Heating and Cooling Author(s): Justin Estoque Source: APT Bulletin, Vol. 19, No. 2 (1987), pp. 38-51 Published by: Association for Preservation Technology International (APT) Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1494160 Accessed: 14/10/2008 02:43

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http://www.jstor.org HEATING AND COOLING ROBIE HOUSE Frank (DeLonge Studio, Madison WI, courtesy of State Historical Society of ) Justin Estoque Adapting modern heating and cooling ical systems to the needs of the current To better understand how the house systems to 's Robie occupants - all without destroying the was originally supposed to function, we House required a respect for Wright's integrity of the structure. compared Robie House thermal comfort original heating and cooling systems. In The owner of the building, the Uni- to historical ventilation standards and designing the Robie House, Wright con- versity of , and the occupant, modern comfort standards. We found sciously sought to enhance human com- the Office of University Alumni Affairs, that the Robie House was superior to fort. In that sense, the itself requested recommendationsfor adapting comparable Chicago houses for summer was an expression of the 's con- the Robie House ventilation and cooling comfort. When the Robie House was cern for the comfort of the occupants. systems to accommodate present-day of- built, ventilation was not considered a Eighty years ago, when the house fice functions without compromising the comfort issue as much as it was a win- was designed, most and en- building's historic integrity. The Univer- tertime health issue. Wright, however, gineers had only a rudimentary under- sity recognized that the existing window had recognized the thermal and psycho- standing of natural ventilation as a cool- air conditioners detracted from the logical advantages that natural ventila- ing mechanism.Although Wright's design building's appearance. Natural ventila- tion could provide, and he incorporated surpassed contemporary standards, the tion was preferred, as long as it could many design features to improve venti- house does not meet the needs of the meet the needs of a modern office. This lation: increased window area; open, current occupants of the building: the option seemed especially attractive,given flowing spaces permitting better air house is no longer a residence, and the the natural-coolingdesign features men- movement; and properly sized over- availability of air conditioning has raised tioned by Frank Lloyd Wright scholars hangs. Ceiling plenum ventilation and modern comfort standards. and confirmed by our study. But if cen- building orientation also helped in this It was our task to understand how tral cooling was necessary for the hottest regard. the building worked when it was origi- summer months, we did not know what Even with these ameneties, the Robie nally designed, to examine its perfor- modificationswould be required for fans, House fell short of modern comfort stan- mance today, and to adapt the mechan- ductwork, and equipment. dards. Computer simulations show some

Associationfor PreservationTechnology 38 4-' . .

The south facade of Robie house is shaded by overhangingeaves in summer.Cooling breezesare drawn throughwindows. The house was designedfor the occupants'com- fort. (RichardNickel, courtesyof RichardNickel Committee) room temperatures higher than 78? F To understand how natural ventila- Sensitivity to the building for more than 800 occupied hours per tion, modern cooling, and heating could and a year and higher than 90? F for more be adapted to the site, we began with a fabric careful pre-de- than 600 occupied hours per year. This thorough analysis of the original system. sign study made it possible was due in part to conferences and We then developed a comprehensive to design a cooling system dinners which would generate heat. monitoring program to analyze present with Frank Based on these results, natural ven- use. Based on this information,we found compatible tilation,although consistentwith Wright's that it was possible to adapt the heating Lloyd Wright'sRobie design philosophy, was insufficient to system to provide cooling as well. The House. meet the comfort requirements of its adaptation required very slight changes currentoccupants. We recommendedthat in the building fabric. both natural ventilation and refrigerated cooling be used. Natural ventilation would be achieved by repairing the his- toric windows and doors, many of which are fragile and permanently shut to fore- Justin Estoque is with Burt Hill Kosar stall further deterioration. Though esti- Rittelmann Associates, Washington DC. mated to cost $35,000, the repair of the The author wishes to acknowledge Syed windows would address both historic Faruq Ahmed, Margaret Maliszewski, preservationand comfort needs for much and David Linamen as contributing au- of the year. Refrigerated cooling could thors. Funding was provided by the U.S. then be installed to handle peak cooling Department of Energy and the National loads and provide more stable climate Endowment for the Arts through IDEA, control. Inc.

