Measuring a Student Center’s Performance ACUI Ed Session

Measuring a Student Center’s PerformanceACUI Annual Conference 2014, Orlando

Carlos Costa, Rutgers UniversityDavid Hatton, StantecMelinda Johnson, Stantec

David Hatton VP , Higher Education Sector Lead

• Portfolio of over 45 student centers• 25 years of Education experience• Presenting at ACUI for 16 years• Stantec has a dedicated student center studio• Stantec is a national leader in Higher Education

focusing on student life, campus master planning, and science facilities

Carlos Costa Director, Rutgers University Student Centers

• 21 years of Higher Education experience• At Rutgers since 2012• Rutgers University, founded 1776, comprehensive

public research university, 50,000 students• Previous Director of Eastern Michigan University

(EMU) Student Center

Melinda Johnson, PE, Principal

• Discipline Leader of Engineering, Philadelphia• 25 Years experience of education projects• Significant experience with mechanical engineering

in student centers• Significant experience with energy modeling and

sustainability

Agenda

1Why Measure?

2 Post Occupancy Evaluation

3 Program Performance

4Architecture Performance

5 Energy Performance

6 Best Practices

Why Measure?

Feedback improves design

• Validates design assumptions

• Confirms our energy analysis

• Building users can help to find better solutions for designers

• Outcome is better building design

Designers create vision…

They present to clients….

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kc-hFbvj690/TcRuZgHmXuI/AAAAAAAABF0/-mKkanOzCl4/s1600/Frank_Lloyd_Wright_04414W.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kc-hFbvj690/TcRuZgHmXuI/AAAAAAAABF0/-mKkanOzCl4/s1600/Frank_Lloyd_Wright_04414W.jpg

Organic beauty…..

Understated entrance…

Sustainable…

Well Proportioned…

Accessible…

How do we measure?

Post Occupancy Evaluation

Post Occupancy Research

• Focus groups• Interviews• Visual listening• Building place

critique• Red dots,

greendots

• Three sessions

• Over 30 people

• Almost all had participated in 2002 focus group

EMU Evaluation

Did the program work?

Program Performance

Project Goals Benchmarking McKinney

• Gateway to campus

• Place to get information

• Charm

• No “wow”• Not fun place to be• Spaces

compartmentalized• Not welcoming

Project Goals

• “A place you want to be”• Fun, active, comfortable, inviting yet upscale and

classy• Reflective of EMU community and School Spirit• Timeless and memorable• A place where commuters, alumni, prospective

students, parents and the community feel welcome

Project Program

19%

19%

16%12%

12%

10%

7%5%Meeting Space 21,846

Dining & Food Service 21,229

Admin Offices 18,009

Ballroom 14,231

Bookstore 13,639

Lounge 11,674

Student Orgs Offices 7,754

Other Retail 5,949

SUBTOTAL NSF 114,332

TOTAL GSF 180,000

EMU Evaluation Great New Location

Site Plan

ConceptImages

ConceptModel

First Floor Plan

Second Floor Plan

Third Floor Plan

Construction

• $40.5 M const., (2003 dollars)

• 181,000 SF new• Opened in Nov.

2006

Focus Group Feedback

• Accomplished original goals:

“Vibrant CommunityHub of Campus”

• New Entrance to Campus

• Connected Commuters and Resident Students

• New Entrance to Campus• Connected Campus• Busy “all day”• 24/7


• Easily identifiable entrances

• Welcoming


• Community hearth• Natural lighting• Comfortable• Welcoming• Connected to outside year

round• “Best Place to Hang Out

Between Classes” – Eastern Echo


• See and Be Seen

• Choose Level of Connection

• Transparency of space highlights student activity

• Natural lightingWay finding


• Functional• User friendly• Dedicated• Multi-

function• Diverse Users• Stage &

support areas


• Visibility of activity• Comfortable• Natural lighting• Traffic by Student Life Offices• Stop here to get involved• Everyone wants “Main Street”


• Flexible dining/lounge• Variety of “scale of space”

Self Select Comfort• Community• Natural Lighting


• User friendly informationFunctional

• Check-in• At Crossroads vs. Entrance• Multiple Main Entrances• Consider More than One…


• CommunityBuilding

• Comfortable• Heritage• Helped

Define Building


• Offices – everyone on the “main street”? – must use vs.

destination

• Adjacencies – leverage high traffic or must use services

• The Mix: spaces, programs, services, friendliness of staff

• “One-Stop-Shop” in broad sense

Focus Group Lessons Learned

Architecture Feedback - Negatives

• More program and space

• Continuous stair

• Another elevator

• More durable finishes

How was the Design Performance?

