HIGH TECH LOW TECH CASE STUDY Shannon Adler, Martin Matlsberger, Delaney Wray
US FEDERAL BUILDING
Located in San Francisco
at 90 7th Street on the corner of Mission and 7th Streets in South of Markey, San Francisco
Thom Mayne of Morphosis designed the building, 2003-2007
http://morphopedia.com/view/san-francisco-federal-buildingphoto
18 floors of office space and stands 234 feet tall
Concept:
using a concept of "resistance," juxtaposing gray concrete walls with custom, zigzagged wood ceilings
Earned LEED Silver Developed around three primary objectives: the establishment of a benchmark for sustainable building design through the efficient use of natural energy sources; the redefinition of the culture of the workplace through office environments that boost workers’ health, productivity, and creativity; and the creation of an urban landmark that engages with the community.
SITE
Contemporary response to its context
Urban area
Want to use as much of natural energy sources
The building empowers its users with a sense of control over their surroundings.
LIGHT
85 percent of the workspace is illuminated with natural light
Ambient light comes from light channeled through the windows and reflected off walls and ceilings to extend its reach with minimum glare and intensity
Through sensors, the building's automated systems manage the balance between powered and natural daylight. The powered lights are on only when people are at their workstations.
LIGHT

The light in the elevator lobby is channeled in through the veil and then bounced back by the angled ceiling plane
http://morphopedia.com/view/san-francisco-federal-building-air-cir
VENTILATION
The Federal Building is the first office tower in the U.S. to forgo air-conditioning in favor of natural ventilation (passive)
Provides natural ventilation to 70% of the work area
The first five levels, with high concentrations of people and equipment, are fully airconditioned (high tech)
Above the fifth floor, the windows automatically adjust, allowing fresh air directly into the building for natural ventilation and free cooling
Southeast: perforated metal screen protects the glass façade from excess solar heat gain (passive)
Northwest: series of fixed
translucent sunshades are attached to an exterior catwalk, breaking the sun’s path to shade the glass (high tech)
VENTILATION:
Northeast side of building is a skin of computer– controlled panels adjusts to daily and seasonal climate fluctuations
The system, known as the building automation system (BAS), controls and monitors all of the building’s mechanical equipment including those that maintain environmental conditions and lighting levels inside
The computer system opens and closes windows, vents and screens in response to temperature within the building as well as external environmental conditions.
The window wall features manually operated windows for occupant control of the internal environment
At night, the BAS opens the windows to flush out heat build-up and allows the nighttime air to cool the building's concrete interior. Throughout the day the thermal mass of the exposed concrete columns, shear walls and wave-form ceilings help cool the occupants of the building.
http://morphopedia.com/files/san-francisco-federal-building-photo-28
ENERGY
“Skip-stop” elevators stop at every third floor of the building Forces 2/3rds of tenants to walk up or down one flight of stairs to get to their office. Since there are fewer stops, service is faster and consumes less energy than a comparable traditional elevator system. As an added benefit, tenants improve their health by getting a little more exercise than they otherwise might Through simple sensors, the building's automated systems manage the balance between powered and natural daylight. The powered lights are on only when people are at their workstations. reduce energy used for lighting by approximately 26 percent
WATER AND WASTE
Drip irrigation and dual-flush valves on all toilet fixtures reduce potable-water consumption by over 30%, saving over $50,000 per year in water utility bills. The San Francisco Federal Building incorporates building materials and construction strategies that minimize waste and energy consumption GSA mandated that 75 percent of materials used during construction be recycled. over 13% of the total value of construction material on the project was post-consumer or post-industrial waste.
THE GHERKIN
Located in London, UK
At 30 St Mary Axe It is headquarters to Swiss Re
Norman Foster designed the building from 1997-2004 It has 41 floors and is 180 meters tall Cost £630 million 360˚ view of London on the top floor Its spiraling shape was inspired by nature’s pinecone It is London’s first sustainable skyscraper Swiss Re is openly worried about the effects that global warming is having on the earth - they are concerned about the catastrophic natural disasters that might occur.