39 APTBulletin Vol.XIX No. 2 1987 Robie House History An Architectural Landmark. Built in The most famous rooms are the living room, bath, and dressing room, with a 1909, the Robie House is the culmination and dining rooms located on the second small sunning balcony to the west. The of those unique architecturalqualities in level. Both rooms have prow-shapedends two children's bedrooms with adjoining Wright's design which had been growing and are separated by a large, brick fire- bath are also located on this floor.There and maturing since the 1890's: the build- place, pierced in the center to enhance is no attic or basement. form based on masses the long, dramatic perspective from one ing interlocking Present Use of rectangular blocks; low, horizontal end of the house to the other. Patterned rooflines with long, cantilevered over- oak screens in the ceiling filter light from The house has been adapted today to hangs; the low, broad chimney and cen- recessed electric fixtures supplemented serve as office space. The offices are open tral outdoors seen through bands of win- with light globes held aloft by wooden during regular business hours; but, re- dows. The house is a bold structure of spacers. A sweeping rhythm of French cognizing the building's place in Amer- brick masonryand concrete whose strong doors on the south and half-windows on ican architecture, the Office allows tours planes, hovering roofs, and projecting in the foyer, living room, dining room, to ten balconies seem to float, with nothing in To help preserve the house and adjacent outdoor areas. Eight between to hold them apart but one thousand people per year tour the house, strong vertical element - the chimney in spite of heavy use and and receptions or dinners are held up mass. Its form has been described as a limited funding, planning to 20 times a month. Use of the house as more great ship complete with prow, funnel, and establishing work will probably intensify groups and decks, whose crisp brickwork and learn about its availability. geometric outlines have been softened priorities was essential. To help preserve the house in spite with "hanging gardens" emerging from of its heavy use and limited renovation earth pockets in terrace walls. The house the north admit light and air, while the funding, the University Office of Phys- was designated the first set in zinc channels provides ical Planning and Construction estab- Registered National Historic Landmark enough privacy to dispense with heavy, lished priorities for restoration funding in the City of Chicago. dark drapes. Radiatorsand fan-coil units in upcoming years. Funds raised in the The Robie House floor plan is sig- are recessed beneath wooden grilles or immediate future will be directed toward nificantly different from other residences under the floor so that warm air rises repair of windows, doors and metal roof of its time. Rather than opening directly along the cold windows and walls. components. Air conditioning, heating onto the street, the entry is tucked away In a setback to the north, a guest and roof insulation have been designated on the ground level behind the dominant bedroom and bath open off a short hall a third priority by the University's con- south facade of the building. On this adjoining the kitchen. To the east of the sulting architect, . However, level, beside the north foyer, are a billiard kitchen over the three-car garage are planning for the eventual overhaul of room to the west, a children's playroom the servants'quarters. In this part of the these systems and assuring that their with a prow-shaped end to the east, and house, as on the third floor, the ceilings renewal does not damage the integrity an attached three-car garage, one of the are vaulted, following the lines of the of the house were the reasons for our first ever provided for a Chicago resi- roof above. involvement in the project at an early dence. The top floor has the master bed- stage. Low, horizontal roof lines with cantilevered overhangs are seen on this elevation of the south facade. Prow-shaped living room is on the second level to the left, and attached garage and servants' quarters are to the right. (Courtesy of Library of Congress, Historic American Building Survey)

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Comfort Control in 1900 In 1900, the ventilation of was I buildings 1i considered a health issue. primarily i Mostcivilized men and women are un- willing to put on underclothingthat has justbeen takenoff by anotherperson, or to put into their mouthsarticles of food or drinkthat have recentlybeen in other people'smouths, but they take, without hesitation,into their lungs air that has just come from other people's mouths and lungs, or from close contact with their soiled clothingor bodies.'

Engineering guidelines were written by medical doctors or surgeons known as sanitary engineers. Many of them Just north of the fireplace,the camera looks west towardthe living room. Stainedglass deplored the ignorance of mechanical windows providedprivacy, light, and ventilation. (Officeof Public Relations,University engineers, pushing vigorously for sani- of Chicago) tation-based ventilation standards to be ined in the 1800's to determine increases of was con- included in textbooks. The design residences; heating engineering in "carbonic acid sidered a more and first ASHRAE were not gas" (carbon dioxide) complex important guides published from variousnumbers of For until about 1920. resulting people problem. ventilating single-family confined within an enclosed In were considered to ventilation as a health con- space. dwellings, fireplaces Adequate the second half of the nineteenth induce ventilation in the cern was considered more difficult to century, ample winter, sick individuals were to exhale and if were not the achieve in the winter than in the sum- thought fireplaces available, 4 to 12 times as much carbonic acid and equivalent area of exhaust flue (called mer, resulting from the need to keep contaminated "watery vapor"and there- aspiratingchimneys) or attic exhaustfans windows and doors closed during the fore required higher rates of ventilation.4 would suffice. In these cases, air was heating season: Even after 1900, the reasonsfor adequate assumed to expand and rise as it was ventilation were still poorly understood, heated, thereby flowing naturally out of While it may be requiredin some cases as evidenced by Konrad Meier, a New the flue or the fan and chiefly,or exclusively,to removewatery expelled by York consultant, in his fresh air at the furnace or vapor,as in the dryingrooms of a factory, heating Reflec- replaced by tions on and En- or to keep an uninhabitedroom free Heating Ventilating living space. A primary design require- from dampness,or to remove offensive gineering (1904)5: ment was to prevent drafts of cold air or dangerousgases or foul odorsgener- entering directly into the living spaces. ated by either naturalor manufacturing . .excessive amountof vapourof water, In the summer, opening the windows processes,it is most usuallyemployed to sickly odours from respiratoryorgans, and doors was considered sufficient. No dilute and remove the productsof ex- uncleanteeth, perspiration, untidy cloth- turn-of-the-century references related halationand respiration of livinganimals, ing,. . stuffyair from dusty carpetsand window area to health or comfort con- especiallyof man, and the productsof draperies,and many other factorsthat ditions. due to will in most cases cause combustion heating and illumi- may combine, Besides carbonic was and to the discomfortand ill-health.6 acid, dampness nating apparatus, prevent greater greater also considered an environmental of a roomfrom above con- temperature rising dition to avoid. Frank the degree which is requisiteto secure Lloyd Wright comfortand health.2 Thus, ventilation standards, if followed, himself raised the conventional basement were based on reasonableguesses at best functions to the ground level to avoid The common method for determin- and Victorian imagination at worst. the dark damp conditions found there. ing acceptable rates of ventilation was Although ventilation standards may One of the design tenets he identified based on diluting the concentration of have been used in the design of large with his philosophy was these noxious gases to an acceptable buildings and assembly halls, this level to ". . .get the unwholesome basement standard.3Exhalation rates were exam- of rigor rarely, if ever, was used in the up out of the ground."7