• Connection to Community

Exterior Architecture

Exterior Architecture• Entry is a

beacon, clear and pronounced

Exterior Architecture• Outdoor

Place making

Exterior Architecture• Transparency

• Connection to Community

• Signage?

Exterior Architecture Observations

• Excellent separation of entry and service


• Beacon entrances

• Clear sense of front doors


• Guest parking the right locations

• Adequate number of spaces


• Painted exterior steel will oxidize


• Need for porous fill adjacent to building


• Guest parking the right locations

• Adequate number of spaces


Interior Architecture

• See and be seen

• Light and Transparency

• Place to hang out

• Flexibility –Dine, lounge, study


• Place to get information

• Comfortable seating


• Fireplace Hearth creates community

• Signage?


• Street of Activity


• Kiva space created community

Interior Architecture Observations

• Consider the amount traffic and walk-off dirt


• Activity Street constantly filled with energy

• See and be seen


• Interior Street carries snow and salt in winter

• Continuous cleaning considerations


• In spite of lower cost VCT floors are durable and still maintain original appearance


• Spaces are active in particular during lunch hours


• Evolution of gaming


• Need for group study and gathering


• Durability of materials

• Invest in solid surface vs. laminate


• Power management

• Outlet location


• Two story auditorium design has great sight lines

• Durability of cup holders


• Original restaurant space

• Evolution of space


• Warmth of hearth creates community


• Never underestimate the need for storage


• Atrium unites student activities

Architecture Feedback

• More program and space

• Continuous stair

• Another elevator

• More durable finishes

• Remember the cost of

increased sf at the expense of

lesser quality finishes

Project Goals revisted

• “A place you want to be”• Fun, active, comfortable, inviting yet upscale and

classy• Reflective of EMU community and School Spirit• Timeless and memorable• A place where commuters, alumni, prospective

students, parents and the community feel welcome

Measuring Energy/Sustainability performance

EMU Feedback, Scott Storrar, Director, Facilities, Planning, & Construction

• Controls manufacturer was not right for EMU• Some venting backdraft problems• Centralized grease system is a constant maintenance

issue• Elevator manufacturer did not meet specifications

Engineering Process

• 3-D Revit • Energy Models• Commissioning • Measurement & Verification

What is Revit?

• Revit is a 3-D program with “Smart” objects for the Architectural, structural and engineering systems within a building.

Aerial View 1

Legend

HVAC

Electrical

Plumbing

Fire Protection

Aerial View 2

Rooftop Unit

Plumbing Utilities

What is an Energy Model?

• An Energy Model is a computer program simulation of the Energy consumption of a given building.

Energy Model Information

• Weather data• Wall construction• Glass type• Roof construction• Lights• People

What is an Energy Model

• Base Model – Minimum energy code compliant building.

• Proposed Model – Actual building design with “Sustainable” systems included.

BUILDING INFORMATION MODEL

Insert from IES analysis

Climate Analysis

00:00 06:00 12:00 18:00 00:00

35000

30000

25000

20000

15000

10000

5000

0

Load

(Btu

/h)

Date: Thu 08/Jul

Cooling plant sensible load: Level 15 West (egww_overhang(d)towindow(h)_1to2.aps)Cooling plant sensible load: Level 15 West (egww_overhang(d)towindow(h)_2to1.aps)Cooling plant sensible load: Level 15 West (egww_overhang(d)towindow(h)_1to1.aps)Cooling plant sensible load: Level 15 West (egww_noshade.aps)Cooling plant sensible load: Level 15 West (egww_fins_surr.aps)

No Shade

1:1 ratio horizontal overhang

35 btu/sq ft

25 btu/sq ft

Vegetated

fins

Envelope Optimization Shading Analysis

BaselineDaylighting

E/WInteriorBlinds

BetterFlush Out

>85

80-8575-80

183174

165

116

67 6559

4533

3228

150

20406080

100120140160180200

Hours in Range

Max Hours In Range75-80 150 hrs80-85 50 hrs> 85 20 hrs

Run

Temp Range (F)

>85 80-85 75-80

Thermal analysis modeling is a powerful design tool. It enables Stantec to predict the thermal response of individual zones within a naturally ventilated building or mechanically cooled building.

