Architecture and energy

Thesis Statement: Architecture can contribute to the energy responsiveness of buildings through the use of daylighting and other energy efficient strategies and application of these strategies in incremental ways. A systems approach will lead to greater integration of the design elements and therefore more coherent energy management. Facility Type: A Child Development Center for Lubbock, TX Scope of Project: This child development center will accommodate 80-100 children of the ages from infant to 5 years old. The children will attend the center for a minimum of 3 hours per day and a maximum of 11 hours per day in an environment that meets or exceeds the "Day Care Center: Minimum Standards and Guidelines" as set forth by Texas Dept. of Regulatory Services. Contextual Statement: In order to create a successful energy efficient building there are certain contextual issues that cannot be overlooked. The first issue is that of economics, where the question of how much will it cost at first versus how much will be saved is examined. The second issue is that of the building's image and how it integrates itself with its community. Socially the building must help convince the people involved with it that energy efficient buildings do not mean a lower standard of comfort. The final contextual issue deals with the laws and regulations that control the design of a children's center.