BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES, SIMULATIONS, AND ANALYSIS
TOWER STUDIOS
Designer: Hiyasmin Surovec
Date: 2023
Location: Manhattan, NY
• A New York City high-rise inspired by Johannes Duiker's 1930s Open Air School in Amsterdam incorporates sustainable strategies for modern urban living.
• The building features extensive glazing to allow natural light inside, reducing the need for artificial illumination and creating a bright, inviting space.
• Large balconies on different levels provide private outdoor sanctuaries for residents, improving ventilation throughout each floor.
• A dynamic and reactive screen facade optimizes solar shading, minimizes glare, and enhances energy efficiency, symbolizing sustainability and adaptability in a changing climate.
• This high-rise combines classic architectural inspiration with cutting-edge technology, offering a visually captivating and sustainable addition to the cityscape with breathtaking views and a harmonious blend of indoor and outdoor spaces.
FACADE + MATERIAL INSPIRATION
• Building practices inspired by Duiker's Open Air School in Amsterdam prioritize sustainability, featuring large operable panels for natural ventilation and daylighting to enhance energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
• PV Shutter Solar Panels demonstrate sustainable design, generating renewable energy while creating a dynamic and functional facade that emphasizes eco-friendly building practices and energy self-sufficiency.
• ETFE Cladding, a lightweight and transparent material with excellent insulation properties, is used to incorporate facades for abundant natural light and reduced energy consumption, showcasing its inflating capabilities for ventilation control and unique design possibilities.
• Shutter facades, influenced by The Gallery of Light's Shutter Facade, dynamically control daylight and views, enhancing energy efficiency and visual aesthetics in modern urban landscapes that prioritize sustainability and occupant comfort.
• These eco-friendly facade designs, inspired by Duiker and other sources, contribute to a sustainable future by combining architectural innovation with environmentally conscious strategies, meeting the growing demand for green building practices and renewable energy sources.
A. PV LOUVERS W/ ALUMINUM FRAMING
B. ANODIZED ALUMINUM BRACKET
C. LOUVER FRAME
D. STEEL BRACKETS
E. SENSOR CONTROLLED HYDRAULIC PISTONS
F. OPERABLE WINDOWS
G. INSULATING GLAZING
H. CURTAIN WALL FRAME
I. INSULATION FILL
SUSTAINABILITY + ANALYSIS
• The Manhattan high-rise proposal showcases sustainable design principles with the use of durable materials like cast-in-place concrete and titanium steel beams and columns.
• Reactive PV louvers respond to solar radiation, maximizing natural daylighting, reducing solar heat gain, and creating a visually stunning facade.
• High-performance glazing minimizes heat transfer, providing excellent natural lighting, promoting energy conservation, and enhancing occupant well-being.
• The building's diagonal orientation optimizes solar exposure, maximizing sunlight penetration while minimizing heat gain for an energy-efficient building envelope, inspired by Duiker's Open Air School.
• Sustainable design enhances visual appeal and reduces environmental impact through the combination of durable materials, innovative shading systems, advanced glazing, and an inspired architectural orientation.
• The combination of these elements creates a comfortable, energy-efficient, and visually engaging living environment, setting a standard for sustainable architecture that inspires and innovates in the realm of modern design.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS: TOWER STUDIOS
• The proposed high-rise building in Manhattan is situated along the East River, experiencing a coastal climate influenced by the region's distinct seasons.
• The summer temperature ranges from 70°F to 90°F, with warm and humid weather. The building's proximity to the East River provides a cooling effect.
• Winters are cold with temperatures below freezing (20°F to 40°F), and potential cold winds from the northwest.
• Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year, including snowfall in winter, contributing to the seasonal climate dynamic.
• The design of the building must respond to the climate by incorporating glazing for passive solar heating in winter and shading elements to minimize solar gain in warmer months.
• The coastal location introduces the potential for storm events, necessitating robust construction and resilience measures.
SUN PATH + SHADOW STUDIES
• During the summer and winter solstice at noon in Manhattan's dense cityscape, the length and location of shadows are affected by the direction of the sun, which is depicted in the sun path diagrams. The higher sun path during summer results in shorter shadows, whereas the other seasons have more prominent shadows.
DAYLIGHT ANALYSIS
• To minimize daylight penetration in the upper levels, operable and responsive PV embedded louvers can be used. These louvers can be adjusted manually or in response to solar radiation intensity, permitting more or less sunlight to enter. Additionally, new PV technology allows for translucency in PV panels, which could impact results if chosen. Open balconies are also an option for maximum solar radiation penetration..
• If translucent glass cladding is used instead of operable PV louvers, there would be a significant difference in daylight penetration. This has been demonstrated through analysis and diagrams.
SOLAR RADIATION ANALYSIS
• The balcony facing the East River, without exterior cladding, receives the highest solar radiation. The sides facing 45 degrees are enclosed with double glazing and operable louvers, which can also function as shade and energy collection. PV panels can be added as an option.
• After the louvers were removed and the floor-to-ceiling glass was upgraded to high-performance tinted glass, solar penetration was not as strong as expected. Enclosed areas and the balcony on the opposite side of the river were not significantly impacted, but may require well-placed lighting.
CONCLUSIONS FROM ANALYSIS
• Challenges and Opportunities in Urban Context: The high-rise's unique positioning in New York City affects its environmental performance, solar exposure, and architectural dynamics.
• Adjustable Louvers with PV Panels: Manually and automatically adjustable louvers, combined with integrated PV panels, provide insights into designing an environmentally sustainable structure.
• Seasonal Sunlight Dynamics: The building's angular positioning results in dynamic sunlight interplay across different facades, affecting solar intensities during summer and optimizing solar exposure in winter.
• Summer Shading and PV Efficiency: Strategically positioned adjustable louvers provide shading during summer and efficiently harness abundant sunlight available through integrated PV panels.
• Winter Solar Exposure: The building's angled structure optimizes solar exposure, allowing louvers to maximize sunlight penetration for natural lighting and passive heating.
• Architectural Dynamism and Skyline Impact: Finding a balance between aesthetics, functionality, and its impact on the skyline is crucial for the building's unique angle to add architectural dynamism to the cityscape.
• Wind Patterns and Louver Design: Thoughtful louver design considerations are necessary to minimize noise, optimize energy efficiency, and ensure occupant comfort due to distinct wind patterns created by the angular orientation.
• Holistic Louver System: Integrating the louvers into a "smart" system equipped with sensors and automation for dynamic adjustments enhances overall performance and energy efficiency.
• Sustainability with Integrated PV Panels: The inclusion of integrated PV panels, strategically positioned at an angle, maximizes energy generation and reinforces the building's commitment to environmental responsibility.
• Occupant Experience and Views: The 45-degree orientation provides occupants with panoramic views and manual control over the louvers to personalize environmental conditions.
• Architectural Innovation and Environmental Responsibility: Positioning the high-rise at a 45-degree angle reflects a fusion of architectural innovation and environmental considerations, aiming to optimize energy efficiency while enhancing the overall occupant experience.