“Our planet gives us all the energy we need to heat and cool our buildings sustainably, for free 24 hours a day. As architects and engineers, our task is to collect and employ it.” R. Gary Black

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Fifty percent of the energy and green-house gases generated in the United States result from heating and cooling our buildings. The Integral Solar Roof is a proprietary patented radiantly activated roof system constructed of two concrete membranes separated by an insulating core. Each membrane contains radiant technology, configured to operate independently.  In a cooling application, the exterior membrane will siphon the 175° plus heat generated by the sun’s rays away from the roof surface while the innermost membrane will cool the interior of the building with chilled water. During the night, the ISR will generate a reservoir of chilled water (for use during the daytime) via “emissive night cooling.” In a heating application, the interior membrane will heat the building’s interior with radiant transfer. This heating system is 80% more energy efficient than standard forced air and much healthier and more comfortable. Because the entire ceiling is a radiant transfer surface the temperatures required are only a few degrees above the comfort level leaving the air cool and the occupants feeling like they are being warmed by the sun on a cool autumn day.  Solar photovoltaic panels can be incorporated into the roof system in a seamless array that is attractive and the power generation made more efficient by keeping the panels cool.