41 APTBulletin Vol.XIX No. 2 1987 . The dampness and other foul gases square inches per occupant with a fan is room, no provision need be made. . for associated with basements sufficient. summer ventilation except when there is discouraged to exclude the use of basements as a source of 2. Fresh air registers must not be placed an object to keep them closed below foul air avoid short noise and dirt." ventilation air. registers (to circuiting). 3. Flues small enough to embed in or- Sometimesit is taken from the The last quarter of the 19th century directly dinary interior partitions are insufficient cellar in which case it is almost marked a period of rebuilding for Chi- itself, in size, except for residential use. sure to be contaminatedwith es- cago. The catastrophic Chicago Fire of gases 4. Do not place fresh air registers flush from the furnace while the 1871 led public officials to make fireproof caping door, with the floor level (to avoid collecting cellaritself contains construction a of the decayingvegetables, dirt and dust). major component and an bell code. materials were slop buckets, perhaps empty 5. In economical dwellings, centralize the building Building freecommunication with the trap,giving heating apparatus, keeping fresh air flues soon upgraded to guard against another sewer.. .The fresh-air shouldnot supply within inner walls. Transfer grilles to city-wide fire. Brick and stone were sub- be in an brought through underground upper floors can be placed under or near stituted for wood in both new and ex- duct without taking special precautions windows. isting buildings. Frederick Robie himself to have it air-tight,and it shouldnot pass 6. In residences, when fresh air registers insisted on the latest in fireproof con- acrossor near a drainor sewer.8 are near the and foul air placed ceiling, struction. One side effect of this change near the floor,heat air to a higher registers in building materials was that the heavier than to the Architects usually left the job of pro- temperature required (due materials made for cooler interior envi- ventilation air to the furnace in- stratification).If opposite, enlarge grilles viding ronments; but, they also created colder staller who often chose a source based sufficiently to prevent disagreeable cur- rents. walls and floors in the winter. on the least cost and inconvenience. Architectural that were 7. In dwellings with rooms having win- styles popu- There was no return to the furnace; as dows on one wall only, place fresh warm lar at the time, such Romanesque supply was 100% outside air. In larger air openings on an inner wall and foul Revival and Queen Anne, were based which required the of buildings sizing air registers on the same wall at a lower on both wood and masonry construction. flues and more attention was registers, level. This will induce air flow from the Glass panes were becoming larger, and to the source and rates of ventila- paid warm air opening, across the ceiling, the popular double-hung windows started tion. Recommended rates from down in front of the and back ranged window, incorporating single panes of heavy glass 30 and to 60 the floor to the foul air cfm/person (office dining) along register.'? instead of the many small panes used in halls, cfm/person (hospitals, assembly earlier window designs. Casement win- and - much than the barracks) higher These recommendations allude to the dows, which admit more air, were not 5 to 20 used cfm/person usually during importance of circulating heated air and popular on Prairie Avenue and in other the present day.9 preventing stratification, and show how fashionable neighborhoods of Chicago, With no air conditioners, cooling a building or room "works." The Chicago although these and other elements of the standardsdid not exist. winter Although building code made more specific rec- Robie House had historic precedent (e.g., indoor of 68? F or 70? F temperatures ommendations for the placement of the grouped casement windows of the were considered comfortable, occupants openings, suggesting that winter and Tudor Style and the wide, overhanging lived with whatever level summer tem- summertime operation do not differ when eaves and hipped roof of the Italian to reach. peratures happened fresh air is admitted at the lower level: Renaissance). The level of even sophistication, Our review of houses built during among professionals,was not high. The ...the inlets may be in the floor,in risers the late 1800's reveals that traditional recommendations made are of in sides of walls near the by Billings platforms, Chicago residences used basements for for residential in desks, and in front of typical design guidelines floor, stationary habitable purposes, such as kitchens and installations. stationary benches. . . The outlets may their supporting services, presumably be- be in the cornice or ceiling or side of cause these were heat-generating func- 1. Positionand size the to achieve walls near the ceiling. This method re- registers tions. Attics with dormers served as serv- sufficientair flow withoutcausing drafts. quires no change with seasons- the fresh ants' because these Ninety feet per minuteshould be maxi- air in summer entering the same way quarters, presumably mum.Perforated floors in assemblyrooms that it does in winter. .. were the hottest and least convenient shouldbe at least 100 squareinches per Where windows are available, and so rooms of the house. Ground levels con- - occupant;at the ceiling, however, 30 placed that currents pass through the tained several large rooms sitting

