The next building of Jeanne Gang’s work that inspired me is the Solar Carve in New York, NY. The construction of this building finished in 2019 and the building type is an office. The structure is 145,000 square feet and 12 floors high. This building also prompts Gang’s idea of keeping architecture sustainable because it is LEED gold certified.

The building is called “Solar Carve” for a reason. The structure “explores how shaping architecture in response to solar access and other site-specific criteria can expand its potential to have a positive impact on its environment”. The building benefits the surrounding community and local parks. While the building has benefits it is also an iconic building in the New York skyline. Through Jeanne Gang’s architecture firms, Studio Gang, research has stated that the structure “involves using incident angles of the sun’s rays to sculpt a building’s form”.

The structures unique siding not only has an interesting aesthetic but a positive impact on the built environment. Gang’s unique and innovative ways to make her building environmentally friendly are fascinating. She continues to amaze me with her creativity and revolutionary ideas.

References: https://studiogang.com/project/40-tenth-ave

The next structure of Jeanne Gang’s I found fascinating is the Aqua Tower. The tower is in Chicago, IL and was built in 2010. Being about 1.9 million square feet, the structure is enormous in size. With 82 floors the building reaches the height of 876 feet. “Combining a hotel, offices, rental apartments, condominiums, and parking, along with one of Chicago’s largest green roofs, Aqua facilitates strong connections between people and to the city.”

One of the most fascinating and groundbreaking elements of this structure is that it is the tallest building in the world designed by a woman. For me this is very inspiring because I plan on going into the field of architecture/interior design post-graduation. I know that for many years the profession was predominantly males. Therefore, having a woman architect achieve such a high remark is inspiring.

Each floor of the apartment building is a different shape. “The “waves” of the balconies that provide Aqua’s rippling effect extend out as much as 12 feet from the glass curtain wall”. This building has a lot of rhythm and curves. Gang has created a structure that is so large and stately yet refined.

Overall, this building is a big step for woman architects. It is beautiful, functional, and sustainable.

References: https://studiogang.com/project/aqua-tower https://www.archute.com/aqua-tower-chicago-studio-gang/

The architect I received to research about is Jeanne Gang. Gang was born in 1964 in Illinois. Jeanne Gang is notable for her innovation in sustainable architecture. A few ways Jeanne Gang created these innovations are using recycled materials to conserve resources, decrease urban sprawl, and increase biodiversity. Gang earned her bachelor’s degree in architecture at the University of Illinois and received her master’s degree at Harvard. With a distinguished education, Gang continued in her career to create many award-winning structures and has helped pave the way for women architects across the country.

One structure that caught my eye is the Writers Theatre in Glencoe, Illinois. The theatre was built in 2016 and is about 36,000 square feet. The space is a cultural center, encouraging gathering and performance of diverse groups of people. Importantly noted the structure is LEED gold certified, supporting Gangs efforts to keep architecture as sustainable as possible.

The theatre contains two different performance spaces and a lobby that can open to a near by park. This connection allows “the energy and interaction generated within the theatre to extend outward in the community beyond”. Overall, this theatre is not only beautiful to look at but has positive effects on the surrounding community.

References: https://studiogang.com/project/writers-theatre https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jeanne-Gang

This 29-acre facility, located in Palo Alto’s famed Stanford Research Park, was designed to increase people’s connection to each other and the outdoors. It features lovely landscapes, trees, and landscaping. Due in large part to the design’s attention to scale and sensitivity to the natural surroundings, William McDonough + Partners guided the design team through the rigorous entitlements process with unparalleled success [1]. The design succeeds in merging a world-class office environment capable of recruiting top talent with a campus by protecting existing trees, adhering to existing terrain, and retaining on-site runoff via the use of bioswales and a bioretention system. The complex is designed around interconnecting outdoor garden spaces and outside bridges connecting the top levels, with five two-story office buildings and a fitness facility. A central plaza, a playing field, outdoor eating, and a variety of meeting venues are all available on site. The use of glass top light monitors for natural daylight, moveable windows, energy-efficient lighting and mechanical systems, and safe and healthy materials prioritizes occupant well-being [1]. 

[1]. https://mcdonoughpartners.com/projects/vmware-corporate-campus/  

Method is a common household name, especially for those who shop in Target. William McDonough has revolutionized the concept of a factory by bringing in a paradigm shift in how factories are constructed. Factories, traditionally are considered to be gritty buildings with smokestacks—facilities that no families would want in or near their neighborhoods [1]. However, that no longer is the case with Method’s Manufacturing Plant. Method’s new production facility is a green building that creates revolutionary household items with clean energy, water, and materials. At this size, the manifestation of ‘industrial hygiene’ is helpful to communities; it creates jobs and is embodied by a facility that is a pleasant neighbor where your children may safely play. Entrepreneurial businesses like Method are paving the way for a new, environmentally friendly industrial paradigm in the United States. A bright, appealing overhang serves as a sun shelter and helps balance heating and cooling demands at the front. The 150,000-square-foot production plant was created to reflect Method’s dedication to the environment and the well-being of the neighborhood. What is even more interesting to me is that the building is equipped with refurbished wind turbines, solar photovoltaic panels. 

