Building Innovation GREEN DESIGN STRATEGIES
GXN/3XN Strandgade 73 1401 København K 3xn@3xn.dk www.3xn.dk
GXN –the Innovation Unit at 3XN Architetcts
Established in 2007 as an internal division, GXN has driven architectural research in the newest materials and building technologies. The ‘G’ stands for Green, highlighting GXN’s dedication to ecological design research through digital processes and innovative material solutions. The core goal is to develop a building culture that positively affects the world in which we, live both architecturally and environmentally. GXN has developed partnerships with leading experts across various industries for investigation in material research, data analysis, biology, and digitalization. Using applications of building innovation technologies from several disciplines allows GXN to create custom solutions for unique architectural challenges. The Five Innovation Strategies in this booklet describe how GXN pushes the limits of research, design and commercial application in the quest for Better Buildings and Better Environments for People.
GREEN DESIGN
1
Green architecture is not just responsible and healthy – it is also economical and important in the long-term
DESCRIPTION
Green Design Strategy is a mindset for all of our work, where we are particularly sensitive to building design as it affects people, nature and context. This regenerative approach results in a positive impact on the local social, ecological and economic spheres.
SO WHAT DOES THIS DO?
Our focus is to take the negative aspects of a building, and turn them into a positive result. For example - creating buildings that produce more green energy than they consume; specifying materials that either are or can be recycled designing healthier indoor environments. We develop solutions that support nature and biodiversity and encourage it to thrive.
HOW CAN THIS CREATE VALUE?
Through Green Design we create better environments for people increasing productivity, reducing sick days and providing a healthier workplace, through the choice of materials and design. This approach creates desirable buildings that are cost effective in a modern real estate market.
HOW CAN THIS CHANGE THE WORLD?
Through the use of Green Design Strategies, we can have a major positive impact on the built environment addressing its social, ecological and economic challenges.
DO YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Read about the following projects on 3xn.com • Green Solution House • Cradle to Cradle Pavilion • Urban Green
example of
GREEN DESIGN
Green School Stockholm
School Stockholm is a new * Green type of school concept with a modern approach to sustainable living. By actively educating about locally grown food, and by creating a multitude of green exterior public spaces, the building encompasses a full lifetime of sustainable living: from kindergarten to high school, college dorms to senior apartments. The school emphasizes local food production techniques; showcasing an array of innovative green solutions such as hanging gardens, vertical farming, living walls and algae facades.
INFORMED DESIGN
2
Having the right information at the right time is essential for designing sustainable and cost-effective architecture
DESCRIPTION
Informed Design Strategies are about the use of software to inform the process on a range of issues such as day-lighting, energy use, and local climate conditions before the final design is locked down.
SO WHAT DOES THIS DO?
Using parametric software tools, we can optimize the building design taking into account a range of issues. We can follow sun patterns or see how weather considerations anywhere in the world affect our initial sketches. This allows us to design for effective energy and daylight strategies and to successfully mitigate any potential design problems early on.
HOW CAN THIS CREATE VALUE?
Using evidence and facts, the parametric software tells us information that previously we may not have known, until the design of the project was already locked down. This information now allows us to avoid costly mistakes, and to present an optimized design which can give facts on energy savings, indoor climate, etc.
HOW CAN THIS CHANGE THE WORLD?
Ninety percent of a building’s form and design are determined in the first ten percent of project design. Through Informed Design we can create smarter buildings, that perform better, are more cost effective, and fulfill the needs of its users to a much higher at.
DO YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Read about the following projects on 3xn.com • Horten Headquarters • Mumbai Towers • Bayer Schering Pharma
example of
INFORMED DESIGN
Horten
unique geometry of the fa* The รงade on the Horten Law Offices posed a unique challenge to traditional construction methods. A lightweight composite material in fiberglass, foam and travertine was developed for the exterior of the building. The faรงade design doubles as a three dimensional expression and an energy saving function by shading the building itself from direct sunlight while allowing plenty of northern daylight in.
BEHAVIOUR DESIGN
3
Knowing how architecture affects us, allows us to create buildings tailored to human behaviour
DESCRIPTION
Behaviour Design Strategies are about integrating psychology into the architecture of buildings – creating better buildings with better conditions for people and function. This is an approach to optimizing performance of the building.
SO WHAT DOES THIS DO?
Optimizing the use and function of the building through logistics, floorplate and functional design allows for greater building performance. Architectural psychology applied to a building design can also forecast the effect it will have on people’s well-being and effectiveness.
