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High Performance Buildings

Sandy Grove Middle School

The North Carolina High Performance Building program (HiPerB) is designed to showcase energy performance of commercial buildings in the state. The program was created as a vehicle for owners and designers to document and share information about their high performance buildings. Focus is on new construction and major renovations. Measured post-occupancy energy data and costs are compared to:

  • Baseline model - what the performance would have been if the building was designed and built to simply meet the minimum energy code, and;
  • Design model – the anticipated performance based on the design for improved energy efficiency.

Additionally, the case studies are intended to assist owners, designers and other stakeholders to:

  • Understand the value of gathering data to ensure the building is performing as well as possible.
  • Establish realistic baselines against which their buildings can be compared.
  • Identify design strategies employed to achieve more energy efficient buildings.
  • Share lessons learned.

How are case studies selected?

  • The building must have baseline and design model data available. 
  • For buildings designed to meet ASHRAE 90.1 2004, generally the building must have at least 12 months of data indicating the building is performing at least 30% better than ASHRAE 90.1 2004 baseline in at least one of the year's reported data. 
  • The metered data must indicate the design model was within 15% (plus or minus) of actual performance.

If you have a building you would like to be considered for inclusion in the program, please contact Renee Hutcheson, FAIA at renee.hutcheson@ncdenr.gov or 919-707-9252.

K-12 Schools Case Studies

Alston Ridge Elementary School
Owner: Wake County Public School System
Location: Cary, N.C.
Architect: Clark Nexsen
Engineer: The Wooten Company
 
 
Photo of Sandy Grove Middle SchoolSandy Grove Middle School
Owner: Firstfloor
Location: Lumber Bridge, N.C.
Architect: SfL+A Architects
Engineer: Optima Engineering
 

Snipes Academy of Arts and Design 
Owner: New Hanover County Schools
Location: Wilmington, N.C.
Architect: SfL+A Architects
Engineer: MCBH Engineering

 

Higher Education Case Studies

Elizabeth City State University Gilchrist Building
Owner: Elizabeth City State University
Location: Elizabeth City, N.C.
Architect: Perkins and Will (formerly The Freelon Group)
Engineer: AEI

Randolph Community College Continuing Education and Industrial Center
Owner: Randolph Community College
Location: Asheboro, N.C.
Architect: Smith Sinnett Architecture
Engineer: Progressive Design Collaborative 

University of North Carolina at Pembroke - Health Science Building
Owner: University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Location: Pembroke, N.C.
Architect: Walter Robbs Callahan & Pierce Architects, PA
Engineer: McKnight Smith Ward Griffin Engineers, Inc.

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