Sponsored by the School of Architecture, Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, GLHN Architects & Engineers and AIA Southern Arizona
When
Façade design involves the delicate art of balancing transparency, energy performance and comfort. What is the sweet spot for these variables? Is it climate-dependent or program dependent? Is there a way to look at financials that goes beyond quantifying energy savings to justify something like exterior shading? All of these are questions that a sustainability consultant is expected to give clients on a daily basis.
In this presentation, Alejandra Menchaca will talk about the various quantitative approaches that she and her team take to assist architects and owners in making informed decisions regarding façade design.
About Alejandra Menchaca
Alejandra Menchaca PhD, LEED AP, WELL AP is a vice president in the Sustainability practice for Thornton Tomasetti. She combines expertise in mechanical engineering and building science to give clients a clear understanding of the impact design strategies and innovative solutions have on long-term building performance. Alejandra leads the Early Design Analytics efforts in the practice, leveraging research and simulations to provide project teams with sustainable design knowledge and energy expertise. She is experienced in the design of both passive buildings and energy- and carbon-intensive structures such as laboratories and healthcare facilities. Her expertise also includes thermal comfort, energy modeling, daylighting, embodied carbon and computational fluid dynamics. Alejandra holds a PhD from MIT in Mechanical Engineering, and has taught courses on natural ventilation and energy in buildings both at MIT and the Harvard Graduate School of Design.
