Abara House

Project Location: El Paso, Texas
Owner/Client: Abara, Inc.
Architectural Firm: Abara, Inc.
Rating system: 2015 IECC/ASHRAE 90.1-2010
Gross floor area: 8,700 GSF Project
type: Mixed use for events, office, cafe/restaurant

Birds-eye view of historic La Hacienda, home of Abara House – Courtesy of Abara, Inc.

Climatic Design LLC (CDL) has performed a whole-building energy model simulation, a comprehensive energy analysis, and an assessment of the building systems and configuration for the historic La Hacienda structure in El Paso TX, now called Abara House. Multiple Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) were modeled to demonstrate the best design strategies in regards to the sustainability goal of the project. With the execution of the selected ECMs, the proposed design exceeds Minimum Energy Performance requirement of ASHRAE 90.1-2010. Based on the simulation results annual source energy usage and annual energy cost of the proposed design would be more than 60% lower than the reference code model. Incremental savings associated with each of the simulated ECMs indicates that roof insulation, lighting power density reduction and selection of more efficient HVAC systems are the most effective ECMs for this project.

Rendering of the Baseline Reference Model with the original orientation, South East view

Rendering of the Baseline Reference Model, North East view

Rendering of the Baseline Reference Model demonstrating different Glazing Types, South West view

Rendering of the Proposed Design Model demonstrating different Construction Types, North East view

Rendering of the Proposed Design Model demonstrating metal awnings of large windows, South East view