrooms, and library are planned to be on the second floor.
Figure 1 shows an example of the proposed layout. The café may be placed outside on a lanai to
increase office space and take advantage of the wind for natural cooling.

3. ENVS 4000: Final Project Debbie Durbin
Baseline Calculations
Baseline energy analyses gave us the next steps needed. The initial annual electrical use
was 850.44 kWh and the initial gas usage was 164.94 btu, for a total annual energy use of
49,189.58 kWh. Using the LEED-provided water reduction calculator, it was found that normal
water use would amount to about 2,190.00 gallons per year for 750 users.
Building Envelope Constructions
It was decided the roof would be built up and based on a metal frame (>24 in.) with
exterior 3 inch polyurethane (R-18) insulation and R-15 batting. The walls would utilize a metal
2x6 24 inch frame with a stucco exterior finish and reclaimed wood or bamboo interior walls.
The walls would also have R-2 exterior insulation, R-19 batting, and R-6 1 inch polyurethane
interior insulation. The floors would be either ceramic or stone to reduce cooling needs. The
ceilings would be lay-in acoustic tiles. Windows would account for 40% of each wall and be 6ft
x 8ft. The glass used would be double reflective clear ¼ inch air windows. The doors would be
made of opaque, solid core flush wood and be 6ft x 7ft. There would be one set of doors on each
side of the building.
Lighting
Daylight harvesting would be utilized to reduce energy costs. The analysis allowed us to
decide to use Dimming: 30% lights with a 50 fc light level. The lights would be turned on 13
hours a day 355 days a year to account for 10 holidays where the building would not be used.
Skylights were originally proposed for the top floor. However, building code dictates that only
3% of a roof can have skylights.
HVAC Use
It was decided that DX coils would be used for heating and cooling. The heat pump
would utilize air. The system would be a packaged single zone heat pump with ducted air return.
The minimum design flow would be kept at 0.75 cfm/ft2. The cooling unit would be 63 tons with
an EER efficiency of 8.20, allowing crankhouse heating. The heating unit with a COP efficiency
of 2.90.
Roof
After using the green rood calculator, we decided on an irrigated green roof on a white
roof would produce the best annual savings, of 1860.8 kWh and $228.90. It was also decided that
the green roof would also have a water catchment system with pipes leading to rain gardens that
provide local produce for the Center’s café.
Water Usage
The LEED water use reduction calculator was used to determine what kind of faucets and
toilets need to be used to save the most energy. Calculations were made using 750 individuals.
The baseline flush rate for urinals was 3.80 lpf and the baseline flush rate for toilets was 6.00 lpf.
Based off of these numbers the baseline case annual flush volume was 1,750,860.00 liters per

4. ENVS 4000: Final Project Debbie Durbin
year. Low-flow versions reduced the flush rates to 0.5 lpf each for a total of 166,406.25 liters per
year.
Faucets were also used to calculate needed energy savings. Baseline bathroom faucets
had a flow rate of 1.90 lpm/lpc and kitchen faucets had a baseline flow rate of 8.30 lpm/lpc. This
amounts to 639,713.55 liters per year of water used. Design restroom faucets had a flow rate 1.5
lpm/lpc, while design kitchen faucets had a flow rate of 2.2 lpm/lpc. The design fixtures reduced
the annual flow volume to 501,171.25 liters per year.
Final Energy Savings
Once all changes were made using the eQuest software, it was found that the changes
reduced the total annual energy use from 49,189.58 kWh to 29,326.07 kWh. Electrical energy
use was reduced from 850.44 kWh to 622.69 kWh. Annual gas usage was reduced from 164.94
btu to 97.94 btu. This brought the total annual energy use down to 29,326.07 kWh. The green
roof savings of 1,860.80 kWh further reduced the total energy use to 27,465.27 kWh. Overall
energy use was reduced by 55.8%.
Conclusions and Recommendations
1. Solar panels along the back of the Center to reduce energy costs further may be
considered. Solar panels were not chosen as part of the final design because of the
amount of rain Kaneohe typically gets throughout the day.
2. Possibly use Save Water Bricks as a building material. The bricks filter water through
holes that provide water ways from the roof to the ground to eliminate the need for pipes
to transfer water to rain gardens. The bricks are made from fallen leaves and plastic.
3. Overall energy use was reduced by 55.8%, from 49,189.58 kWh to 27,465.27 kWh using
eQuest modifications and a green roof.
4. Water usage changes were calculated to save 667,577.50 liters per year.

5. ENVS 4000: Final Project Debbie Durbin
Appendix
Table 1: Breakdown of Performing Arts Center Layout (25,000 ft2).
Item
Percentage
of 25,000
ft2
Theatre - includes general offices (7%), box office,
storage, dressing rooms, stage, and a 600-seat house
floor 42%
Classrooms - including practice rooms and studios 15%
Café 10%
Library - includes stacks, reading rooms, storage,
circulation area 18%
Restrooms 5%
Electrical/Mechanical Room 5%
Corridors 5%
Figure 1: A general layout of the proposed Performing Arts Center. The center would be two
floors with a total of 25,000 ft2.