Initially, Siemens asked for a LEED Gold building, but then they changed their mind and asked for LEED Platinum instead – without adjusting the budget. Ardill was fiercely exacting with his parametric analysis and evaluated 140 calculations to determine what materials and configurations would deliver the most efficient structure possible on that particular site. What’s more, Ardill and Wan worked together with their respective teams to deliver this incredible feat under budget.
Propped up on stilts, the boxy 22,800 m2 office complex floats above a public plaza with views of Abu Dhabi in the dusty distance. It is clad in a lightweight aluminum shading system that provides 100 per cent shading to 95 per cent of the glazed surfaces, and, along with proprietary integrated building technology designed by Siemens, contributes to energy reductions of nearly 50 percent.
This shading system is just one example of how much care went into the design. The geometry of each fin is fine tuned to maximize daylight, reduce material loads, ensure the smallest percentage of solar gain, and reflects excess heat away from the glass, which is perfectly cool to the touch.
The building’s groundbreaking structural system reduced construction material by roughly 60 percent, providing great flexibility across all four office floors, thereby allowing for future reorganization, change or growth. Currently, the building boasts capacity for approximately 800 employees, and has already received 16 awards.
No comments:
Post a Comment