Science Center - Building Envelope and Indoor Air Quality

The building envelope, which is the separation between exterior and interior environments and includes the walls, floors, roof, and penetrations of a building, has a great impact on the quality of life lived within, affecting temperature, light, and air.

The Science Center’s building envelope was designed with energy-efficiency in mind, to create the atmosphere and comfort necessary to a teaching and laboratory building. One important architectural feature is the generous transparency and natural light within the building, bringing daylight and views to a majority of the spaces.

Some factors taken into account include:

  • Minimum IAQ performance
  • Environmental tobacco smoke control
  • Outdoor air delivery monitoring
  • Increased ventilation
  • Construction IAQ management plan during construction and before occupancy
  • Low-emitting materials: adhesives/sealants, paints/coatings, carpet systems, and composite wood
  • Indoor chemical and pollutant source control
  • Controllability of lighting and thermal comfort systems
  • Thermal comfort design and verification