[1]. https://www.archdaily.com/484412/william-mcdonough-designs-ultra-clean-manufacturing-facility-for-method  

Apex Plaza’s architecture is based on the Cradle-to-Cradle DesignTM framework, which was developed by world-renowned and Charlottesville-based architect William McDonough and is guided by three principles: use repurposed materials, use clean and renewable energy, and promote diversity in nature and ideas. From the timber framework to the integrated renewable energy generation, these concepts are represented in every part of the building. On the cutting edge of sustainable building, the cross-laminated wood structure has transformed the continuous construction process, saving time, producing a safer work environment, and decreasing community impact. The timber itself, derived from 1.6 million board feet of black spruce trees, represents seven minutes of growth in North American forests and ties Apex’s goal to environmental preservation [1]. Being a clean energy company, Apex Plaza is setting a standard across the board for similar companies. In words of John Bahouth, Apex’s Senior Vice President of Administration, “The design of the building required an imaginative and creatively challenging process. Our direction was clear: to achieve financial efficiencies that met, or even reduced, our current obligations while setting a new benchmark in terms of sustainability [2].” 

[1].  https://www.apexcleanenergy.com/insight/apex-plaza-rises-in-charlottesville/   

[2]. https://mcdonoughpartners.com/projects/apex-clean-energy-headquarters/  

In 1997, Virginia-based William McDonough + Partners designed the $60 million Gap Headquarters at 901 Cherry Avenue in San Bruno, California, with curving greenroofs. This building is currently being used by YouTube as its headquarters. McDonough was named a Time Magazine “Hero for the Planet” for his ecological designs, and he received the Business Week/Architectural Record Award in 1998 for this ecologically sensitive and sound venture [1]. “When Gap Inc. decided to construct their first company-owned office building, they wanted the facility to embody the company’s environmental commitment.” The architects significantly improved the building’s energy efficiency and reduced the demand on local storm sewers by incorporating a green roof into the design of 901 Cherry. Furthermore, the presence of native grasses and wildflowers on the roof aids in the building’s integration with the surrounding landscape [2]. 

Looking at the pictures of the building, I feel that this would be an ideal office building where most humans spend 1/3^rd of their lifetime. Occupants have the impression that they are spending the day outside, taking use of the plentiful daylight, fresh air at their disposal, and varied glimpses of the outdoors. The loft-like openness and spacious common areas stimulate both intentional and unplanned contact, resulting in a strong feeling of community. 

[1]. https://www.greenroofs.com/projects/gap-headquarters-901-cherry/  

[2]. https://www.hydrotechusa.com/projects/901-cherry-avenue-gap  

300 Colorado is a 390,000 SF Multi-Use Commercial Building in Austin, Texas. Pickard Chilton is proud of this Class A Tower because its the first building constructed by Pickard Chilton in Austin. According to Pickard Chilton’s project list, 300 Colorado implements a “high-performance curtain wall” and has a design plan that “promotes wellness and offers abundant natural light, fresh air and dramatic views of Ladybird Lake.” To start, the curtain wall is an interesting aspect to billet for this building. This will increase the thermal efficiency of the building and is a great aspect to have, yet normally thermal efficiency is substandard to aesthetics and fancy facades. I like how they combined the two and provided an aesthetically pleasing exterior that is also functional in performance. Second, Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) has recently been a spotlight issue for many Mechanical and Electrical Professionals(MEP). ASHRAE Standards are used to dictate the minimums for air quality, temperature, and humidity inside common occupied and unoccupied spaces. With a focus on natural light and fresh air flow, 300 Colorado takes that standard and goes above. I love to see a building that takes the time needed to really get a solid IEQ plan. Finally, you have to stop and see what the people are saying about it. Towers, a local news agency in Austin, describes a scene where the consumer was worried this building would be just “another glass box”. The article goes on to reassure readers that this will be avoided with a state-of-the-art curtain wall and glossy steel façade that Austin will love. This seems to be accurate as now the that the building is erected, I can see how it is so much more than a glass box. Pickard Chilton always seems to surprise me by literally thinking out the proverbial box and getting the best product for their clients. I definitely approve.

Information From:

300 Colorado. (2021). Retrieved 12 November 2021. https://www.pickardchilton.com/work/300-colorado

Rambin, J. (2021). Retrieved 12 November 2021. Say ‘Howdy’ to 300 Colorado, Topped Out at 32 Floors in Downtown Austin. https://austin.towers.net/say-howdy-to-300-colorado-topped-out-at-32-floors-in-downtown-austin/

Eighth Avenue Place is a Pickard Chilton project located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Pickard Chilton heralds this building as “Canada’s first and North America’s second LEED-CS Platinum high-rise”. This is a great achievement for construction culture as LEED Certified structures are slowly implemented throughout the world. With a LEED Certification of Platinum, Eighth Avenue Place has set an even higher standard that many construction groups will need to try and emulate in the future. Pickard Chilton delivers a wonderfully designed and constructed building with Eighth Avenue Place. This glass and steel masterpiece is a multi-use commercial space with diners, offices, public spaces, and a year-round winter garden on the roof. Skyrise Calgary, a local news agency in Canada, describes the building with the following: “It is a physical manifestation and affirmation of the city’s connection to the Alberta landscape and the independent spirit of its people.” With the focus on recycled materials, energy savings, and environmental integration, Eighth Avenue Place serves as a beacon of hope for Canada and the rest of the world. More emphasis needs to placed on LEED Certified structures for future construction as this is seen to be the “right” way to provide consumers with a healthy, sustainable space. The invention of this rating system provides architects and general contractors a way to be responsible builders. It is up to us, as consumers, to hold them responsible to that higher standard.

Information from:

Eighth Avenue Place. (2021). Retrieved 12 November 2021. https://www.pickardchilton.com/work/eighth-avenue-place

Eighth Avenue Place | SkyriseCalgary. (2021). Retrieved 12 November 2021. https://calgary.skyrisecities.com/database/projects/eighth-avenue-place