ORLANDO, Fla. — ASHRAE celebrates its 125^th anniversary with two major undertakings slated to take place in 2020, as announced at a press conference on Monday, February 3, at the AHR Expo in Orlando, Florida.

In the fall of 2020, ASHRAE will release the Guide on Designing for Operational Excellence, which focuses on building design, operation, and maintenance of smart buildings.

Darryl Boyce is president of ASHRAE and spoke at the press conference.

“[The guide] will provide building owners, managers, and designers the guidance that they will need to understand the operational maintenance, building, and design and operate in a technology-driven environment,” Boyce said. “It’s good for buildings, it’s good for those who live and work in within those buildings, and it’s good for the planet.”

The guide will focus on concrete steps needed to design a building that meets the needs of the occupants and achieve operational excellence. ASHRAE has also developed a building operational excellence resource page on its website, ashrae.org, which includes information on certifications, education, publication, research records, and standards.

When it comes to operational excellence, ASHRAE is committed to walking the walk as well as talking the talk.

“Probably the most exciting news in 2020,” Boyce said, “is that in January, we started the renovation of our new global headquarters building.”

Groundbreaking began last month for renovation of the two-story, 66,700-square-foot building, located at 180 Technology Parkway in Peachtree Corners, Georgia. The project is expected to be completed by late summer, and ASHRAE’s 125-member staff is slated to move in this October.

The building dates from the 1970s; renovations will include water efficient plumbing and landscaping, energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, and the ability to harness energy production to be a high-performance building. Design criteria will meet or exceed requirements set forth in ASHRAE Standards 62, 90.1, and the new ASHRAE Advanced Energy Guideline for Office Buildings.

Boyce said the renovation reflects ASHRAE’s sustainability values in action.

“Our new renovated facility will become a showcase for the latest features and technology,” he said, “providing a destination venue for industry visibility and members to experience as our technology in action.”

Want more HVAC industry news and information? Join The NEWS on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn today!