09.28.2011

Center for Architecture Exhibit

Perkins+Will Rethinks the Modern Office Building

Buildings consume roughly 40 percent of the energy consumed in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Even more staggering to consider, improving the energy efficiency of commercial and industrial buildings by 10 percent would be equivalent to removing 30 million cars off the road.

Intended to raise awareness of energy efficiency as it relates to the built environment—and ultimately, our cities—is a new exhibition called Buildings=Energy (E=BLDGS), opening Oct. 1, 2011, at the Center for Architecture, home to the AIA New York chapter. The exhibit, which runs through Jan. 21, 2012, explores how the myriad choices designers, planners and engineers make have the power to change energy consumption on a large and impactful scale.

"Buildings=Energy is one of the most important exhibitions the Center for Architecture has mounted," said AIA NY Chapter President Margaret Castillo.

Lending its sustainability expertise, Perkins+Will has designed a prototypical energy-efficient office building to help frame the exhibit’s approach. On a graphic wall called Buildings=Many Choices, a team led by Anthony Fieldman, Robert Goodwin and Peter Syrett depicted its innovative new approach to development in New York City, in collaboration with Arup and Atelier Ten. The scheme visually narrates the critical design decisions, policies and choices — from site choice to costs and operations — that go into a "re-think" of the modern building.

Perkins+Will's involvement in the exhibit is aligned with the firm's sustainable values and practices. "The current energy economy must shift to a renewable, resilient, and smart approach," said Peter Syrett, AIA LEED AP who specializes in sustainable design at Perkins+Will. "We need to better understand how energy is used in our buildings; how to manage it, and ultimately, find ways to 'grow' energy – to design buildings that generate the energy they consume."

The Buildings=Many Choices design features a narrow floorplate to optimize daylighting, a natural self-shading exterior wall and a ductless HVAC distribution system. Located on an unconventional site for an office development, the building illustrates how responding to apparent limitations can inspire a new approach to development in New York City.

"We see an opportunity to create a new paradigm for leaner, more flexible and efficient high-rise development on sites previously considered unfeasible," said Robert Goodwin, AIA, LEED AP, Design Director at Perkins+Will's New York office.
"Ultimately it's about creating efficient, flexible buildings through a series of reasonable strategies," said Anthony Fieldman, AIA LEED AP, Design Principal at Perkins+Will in New York." Simple passive moves — not heroic actions — can fundamentally change a building’s energy use."