Design simulation and performance of the RPI passive solar Campus Information Center building

In January 1981 the RPI passive solar ''Campus Information Center'' (CIC) building was completed. The building provides conference rooms and reception spaces for visitors and houses the campus security office. The building is based around a ''sunspace'' (greenhouse) on the south side and a heavily earthbermed north side. The interior periphery primarily consists of nonthermally sensitive buffer regions where back-up heat is seldom required. The project team developed its own computer simulation program to assist in the design. Performance monitoring for February 1981 is reported. Measured variables are: horizontal radiation, outside temperature, all auxiliary energy use by category (heat, lights, HVAC equipment), sunspace temperature, interior air temperature and mass wall temperature. Generally good agreement is found between simulated and measured performance.