Case Study: Ambient Energy achieves 50.3% energy reduction for Colorado State University with Integrated Environmental Solutions

Ambient Energy - Customer Case Study

Ambient Energy, a consulting and engineering firm, worked with Colorado State University to renovate the Engineering II atrium in Colorado, aiming to create a comfortable “home-away-from-home” space with natural daylight, views, and ventilation while keeping temperatures within a strict 66–77°F comfort range. The challenge was to balance year-round occupancy, daylighting, and natural ventilation in a highly efficient design.

Using IES’s IESVE software, Ambient Energy tested and verified energy, daylight, and mixed-mode ventilation concepts before implementation, including wind and climate analysis and Revit import. The solution helped optimize skylights and natural ventilation, with the atrium relying mainly on buoyancy-driven airflow, achieving a 1200–1400 CFM natural ventilation rate and a 50.3% energy reduction.

Ambient Energy

Linda Morrison

Building Performance Team Leader