Solar carving: A tower built with the sun in mind

09/04/2020 | Print view

Studio Gang's architects ensure that the sun's light penetrates to the lower levels of the Solar Carve Tower through a special facade construction. - © Timothy Schenck / Focchi / Studio Gang — © Timothy Schenck / Focchi / Studio Gang

Studio Gang's architects ensure that the sun's light penetrates to the lower levels of the Solar Carve Tower through a special facade construction.

The twelve-story office building with 145,000 square feet of floor space was designed based on a concept called "Solar Carving": The course of the sun within one day was analysed in detail. Then they identified some parts of the building, "cut" them out and closed the gaps with sloping, polygonal glass surfaces.

In addition to more sunlight at street level, this has many other advantages: In combination with the low-reflective solar control glasses ipasol neutral 38/23 and ipasol neutral 70/37 by AGC Interpane, the geometry reduces the heat input and avoids blinding drivers on the adjacent West Side Highway. It also reduces the risk of collision for migratory birds.

On a spring day in the afternoon on the New York "High Line", you should feel the pleasant warmth of the sun in places. But sunshine is not guaranteed here, because the road cuts through the "Meatpacking District", a densely built-up part of the city, so that neighbouring buildings are guaranteed to cast shadows. In the case of the Solar Carve Tower, Studio Gang's architects ensure that the sun's light penetrates to the lower levels through a special facade construction.

No extreme shadows

The office building on 10th Avenue prevents deep shade on the High Line by "receding" its faceted glass curtain wall and allowing sunlight to enter the park and adjacent streets.

For the glazing, the architects chose the Cradle to Cradle ecologically certified ipasol neutral 38/23 and ipasol neutral 70/37 by AGC Interpane. The former has a low g-value of only 23 per cent and provides excellent protection from overheating the rooms. In other areas, the highly selective ipasol neutral 70/37 was chosen in order to let in a maximum of daylight.

Some of the diamond-shaped panels tilt downwards, but are framed by triangular surfaces that connect them to the vertical supporting structure.

Before coating, the panes were pre-tensioned for safety reasons - you can even walk on them. The surfaces of this crystal-like structure were geometrically optimised and designed as a curtain wall.

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In the interior, these facets form a creative framework for the perfect view of the Hudson River and create interesting geometries in the offices and common areas. Studio Gang achieved LEED Gold certification with the building, to which AGC Interpane's Cradle to Cradle certified glazing made a significant contribution.

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