Patricia Louise Frost Studios

Designed by award-winning architects Yann Weymouth and HOK, and constructed by Skanska USA, the new facility boasts two buildings with 41,089 square feet of upscale teaching spaces and beautiful curb appeal. Located on UM’s Coral Gables campus at 5501 San Amaro Drive at Miller Drive, the Patricia Louise Frost Music Studios with triangle-shaped energy-efficient windows is the first LEED® Platinum-certified building project in the City of Coral Gables.

Enlarge to view each LEED educational sign

• Modulated electrochromic glazing on windows to reduce glare and heat
• Mold- and stain-resistant framing material to protect air quality
• Light and heat sensors with override capabilities
• Active-chilled-beam, energy-efficient air conditioning technology
• Rooftop photovoltaic panels and rainwater harvesting cisterns to dramatically reduce water and electricity usage

The Frost studios installed SageGlass for all exterior windows. SageGlass is an advanced dynamic glass that can be electronically tinted or cleared to optimize daylight and improve the human experience in buildings. SageGlass manages the sunlight and heat that enter a building, significantly reducing energy consumption while improving people’s comfort and well-being. Daylight sensors maximize daylight and views, while reducing glare and keeping the building cool during periods of intense exposure. Separate override capabilities for each room allow precision tuning and optimum thermal comfort.

What is a Smart Glass?   
How does Smart Glass work?     

The buildings are framed in structural white precast concrete panels that include an admixture of titanium dioxide. Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) aka ‘anti-smog’ coatings and concrete additives serve to help clean the air and make the exterior surfaces easier to clean over time. On average, every 10,000 square feet of building skin coated with TiO2 can offset emissions from 4 cars a day, equivalent to the work of 80 trees.

How does Anti-Smog Coating work?        

The North Studio is set to offset approx. 12.6% of its annual electricity consumption with onsite renewable energy via fixed-tilt solar PV rooftop panels, rated at 50.8 kW DC (39.1 kW AC). In combination with the building’s other energy efficiency improvements, the North studio uses approx. 46% less energy than typical buildings in this climate zone.

The South Studio is set to offset approx. 8.9% of its annual electricity consumption with onsite renewable energy via fixed-tilt solar PV rooftop panels, rated at 20.8 kW DC (16 kW AC). In combination with the building’s other energy efficiency improvements, the South studio uses approx. 27% less energy than typical buildings in this climate zone.

How does Solar Photovoltaic Energy work?          

A large on-site cistern captures and treats rainwater for reuse through irrigation and to flush all toilets and urinals in the building, replacing
the need to use potable (drinking) water for these uses. Overall, this
reduces the project’s potable water usage by 87% for interior plumbing fixtures, and by 100% for irrigation needs.

How does Rainwater Harvesting work? 

Originally found on greenu.miami.edu.

Read more about it in the South Florida Business Journal.