the drexel

britnei godusky | lighting + electrical

image courtesy of drexel university

center

university recreation

philadelphia, pa

this page was last updated on 04.23.11 by britnei godusky and is hosted by the ae department ©2010

user note:  while great efforts have been taken to provide accurate and complete information on the pages of cpep, please be aware that the information contained herewith is considered a work-in-progress for this thesis project.  modifications and changes related to the original building designs and construction methodologies for this senior thesis project are solely the
interpretation of britnei godusky.  changes  and discrepancies in no way imply that the original designed contained errors or was flawed. differing assumptions, code references, requirements, and methodologies have been incorporated into this thesis project; therefore, investigation results may vary from the original design.

thesis

proposal

depth 1 | lighting

breadth 3 | structural

breadth 2 | acoustical

breadth 1 [m.a.e.] | daylighting

depth 2 | electrical

The lighting depth will include the re-design of four spaces: the exterior courtyard, the lobby, the fitness center, and the restaurant.  The lighting throughout the Rec Center will create a bright, energetic space that interacts and responds directly to the architecture and aesthetic intent of the façade and the building within.  Just as the glazing on the southern and eastern building façades demands attention in each space in the facility, the continuity of both a cool color temperature complimentary to the exposed concrete and other minimalist materials and the response to the linear façade will create cohesion when transitioning from space to space.

The electric depth will include a modification of the branch circuit distribution for each space listed above in response to the lighting redesign.  a protective device
coordination study will also be performed along with short circuit analysis.  A system to convert kinetic energy from the cardio machines into LED lighting power will be designed and sized.  A cost comparison will be completed of an alternative solution to the existing PVC conduit distribution system located within the concrete slab of MC cable run through solid bottom cable trays on the ceiling below utilizing poke-throughs to distribute power to branch circuit loads.

Gymnasiums are an ideal design space for daylight  integration into the lighting
system.  Daylight is primarily introduced  into the Drexel gymnasium by the façade glazing on the Northern wall.   A redesign of the daylighting in the space will create additional energy savings by incorporating skylights and/or clerestories, resulting in an additional redesign of the photosensor system.  

Currently, the gymnasium ceiling height is 27’ with a reflective, high performance acoustical ceiling.   Incorporating the new daylight design requires the removal of the perforated co-polymer panels, which will alter the acoustic performance of the space.  Performing calculations will ensure desirable reverberation times and echo levels will be considered and sound absorbing or reflecting materials will incorporated accordingly.

The modification of the ceiling for daylight integration will adjust the structural
loading on the steel truss system supporting the roof.  Upon analysis, redesign of the truss layout, spacing, and/or structural construction will be considered in order to further facilitate daylight introduction into the space. 

The thesis proposal details the work that will be completed in Spring 2011.   Included is a detailed description of the lighting and electrical depths, as well as the three     proposals for breadth studies, which incorporates the re-design of several systems within the Drexel Recreation Center.   This does not conclude that there are actual problems with the existing systems, it is just an approach to alternate solutions.