the goal
The goal of this project was to replace my local gym in Shelby Township, MI with a new green alternative that eliminates many of the inefficiencies of what’s currently in place. Without any compromises in behavior, the building’s intelligent design and function dramatically reduces its carbon footprint.
the problem
My current gym was designed around increasing revenue first. This meant retrofitting an old and inefficient building that wasn’t ever designed to be used as gym. They increase the number of machines and equipment to bring in as many people as possible, but that makes the density of people too high to allow for efficient use of the space and energy needed to run it all. From the lighting to the fans/AC used to cool people off, the greenness of the current gym is very low.
the solution
My solution was to tackle this problem from two directions: one in the design of the building itself and the second was in the behavior. With the goal of dramatically decreasing the carbon footprint, I needed to design the building to use less energy. In addition to the cost of running the equipment, cooling is a major energy drain. From the ground up, the building is passively cooled to allow for natural breezes to flow end to end. Additionally, everything else is powered by electricity generating gym equipment, so all energy capturing potential is maximized.
the design
Form follows function in this case in the most beautiful fashion. The design meets aesthetic and functional goals by allowing the wind to flow from the west to the east, cooling the building and its users. It even flows in the correct direction for cyclists or runners, giving them a more realistic stationary workout experience. During the winter months, both ends can be covered in glass and act like a conservatory. Additionally, the open-air design allows for more light to flow in. This all dramatically reduces heating, cooling, and lighting energy usage.