HOW CAN THIS CREATE VALUE?
Behaviour Design generates increased revenues and better employee productivity. Using behavior strategies to determine the relationship between function and space can also result in effects such as lower building cost.
HOW CAN THIS CHANGE THE WORLD?
Behaviour Design can get people talking together. It can calm children in the classroom. It can make passive people more active. It can shape corporate culture. Architecture, shaped by Behaviour Design can encourage people to find new paths, discover new aspects of the city - and of themselves.
DO YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Read about the following projects on 3xn.com • Middelfart Savings Bank • Ørestad College
example of
BEHAVIOUR DESIGN
Ă˜restad College
buildings are designed with* Most out any real knowledge about human behaviour patterns in the built environment. Through examining elements such as spatial diversity, visual transparency, personalization and privacy, one can measure the significant impact on work environment, well-being and building performance.
TECHNOLOGY DESIGN
4
By learning from technologies in other industries, we can create entirely new and competitive products for the building industry
DESCRIPTION
Technology Design Strategies explore processes where learning from one technology and transferring specific qualities or characteristics into another, results in a new product or completely new use.
SO WHAT DOES THIS DO?
For the customer, technology design strategies provide unique product solutions tailored specifically for the project. Going beyond simply form and function, this results in smart solutions bringing an added efficiency to the project.
HOW CAN THIS CREATE VALUE?
This is about operating on the cutting edge between core science and commercial solutions. The result can be amazing, such as new energy efficient materials that push product development to in new and practical directions.
HOW CAN THIS CHANGE THE WORLD?
By taking the best from one technology and employing it for another purpose, technology design strategies can result in added qualities providing completely new solutions and products for the building industry.
DO YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Read about the following projects on 3xn.com under GXN - Projects • Gotham Light • Microshade • Integrated Façade
example of
TECHNOLOGY DESIGN
Gotham Light
*
GXN developed it’s specially designed Gotham luminaire out from the newest solar cell and lighting technology. The lamp produces more energy that it uses and contributes therefore positively to its surroundings. Using a specially designed prism, the streetlamp collects solar energy and converts it into street lighting. The streetlamps are the result of a close cooperation between GXN’s Gotham luminaire and Scotia’s solar cell lamp post.
5
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN By not setting any limits to imagination, the better we can be at creating green and innovative architecture
DESCRIPTION
The engine behind GXN innovation, Experimental Design Strategies are about stretching our imaginations, taking architecture to the very edge of what is possible through the use of new materials and sophisticated software and design technologies.
SO WHAT DOES THIS DO?
It lets us determine what is digitally possible – and then what is actually physically possible. We experiment with tools such as scripting and parametric software to push development in products, process and architecture. This strategy results in a knowledge and know-how that feeds innovation into everything else we do.
HOW CAN THIS CREATE VALUE?
Breakthroughs in technology are a part of Experimental Design Strategies. We aim to take everything we know and to push that knowledge further to develop technologies as far as they can go. This has potential value for new patents or future product development, while being rooted in humanity - and creating a better built environment.
HOW CAN THIS CHANGE THE WORLD?
With Experimental Design Technologies, there is no end to the possibilities. Building on collected knowledge, pushing the boundaries and aiming for continued discovery, GXN aims to transform the building industry and what it can accomplish.
DO YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Read about the following projects on www. 3xn.com • Louisiana Pavilion (look under GXN – projects) • Noma Lab • Bella Chandelier
example of
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
Louisiana Pavillion
Louisiana Pavillion *The demonstrates no end to the possibilities when combining sustainable and intelligent materials. Built from a biocomposite material (corn, flax fibre, soya beans and cork), the pavilion also integrates energy generating materials allowing the structure to be energy self-sufficient. The result is an example of how a building can take part in all aspects of the biological lifecycle.
‘GXN is dedicated to ecological design research through digital processes and innovative material solutions. We are inspired by the functionalities and forms of nature and we want to investigate how these can influence architecture’ Kasper Guldager Jørgensen, architect MAA Director of GXN innovation and Partner in 3XN architects
MORE GXN INFO WWW.3XN.DK
• Hear GXNs TEDx talk on how spiders, mushrooms, and algae can inspire tomorrow’s buildings. • See GXNs work with sustainable Nordic wood and digital fabrication to create NOMA foodlab. • Read GXNs publication on Danish Cradle to Cradle building manual for the Build Environment
GXN/3XN Strandgade 73 1401 København K 3xn@3xn.dk www.3xn.dk