BULLIS SCHOOL DISCOVERY CENTER

The thesis covers a variety of different systems for the Bullis School Discovery Center, including a lighting depth, an electrical depth and an integrated study with a MAE daylighting depth, a mechanical breadth and a construction management breadth.

The lighting depth focuses on the redesign of the lighting systems of four different spaces which includes, the Lab, the innovation lab, the lobby and the rooftop terrace. These spaces were redesigned from conceptual development to construction documentation. The designs were driven by both qualitative and quantitative measures. The main purpose of the redesign is to provide the occupants with adequate illumination as well as emphasize the architecture.

An electrical depth focuses on the distribution system on the campus. This study focuses on the feasibility of switching from secondary service to primary service. This includes a schematic design of the medium voltage distribution system, a cost analysis and a pay-back period study of the new system. Moreover, an analysis of panelboard schedule to compensate the redesigned lighting systems.

The integrated study primarily focuses on the daylighting on the Lab space. An additional window and 32 potential configurations of the shading devices were investigated through annual simulation. The four best scenarios were further studied in an annual mechanical study to measure annual thermal load. Moreover, a cost estimate was performed to account as the final measure of the design. Finally, all four scenarios were compared side-by-side using pollination tool in order to visualize the results in multiple metrics.