Associationfor PreservationTechnology 42 rooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and parlors- with large foyers leading from a central entry which in turn led to a central stair. This organization of spaces around a centralized circulation plan and their vertical arrangement was especially suited for the heating systems of the times; basement furnaces from which hot air rose through floor grilles, or steam systems where condensate returned to the boiler by gravity. On the other hand, naturalventilation was relatively difficult since most rooms had windows on Contrastsbetween the central-floor-planhouse shown in the backgroundand Wright's only horizontalRobie house show what a modernradiant had on one some air movement profoundeffect heating wall, although architecturaldesign. (State HistoricalSociety of Wisconsin) was induced from floor to floor by open- The result of removing the top story mer's Architectureof the Well-Tempered ing dormer windows in the attic and (and the basement) was a greater exten- Environment'5 for being one of the few admitting fresh air at the ground level. sion of living spaces over the lot which to utilize the freedom in architectural Wright's Changes permitted more exterior window area. It form made possible by new heating tech- also required more open, free-flowing nologies. But as form is inextricably in- The preceding review describes the con- living spaces if interior rooms were to tegrated with heating, ventilation, and ventional residential building standards have light, air, and view. Such design light in the characteristically organic from which Wright departed. In some features complement Wright's Prairie Prairie School philosophy, the Robie cases, the was made inten- departure Architecture with its low, horizontal House provides environmentalamenities tionally to improve occupant summer buildings opening to the prairie. And not found in its more traditional neigh- comfort; in others, the benefits were the architecture itself was made possible bors. These are summarized as follows: incidental. Other features of the house by the use of modern heating systems Extent of operable doors and windows. may have been common practice. which could better distribute heat than On the second floor, the area is One intentional improvement was glazed could their predecessors,as Wright him- so extensive that Frank Lloyd Wright the elimination of hot, stuffy attics; in self explains: referred to the walls as "light screens." fact, Wright described them as quarters This was a dramatic departure from "for 'help' to swelter in" and dormers Anothermodern is opportunity afforded homes of the day which he described as as places ". . .to let 'help' poke heads oureffective of hot-waterheat- by system "overdressed wood home walls [which] out of the attic for air."'2 Instead, he ing. By this meansthe formsof buildings had, cut in them...big holes for the big substituted the to collect and be more articulated,with chimney may completely cat and little holes for the little cat to expel hot air: lightand air on severalsides. By keeping get in and out or for ulterior purposes .. .The to the ceilingslow the wallsmay be opened gently-slopingroofs, grateful of light and air." the do not leave with a seriesof windowsto the outerair, Prairie, largeair-spaces In the and rooms, close abovethe and so the has the flowersand trees,the prospects,and living dining rooms, chimney to 75% of the exterior wall could be in dimensionsand one may live as comfortablyas formerly, grown importance, lessshut in. .. it is also to to the outside with and in hot weatherventilates at the high possible spread opened compared of the beneath the buildings,which once in our climate the more typical 20%. Furthermore, part circulatingair-space of extremeswere a box cut into the roofs,the freshair enteringbeneath compact Wright insisted on using the outswinging the eaves closed compartments, into a more organic casement windows versus ubiquitous throughopenings easily a house in a in winter.'3 expression,making garden "guillotine"(i.e., double-hung) windows. or the country the delightful thing in Not only did they allow 100% of the relationto either or both, that also eliminated the basement due imagina- window area to be but Wright tion would have it.'4 opened, they to its perceived unwholesome dampness have been shown (in modern-day ex- and lack of windows, but in doing so, Based on this statement, Reyner Ban- periments) to induce or divert greater sacrificed its coolness. ham ascribes Wright credit in the for- air circulation near the window.

43 APTBulletin Vol.XIX No. 2 1987 Other Features The following features also contribute to ing ventilation system. These were as the house's summer comfort conditions; necessary at the turn of the century as but, they cannot be attributed to the they are today, given the convoluted and uniqueness of Wright's ventilating de- constricted air-flow passagesbeneath the sign because he did not identify occupant low roof. There is no evidence that this comfort as his primary objective or be- system was intended to significantly cause the features appear in other homes ventilate the living space; both the ar- in the area during the same time. chitect and this study bear out its neg- Ceiling plenum ventilation. Wright's ligible effect when compared with the aversion to high attic spaces and dormers use of the windows and doors. ' .-~~ ;a.,'I. s.3 ...e. .:':". * .'::. ..::Si:. ~?. .::' '...... for ventilation required him to substitute East-west building orientation. As dic- Wright'sintegration of lighting, ventila- some other means for the tated conventional solar the and trim is shown ventilating by design, tion, ceiling finish below the roof. His use of interior main axis of the Robie House is east- above. (VirginiaWeissman Photo, Office space of Public Relations, Universityof Chi- ceiling grilles and exterior eave vents west, which allows maximum solar ex- cago.) allows air to enter, exiting via the ven- posure in winter while reducing east and tilator bricks in the Open floor plan allowing free movement chimney. (Joseph west exposure to low sun angles during of air. As discussed previously, typical Conners"7disputes Banham's claim that summermornings and afternoons.Wright the residential design of the time in Oak chimney was expressly designed to actually designed a solar house in 1936 Park produced boxy, compact homes accommodate a ventilation function, and for Herbert and Katherine Jacobs in did so where cubicle-like living spaces were only incidentally, if at all.) which he demonstrated extreme sensi- The of organized around stairs and corridors. practice ventilating ceiling tivity to solar angles, thermal mass, earth and the The Robie House's free-flowing interior plenums use of ceiling grilles as berming, and prevailing breezes. Never- circulation and punctured fireplace max- ventilating devices was not unique, theless, it would have been difficult to imizes the circulation of fresh air, while though Wright's integration of lighting, place a building in any other position its spread-out, extended floor plan per- ventilation, and ceiling finish trim in one on the Robie House site given the site's mits extensive exterior window area. element is a sensitive design solution to shape, orientation, views, and available the mundane problem of air circulation. to the south. Properly sized overhangs. Wright fre- sunlight exhaust fans assisted the ceil- quently mentions the horizontal line as Originally, the line of domesticity, evocative of the prairie. The horizontal roof line with its Robie house ventilation is illustrated.The fan, though east and west and rela- not original to Wright'sdesign, assists ceiling ventila- long overhangs tion. tively short south illustratesthis ideal, but it is also correct for proper shading. The east and west building faces are protected from low morning and afternoon sun angles, and on the south, the shorteroverhang is sufficient to shade the glass from the high noon sun. Reyner Banham'6 mentions that the south ov- erhang is the perfect length to shade the glass doors during the summer solstice. The shadow line angle from the actual sun position is 72? versus the angle from the actual overhang of 66? (calculated from the blueprints), but this is a minor difference in light of construction devia- tions and is more appropriate anyway for the heating and cooling loads in Chicago.

