The
new Academy consumes 30% less energy than required by federal code. The planted roof provides a thermal insulating layer for the building
that help prevent overheating during the summer months and reduce energy
needs for air-conditioning.
While the Academy uses new “green” technologies, it also takes
advantage of simple, traditional engineering techniques involving use of
natural light and ventilation.
At least 90% of regularly occupied spaces have access to daylight and
outside views, reducing energy use and heat gain from electric lighting, whose controls are included as automatic dimming linked to external
light levels to ensure that a minimum of electric lighting is used any
moment; also openings in the roof domes creates a stack effect on the exhibit floors,
drawing in cool air from below and exhaling warm air out the roof meanwhile operable windows are employed in staff offices.
The roof is a green roof which has all the benefit linked to this
technology indeed soil moisture, combined with the phenomenon of thermal
inertia, cools the inside of the museum significantly, thus avoiding the
need for air-conditioning in the ground-floor public areas and the
research offices along the facade.
The choice of materials, recycling, the positioning of the spaces with
respect to the natural lighting, natural ventilation, water usage,
rainwater recovery and energy production: all of these design issues
became an integral part of the project itself, and helped the museum
obtain LEED platinum certification.
References
E. Guidoni, Architettura primitiva, Torino, Mondadori Electa, 2000
V. Olgyay, Design with climate,
M. Hadid, Architectural styles survey in palestinian territories, Report, 2002
D. Khasawneh , Memory engraved in stones: Palestinian urban mansions, Centre
Lighting controls is included automatic dimming, linked to external
light levels, to ensure that a minimum of electric lighting is used any
moment.
Openings in the roof domes creates a stack effect on the exhibit floors,
drawing in cool air from below and exhaling warm air out the roof.
Operable windows are employed in staff offices.
Architectural Conservation Ramallah, 2000