SHAPE
The circular shape of the building allows for a greater plaza space on the downtown site The tapering shape of the building allows for maximum light to reach the people at street level The cylindrical shape reduces the amount of wind on the plaza by deflecting the wind around the building
LIGHT
The building is constructed using over 5,500 triangles and diamond shapes These shapes give enough support to where the building does not need columns - therefore allowing the maximum amount daylight in Also gives everyone a view outside Shape also allows for the maximum amount of daylight to hit the people on the ground enjoying the plaza
LIGHT WELLS
The light wells (which can be seen as the darker glazing spiraling up the building) allow natural light into the offices The light wells are also open between floors and connect the office floors visually Light wells were originally supposed to be ‘gardens in the sky - now they allow natural light in and help with ventilation
SKIN
The building has a double-glazed exterior and a single-glazed interior screen These two skins sandwich a ventilated cavity that has solar control blinds These cavities also buffer heat from entering the office spaces – reducing the need for manual heating/cooling
VENTILATION
Light Wells Double-glazing with grey tinted glass and high performance coating This reduces solar gain and heat Windows up to the 32nd floor open when the temperature is above 20˚C with winds speeds below 10 mph These light wells draw in cool air and circulate it up the building – following the wells
Each floor has 6 fan-coil units Heat recovery units reclaim heat before it is discharged For working afterhours – 1/6 of the floor can be made comfortable and the rest of the building can be shut off
ENERGY
Uses 50% less energy than other skyscrapers its size With the light wells and their grey glazing reduce the need for artificial lighting Light wells and buffer zones reduce the heat that reaches the office – reduce the need for cooling
COMPARE & CONTRAST US FEDERAL BUILDING
THE GHERKIN
Site: London, England Site: San Francisco, CA (2003-2007) (LEED: Silver) (1997-2004) Light: Veils & reflection: Light: Light Wells: Ambient Luminescence (Low) Ambient Luminescence (Low) Air: 70% natural ventilation through windows (High & Air: light wells & coil units (High & Low) Low) Energy: Light wells & grey Energy: Light sensors & “skip stop” elevator (High & Low) glazing (Low) Water: water efficient appliances
CONDE’ NAST BUILDING
Located: New York, New York at 4 Times Square, at the “Crossroads of the World”
Nickname: the “Green Giant”
Architects: Fox & Fowle
Height: 1,118 ft, 52 stories to the tip mast (3rd tallest in New York!)
Construction: 1996 -1999
Developer: Durst Organization
Cost: $600 million (return of investment in 10 years)
Building’s use: advertising & major magazine companies like Vogue and Glamour
Square Feet: 1,600,000 SF of rentable space (largest green building in New York in 1999)
Received an award from the American Institute of Architecture
Largest building in the U.S. to institute standards to indoor air quality, sustainable manufacturing process, energy conservation, and recycling systems.
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STRATEGIES
<a href='javascript:void(0)' onclick='window.open("http://video.construction.com/? skin=oneclip&ehv=http://construction.com/video/&fr_story=FRdamp277521&rf=ev&autoplay=true", "feedroom", "width=402, height=306, scrollbars=0, resizable=1, status=no, toolbar=no, location=no");return false;'>My New York: Bruce Fowle, Pt. 3</a>
TECH)
With the east side of the building facing the sunrise, harsh morning sun penetrates the upper story levels, but with the first couple stories sitting up next to another building, their natural daylighting is nonexistent.