Associationfor PreservationTechnology 44 Ventilation-System Operation Based on ventilation codes, guidelines in existence at the turn of the century, Frank Lloyd Wright's writings, and ob- servations made at the house by the authors of this study, the original oper- ation of the ventilation system can be described as follows: Summer ." " _ * The primary source of air is the open '"" ^^_ m\ ""i n. windows and doors. ... _ i ~? --1 _. * The second floor ceiling plenum is also ventilated. The source of attic air Oxidationof zinc cames, glass separatingfrom the cames, and accumulatingdirt meant is the exterior grilles under the east windows had to be repairedbefore they could be made operable. and west overhangs, the light screens, as well as mechanical exhaust fans of fresh air, and as such, must be oper- Mr. John Vinci, AIA, the consulting within each end of the and living able. Currently, many of the French architect to the University for Robie dining rooms. The hot air then rises doors and north windows on the second House renovations, had decided that re- the through chimney. floor are nailed shut to prevent their use pairing the doors and windows, and Winter and forestall further deterioration. This constructing faithful reproductions if * The doors and windows are closed. strategy, however, is only a second-rate necessary, would be acceptable, primar- The exterior grilles at the east and solution. Nailing woodwork causes ad- ily because the oak members were not west eaves are closed. ditional damage by marringfinished sur- particularlyunusual in their construction * Fresh air enters through the grilles faces and by creating opportunities for or design. Neither was the hardware behind perimeter fan-coil units or moisture penetration. Furthermore, the special for the time. In 1983, Mr. Vinci radiators. glass can still be easily broken and entry recommended that this work receive top * The air is heated, rises, and is expelled gained. priority and estimated costs of $500 per in one of three ways: 1) by exhaust Making the doors and windows fully door for reconstructingframes and $945 fans at the ends of the living and operable does not have to compromise per door for stabilizing the glazing with dining rooms to the ceiling plenum security. Although Wright did not spec- new cames, using existing glass where and then out the chimney; 2) through ify locksets for doors and windows, ap- possible. Stabilizing 24 doors would cost the light screens (No direct evidence propriatefasteners coupled with a stand- $34,680, to which would be added the was found that the electric lamps were ard photoelectric or other security system cost of rebuilding the windows as well. intended to provide heat to induce will improve building security. This expenditure, however great, was convection. The small fluorescents in Historic preservation of doors and the most compatible with achieving place today definitely will not provide windows was also considered. Use of the Wright's original intentions for natural sufficient heat for this purpose.); and doors and windows on a daily basis for ventilation. 3) through the fireplace. natural ventilation would affect their Keeping the doors and windows per- condition. The historic merit of the win- manently closed would have been the dows had to be weighed against the more compatible strategy if central air Security, and Other Issues degree of proposed use and the condition conditioning were installed. In this case, The choice of an appropriate cooling of the components. Windows in the Ro- the frames and sashes could have been strategy for the Robie House depended bie House were in fairly good condition, stabilized at much lower cost, while re- on considerations beyond modern com- but they were fragile. Repeated open- taining more of the original components. fort standards and energy conservation. ings, even for a few large events, could If this option were chosen, provision Some of these issues included security, cause enough movement among wooden would have to be made for controlling historic preservation, changed use, and members to create damaging stress to infiltration.As described in previous sec- fire protection. the panes of glass. This is especially true tions of this report, this house, like others Security was an issue because the if guests were allowed to operate the during the time, was designed to induce doors and windows are primary sources doors and windows themselves. flows of fresh air into the living spaces.

45 APTBulletin Vol.XIX No. 2 1987 "Tighteninlg-up" the house \ould have rciqired closing off tile exterior wall vents. sealing the oak ceiling grilles, we\atherstripping all doors and windows. and. to minimize cquipmlenlt dimensions. some insulation. Condensation w-ould have be.)cc controlled through proper detailing of vapor barriers and ceiling ple 1nuimi ventilation.

