Project Overview

Location: Atlanta, GA
Building Type: Higher Education, Healthcare
Size: 140,000 SF
Project Team: The S/L/A/M Collaborative (SLAM)

Services Used: Energy Analysis & Compliance

The Rollins School of Public Health III at Emory University is a state-of-the-art conferencing and distance learning center. The design achieved a nearly 50% reduction in energy use, thanks to cove.tool's consulting services. By optimizing massing, shading, and glazing, the project team at S/L/A/M Collaborative (SLAM) was able to reduce the Energy Use Intensity (EUI) to 56 kBTU/sf/year and secure LEED Silver certification.

Goals

• LEED Silver Certification: Emory’s sustainability goals required the project to target a minimum of LEED Silver while optimizing energy and water use.

• Energy Reduction: The team aimed to cut the building’s EUI by nearly half, while maintaining occupant comfort and integrating the building into the existing campus.

Design Challenges

• Contextual Constraints: The new building was slated for a small plot surrounded by 3- to 7-story buildings, impacting daylighting, energy performance, and visual connections with the campus.

• Balancing Program Needs: The building houses large lecture halls and conference spaces, necessitating optimal daylighting while minimizing glare.

Approach

The project required a comprehensive analysis of the site’s constraints to ensure both design and sustainability goals were met. Using cove.tool’s data-driven, expert-verified approach, the team evaluated multiple massing and shading strategies. The AI-powered, real-time proprietary simulation technology analysis allowed the team to assess the impact of surrounding context, particularly taller structures, on daylighting and energy performance.

cove.tool’s framework for in-depth analysis enabled rapid, iterative analysis of the building's façade, terrace placement, and outdoor gardens, ensuring optimal configurations for both energy efficiency and occupant comfort. By incorporating accurate context buildings in the report, the project team received precise results to minimize energy use while achieving key sustainability targets like LEED certification​.

Massing and Shadow Studies

The design team explored four massing options for the building, each tested for energy performance, shading, and visual impact. Through cove.tool's comparative/iterative analysis, the team quickly identified the most effective massing scheme for energy use and campus aesthetics. The final design, oriented North/South, optimized daylight exposure while leveraging natural shading to reduce energy demands. These decisions were made quickly using cove.tool’s strategic expertise and cutting-edge methods, saving valuable time during the design phase.

Daylight and Glare Analysis

The design of the façade focused on striking a balance between aesthetics and performance. The upper levels required additional shading due to increased sun exposure, while the lower levels benefitted from the natural shading provided by surrounding buildings. cove.tool’s insightful guidance enabled the design team to test and refine glazing strategies, ensuring the use of more expensive glazing materials only where necessary. This resulted in a façade design that enhanced both energy efficiency and visual appeal​.

Glazing and Façade Design

Façade design was driven by balancing aesthetics with performance. The upper portions of the building required additional shading, while the lower levels benefitted from surrounding buildings providing natural shade. Using cove.tool’s innovative modeling and predictive analysis, the design team tested and refined window placements, choosing more costly glazing options only where necessary.

Energy Optimization

In line with Emory’s goal of carbon neutrality, the project team utilized cove.tool’s optimization feature to evaluate thousands of design configurations. This approach allowed the team to significantly reduce the building’s Energy Use Intensity (EUI) from 93 to 56 kBTU/sf/year, outperforming the national average for educational buildings. Additionally, the building was designed to generate 10% of its energy on-site. Through cove.tool’s iterative analysis, the team identified the most cost-effective strategies to meet energy reduction targets​