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Posts tagged MEP engineering
A Building Science Dive into the Hill Country Wine Cave
A Building Science Dive into the Hill Country Wine Cave

The Hill Country Wine Cave, a distinctive architectural endeavor by Clayton Korte Architects, is intricately integrated into the natural landscape of the Texas Hill Country. This private subterranean structure is carved into the north face of a solid limestone hillside, designed to nearly vanish into its surroundings. Completed in 2020, the 1,405 square meter facility encompasses a tasting lounge, a bar, a restroom, and a dedicated wine cellar capable of storing approximately 4,000 bottles.

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Wine Storage, Mechanical Design, Indoor Air Quality, HVAC, Heat Pumps, Architectural DesignPositive EnergyHill Country Wine Cave, Clayton Korte Architects, subterranean architecture, Texas Hill Country, wine cellar, tasting lounge, bar, restroom, limestone hillside, excavated tunnel, board-formed concrete portal, white oak, Douglas fir, shotcrete-lined walls, steel and wood windows, building science, thermal stability, moisture intrusion, MEP engineering, Positive Energy, high-end residential architecture, human-centered design, Kristof Irwin, heat, air, moisture flow, thermal performance, moisture control, earth's thermal buffer, subsurface temperatures, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES), Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES), passive thermal control, high-efficiency mechanical systems, temperature delta, above-grade environments, temperature fluctuation, energy demand, thermal mass effect, external environmental influence, "ship in a bottle" enclosure strategy, 3D scan, waterproof environment, drainage, water entry, moisture accumulation, sweating, moisture ingress, rainwater, groundwater, air transport, vapor diffusion, Building Science Corporation (BSC), Phius, RDH, source control, dampproofing, waterproofing, control layers, Water Resistive Barrier (WRB), air barrier, vapor retarder/barrier, drainage plane/cavity, rainscreen system, continuous insulation, SEER, HSPF heat pump, Goldilocks scenario, cooling, dehumidification, ASHRAE guidelines, indoor air quality (IAQ), humidity control, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), wine preservation, corks, off-gassing, ventilation, filtration, ASHRAE Standards 62.1, ASHRAE Standards 62.2, system thinking, high-performance design, collaborative design
Marfa Ranch

The Marfa Ranch is a distinguished residential project by Lake Flato Architects, is thoughtfully situated on a low rise within the expansive, pristine desert grasslands of Marfa, Texas. This unique location, nestled between the Chihuahuan Desert and the majestic Davis Mountains, presents a challenging yet profoundly beautiful environment. The architectural design of the ranch consciously adopts a low profile, comprising eight distinct structures meticulously organized around a central courtyard. This layout, shaded by native mesquite trees, serves as a cool respite from the sun-drenched desert beyond its walls, drawing inspiration from the area's earliest regional architectural traditions. Architect Bob Harris of Lake Flato articulated that the design embodies a "deliberate quality of spareness that matches the qualities of the land," emphasizing the importance of the house maintaining a low profile to merge seamlessly with the terrain while simultaneously opening to distant views and providing crucial protection from the region's harsh winds and intense sun. This project has garnered significant recognition, including the 2022 Texas Society of Architects Design Award and its inclusion in Dezeen's Top 10 Houses of 2022.

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Architectural Design, Building Enclosure, Building Science, Environmental Design, Healthy Home, High Performance Homes, HVAC, Indoor Air Quality, Mechanical Design, Natural Building Material, VentilationPositive EnergyMarfa Ranch architecture, applied building science, Chihuahuan Desert environment, Lake Flato Architects, residential project design, courtyard layout, regional architectural traditions, low profile design, Bob Harris (Lake Flato), spareness of design, Texas Society of Architects Design Award, Dezeen Top 10 Houses of 2022, climate-responsive architecture, vernacular architecture, thermal mass, passive cooling, rammed earth walls, modern building science, MEP engineering, building envelope consultants, Positive Energy (MEP firm), human-centered design, healthy spaces, comfortable spaces, resilient spaces, building envelope, MEP systems, integrated design approach, thermal mass definition, specific heat capacity, diurnal temperature ranges, thermal lag, R-value, moisture resilience, Portland cement stabilization, compressive strength, longevity of rammed earth, hydrophobic additives, drainage, slab edge, moisture management, thermal conductivity, moisture content, hygric buffering, density of rammed earth, thermal lag hours, compressive strength of rammed earth, lifespan of rammed earth, R-value of insulated rammed earth, rammed earth wall performance attributes, air barrier, air pressure differences, energy loss prevention, moisture issues prevention, interstitial condensation, indoor air quality, controlled ventilation, mechanical ventilation, Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs), Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) definition, IAQ impacts on health, IAQ pollutants (particulate matter, VOCs, combustion byproducts), ASHRAE standards, green-certified buildings, cognitive function, passive building strategies, ventilation strategies, filtration strategies, humidity control strategies, source control strategies, MERV rating, whole-house fresh air systems, local exhaust systems, humidity range, low-VOC materials, combustion safety, holistic MEP design, hydronic heating system, VRF heating/cooling system, resilient design, sustainable water management, water scarcity, groundwater contamination, water conservation, greywater capture, onsite water storage, adaptive reuse (water tank to pool), rainwater collection, building science principles, durable wall assemblies, Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) for IAQ, early collaboration between architects and engineers, healthier buildings, resilient buildings, positive Energy's mission, Kristof Irwin