This month marks the completion of a new 16-story office tower that is being promoted as New York City’s most sustainable office structure. That boast is backed by an innovative HVAC system that features geothermal wells, dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) units, radiant heating and cooling, and a sophisticated control system to ensure that the elements work optimally together.
The 555 Greenwich development is connected to the structural frame of the adjoining 345 Hudson St. office building. Its advanced HVAC technologies will result in whole-building energy use of less than half of its adjoining office mate and be 40% lower than an average large New York City office building, according to a news release from Hudson Square Properties, the building’s developer.
The tower is fully electrified with no fossil fuel use on site for any purpose. Even though it uses electricity to heat the building, it will use 40% less electricity than comparable commercial properties. The building employs a fully integrated radiant heating and cooling system fed by fluid conditioned in geothermal wells along with a dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS). Working in concert, the two systems optimize energy efficiency and thermal comfort. The DOAS also supplies fresh air for a healthier indoor environment.
A closed-loop geothermal system embedded in foundation caissons uses the steady temperature of the ground for heating and cooling. The geothermal and radiant heating systems effectively turn the concrete superstructure of the building into a large thermal battery. 555 Greenwich will be the first New York City office building to utilize these systems together in this way, the release says.
Advanced building control systems bolster sustainability. “555 Greenwich is pioneering the use of AI to efficiently toggle between the building’s multifaceted geothermal heat sources, predict heating and cooling needs in advance based on weather forecasts and occupancy patterns, and, over time, learn how to more efficiently transfer energy to and from sister building 345 Hudson,” the release says. “A key component of 555 Greenwich’s construction was a one-of-a-kind horizontal overbuild fully integrating the brand-new building with its century-old sibling, and the dynamic is a look at how modern technology can be integrated into older properties.”
Consulting engineers JB&B and sustainable design firm COOKFOX consulted with Swedish firm urbs to develop the leading-edge HVAC system based on concepts employed more commonly in Europe.
On the building team:
Owner and/or developer: Hudson Square Properties and Hines
Design architect: COOKFOX
Architect of record: COOKFOX
MEP engineer: JB&B
Structural engineer: Thornton Tomasetti
General contractor/construction manager: AECOM Tishman
Related Stories
| Sep 22, 2014
Sound selections: 12 great choices for ceilings and acoustical walls
From metal mesh panels to concealed-suspension ceilings, here's our roundup of the latest acoustical ceiling and wall products.
| Sep 15, 2014
Ranked: Top international AEC firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Parsons Brinckerhoff, Gensler, and Jacobs top BD+C's rankings of U.S.-based design and construction firms with the most revenue from international projects, as reported in the 2014 Giants 300 Report.
| Sep 15, 2014
Argentina reveals plans for Latin America’s tallest structure
Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner announces the winning design by MRA+A Álvarez | Bernabó | Sabatini for the capital's new miexed use tower.
| Sep 12, 2014
Armstrong first in Pennsylvania to earn LEED Platinum recertification from USGBC
The Armstrong facility is the first building in Pennsylvania and among only 17 buildings globally to achieve recertification at the highest level possible under USGBC’s LEED-EBOM program.
| Sep 9, 2014
Using Facebook to transform workplace design
As part of our ongoing studies of how building design influences human behavior in today’s social media-driven world, HOK’s workplace strategists had an idea: Leverage the power of social media to collect data about how people feel about their workplaces and the type of spaces they need to succeed.
| Sep 7, 2014
Ranked: Top state government sector AEC firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
PCL Construction, Stantec, and AECOM head BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest state government design and construction firms, as reported in the 2014 Giants 300 Report.
| Sep 7, 2014
Behind the scenes of integrated project delivery — successful tools and applications
The underlying variables and tools used to manage collaboration between teams is ultimately the driving for success with IPD, writes CBRE Healthcare's Megan Donham.
| Sep 5, 2014
First Look: Zaha Hadid's Grace on Coronation towers in Australia
Zaha Hadid's latest project in Australia is a complex of three, tapered residential high-rises that have expansive grounds to provide the surrounding community unobstructed views and access to the town's waterfront.
| Sep 3, 2014
Ranked: Top local government sector AEC firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
STV, HOK, and Turner top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest local government design and construction firms, as reported in the 2014 Giants 300 Report.
| Sep 3, 2014
New designation launched to streamline LEED review process
The LEED Proven Provider designation is designed to minimize the need for additional work during the project review process.
