Archi-Tectonics

A Townhouse with a Climate Skin that achieves 45% annual energy savings

Scroll all the way below the credits to view a selection of publications on this work!

CHALLENGE
The goal of the conversion of a former industrially zoned building into this spacious 8 story residential townhouse in SoHo rethought how a building could actively contribute to a more sustainable urban realm. A Climate Skin was developed, it's adaptability to environmental conditions represents a rethinking of the residence’s footprint on the environment, and reduces approximately 45% of the annual energy costs. With its green roofs, it anticipates future, more sustainable design approaches to urban living.

INNOVATION
By adding a large extension onto an existing building we converted it into an 8-story townhouse for 1 family, wrapped by a spacious lattice envelope functioning as a climate skin, a third ‘building’ that also encloses the balconies at the front facade and the terraces created by the NYC required setbacks. This unique facade also poses interesting solutions for sustainability. The residents can adjust ventilation, light, shade, and temperature so that the building naturally adapts to environmental conditions. In warmer months, the Climate Skin reduces interior radiation and lowers the need for air-conditioning. In colder months, opening the Climate Skin increases passive solar energy and reduces the need for heating. The highly recognizable climate envelope, whose spatial and performative properties serve as an adaptable perimeter of the building, is made from a lightweight steel frame and folding Tesla slats. When closed, they appear as one smooth surface, but when opened, they fold out like feathers of a birdwing. Like an intricate lacework dress, the sheathing changes character and appearance at different times of the day and view angles, and serves as both filter and amplifier between the privacy of the house and the public streetscape. Extensive prototyping assisted in optimizing the movement of the trellis panels. The façade can fold and slide open depending on the residents’ changing needs, as well as simultaneously connect to and enclose from the outdoors

The Climate envelope does not stop at the facade, it wraps up and over the multi-level roof terraces, creating a private outdoor roof ‘room’ with green and outdoor dining. To enhance the building’s small floorplates spatially, each floor contains a program connected through double-height voids and windows, such as between the kitchen and dining area, and between the study and master bedroom. These allow for spatial interlacing and long views throughout. Altogether, these highlight the sensation of extreme verticality and transform mundane everyday tasks into a dynamic spatial experience.

IMPACT
The innovative folding envelope not only enlarges the building envelope, it also modulates exposure to passively regulate internal temperatures, resulting in a total annual energy savings of up to 45%. The up-cycling of wood beams taken out to created double height spaces into window sills and bookcases, and exposing of existing structures re-creates the building's illustrious past. The extensions multiple skylights allow for natural daylight & ventilation further reducing energy costs.

Credits

Year: Completed 2021

Location: Soho, NYC

Client: Private

Project Type: 8-story residential

Size: 5,200 ft2 (480 m2), 215 ft2 balconies (20 m2), 465 ft2 decks (45 m2)

Design Team: Principal in charge: Winka Dubbeldam, Assoc. AIA | Project Leaders: Justin Korhammer, Hanxing Zu | Team: Boden Davies, Avra Tomara, Hsiang Wei

Consultants: Structural Engineers: Cantor & Seinuk Engineers, PC | Mechanical Engineers: 2LS Consulting Engineering | General Contractor: Galcon Construction

Photography: Federica Carlet I Evan Joseph

Architect of Record: Randall Collins, Architect

Videography: Surface Magazine, Douglas Elliman

Credits

Publications