We are pleased to announce our Northeastern University Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex project won honorable mention in the 2016 Architect’s Newspaper Best of Design in the Digital Fabrication Category.
In its fourth iteration, the Best of Design Awards is a unique project-based awards program that showcases great buildings and building elements. The jury based their selections on several criteria – strength of the presentation, evidence of innovation, creative use of new technology, sustainability and, most importantly, good design. For the digital fabrication category, projects needed to illustrate the best architectural applications of a building component in either digital fabrication or parametric designs.
For the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex, we utilized iterative parametric modeling to create a veil that was tuned for performance though custom software integrating directly with the whole building energy model. Contributing to the buildings energy savings exceeding 2030 challenge goals, this unitized triple-glazed curtain wall supports the solar veil while minimizing thermal bridging though the use of detailed thermal modeling studies and custom structural connections. Detailed parametric building models integrated directly with fabrication models enabling the complex building elements to be engineered and fabricated in Europe and shipped to Boston for rapid site assembly.
We are honored to receive this award and would like to congratulate all the 2016 honorees!
Northeastern EXP features an organic pinwheel design, shaping research and classroom neighborhoods with shared community spaces radiating from the core to define each area. The building façade was tuned to achieve a 78% reduction in peak solar heat gain and a 62% reduction in cumulative solar radiation leading to energy use reductions and reduced mechanical system sizing. The use of stainless steel further leads to an embodied carbon reduction of almost one million tons when compared to aluminum while the natural stainless surface reflects light in a natural and warm tone giving the building an inherent energy.
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