There have been hints of aesthetic, nontechnical conservation techniques in each block of projects discussed so far. Tactful treatment of daylighting, using windbreaks, and recognizing the predominant direction of heat from the sun in the heating or cooling seasons are all functional projects beyond the pale of the engineering disciplines. However, it’s unusual for projects embodying these principles to be funded as energy-conservation measures because they are hard to quantify.
This section discusses projects which are generally in the realm of the architect to study and implement, as space-planning measures or aesthetic embellishments. Each project also has a bonus of reducing energy usage. For the architect struggling to build a pleasant edifice, with a few niceties to make it stand apart, the ability to recognize and quantify energy savings makes it easier to persuade a thrifty client to spend the extra amount now for savings later. Engineers can also learn something from this section. They’ll find that many subtle architectural features impact the energy-using characteristics of a building.
Some of the projects are most pertinent in the design and construction of new buildings. They’re mentioned here so that they can be implemented in remodel or expansion projects and also to illustrate general principles that can be applied in related projects. For example, effective landscaping can influence daylighting, infiltration, and HVAC loads in a building.