Energy Efficient Industrial Building Design

Abstract

The design of industrial buildings today is still largely unaffected by energy legislation and building technologies. The present corporate tax structures for industry do little to encourage investment of capital for future operating cost savings and, in fact, mandate rates of return on investment that remain largely unachievable. However, when technologies are combined, significant payback rates can be achieved for energy conservation programs.

The 'total systems approach to building design' - developed by Albert Kahn Associates in designing industrial buildings for more than 80 years - sheds some light on how technologies can be combined to promote greater energy conservation. This approach looks at the entire building and production operations and selects systems to work in concert for an overall cost effective and efficient operation.