CBT Architects - Integrated Design for Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

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IESVE Software used in unique collaborative & integrated design process, saving Fitchburg State University $1.5 million.

Key Facts

  • LEED Silver Certification
  • Annual operating cost savings of $34,000
  • 21% decrease in cooling loads
  • Construction and renovation cost savings of $1.5 million

Silver LEED Certification Fitchburg State University is home to more than 5,200 students, hundreds of which utilize the 49,800 square-foot Science Building every day. University officials sought to renovate the existing building and build a 55,625 square foot addition in order to improve energy efficiency.

The University enlisted the help of CBT Architects, a Boston-based firm that specializes in sustainable design, for the renovation and new addition. CBT used a selection of IESVE performance analysis software applications to run daylighting, solar, thermal, ventilation and energy simulations throughout the schematic design process. CBT is leading the way in delivering sustainable design through an Integrated Design Process (IDP) which incorporates performance analysis.

Using IESVE, CBT was able to run through simulations and then work with their energy modelling consultants to evaluate what the projected renovation and construction costs and savings would be. With this unique integrated design collaboration, CBT was effectively able to advise and provide building performance insight throughout all phases of the construction process using IESVE’s performance analysis, an industry first.

IES software, coupled with CBT’s use of an integrated workflow, saved the University $1.5 million in construction and renovation costs and more than $34,000 annually in operating costs. Building efficiency targets were met in an effective manner with an architectural firm driving sustainability goals and providing recommendations from the onset of the project.

With IESVE, CBT was able to drive sustainability through performance analysis by acting as a central hub to the engineers, energy consultants and commissioning agents. This integrated workflow, essential for the future of sustainable design, resulted in the successful completion of an energy-efficient yet extremely cost-effective structure.

“If we had been doing this project five years ago, without tools like IES, we would have gone in willingly trying to spend money to save energy, and could well have been putting money in that had no payback.”

Alfred Wojciechowski, CBT Architects

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