Kalwall Recent Projects -Bighorn

DAYLIGHTING DELIVERS ENERGY SAVINGS IN A BIG WAY

Bighorn Home Improvement - horizontal
Don and Betsy Sather have sold solar water heating systems since the 1970s energy crisis. It was only natural that building a new home improvement center presented them with the challenge of exercising their beliefs in energy conservation while at the same time creating a cost-effective yet exciting retail space. BigHorn Home Improvement Center in Silverthorne, Colorado, is such a demonstration. The 44,422-square-foot building is comprised of three phases, each one stressing a different aspect of energy conservation. Unlike most large retail selling spaces, which are predominantly large block buildings on three if not all four sides, a major component of this entire project is a demonstration of the effectiveness of daylighting through Kalwall translucent panels.

Phase one joined BigHorn to an existing Sears store. The Sathers introduced clerestories to make the most of the benefits to retail of daylighting. Indeed, a growing body of evidence indicates that incorporating glare-free daylighting into the design of retail selling spaces can positively affect the attitude of shoppers and actually stimulate sales. A study by the Heschong Mahone Group “established a statistically compelling connection” between daylighting and retail sales, concluding that stores with daylighting “observed a sales index significantly higher than an equivalent store” without daylighting. At the same time, the daylighting must be free of glare or it will actually have a negative effect on shopping comfort and sales. Kalwall delivers the ultimate solution to super energy-efficient, balanced daylighting.

Phase two, a furniture and floor coverings store, examined the potential of electric power via photovoltaics, but also expanded the use of Kalwall for daylighting even further. The BigHorn Home Improvement Center itself was phase three, an attempt to draw together architects, engineers, consultants and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado. Keeping daylighting foremost in their plans, the Sathers wanted to bring all expertise to bear on their retail and warehouse buildings and create something far superior to any such facility in the state and possibly the world.

Daylight Makes the Difference

Although BigHorn involved heating from an efficient, natural gas-fired, radiant-floor system and a transpired solar collector; demand-controlled, natural cooling; uncommonly high insulation levels and solar electricity, the biggest success came from the use of Kalwall. While much of the facility daylights as much as 80 percent of itself with a combination of translucent roof panels and both clerestory and gable-end windows, the BigHorn warehouse does it almost entirely (97 percent) with several large Kalwall translucent skylights. Kalwall diffuse, translucent panels also eliminate glare, harsh shadows and the accompanying eye strain as it delivers controlled heat gain and superior energy performance.

Kalwall Delivers Rapid Payback

As part of BigHorn’s Energy Management System, daylighting from Kalwall panels allows electric lighting to dim or even shut off entirely whenever adequate lighting levels are reached. Besides the obvious savings in lighting costs, heat generated by artificial light sources is minimized, allowing the natural gas heating system to do its job and warm the building properly at an approximately 75 percent less costly rate.

BigHorn was about 10 percent more expensive to build than it would have been using conventional construction. However, recent National Renewable Energy Laboratory figures reveal 41 percent less energy use and a cost savings of 58 percent. In the warehouse alone, the Kalwall skylights will pay for themselves in a scant two to three years, as compared with, for example, roughly 30 years for the photovoltaic system atop the roof. In fact, of all the energy-conscious and environment-friendly technologies employed at BigHorn, Kalwall yielded by far the most significant payback in the shortest period of time.

Moreover, while some problems were encountered initially with systems ranging from sprinklers to cooling, Kalwall was predictably trouble-free: leakproof, self-cleaning and sturdy. In retrospect, Don and Betsy Sather say they might have included even more Kalwall in BigHorn’s retail area. Meanwhile, they’ve happily accepted a series of regional and national awards, including “Top-Ten” recognition in 2001 from the AIA’s Committee on the Environment. The Sathers are very happy with the dramatic increase in sales at BigHorn Home Improvement Center.

Architect: Marketplace Architects
Photos: Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Photographer: Jim Yost

Kalwall Skylight Specifications:
2,637 square feet
Light Transmission: 30%
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient: 0.27
Panel U-Value: .23 (thermally broken)
NFRC Certified System U-Value: .34
Panel Face Color:
.070" Crystal SW exterior
.045" Crystal S-171 interior

For more information, contact:
Bruce Keller
Kalwall Corporation
603-627-3861 (U.S. 800-258-9777)