Cost: $25 for NESEA Members, $35 for Non-members

Attendees on this Pro Tour learned how the Zero Net Energy (ZNE) design for this large institutional building was developed without increasing costs, despite the cold climate and high-energy needs of the health and science equipment the occupants rely on.

Completed in 2016, the John J. Sbrega Health and Science Building is occupied by multiple disciplines within the Sciences and Health Professions at Bristol Community College. In addition to serving as classroom and lab space, the center houses medical assisting labs, dental labs, and a teaching clinic, which provides care to underserved populations. The projected energy demand and special requirements (such as fume hoods) presented a challenge to Sasaki, the design firm responsible for the final product.

The presenters spoke about the technologies and strategies they developed to provide a NZE building with such intense energy requirements, including dramatically reduced lighting and plug loads, a high-performance envelope, natural ventilation systems, wider indoor temperature range, localized cooling, filtration fume hoods, air quality sensing, reduced air changes, enthalpy wheel heat recovery, and a hybrid-source heat pump system.

The center has been recognized with the following awards: MA Department of Energy Resources, Leading by Example Award; 2014 American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Region 1 Award for Engineering Excellence; 2014 Community College Futures Assembly Bellwether Award Finalist; 2014 National Association of College and University Business Officers, Innovation Award; 2015 International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories, Go Beyond Award; 2016 Unilock Award of Excellence in Architectural Achievement, 2016

Site Details

• 50,600 sq. ft.
• Photovoltaic, solar hot water collectors, and geothermal systems offset 100% of energy demand
• site producing 900,000 kWh/year (estimated)
• LEED Platinum (tracking; certification pending)
• Mechanical space is 7,200 sq. ft.
• Thermally efficient envelope that exceeds code R-value requirements by 20-30%
• Airtight envelope exceeds requirements of ASHRAE 'tight'

Schedule