KVA designed an energy efficient low-velocity displacement ventilation system for the Madden Dance Theater which was integrated into a standard resilient dance floor product manufactured by Action Floors, Inc. Displacement ventilation systems, which are widely used Europe, do not require the use of super cooled air and do not use high powered electrical fans. They are much more energy efficient and quieter than conventional overhead air distribution systems and improve indoor air quality by providing better building ventilation efficiency. KVA’s low-velocity floor delivers cool air through perforated translucent vents inserted between the maple floor boards. Through the thermal principle of convection, cool air is drawn upwards along the bodies of the dancers creating a layer of fresh air where it is needed. Heat and contaminants produced by activities in the dance space rise to the ceiling where they are exhausted via linear air returns. The system is designed to take advantage of the existing cavity space of a conventional spring dance floor substructure. Insert vents may be located between any two floor boards regardless of board length or room configuration. The air insert vents are designed, modeled and fabricated in a digital mass manufacturing process. Insert density and location can be adjusted on site according to need, and can be easily installed by contractors using conventional tools and floor installation methods. The functionality of the floor expands in the play of effects between related layers of structure, light, movement and air. The design of the Low Velocity Floor calls for sheets of electro-luminescent (EL) film laid on a conventional concrete deck. Low cost roll to roll manufacturing methods enable light emissive EL materials to be deposited, printed and packaged on flexible substrates, so that electro-luminescent sheets can be produced at the scale of architecture. As a semi-porous membrane that distributes cool air and ambient light, the wooden dance floor becomes a new site for distributed, energy efficient infrastructure.
Project: The Madden Dance Theater & Gym Client: The Wheeler School Design: KVA MATx Low Velocity Floor System Engineer: Ove Arup, NYC Prototyping: Sheila Kennedy, Veit Kugel, Stephen Belton, Benoit Michaux Low-Velocity Floor Systems: Facilities Net Advanced Buildings Praxis Journal Action Floors Electro-Luminescent Film: Indiana University Nova EL