I Building Use 5 . : - - . Tle question of naltural ventilation ver- maitenance of not only the historic cration and Air C:onditioning Engineers sus central air conditioning depended contents of the building, bu)t also the (A-SIIA LE). This index combined the heavily on the use of the building. Al- na.tural woodwork, plaster, and other effect of dry bulb) IanIlwet )111)btemper- though there are Ino immledliate plans to finlish surfaces. Natural ventilation would ature with air movement to yield an change the present occupancy, the res- not help in this regard. On the other equivalent sensation of w-armth or cold. toration comminittee (composed of inter- hand, if close climate control were to be The original Effective Temperature ested University staff) had suggested sev- achieved hbv sealing the building and scale hadl limitations wNhich were rec- eral long-term uses, includting: a installing central air conditioning, the ognized in 19,47.1 The original ET scale conference center, a touring center for had to be to the effect of humidity the university, a tour and architectural lUniverrsity prepared pay over-emphasized the cost of since in cooler and in nteutral conditions, un- center for Hyde Park, a Prairie House higher energy, especially night setback i ight not be recoim- der-emphasized its effect in warm con- lullselInl, a lodging house for distin- Imended because of the climatic stability clitions, and failed to account for air guiished University visitors, and an art reluirements mentioned above. velocitv tIncdr hot-hunmid conditions. gallery. Some of these uses were more com- Fire Protection. Though not of imme- Studies in 1961'1 indicated tihat the patible with natural ventilation; for ex- diate concern, fire protection and temperature criteria for thermal comfort ample, lodging house guests Nwouldnot suppressioin was more compatible with had risen steadily since 1900 from 65?- require air conditioning if most were the central air conditioning alternative 75?F (18?C-1 ?C) drxybulb temperature visiting during the academic year. Use for two reasons. A sealed interior would range to 70?-79?F (24?260C) range. The of the building as a gallery or museum, have provided greater protection against effective temperature for comlfort in- however, w ould be more compatible with fire spreading from living areas to vul- creased fron 65? F (18? C) in 1923 to central air conditioning. In this case, nerable wood members above. Also, 68? F (20? C) in 1941. The increasing large numbers of people and extensive should the University clecide to install a treind resulted from year-round use of display lights would generate too much fire suppression system later, halon or lighter weight clothing and from chang- heat to dispel by natural means. Fur- carbon dioxide systems would probably ing lifestyles, diets, and comfort expec- thermore, artifacts on display might re- ie favored over w ater-based systems due tations. quire levels of temiperature and humidity to the water damage potential. A sealed Modern standards of comfort often that could only be provided by central building would have been better for relquire mechanical cooling because peo- refrigeration. The dimensional stability containing the released chemicals. ple's expectations have changed. A few of wcoocdworkand artifacts within the hours of pleasant ambient conditions Modern Comfort Standards hlouse would be affected by abrupt would allow the mechanical cooling to changes in temperature and relative hu- The perception of comfort experienced be shut off, but this is rarely done. miditv. Art conservation concerns also by human beings is based on the effects Mechanical cooling is used even when included the issue of atmospheric pol- of (1) dry bulb temperature, (2) wet bulb there is marginal "free cooling" available lutants such as oxides of sulphur and temperature, and (3) air movement. A in the form of lower ambient tempera- nitrogen, ozone, and particulate matter thermal index called Effective Temper- ture and humidity. (such as dust, soot, and trace materials). ature (ET) was originally derived by The office environment for which These are agents which would accelerate I oughton and Yaglon in 1923 for the the Robie House is being used requires deterioration and increase cleaning and American Society for Heating, Refrig- carefully controlled comfort conditions.

Associationfor PreservationTechnology 46 ?

I ? First floor section and plan diagramsof lighting, heating, and cooling show the relationshipof the three elements:1) Overhanging eaves control sun; 2-3) Windowsand doors provideventilation; 4) Mechanicalextraction draws hot air throughceiling plenum, ducting it to chimney;5-6) Radiatorsbelow windows preventwinter drafts;7-10) Soffitlights conceal I-beam;11) Stormsash and screens. (Courtesy,Library of Congress,Mary Reyner Banham, for the HistoricAmerican Building Survey) Analysis of Loads and Natural Cooling Capacities The primary natural cooling mechanism The air infiltration rate for Robie site is far from Robie House, but com- in Robie House is natural ventilation. In House was estimated to be about 3 ACH parable data near Robie House are not the 80-year period since the house was for all zones. Depending on the number available. The summer micro-climate at built, most open areas around the house of windows opened in each zone, the Robie House is slightly different from have been filled with housing and dor- natural cooling was simulated by using O'Hare airport; however, the calcula- mitories. Even with the best natural ventilation which occurred during the tions with TMY weather data represent ventilation, the house could only hope occupied hours only. The amount of an optimistic case. The actual natural to equal outdoor temperature and hu- ventilation used for each zone was esti- cooling potential at Robie House would midity levels. mated from current literature and lim- be slightly less. In addition to ventilation provided ited measurements made at the house. To simulate natural ventilation, 77? by open windows and doors, Reyner The weather data used for simulation F dry-bulb and 55? F dewpoint tem- Banhamhypothesized that recessedlamps was TMY (Typical Meteorological Year) perature were chosen to represent the in the meeting rooms were originally data from Chicago's O'Hare airport.This upper limits of comfort conditions during supposed to warm air which would then When the Robie house was first built, the landscape was open, inviting cooling summer rise and flow under the structuralI-beam breezes. Since then, the micro-climate has been affected by dormitories and apartments and out through the attic space and the built close to the house. (State Historical Society of Wisconsin) ' chimney.20 Originally, the lamps may E...:-'*~. :. F ...~;,':?f t have been 40 or 60 watts, compared with the 13-watt lamps currently in- stalled (because the lamps of that time would have given much less light). Thus, the thermal energy which would have provided some air flow is much less now than when the house was designed. Also, the grilles covering the lamps are fitted with a plastic sheet, further inhibiting circulation. No measurable air flow through the 3 electric lamps was found during our investigation. To investigate the potential for nat- ural cooling, an hour-by-hour computer similation was performed. For the yearly simulation, the house was divided into 5 zones: Zone 1, First Floor; Zone 2, Second Floor; Zone 3, Third Floor; Zone 4, Living and Dining Rooms; Zone 5, Kitchen.

