Terry Thomas Office Building

The Terry Thomas Building is a certified LEED-Gold project that employs a wide range of sustainable practices, such as natural ventilation, simple interior finishes and a design that privileges the stairs over the elevator for vertical circulation.

Daylighting is a major component of the building’s design strategy. The design team consulted with the IDL throughout the design process. Early discussions included massing strategies and floor height-to-depth ratios. From there the lab worked with the project’s designers and engineers (Stantec) to test the daylight performance of a variety of design options, both as physical and digital models.

After an optimal building form had been determined the IDL also assisted the design team with balancing solar access, glare control and thermal heat gain at the building envelope. This involved work on fixed and active shading devices on the exterior, as well as discussions of interior finish reflectances and furnishings.

The project has won several awards including an AIA/COTE Top Ten Green Award and an AIA Seattle Commendation.

David & Joyce Morse Center, Bellingham Technical College

The David & Joyce Morse Center was built to house the Welding and Auto Collision Repair programs at Bellingham Technical College. It is a 55,000 square foot facility, with fabrication and work spaces on the ground floor as well as classrooms, offices and a computer lab above.

When the project team approached the Integrated Design Lab for input most of the building’s layout had already been determined. It was clear that a majority of the workspaces had the opportunity to receive light from for both the top and side; the lab was asked to advise on the optimal configuration of the daylighting apertures. Several design options were considered in order to see which delivered the best daylighting to task areas; these options were further refined by investigating the aperture areas required for window and skylight materials with a range of visible light transmittances. All of the options were tested in physical model form.

After an aperture design had been finalized the lab conduced a final round of inquiry to investigate for visual comfort, making sure that glare would not be a problem during occupied hours. Some additional research was also done on well design for the second floor classroom spaces.

The Morse Center’s workspaces are open and bright, resulting in a facility that the Bellingham Herald calls “top notch.” Besides a full schedule of classes the building is also home to BTC’s annual Welding Rodeo, an annual fundraiser organized by the schools metalworking instructors.

Seattle Northeast Branch Library

The Miller|Hull Partnership completed an addition to the existing Northeast Branch Library in 2004. The IDL worked with Miller|Hull to assess various daylighting strategies.

The performance of several skylight shapes and sizes were analyzed along with other options such as light shelves and overhangs. IDL physical modeling simulations assessed both interior daylight levels and potential glare due to direct Sun for each scenario.

Shoreline Recycling and Transfer Station

This project is constructed above a closed landfill, replacing the old facility’s waste-disposal activity with a LEED Platinum recycling and transfer building. The 76,000 sf building has three stories, including two stories of vehicle access, which allows less land to be paved adjacent to the building.

The Integrated Design Lab worked with KPG to consider several daylighting alternatives for the building’s main long-span bay. The lab studied options both through physical model testing and digital simulation. Large glazing areas were an option on this project because heat loss was not an issue-- the main bay was unconditioned. The lab also studied the visual character of different skylight locations to help inform a final design decision. Put together the generously-sized and well-placed skylights result in a bright and appealing space.