Repositioning | MIT SA+P
Prof. Marc Simmons
How can we get more from our existing buildings?
As the list of cities pledging to reach carbon neutrality is ever-expanding, it is time we wonder: how will we ever get there? Considering the immense quantities of carbon embodied in the existing building fabric, demolition is hardly an option. This studio takes as a challenge to work with what's already built — however quirkily and imperfectly — and devise building-specific strategies for meticulous low-carbon retrofit.
This project is situated at 101 Barclay Street in New York City: a 100'000 sqm office building from the 1980s, swallowing more energy than any new construction would be allowed today. This project proposes a system of interconnected interventions to drastically lower energy consumption, reach full electrification and open the building's roof to the public.
The structure of the building is preserved, while the curtain wall facade is disassembled and retrofitted. Coupling the building's high internal loads (computer, lighting, etc.) with its new high insulation facade allows for removing heating altogether. In essence, 101 Barclay Street will be in "cooling mode" all year ("active cooling" for the three summer months; otherwise, "passive cooling" through the added solar chimney). The roof is transformed to accommodate planters and landscaping, while the new solar panel canopy produces 10 kWh/sqm of local energy. The latter also collects rainwater to be distributed according to plants' needs and soil depth. A structural strategy relying on cables and beams distributes the added weight evenly, ensuring that the existing structure can handle it.
As the list of cities pledging to reach carbon neutrality is ever-expanding, it is time we wonder: how will we ever get there? Considering the immense quantities of carbon embodied in the existing building fabric, demolition is hardly an option. This studio takes as a challenge to work with what's already built — however quirkily and imperfectly — and devise building-specific strategies for meticulous low-carbon retrofit.
This project is situated at 101 Barclay Street in New York City: a 100'000 sqm office building from the 1980s, swallowing more energy than any new construction would be allowed today. This project proposes a system of interconnected interventions to drastically lower energy consumption, reach full electrification and open the building's roof to the public.
The structure of the building is preserved, while the curtain wall facade is disassembled and retrofitted. Coupling the building's high internal loads (computer, lighting, etc.) with its new high insulation facade allows for removing heating altogether. In essence, 101 Barclay Street will be in "cooling mode" all year ("active cooling" for the three summer months; otherwise, "passive cooling" through the added solar chimney). The roof is transformed to accommodate planters and landscaping, while the new solar panel canopy produces 10 kWh/sqm of local energy. The latter also collects rainwater to be distributed according to plants' needs and soil depth. A structural strategy relying on cables and beams distributes the added weight evenly, ensuring that the existing structure can handle it.
Building Specifications
Architectural Strategy | 1:200
Section Details | 1:10
Plans | 1:400
Physical Model | 1:200
Render Views | no scale