The mid-day sun experienced best on the southwest side of the building on the 42nd street side. The setting sun is received by the largest end of the Conde’ Nast building as it glides down Broadway. The primary daylight comes from the northeast and northwest light and helps the lower levels receive the most natural lighting
CONDE’ NAST CAFÉ (LOW TECH)
Frank Gehry’s 260 seat cafeteria uses undulating panels of blue glass for the natural daylighting effect The blue panels are up against the glass windows on the fourth floor which help aid the indirect daylighting and not make it as harsh Most products in the café consist of at least 50% recycled materials like insulation, vinyl flooring, metal studs, and sheet rock. For this specific project, construction debris was minimized and salvaged, reused, or recycled
INDOOR AIR QUALITY (HIGH & LOW TECH)
Air delivery get 50% cleaner and healthier air than industry codes air filtration & delivery systems Has been evaluated for its environmental impact on occupant health, environmental sensitivity & energy reduction By letting in natural air at the bottom of the building, it helps warm and cool by bring the cool air up through the space and once the hot air forms at the top, the filtration system cools it & pushes it back down
ENERGY MATTERS (HIGH TECH)
Environmentally efficient gas-fired absorption chillers Which is: a refrigerator that is powered by liquid petroleum gas to provide energy for the cooling and heating systems two hydrogen fuel cells that generates hot water & electricity Which are: sources of electricity that use chemical energy of hydrogen to create energy with heat and water as byproducts Small patch of solar cells (photovoltaics) to help with electricity Which are: an array of solar electric cell devices which generate electricity when exposed to the sunlight
ENERGY (LOW TECH)
Curtain wall helps shade and insulate with the outcome of rarely heating or cooling the building throughout the year 50% more insulation in the walls & double in the roof than a typical New York skyscraper
WASTE (LOW TECH)
Recycling chutes with access in on every story All furniture is made with biodegradable & nontoxic materials helping with future waste The structure of the building is made by a Hat Truss system. Which is: a structural web system that is constructed for the stability of the large skyscraper as well as a durability aspect. With the building lasting longer because of the hat truss, it helps decline the amount of waste produced from the building and gives it a longer life cycle.
TERRANCE DONELLY CENTER FOR CELLULAR AND BIOMECULAR RESEARCH
Located in Toronto, Ontario
On the campus of The University of Toronto’s St George Campus160 College Street Toronto M5S 3E1 Ontario Canada
Collaborative design between architectsAlliance and Behnisch Architekten Creates a blend of historical and modern buildings on campus Cost $86 million dollars Houses 400 researchers
SITE
SHAPE
The building is divided into two parts and cinched in the middle This allows for the mechanical systems for floors 1-5 to be in the cinched part and the mechanical systems for the top floors are housed on the roof This allows for open and functional laboratory space The building being built tall and skinny allows for more light and less mechanical ventilation
LIGHT
Laboratories have shallow floor plates – allowing more light in The building is composed of double glazed skins
which allows light in and is more energy efficient than glass curtains
Glazed roof which connects the TDCCBR to the existing building on the west) allows light into the winter garden Light is also reflected off the exposed concrete and white walls (not all the walls are white)
SKINS
South Façade
has a single glazed exterior and a double glazed interior for solar and acoustic control
East and West Façade Ceramic fritted glass which helps solar gain, privacy and shading Color laminated glass
2 ½’ cavity separates interior skin and exterior skin
Aluminum louvers are located between skins
Have motorized dampers and vents – reducing heat gain (high tech)
4” concave slats which tilt with the sun – blocking direct sunlight
VENTILATION
Ventilation is effected by stack effect, wind, and a small mechanical system Each office has windows which they can open
When the window is opened the vents on the ouside open allowing outside air in The mechanical cooling system is automatically turned off Vents on the bottom of the window allow only cool air into the office
If one person opens their window only their vents on the outside open and only their system is turned off
When the windows are shut a fan-coil system is used to cool the building
VENTILATION
Vents are located on the top and bottom of the windows This allows for the stack ventilation flow when the windows are closed South facing offices use more the fan-coil system. The fancoil only works when:
