Danielle L. Cashman
Architectural Engineering
Construction Option
Urban Public Elementary School
The purpose of this thesis proposal is to explain the direction of where the analysis of the Urban Public Elementary School. This document highlights four specific analyses each identifying problems or opportunities for improvement, background research, potential solutions, how specifically the analysis will be completed and then finally the expected outcome. These analyses will focus on the improving the indoor environment, sustainability, and the overall life of the building. A critical industry issue will be researched and two breadths, a plumbing/mechanical breadth and an electrical breadth, will be performed. For a more in depth analysis of the Urban Public Elementary School , please click the image to view the PDF.
Breadth Studies
Analysis 1: Plumbing/ Mechanical Breadth
Analysis 1 proposes a living wall to be added to the west wall of the dining area on the first floor. The living wall aims to eliminate the need for acoustical panels to reduce sound transmittance in the space as well as improve air quality and potentially reduce the cooling and heating load. Living walls require extensive plumbing to supply water to the plants and an analysis will have to be done to determine the layout and sizing of this system. The plumbing plans will have to be designed to determine a location to tie the living wall's plumbing into. The cost to install and the reduction in mechanical needs may cancel each other out, effectively paying for itself.
Analysis 2: Electrical Breadth
Analysis 2 proposed the addition of solar panels to the roof of the east wing of the school. Adding solar panels will possibly gain LEED points for the school as well as a reduced need for fossil fuels. An analysis will be done to determine the cost of adding the panels and the potential revenue from them. An analysis of the electrical requirements needed to integrate this system into the building will need to be done. The additional equipment required to store the solar power will need to be accounted for in the cost which will ultimately determine feasibility. Based on solar data collected from a simulation, the output of the selected panels will need to be determined as well.