Westlake Dermatology

Prominently located on Williams Drive, the modern “floating cube” design of Westlake Dermatology maximizes natural daylight throughout the medical office, providing patients with clear connections to the outdoors. CES collaborated closely with the architect of record and the interior architect to achieve a fossil-fuel-free building that meets local guidelines.

The building employs a heat recovery/heat pump VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) system designed to provide simultaneous heating and cooling, and allowing independent temperature control across multiple zones. This advanced system offers greater flexibility and energy efficiency compared to traditional HVAC systems. Additionally, Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) are used to enhance indoor air quality by filtering outside air while reducing energy consumption. By pre-conditioning incoming air, ERVs reduce the load on the cooling system, leading to lower energy costs and improved humidity control.

The flexibility of VRF and ERV systems complements the building’s extensive use of glass, adapting dynamically to solar heat gain and optimizing energy efficiency. Further sustainable features include low-flow plumbing fixtures, LED lighting with occupancy sensors, and infrastructure designed for electric vehicle chargers.