Thermal analysis calculates internal temperatures for the summer and winter scenarios

There are many features in the thermal modeling program that Stantec utilizes which set it apart from most conventional simulation software. The most obvious advantage is its ability to model natural ventilation.

Thermal analysis calculates the natural airflow and air patterns produced by stack effect and wind and generates hourly internal temperature profiles for each of the zones in the space. Using the solar information, thermal analysis is able to model shading and perform shadow calculations. In addition, thermal modeling accounts for the thermal mass and storage properties of building elements.

This analysis is used to optimize the envelope design with regards to the shading features as well as operable windows in scenarios where natural ventilation shall be used to cool the building.

Envelope Optimization Thermal Analysis

Com

put

er-b

ase

d m

odel

s

Daylighting for Classrooms

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

2.25 6.75 11.25 15.75 20.25 24.75 29.25 33.75

distance from window

foot

cand

les

Iteration 1 - option 2 withnorth roof overhangremovedIteration 2 - interior lightshelf + iteration 1

Iteration 3 - higherclearstory + iteration 1

Iteration 4 - interior lightshelf + iteration 3

Iteration 5 - 1 foot higherthan iteration 3

Iteration 6 - interiorlightshelf + iteration 5

Iteration 7- 1 foot higherthan iteration 5

Iteration 8 - interiorlightshelf + iteration 7

Iteration 9- north monitor+ iteration 3

Daylighting Qualitative & Quantitative

Monthly Utility Costs

Energy Modeling

Cost Savings

Commissioning ProgramWhere does “Commissioning” come from?

• “Commissioning” originated from the shipbuilding industry. A commissioned ship is one deemed worthy for service after passing several milestones. Equipment is installed and tested, issues are identified and corrected, and the prospective crew is extensively trained.

What is Measurement and Verification?

• It is the process where the computer simulated results are compared to the real world 1-year after operation.

Motivation to Conduct M&V

• Performance– Energy model calibration– Validation of energy

conservation measures– Improve design and

operation of building– Identify problems

• Basis for Expenditures– Performance contracts– Utility programs– Emission trading– Energy budgets

Baseline Calibration

• Establish accurate baseline performance (Empirical versus hypothetical)

• Revise assumptions• Generate new operating

parameters• Identify and adjust for

coincident weather conditions

• As-built model

Energy at a GlanceEnergy Use Intensity : 37 kBtu/ft2

Natural Gas: 18 kBtu/ft2

Electricity:[1] 19 kBtu/ft2

Annual Energy Cost Index (ECI): 0.53 $/ft2 · yrENERGY STAR Rank: 84

Cost Per Square Foot: $ 160

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9Kb

tu/s

q ft

January-09

February-09 March-09 April-09 May-09 June-09 July-09 August-09 September

-09October-

09November-

09December-

09Actual 5 4 4 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 4 5Proposed Model 6 5 5 4 3 2 2 2 3 4 4 4Baseline Model 8 6 6 5 4 4 4 4 4 5 7 8

Annual Energy Consumption

Total Annual Energy ConsumptionActual 37Proposed Model 43Baseline Model 65

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Kbt

u/sq

ft

Annual Energy Consumption

Measurement & Verification Real Savings

DashboardingConnection to the Student Life

Conclusion

Learning from experience

• Encourage your architect to do a post-occupancy evaluation

• Consider the costs of buying space at the expense of quality

• We are open to feedback and want to improve our product

• Keep notes of what is working and what isn’t

Celebrate Success

• In Best College Reviews, EMU ranked #4 in the country as one of “The Most Amazing Campus Student Unions”

• The real success: the use by students.

Questions?

Measuring a Student Center’s Performance ACUI Ed Session

Documents

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