From the Series
Humanising an intricate technology for the user, Eddie Opara has designed a how-to manual for the innovative energy-saving geothermal heat pumps system (GHP).
GHP is a central heating and/or cooling system that pumps energy to or from the ground, using the earth as a heat source or a "heat sink".
An alternative to costly, conventional energy sources, GHP offer a cheaper, cleaner and more efficient way to heat and cool buildings – Pentagram
Pentagram’s Eddie Opara has designed the Geothermal Heat Pump Manual: A Design and Installation Guide for New York City to provide users with knowledge about the new energy-saving system, which heats and cools buildings while having minimal negative impact on the earth. The system uses the constant temperature of the earth’s interior as a source for heat. For cooling, heat is extracted from the building and dissipated into the ground.
As the GHP is not yet well known in New York City, the manual provides guidelines on how the system can be integrated into sustainable building projects as well as how to implement it into existing structures. Further, the manual organises and outlines complicated information into an easy-to-read and easy-to-understand manner. In keeping with the conservation theme, the cover of the manual is printed on unbleached paper, and recycled paper is used throughout the book.
For the cover image, Opara created a dimensional wireframe drawing of New York City that wraps around the front and back of the book. A simple illustration of how geothermal energy works, the diagram transitions from a cool blue in the ground to a warm red in the buildings.
The GHP is an important part of the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC)'s strategy for developing sustainable energy, and the Geothermal Heat Pump Manual is a key resource in the city's plans for implementation.
The manual is free for download here from the New York City official website.
Project Team: Eddie Opara, partner-in-charge and designer; Ken Deegan, designer; Carrie Kawamura, design assistant.
