Photo by: David Wakely Photography
Solution

De Anza Comm College, Media and Learning Center

Cupertino, CA

Service: Building Enclosure Design
Market: Education - College & Prep
Keywords: Award Winning, Classroom, Curtain Wall, LEED Projects, Masonry-Terra Cotta, Renewable Energy: Photovoltaics, Thermal and Moisture Drive, Waterproofing

Completion

2012

Awards

2010 Best Practice Winner, Overall Sustainable Design Award, California Higher Education Sustainability Conference

The two-story Media and Learning Center at DeAnza College provides 65,000 sq ft of media and learning center space.  The project, a successful implementation of ecological sustainable design, incorporates a buoyancy-driven natural air ventilation system, more than 6,000 sq ft of photovoltaics, and rooftop vacuum-tube style solar thermal collectors.  SGH was the building enclosure consultant for the terra-cotta rain screen wall cladding, metal wall panels, and an aluminum-and-glass curtain wall system.

Scope | Solutions

As the building enclosure consultants, SGH reviewed design concepts for the exterior wall cladding, windows, doors, and roofs.  Highlights of our work include the following items:

  • Analyzed effects of thermal loading and condensation potential of metal panel wall assembly at ventilation shafts and provided recommendations for the interior and exterior air and vapor barriers 
  • Determined the best location for the air and vapor barriers and insulation within the metal panel and terra-cotta rainscreen cladding assemblies
  • Evaluated quality control, ease of detailing and installation at penetrations and terminations, compatibility with adjacent materials, and UV stability of a fluid-applied membrane and sheet membrane for installation behind the cladding
  • Consulted on single-ply roofing membrane that meet Energy Star, LEED, and Cool Roof Rating Council requirements for reflectivity and emissivity
  • Consulted on the photovoltaic (PV) collector field mounting system on the standing-seam metal roof and recommended a system to accommodate rain water that could penetrate through panel joints and penetrations
  • Analyzed the thermal bridging effects of the PV mounting system in the context of the whole-building energy performance and provided recommendations for the placement of insulation within the assembly to reduce conductive heat flow 

Project Contact(s)

Kenneth Klein

Kenneth Klein