This project, designed in 1981, marks one of the first 20th century commercial daylighting design projects in the United States. The Weidt Group served as energy and daylighting design consultants to Hickey Thorstenson Grover architects for this U.S. Department of Energy Passive Solar Commercialization project.

Daylighting and passive heating and cooling were employed in the design. Extensive energy and environmental monitoring conducted for a three year period after building occupancy showed the building to consume less than 35 KBtu/ ft2 representing over a 60% savings in energy compared to a typical bank building in Minnesota. Not only did the building's actual energy performance live up to The Weidt Group's predictions, it still does—20 years later.

Design Goals

• Passive Daylighting
• Passive Solar Heating
• Natural Cooling
• Lower Utility Bills
• Higher Occupant Comfort

1980 Design Tools

• PEGFIX/PEGFLOAT
• MPSLR
• BUEHRER
• Energy Graphics
• HDD and Bin Weather
• Proprietary Programs
• Physical Models

Sustainable Sites

• Urban Redevelopment
• Landscape and Exterior Design to Reduce Heat Islands

Energy and Atmosphere

• Fundamental Building Systems Commissioning
• Minimum Energy Performance
• Optimize Energy Performance
• Additional Commissioning
• Measurement and Verification

Materials and Resources

• Local/Regional Materials

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)

• Minimum IAQ Performance
• Low-Emitting Materials
• Indoor Chemical and Pollutant Source Control
• Thermal Comfort
• Daylight and Views

Architects: HTG
Engineers: Podias Engineers
Energy/Daylight Design Consultants: The Weidt Group
Design: 1981
Completed: 1983

One of the first pioneering commercial passive solar energy projects built in the United States after the 1970’s energy crisis. The Weidt Group served as the Energy design consultant, with Hickey Thorstenson Grover architects, for this U.S. Dept. of Energy Passive Solar Commercialization project. Work included architectural and energy design concepts and included computer and physical daylight model evaluation of alternative energy features. The project features a high quality interior environment utilizing cost-effective Daylighting, passive heating and cooling strategies.

Extensive energy and environmental monitoring conducted for a three year period after building occupancy showed the building to consume less than 35 KBtu/ ft2 representing over a 60% savings in energy compared to a typical bank building in Minnesota. A recent 15 year follow-up of metered energy consumption identifies the building continues to perform as expected, where the only variance was found in increased office computer equipment. This highly successful project has been featured in numerous publications on energy conscious design.