Let Your Code Be Your Guide: Energy Informed Campus Design
About
Energy codes increasingly shape how higher education buildings are planned, designed, and operated, regardless of which codes or local standards institutions follow. Too often, energy compliance is addressed late in the design process, resulting in missed opportunities, added cost, or operational challenges. This session reframes energy codes as a foundational planning tool rather than a checklist item. Presenters will explore how early consideration of energy requirements influences building systems, envelope performance, load management, and long term operational outcomes across academic, research, housing, dining, and support facilities. Rather than focusing on a specific code, the discussion highlights common principles shared across modern energy standards and how they affect campus projects. Attendees will gain practical insight into designing buildings that meet energy goals intentionally, support flexibility, and perform efficiently throughout their lifecycle.
Learning Objectives
Credit Type
1 LU | HSW
Speakers
Trent Oliver, PE | Cleary Zimmermann Engineers
Zac Stevenson, PE | Cleary Zimmermann Engineers
Payal Paliwal, PE, PMP | The University of Texas at Dallas
Date and Time
Wednesday, September 23 at 2:10 PM
- Describe how energy codes influence early building design decisions and long term performance.
- Explore shared principles across energy codes and how they affect building systems and flexibility.
- Analyze how energy focused design choices impact operations, maintenance, and efficiency over time.
- Apply energy code principles early to design reliable, high-performing buildings.
Prerequisite Knowledge
None
HSW Justification
This session addresses Project Planning and Design and Project Development and Documentation by equipping architects and facility planners to integrate energy code requirements early in the design process. When energy compliance is deferred, buildings risk underperforming mechanical systems, poor thermal comfort, and degraded indoor air quality, conditions that directly harm occupant health and safety. Addressing these requirements at the planning stage reduces the likelihood of system failures and operational deficiencies that affect the people who occupy campus facilities. From a welfare standpoint, energy-informed design produces buildings that are more resilient and environmentally responsible over their lifecycle. All four learning objectives connect directly to these HSW outcomes.
