Buildings=Energy explores how the choices made by design, planning, engineering, government, and building management professionals, as well as the behavior of individual citizens, can contribute to significant energy savings in our cities. Buildings=Energy examines different ways in which energy is utilized in buildings, beginning with calculating embodied energy in building materials. Visitors are introduced to the impact of energy consumption as represented by the iconic metric of barrels of oil, visible on the front window of the Center for Architecture; the exhibition culminates with examples of ways New York City institutions are employing new technologies to increase their participation in energy conservation efforts.
“Buildings=Energy is one of the most important exhibitions the Center for Architecture has mounted,” said Margaret Castillo, AIA, LEED AP, President of the AIA New York Chapter. “It shows that every design decision impacts the use of our natural resources including energy conservation, material extraction and carbon emission. Architects and allied professionals have a tremendous responsibility to change the way we design to create better buildings. In the exhibition we illustrate how policymakers and citizens play an important role in the decision-making process as well. Now that more than 50% of the world’s population lives in cities, the issues surrounding buildings, transportation and the environment are more critical than ever.”
The core exhibition in the ground floor gallery, called One Building=Many Choices, presents how key choices made during the design of a fictional commercial building can reduce its overall energy use. “Buildings=Energy is a great opportunity to initiate an innovative new approach to development in New York City…This is critical to future development,” said Anthony Fieldman, AIA, LEED AP; Rob Goodwin, AIA, LEED AP; and Peter Syrett, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, of Perkins+Will, in a collective statement. “We see an opportunity not just to make buildings more sustainable, but to create a new paradigm for leaner, more flexible and efficient high-rise development on sites previously considered unfeasible. We are inspired to develop a new generation of environmentally responsive buildings for New York City, buildings that make architectural and economic sense because of – rather than despite – their energy efficiency.”
Alongside the story of the fictional building, the exhibition displays a selection of nearly thirty case studies of well-designed, energy-efficient New York buildings, each chosen for a commendable energy-driven choice that was made during the design, construction or operation of the building. Visitors will gain insight into ideas and methods for energy-efficient buildings, from embodied energy and Life Cycle Assessment to innovative building envelopes. The understanding and application of these ideas and methods underscore the challenge we have as citizens, building professionals, and policymakers to make the right choices.
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