47 APTBulletin Vol.XIX No. 2 1987 Examining Options occupied hours. During the year, there We recommended that before the Uni- ommended that natural ventilation be were 684 hours when this condition was versity decided on the extent of refrig- given priority,and that refrigeratedcool- exceeded. All these hours were during erated air conditioning, that it consider ing be used mainly for peak cooling the summer months. restoring the garage offices to their orig- loads. Refrigerated cooling could be eas- We developed information to show inal function. The garage is historically ily installed using the existing two-pipe, when individual room temperatures ex- significant as one of the first three-car fan-coil units and distributionlines which ceeded various dry bulb temperatures. garages and one of the first attached are currently used for heating only. How- This information was given for all zones. garages in the world. Its design reflects ever, existing units would not meet peak In the third floor zone, for example, the Mr. Robie's interest in experimental mo- loads, and since they are nearly 20 years room temperature exceeded 78? F for tor cars. The original garage design ex- old, their replacement was imminent. 379 hours during occupied periods. tended the stained glass patterns found We believed it advisable to install new, Thus, the natural cooling potential, in the windows to the gate and the garage larger units which would handle most even if all the windows were opened, door lights. Currently, the garage houses cooling loads, though not loads from was insufficient for occupant comfort. three makeshift offices, cooled with win- large numbers of people during hot, Mechanical cooling was definitely re- dow air conditioners. Restored garages humid weather. Units capable of han- quired. To plan for mechanical cooling, could serve as storage space for the dling these extreme loads would be too the house was divided into five (5) zones. Alumni Affairs offices, thereby freeing large to fit in the existing oak cabinets. The sporadically occupied zones, such up more habitable space inside. as the living and dining rooms, did not Because the Robie House was de- require cooling when not in use. signed for natural ventilation, we rec-

Beneath each window on the left is a fan-coil radiator unit, hidden behind a wooden grille. (, courtesy of Richard Nickel Committee)

i :!' .I

f i E IiF

Associationfor PreservationTechnology 48 Description of Existing System The entry foyer, billiard room, and play- condition. The average service life for a equipment would have required major room on the first floor; living room, boiler of this type is 35 years; however, alterations to the existing structure. The dining room, and guest room on the service lives of 40 to 50 years are com- cost of a forced air system would also second floor;and all third floor bedrooms mon. be substantiallyhigher because it would are served by a two-pipe, heating only, Hot water was circulated to the fan- not make use of any existing equipment. fan-coil system. The system were in- coil units by an ITT Bell & Gossett The air-coolingcondensing unit could stalled in the mid 1960's and consisted model PD-39-S in-line booster pump. be located in the grassy area at the east of vertical and horizontal concealed fan- The age of this pump was also unknown, side of the garage where it would not coil units. but it, too, appeared to be in very good be readily visible from the street. The The vertical units were installed in condition. unit would be approximately7 feet long the wooden cabinets at the perimeter The hot-water circulation system was by 6 feet wide by 4 feet high and would walls that originally housed cast-iron ra- a mixture of steel and copper pipe. In require 4 feet of clearance on all four diators. Most of these fan-coil units had general, the hot water supply and return sides. (Size varies depending on unit been modified to discharge air at the piping appeared to be in excellent con- manufacturer.) Refrigerant suction and front of the unit in lieu of the standard dition. liquid lines would be extended from the top discharge; however, no provisions unit inconspicuously Intent of Modifications condensing along had been made to duct the discharge air the outside of the north wall of the from the front of the fan-coil units to The existing two-pipe fan-coil system building to the boiler room. The refri- the face of the cabinets. It was possible could be modified with these additions: gerant piping would enter the exterior for discharge air to short-circuit in the 1) a separate air-cooled condensing unit wall of the boiler room and then extend wooden cabinet. outdoors with a direct expansion/chilled to the adjacent storage room (formerly Four horizontal units were installed water evaporator,and 2) a chilled water the coal bin). The direct-expansion/ in the first floor ceiling cavity and served pump indoors to provide chilled water chilled water evaporator would be sus- the living room and dining room on the for the fan-coil units during the cooling pended from the ceiling of the coal bin second floor.Supply air was ducted from season. at approximately 5 feet above the floor these units to four of the original perim- Little consideration was given to a level. The evaporator and pump would eter floor grates at the south side of the forced air cooling system because the be 10 ft. long x 3 ft. wide x 3 ft. high, second floor. Return air was drawn installationof ductwork and air-handling including piping. through the remaining perimeter floor grates at the south side of the second floor and the through the first floor ceil- A schematic drawing shows how two-pipe heating and cooling fan-coil system works. ing plenum to the rear of the fan-coil units. The vertical fan-coil units in the CHILLED billiard room, at the west end of the WATER living room, and at the east end of the PUMP dining room, had provisions for admit- ting outdoor air for ventilation. The re- EVAPORATOR - maining fan-coil units recirculatedbuild- AIR COOLED ing air. ISOLATI CONDENSNG All of the fan coils appeared to be VIA wvc UNIT in good condition but needed cleaning. The units were also at the end of their expected service life. Hot water for fan-coil units was sup- plied from a Weil-McLaingas-fired, cast- iron boiler, Model J-6-B, Series JB. The boiler capacity was 825 MBH input/660 MBH output. Though of uncertain age, the boiler appeared to be in very good

