Images (left): Peter Kiewit Infrastructure and (right and below): Darwin International Airport.
HOW BIG ASS FANS BRINGS SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
Darwin International Airport With over 2 million passengers travelling throughout the airport each year, it was important for Darwin International Airport to make a good impressions and sense of place. However, the foyer constantly had doors opening, letting warm air in and the cold air out. To compensate for this, they turned the air-conditioning down, using more energy and more air flowing out the front door. Darwin International Airport decided to install 10 Essence fans in their foyer. As a result, they were able to move a huge amount of air with virtually no noise. “And if you don’t look up, the only thing you just think is there is just a breeze in the terminal” Glen Newport says. Darwin International Airport was able to reduce their energy bill by $57,000 over the year from installing Essence fans, reducing their air conditioning set point by 2°C. This resulted in an energy saving of 203 MWh per year, which is enough energy to run 30 homes or the equivalent of taking 54 cars off the road. Darwin International Airport has now mandated Big Ass Fans as part of the design feature for future hangers and development.
operating costs in the long term. In addition, through these energy savings, they were able to pay off the fans in just 12 months. This installation reinforced the sustainability benefits, from the point of view of air quality, thermal control, and energy efficiency. Antonio Santini, Architect and Founder of RED Studio Inc. Architects said ““Big Ass Fans were a no-brainer. The energy efficiency alone sealed the deal. The way it’s worked out from the mechanical, design and air-quality perspectives, I would use this system again and again.”
Peter Kiewit Infrastructure Antonio Santini and the design team at RED Studio Architects wanted to provide the Peter Kiewit Infrastructure Co. office with an innovative, environmentally conscious alternative to traditional HVAC design. The ductwork required by such systems is unsightly and costly, both initially and long-term. RED Studio Architects prides itself on design solutions that take into account occupant comfort, health and well-being, so they devised an unconventional strategy for an efficient, effective system that also achieved aesthetic brilliance. RED Studio utilised 17 Essence® fans by Big Ass Fans® to move air through the construction company’s 33,000-sq- ft (3,066-sq-m) office space, which brings together 130 employees. The increased air movement eliminated most of the ductwork and reduced the HVAC tonnage significantly. The Big Ass Fans – each with its own control – then push the conditioned air to floor level, efficiently cooling the space and maintaining a high level of air quality and optimal air circulation for the constant movement of fresh air. RED Studio’s careful planning paid off for the office. The fans were 7% cheaper than the ductwork (HVAC) option, which offset the entire cost by reducing the mechanical costs associated with a standard HVAC system and decreased
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