The office windows are closed The temperature drops/rises above the comfort level of the occupant – which they control The fan-coil draws air in from the cavity In the winter air that is preheated from being in the cavity is sucked into the office reducing the need of mechanical heat
GREENERY
A planted multi-story atrium gracefully connects to an adjacent heritage campus building 45-foot-high bamboo trees and Liriope grass
creates a relaxing microclimate for visitors, employees, and those passing through
The double- and triple-height gardens on the upper levels filter air and provide oxygen and moisture to the common areas their irrigation and drainage is part of the building’s stormwater reclamation system
The ground-level garden atrium has a fritted-glazed roof and automated operable windows which provides natural ventilation for the first floors
COMPARE & CONTRAST CONDE NAST’ TERRRANCE DONELLY BUILDING CENTER Site: New York, New York Site: Toronto, Ontario (1996-1999) ($600 million) ($86 million) Light: surrounding windows Light: Glazed roof & double (Low) glazed skins & reflection Air: natural ventilation & (Low) air filtration (High & Low) Air: stack effect & fan coil Energy: gas-fired absorption system & greenery chillers, fuel cells, (High & Low) Energy: uses less on heating photovoltaic's, curtain wall & cooling with High & Low & insulation (High & Low) Waste: Recycling, air strategies biodregradable, hat truss Waste: storm water (Low) reclamation system (High)
TOTAL COMPARETHE & CONTRAST US FEDERAL BUILDING GHERKIN Light: Low Tech Air: High & Low Tech Energy: High & Low Tech Waste: High & Low Tech
Light: Low Tech Air: High & Low Tech Energy: Low Tech Waste: N/A
TERRRANCE DONELLY CONDE NAST’ BUILDING CENTER Light: Low Tech Air: High & Low Tech Energy: High & Low Tech Waste: High Tech
Light: Low Tech Air: High& Low Tech Energy: High & Low Tech Waste: Low Tech
BIBLIOGRAPHY
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Federal_Building
http://www.govexec.com/pdfs/green/080108gsa.pdf
http://sustainability.utoronto.ca/Assets/Sustainability+Digital+Assets/Research+and+Publications/Student+Research/Case+Studies/Review+of
www.30stmaryaxe.com
www.fosterandpartners.com
http://www.architectsalliance.com/
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2005/01/londons-first-green-built-skyscraper-21469
http://www.archinomy.com/case-studies/669/30-st-mary-axe-the-gherkin-london
http://www.building.co.uk/buildings/architecture-news/gherkin-interior/3034986.article
http://books.google.com/books?id=iJXMabt-z1IC&pg=PA187&lpg=PA187&dq=conde+nast+building+sustainable&source=bl&ots=B1Q87SJKc_
http://www.arq.com.mx/noticias/Detalles/8485.html
CITED
Fact Slide Information:
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http://wirednewyork.com/skyscrapers/4-times-square/
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http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/702.php
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http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/green/review3.php#n1
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/15434282@N00/4250194878/ (picture by cerdsp)
Light Slide Information & Pictures
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http://wirednewyork.com/skyscrapers/4-times-square/
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http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/702.php
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http://www.arcspace.com/architects/gehry/conde_nast/
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http://www.tishmanconstruction.com/index.php?q=node/935 (unknown photographer)
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http://cultureby.com/2007/01/from_your_faith.html (picture by Grant)
Air Slide Information
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http://www.fxfowle.com/projects/office-corporate/the-conde-nast-building-at-4-timessquare.php
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http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/702.php
Energy Slide Information
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http://wirednewyork.com/skyscrapers/4-times-square/
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http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/702.php
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http://www.worldlingo.com/ma/enwiki/en/Cond%C3%A9_Nast_Building
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http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/green_giant_conde_nast_buildin
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Waste Slide Information http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_ city/entry/green_giant_conde_nast_building_at_4 _times_square/ http://911research.wtc7.net/wtc/arch/hattruss.ht ml