In downtown Houston, Skanska USA’s 1550 on the Green, a 28-story, 375,000-sf office tower, aims to be one of Texas’ most sustainable buildings. The $225 million project has deployed various sustainable building materials, such as less carbon-intensive cement, to achieve 60% reduced embodied carbon.
Located next to Discovery Green, a 12-acre public park, 1550 on the Green is the first phase of Discovery West, a mixed-use project that will span three blocks.
Designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), the building’s curved shape, described as a side-core design, allows unobstructed daylight to enter the oversized windows. The curved design provides views of Discovery Green, more efficient floor plates, more natural light than traditional floor plates, and natural light in the elevator lobby and restrooms. The building also uses air-handling technology that provides 30% more fresh air than traditional office buildings.
1550 on the Green offers touchless turnstiles and secure access points, as well as a building app for tenants. In addition to multiple levels of outdoor terraces with native plants, 1550 on the Green includes a bike storage room, a 7,000 sf spa-like fitness center, a 9,400 sf tenant-exclusive rooftop event space and conference center, and 7,000 sf of ground-level retail with over 5,000 sf of patio directly across from Discovery Green. Michael Hsu Office of Architecture designed the fitness center and other tenant amenity spaces.
1550 on the Green has been designed to achieve LEED Platinum certification. Completion is expected by the end of the year.
On the Building Team:
Owner/developer: Skanska USA Commercial Development
Design architect: Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)
Architect of record: Kendall Heaton
Landscape architect: SWA Group
Interior design architect: Michael Hsu Office of Architecture
MEP engineer: Wylie Engineering
Structural engineer: Walter P Moore
General contractor: Skanska USA Building
Related Stories
Office Buildings | Apr 28, 2021
The Salvation Army’s National Headquarters renovation completes
HGA designed the project.
Steel Buildings | Apr 17, 2021
Speed Core wall system is used for the second time in office building in San Jose
The construction method is expected to knock off three months from the project’s schedule.
Office Buildings | Apr 15, 2021
JetBrains St. Petersburg campus to include large, vertically stepped indoor atrium
UNStudio is designing the project.
Office Buildings | Apr 12, 2021
A Fort Myers, Fla., developer finds growth in an office sector that, post COVID, might be catching its second wind
Seagate Development Group has several office projects near completion.
Office Buildings | Apr 7, 2021
Thyssenkrupp’s new HQ will include the tallest elevator test tower in the Western Hemisphere
The facility began construction in August of 2019.
Office Buildings | Apr 5, 2021
FXCollaborative selected to create new lobby, amenity space for 3 Times Square
FXCollaborative designed the original building in 2001.
Office Buildings | Apr 5, 2021
Innovation One completes at University Research Park in Madison, Wis.
Valerio Dewalt Train designed the project.
Office Buildings | Mar 30, 2021
WELL Institute certifies a gigantic office complex with its highest health and safety rating
Poland’s Olivia Business Center one of the first to install ion air purification devices.
Office Buildings | Mar 26, 2021
Finding success for downtown office space after COVID-19
Using the right planning tools can spur new uses for Class B and C commercial real estate.
Office Buildings | Mar 24, 2021
JEA Headquarters tops out in Jacksonville
The building has recently topped out.
