Building Systems for a Changing Climate

As climate change accelerates, traditional assumptions about building performance are becoming less reliable. Most energy models still rely on historical weather data (TMY3), which reflects past conditions, not the more extreme climates buildings will experience over their lifespan.

This course introduces a practical framework for integrating future climate projections into building design. By pairing future weather files with traditional data, teams can better evaluate how rising temperatures, more frequent extreme heat events, and shifting patterns impact energy use, occupant comfort, and system capacity.

The objective is not to predict exact future conditions, but to design systems that remain adaptable and resilient over time.

Rethinking Climate Data in Design

Future weather files offer a way to test building performance under elevated temperature profiles and more frequent extremes. When compared against traditional models, they highlight gaps between current design assumptions and future risks, particularly related to overheating, peak loads, and system sizing.

These insights support more informed decisions early in design, when changes are most cost-effective.

Climate-Adaptive MEP Strategies

This course reviews a range of strategies that can be layered into projects based on goals and constraints:

Envelope + Passive Design
Enhanced insulation, optimized glazing, shading strategies, and thermal mass to reduce and shift peak loads

Night Flush + Natural Ventilation
Using cooler nighttime air to pre-condition building mass and reduce cooling demand

Hybrid Conditioning Systems
Radiant, hydronic, and DOAS systems that provide targeted supplemental cooling without full mechanical systems

Heat + Energy Recovery
HRV/ERV systems designed to operate efficiently across wider temperature ranges

Future Capacity Planning
Infrastructure sized to accommodate future loads and system expansions

Adaptive Controls + BAS
Dynamic sequences that respond to extreme conditions, including automated night flush and system staging

Resilient Power + Microgrid Readiness
Electrical systems designed to maintain critical operations during grid stress events

Decarbonization-Ready Design
System selection aligned with electrification, refrigerant transitions, and evolving codes

Case Study: San Francisco State University Student Housing

A student housing project at San Francisco State University demonstrates how these strategies can be applied within real constraints.

Campus standards historically excluded mechanical cooling due to the region’s mild climate. However, modeling with both historical and future weather data revealed increasing overheating risk as extreme heat events become more frequent.

Rather than introducing full mechanical cooling, the design team adapted the base system:

• The hydronic radiant heating system was modified to provide supplemental cooling
• Enhancements to the DOAS system improved ventilation and heat rejection

This hybrid approach reduced overheating risk while avoiding the cost and energy impacts of a fully air-based cooling system. The project illustrates how incremental system adjustments can deliver meaningful gains in resilience and performance.

June 30, 2026: 12pm EST & 12pm PST

Sign up for 12 Noon East Coast

Sign up for 12 Noon West Coast

AIA Course number: P2026129
Earn 1 LU|HSW

Our Presenters:

Steve Gross, PE, BEMP, Principal
Steve leads Interface’s San Francisco Building Performance Team, specializing in energy modeling, thermal comfort, and high-performance system design, with deep expertise in LEED, Net Zero, and Passivhaus projects.

Kyleen Rockwell, PE, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Associate / Senior Building Performance Analyst
Kyleen combines her experience as both a professional engineer and architect to deliver advanced building performance modeling and analysis that directly informs practical, high-performing design solutions.

Jesse Agosta, PE, HFDP, Principal
Jesse is a principal mechanical engineer focused on right-sized, high-performance HVAC systems for healthcare environments, with particular expertise in controls, system optimization, and resilient design for resource-constrained facilities.