{"id":12617,"date":"2025-01-23T10:52:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-23T18:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/living-future.org\/?post_type=case-studies&p=12617"},"modified":"2025-01-23T10:52:02","modified_gmt":"2025-01-23T18:52:02","slug":"alfa-campus","status":"publish","type":"case-studies","link":"https:\/\/living-future.org\/case-studies\/alfa-campus\/","title":{"rendered":"Alfa Campus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Vital Stats<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Certification Status<\/strong><\/td>Zero Carbon<\/td><\/tr>
Version of LBC<\/strong><\/td>1.0<\/td><\/tr>
Location<\/strong><\/td>HaMerkaz, Israel<\/td><\/tr>
Project Area<\/strong><\/td>265 square meters<\/td><\/tr>
Start of Occupancy<\/strong><\/td>March 2023<\/td><\/tr>
Number of Occupants<\/strong><\/td>12<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Project Team<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Owner<\/strong><\/td>Alfa Sustainable Projects LTD. <\/td><\/tr>
Interior Designer<\/strong><\/td>Hilla Reuven Interior Design<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Product Selection & Material Reuse<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Did the team use a new (or new to the team) product or material or assembly that helped meet the project\u2019s certification goals that other projects should consider using? Was a material or product used in a novel way? Was a salvaged product used in a different way than originally intended that tells an interesting story? How did the team engage artisans, fabricators, or makers to support the local materials economy?\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo credit: Omri Amalsem<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n

In constructing Alfa Campus, the team took a creative and environmentally conscious approach to furniture selection by salvaging and repurposing materials from their previous office. Key elements, such as the kitchen units and office desks, were carefully dismantled from the old workspace and reimagined for use in the new campus. For example, desks from the previous office were resized and refinished to fit the dimensions and design aesthetic of the new space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To bring this vision to life, the team engaged local carpenters and artisans who played an essential role in adapting the salvaged furniture. These skilled professionals adjusted the kitchen cabinetry to align seamlessly with the layout of the new campus kitchen, integrating modern functionality while retaining the furniture’s original character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The decision to repurpose existing furniture in innovative ways highlights how materials can be creatively reused to meet sustainability and certification objectives. The process demonstrated that salvaged items could be transformed to achieve a modern, functional, and visually appealing result. Moreover, this approach provides a replicable model for other projects aiming to reduce waste and support local economies while achieving high standards in sustainable design.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Occupancy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What surprises or issues did the project encounter during the project\u2019s performance period? Did occupants use the building in unexpected ways that impacted performance? How did the team overcome these challenges? How will the lessons learned from occupant behavior influence future projects?\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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During the occupancy period at Alfa Campus, the team encountered higher-than-anticipated electricity use during the winter months, primarily due to increased reliance on personal heaters. The challenge arose from an unusually long and rainy season, coupled with the inefficiency of the HVAC system in heating the expansive space, which drove occupants to seek additional warmth for comfort. As a result, electricity consumption exceeded the renewable energy generated by the solar photovoltaic system, leading the project to temporarily fall short of its net-zero energy target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To address this shortfall and uphold the campus\u2019s commitment to sustainability, the team entered into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with clients. This innovative step allowed the project to offset its additional energy consumption by sourcing renewable energy externally. While this adjustment was not part of the original strategy, the PPA provided an opportunity to diversify the campus\u2019s zero-carbon approach, demonstrating adaptability and a commitment to long-term sustainability, as well as foster new business relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The limitation in expanding the existing solar array underscored the need for alternative strategies to ensure energy efficiency and occupant comfort in future winters. For subsequent seasons, the team plans to explore additional solutions such to increase comfort and reduce electricity use in winter season operations.
This experience underscores the value of diversifying renewable energy strategies, not only to address unexpected challenges but also to enhance resilience in achieving sustainability goals. By combining on-site renewable energy generation with external renewable sourcing, the project demonstrated a flexible approach that other developments can emulate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Lessons Learned<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Are there discussions the project team would have initiated at a different time in the process? Are there processes or documents the team wished they had implemented during construction to help with certification compliance? What worked well in the team\u2019s design process that other teams should consider implementing?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \n
  • Measuring Consumption Across Seasons:
    <\/span>One critical lesson was the importance of continuous, detailed monitoring of energy consumption throughout different seasons. While the team accounted for typical usage patterns during the design phase, the unusually long and rainy winter season revealed higher-than-expected electricity use, especially for personal heaters. This underscores the need for real-time energy monitoring and data analysis throughout the performance period. By implementing advanced monitoring activities early in the process, the team could have identified seasonal trends, made proactive adjustments, and better managed occupant comfort and energy efficiency.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Localized Energy Monitoring:
    <\/span>Another key takeaway was the importance of separating energy consumption data for individual buildings on a shared campus. By integrating localized monitoring systems, the team gained clearer insights into the specific energy use of Alfa Campus.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Positive Experience with Retrofitting:
    <\/span>One aspect of the project that worked exceptionally well was the decision to retrofit the existing building. This approach significantly reduced embodied carbon by repurposing materials and structures, aligning with the project\u2019s sustainability goals. The retrofitting process also proved to be a positive experience, demonstrating that older buildings can be effectively transformed into high-performance spaces. This success serves as a valuable model for other project teams seeking to balance sustainability with cost-effectiveness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Photo credit: Omri Amalsem<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Alfa Campus, home of Alfa Sustainable Projects Limited, exemplifies a commitment to sustainability and employee well-being. The facility employs biogas digester systems to process food scraps and blackwater, producing biogas for cooking and water heating. Interior design emphasizes low-carbon materials, incorporating reused furniture and recycled elements to reduce embodied carbon. Real-time monitoring of energy consumption, renewable energy production, and indoor air quality is facilitated through a comprehensive dashboard, ensuring optimal building performance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":12619,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_eb_attr":"","cover_caption":"","cover_credit":"","featured_checkbox":false,"location_text":"HaMerkaz, Israel","typo_dropdown":"Building","place_checkbox":false,"water_checkbox":false,"energy_checkbox":false,"health_checkbox":false,"materials_checkbox":false,"equity_checkbox":false,"beauty_checkbox":false,"cert_type_dropdown":"Zero Carbon Certified","sqfoot_dropdown":"< 1,000","ef_checkbox":false,"nsf_checkbox":false,"npp_checkbox":false,"ls_checkbox":false,"pbr_checkbox":false,"hnr_checkbox":false,"transect_dropdown":"","standard_dropdown":"LBC 4.0","footnotes":""},"program":[39],"tag":[],"class_list":["post-12617","case-studies","type-case-studies","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","program-zc"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t