The average building uses 40 to 60 percent of its energy heating and cooling its interiors. Inson Dubois Wood has begun research into creating forms that could reduce the energy required to cool a building by the use of sealed environments with quadruple glazed surfaces. The structure would employ a unique array of solar photovoltaic panel system that could be transluscent in areas and allow for windows that are seamless and indestinguishable from the exterior. Typically solar panels are clipped on roofs as a secondary element. Inson Dubois Wood is searching for ways to allow the panel itself to be a curvalinear curtain wall and curtain roof that is both structural and weather tight. This new highly reflective skin not only minimizes temperature gain/loss but uses solar panel configuration in order to maximize energy production. A special mirrored panel system could potentially reflect light to adjacent panels while also creating heat sinks that could allow for additional energy production. The exterior form of the structure employs large wind scoops designed to specifically maximize the flow of air into internal wind turbines further producing energy and allow for cooling internal filtered fresh air. This would ultimately allow for a building to be built off the grid if necessary and exist on its own energy production. Additional cooling and heating could be accomplished by pipes that extend throughout the structure and extend over 300 feet into the ground which are distributed among a series of deep wells. This building type makes sense especially in a arid desert climate where opening windows in 120 degree temperatures is undesirable. There would be the option to open windows if necessary during the moderate temperature months. The main goal of low carbon emissions and conservation of energy and water for future structures becomes a priority as energy costs and natural resources become scarce.
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