Kalwall® in Georgia Tech CNES Laboratory | Kalwall®

A net-zero energy building generates at least as much energy as it uses. Georgia Tech’s Carbon Neutral Energy Solutions Laboratory (CNES) in Atlanta, Georgia, is hailed as a standard for sustainable design as it is one of the few buildings in the US that approaches net-zero carbon emissions. The building was designed by HDR Architecture of Princeton, N.J. Kalwall® diffuse natural lighting curtainwall systems are a key component to the 42,000 square foot building.

Georgia Tech is a public research university and the CNES facility is the centerpiece of its mission. It achieves a new standard in sustainability for buildings of its type by optimizing passive energy technologies, reducing electricity loads, and maximizing the use of renewable energy.

An impressive curtainwall of Kalwall® translucent panels floods the main portion of the building in natural diffused light, aiding the sustainability goal with solar heat gain control. It is one reason the building achieved LEED-NC Platinum certification.

Awards

Among the other awards the building has won include:

• 2013 Beyond GreenTM Award of Merit for High Distinction in High-Performance Buildings – National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) and Sustainable Buildings Industry Council.
• 2013 Merit Award, Excellence in Architecture category - Society of College and University Planners (SCUP)/AIA Committee on Architecture for Education (AIA-CAE) Excellence Awards
• 2012 Merit Award Built Category - American Institute of Architects (AIA), Georgia Chapter 2012 Best Project, Green Building Category - ENR Southeast, Best Projects contest

Kalwall® Specification