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
Game Changers | Feb 4, 2016
GAME CHANGERS: 6 projects that rewrite the rules of commercial design and construction
BD+C’s inaugural Game Changers report highlights today’s pacesetting projects, from a prefab high-rise in China to a breakthrough research lab in the Midwest.
Mixed-Use | Jan 25, 2016
SOM unveils renderings of dual-tower Manhattan West development
The five million-sf project includes two office towers, a residential tower, retail space, and a new public square.
Office Buildings | Jan 21, 2016
Nike reveals design, first images of planned 3.2 million-sf expansion to its world headquarters
The expansion looks to combine design elements inspired by human movement, speed, and the strength and energy of competition.
| Jan 14, 2016
How to succeed with EIFS: exterior insulation and finish systems
This AIA CES Discovery course discusses the six elements of an EIFS wall assembly; common EIFS failures and how to prevent them; and EIFS and sustainability.
Office Buildings | Jan 14, 2016
JLL: Slowdown not expected for office market
The booming sector had an occupancy growth rate 1.3 times that of new supply in the fourth quarter of 2015.
Office Buildings | Jan 11, 2016
Spec for tech: Designing for the creative class
The new work environment, settings which blur the line between work and life, is inspired by cities and the attributes that all great urban environments share, writes Ben Tranel of Gensler.
Office Buildings | Jan 6, 2016
4 tips for creating flow in a multi-level workspace
Successful workplaces enable a clear progression of ideas and people, which can be challenging for workplaces that occupy multiple levels. Perkins+Will's Sarah Stanford found some strategies that have proven successful.
Office Buildings | Dec 23, 2015
Good design alone won’t eradicate mindless meetings
Gensler's Johnathan Sandler discusses efficient alternatives to dull, wasteful workplace meetings.
Office Buildings | Dec 17, 2015
John Buck Company to develop CNA’s Chicago headquarters
The 35-story building will have plenty of column-free space.
Office Buildings | Dec 9, 2015
HOK collaborates with IFMA on new workplace strategy research report
Report cites work-life balance as the top reason for implementing “distributed work” strategies.
