CASE STUDY:
ATW GENERAL AVIATION TERMINAL
APPLETON, WISCONSIN
NET ZERO ENERGY GENERAL AVIATION TERMINAL
Project Summary
The ATW General Aviation Terminal building is used to support general aviation activities at the Outagamie County Regional Airport, providing a comfortable environment for passengers, pilots and staff. The terminal is a high
performance building that connects to the environment by using natural
materials and by interacting with the natural environment. The asymmetrically curved structure rises out of waving prairie grasses. Arched wood
beams pass from outside the building to the interior, revealing the building’s structure and evoking the barrel-vaulted aviation hangars of the past
as it reaches into the future. Inside the building, the abundant use of wood
finishes creates real warmth, supporting the building in its main purpose of
providing comfort and shelter to travelers.
Size: 8,150 SF
As part of the Airport’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, ambitious
energy performance and sustainability goals were set for the new General
Aviation terminal, including saving 80% of total energy usage over a
conventional building by using efficient building systems, using renewable
energy and purchasing the remainder of the building’s energy needs from
green energy sources. Additionally, the building has a highly insulated
envelope, generous overhangs and skylights allow daylight into the center
of the building.
Energy Modeling/Sustainability
Goals: Sustainable Engineering
Group
Occupancy Types: Assembly,
Business
Completed: August, 2013
Project Team
Owner: Outagamie County Regional
Airport
Architect: Mead & Hunt, Inc.
General Contractor: SMA
Construction Services, LLC
Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing
Engineer: Mead & Hunt, Inc
© 2013 Mead & Hunt, Inc.
Pollution Reductions:
As a class D Net Zero Energy Building, the terminal building produces or
purchases enough renewable energy to offset emissions from all of the
energy it uses annually.
Building Description: two-story wood
frame
EFFICIENCY & SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIES
Design Process
The Airport Sustainable Master Plan, which was implemented prior to beginning design for the General Aviation building, identified comprehensive
sustainable strategies for the airport.
An integrative design process set efficiency goals that were referenced
throughout the process.
During the design process, energy modeling simulated the building’s energy consumption, prompting modifications to the building that reduced
the annual energy use intensity by 80.7% and peak electrical demand
from 37.21 kW to 10.73 kW.
Sustainable Site
Landscaping and site work restored habitat and preserved stormwater
quality near the building.
A light-colored roof and extensive overhangs prevent heat buildup in and
around the building.
The judicious use of exterior lighting allows building users to see at night,
but reduces light pollution.
Using efficient plumbing fixtures resulted in a 40.23% reduction of water
demand compared to a traditional building.
The native and adapted plant species used in the building site don’t
require potable water.
© 2013 Mead & Hunt, Inc.
Water Efficiency
Projected Annual Utility Savings:
Energy (k/Btu/SF/yr)
Savings
Traditional Baseline Building
Usage
67.5
Geothermal Heat Pump
-35.7
31.8
Building Envelope
- 1.6
30.2
Lighting Power Reduction
- 2.2
28.0
Photovoltaic System
-13.4
14.6
Thermal Massing
- 1.2
13.4
Radiant Flooring
- 0.4
13.0
Purchase Green Power
-13.0
0
Energy Efficiency
The building was designed using ASHRAE Standard 189.1-2009 Standard
for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings for a comprehensive
building sustainability package.
The building envelope is well-insulated and tightly sealed.
A geothermal heat pump and in-floor radiant flooring optimized energy
performance.
Refrigerants used in the building’s HVAC systems are not CFC-based.
A 25 kW photovoltaic system mounted on the south-facing portion of the
roof provides approximately 29,000 kWh/year. The remainder of power
needs will be met by purchasing renewable energy from a local energy
provider.
High efficiency lighting is used throughout the building and well-placed
skylights and windows reduce the need for artificial lighting during daylight hours.
Commissioning of building systems to monitor performance was done
during design and will continue to be done during occupancy.
Materials and Resources
A total of 76.7% of construction waste was recycled or salvaged during
the construction process, diverting it from local landfills.
Many of the materials used in the construction of this building are available locally or that contain recycled material.
The building construction makes extensive use of wood, much of which
has been harvested sustainably.
Indoor Environmental Quality
The materials used in this building, such as paints and adhesives, emit
few or no volatile organic compounds.
Building occupants will have the ability to control temperature and light in
the indoor environment, contributing to their comfort.
Throughout the building, well-placed windows will provide a visual connection to the outdoors.
© 2013 Mead & Hunt, Inc.
The building has increased ventilation and the quality of indoor air is monitored, contributing to the health and well-being of building occupants.