PROJECT 728 Proposal for the Marine Institute Headquarters, Co Galway The building's generating brief was that it should: - Relate to the marine environment - Utilize natural resources - The design should reflect the above functions - The end result should be an energy self-sustainable building The design evolved from 3 basic considerations: 1. The building should be adjacent to the sea/water and therefore in a position to derive heating/ cooling from the water. 2. The building should face south and have all occupied areas between the arcs of the sun rise and sun set at summer solstice. Conversely all service areas should be to the north where sun is not required. 3. Use for energy should be made of the following Sunlight Passive solar gain Solar panels both flat panel and photo voltaic Wind Wind turbines to generate electricity and also use the cores as suction chimneys to expel lab fumes, for forced ventilation through Atrium/ Chimney Earth/ Water To provide geotechnical energy Wave To provide energy storage Tidal To provide energy storage In addition to the above design factors, it is important that use should be made of the following for environmental resources: Water Natural source/stream/river for water supply Alternatively desalination for sea water Reed Beds For treatment of sewage/ waste to ensure environmentally clean discharge from building The building form is generated in plan by the following factors: - Summer and Winter solstice arcs - Need for central atrium/ controlled environment chimney/ cooling tower - Cores for extract fumes and wind turbine generators The building fabric is determined by the following functions - Blank/ solid construction to the north beyond the summer solstice arcs - Glazing to the south between the summer solstice arcs - Solar panels to areas between winter solstice arcs - Blank solid highly insulated Trombe wall to be north to collect and store passive solar power.