49 APTBulletin Vol.XIX No. 2 1987 Design Issues The existing fan-coil units were origi- billiard room and playroom but could would be above 85? F DB/670 F WB nally selected for heating, not cooling. only satisfy the cooling loads in the to 301 hours. Insulation of the roof may To examine the capability of the existing remainder of the building for a portion not be simple, due to ceiling plenum fan-coilunits for cooling the Robie House, of the year. These two spaces are easier obstructions and roof construction. some were made to cool because are located on the assumptions regarding they and of fan- its future use and internal loads. shaded floor which is cool. Cleaning reconditioning cooling ground fairly coil units was recommended. Because The are as follows: Given the and the ser- assumptions age expected there is for air from vice life of the fan-coil units, we potential discharge * The billard room and the playroom sug- vertical concealed units to short circuit consideration be to will continue to be used as general gested given replac- inside the we recommended the units with cabinets, office space, and the internal loads ing existing higher capacity that unit be extended to the units in the zones where the discharges will remain at approximately their existing cabinet exteriors with sheet-metal exten- units failed to meet the loads for current levels. cooling sions. * The reception area will continue to more than 72 hours per year (2-1/2% of be used for its current purpose and the cooling season). The fan-coils could Some units had been installed with- internal loads there will be un- be replaced with units having greater out condensate drain pans, and none of changed. cooling capacity. However, the replace- the discharge piping from the conden- * The living room and dining room will ment units could be no more than two sate drain pans had been extended to a be used for assembly/social purposes sizes larger than those existing due to final drain connection (sanitarysewer or (i.e., dinners, receptions, etc.) with a the limited amount of space. Also, the storm drain). This was the major draw- maximum one-hour occupancy of 75 existing piping cannot accommodate back for converting the fan-coil units for people total in the two rooms. Assum- chilled-water flow rates required for use as cooling units. In some areas, ceil- ing equal area per person for both larger units. ing and wall surfaces will have to be rooms, this would allow for 39 people An additional 3 inches of blown-in disturbedto install condensate drain pip- in the living room and 36 people in insulation was recommended as a means ing and to extend the piping to a final the dining room. of reducing cooling in the third floor drain connection. All of the condensate * The second floor guest bedroom and bedrooms to reduce the number of hours drain piping, existing and new, will have all of the third floor bedrooms would per year that the third floor bedrooms to be insulated. continue to be used as offices. private Larger replacement units can take the place of older fan- * The lighting levels in all of the rooms coil units. Cabinet size limits the size of replacement would remain unchanged. units. * Existing window areas and shading coefficients would remain as they are now, even if the building is renovated. * Indoor design conditions of 80? F DB/670 F WB (50% RH) would be acceptablefor any functionsthat might take place within the building. * Chilled water would enter the fan- coil units at 45? F and leave the units at approximately 55? F during full load conditions. * The building would be opened at 8:00 a.m. in the morning and would not be occupied past 10:00 p.m. in the evening. Cooling load calculations based on the preceding assumptionsindicated that the existing fan-coil units could satisfy the peak cooling loads year-round in the

Associationfor PreservationTechnology 50 REFRIGERANTSUCTION & LIQUID PIPING

--,Coo , near existing bo

Cooling equipment can be sited out of view, near existing boiler.

The existing hot water supply and ventilation system be restored. This was returnpiping appeared to be in excellent also compatible with Wright's prefer- condition and can be used for chilled ence for naturalcooling over refrigerated Notes water supply and return during the cool- air conditioning, and would satisfy com- 1. John S. Billings, A.M., M.D., "Ventilation and ing season. The proposed chilled flow fort needs for most of the year. Luckily, Heating," The Engineering Record (1893). rate is approximately equal to the exist- Wright'soriginal design, and the existing 2. Ibid. ing hot water flow rate, so the existing heating system, could be adapted to 3. Dwight Kimball, Heating, Piping and Air Conditioning (June, 1929). pipe sizes should be adequate. The con- modern requirements without a great 4. Billings, loc. cit. nections to can be made deal of conflict. Our demonstrated existing piping study 5. Konrad Meier, Reflections on Heating and in the storage room (former coal bin) how modifications could be acceptable Ventilating Engineers, Annual Addressto the New adjacent to the boiler room and the boiler to the occupants and to the building's York Branch of the American Society of Mechan- and will be use as a modern office and con- ical Engineers (1904). existing circulating pump space 6. Ibid. isolated so that chilled water will not ference center. 7. Frank Lloyd Wright, circulate through them. The garage will (Princeton, 1931). Reprinted in Edgar Kaufman, also be isolated so that chilled water does Frank Lloyd Wright: Writings and Buildings not circulate through the cast-iron ra- (1960). diators and fin-tube convection heaters 8. Ibid. 9. loc. cit. there. The isolation valves for the Billings, boiler, 10. Ibid. hot water and circulating pump, garage 11. City of Chicago, Building Inspector's Hand- will be motorized so that these areas can book (1897). be placed on-line during the heating 12. Wasmuth, Ausgefiihrte Bauten un Entwiirfe season and isolated the (Berlin, 1910). Reprinted in Frederick Gutheim, during cooling Frank on Architecture season ed., Lloyd Wright (New by operation of a single switch. York, 1941). The same switch will isolate the proposed 13. Ibid. chilled water evaporator and chilled 14. Ibid. water circulating pump during the heat- 15. M. Reyner Banham, The Architecture of the ing season and place them on-line during Well-Tempered Environment (1969). 16. Ibid. the cooling season. 17. Joseph Connors, The Robie House of Frank Conclusion Lloyd Wright (1978). 18. C.P. Yaglou, "A Method for Improving Effec- Recommendations for cooling had to tive Temperature Indices," ASHVE Transactions respect the historic integrity of the Robie 53 (1947): p. 307. House while comfort needs of 19. R.G. Nevins, "Psychrometrics and Modern satisfying Comfort," presented at the Joint ASHRAE-ASME its current occupants. The first recom- Meeting (Nov. 28-29, 1961). mendation suggested that the natural 20. Banham, op. cit.

51 APT Bulletin Vol. XIXNo. 2 1987