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> I wish more building designers would accommodate NOT using AC as a viable mode of operation. It's been attempted. The results are sometimes hilarious[0]. "On
by 908B64B197 4y ago
> I wish more building designers would accommodate NOT using AC as a viable mode of operation.
It's been attempted. The results are sometimes hilarious[0]. "One day last year, the outside temperature reached almost 100 degrees. The firm setup a kiddie pool in the courtyard and everybody got a popsicle."
[0] https://kuow.org/stories/this-modern-seattle-building-doesn-t-have-ac-on-purpose https://kuow.org/stories/this-modern-seattle-building-doesn-...
- gamblor956 4y agoUpdate from 2020: they have a newer HQ with A/C: https://kuow.org/stories/an-architecture-firm-dedicated-to-green-building-felt-the-heat-and-got-ac-at-the-office-surprisingly-they-cut-their-energy-use https://kuow.org/stories/an-architecture-firm-dedicated-to-g... TLDR: heat-pump based AC, auto-tinting windows, lots of insulation (double-paned windows, etc.). The architect who designed the previous building admitted it's probably no longer possible to build modern buildings without A/C, due to density, computers, and climate change.
- 908B64B197 4y agoThis bit is probably as hilarious as the kiddies pool party. "No, and this was the big surprise for me. The new building actually uses less energy than their old one did. Even though the new one has air conditioning, a heat pump." [...] "Also, they had to change their behavior. For example, they got rid of their server room where all their big computers were. They moved those servers to the cloud, because those computers put out a lot of heat, and when you put out heat you've got to cool it." They reduced their energy consumption by outsourcing the energy-hungry bits of their business.