PM: Is there a difference between working here
versus in Europe?
SA: Europeans are used to a broader range of
temperatures that they see as comfortable; making
sure that everyone has access to natural light and
having operable windows is also important to them.
They’re at the forefront of studying some of these
ambient cooling systems. Doing work in Europe
has been helpful in learning from them and trying
to bring some of that thought, even if it isn’t translated directly, into the work we’re doing here. But,
increasingly, many of our clients in the United States
are becoming big advocates of sustainability, particularly the financial-services sector in New
York. They do it because they believe it’s important that businesses represent themselves as good
citizens. We have a number of projects where the
clients are looking at doing interiors that are Gold
and Platinum LEED. continued on page 119
“Many of our clients in the
United States are becoming
big advocates of sustainability, particularly the financial-services sector in New York,”
Apking says.
CAFETERIA
The Servery is lined with Magnan
Bleu Terrazzo. Translucent ceiling
panels from USG provide easy access
to utilities in the ceiling.
FITNESS CAFÉ
The fitness café is furnished with
Knoll Arena tables, Fritz Hansen
series 7 chairs, and 36-inch-square
Milliken WAY carpet tiles.
A
TIMELINE OF
GREEN
WORK
SPACES
1983
NATIONAL
COMMERCIAL BANK
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA
2008
INLAND STEEL
HEADQUARTERS
CHICAGO
This building responds to the harsh
desert climate by using dramatic
honed travertine panels for the exterior and lining the interior courtyard—
a traditional Islamic element—with
recessed heat-absorbing glass
windows that open to breezes and
provide views toward the sea. The
100-foot-wide openings in the facade
were created to filter daylight indirectly into three courtyards.
Originally completed in 1957, this
Chicago landmark is undergoing
an extensive renovation aimed at
achieving a LEED Platinum rating.
A complex light-management system
features double-glazed exterior
glass, sun-shading, adjustable lou-
vers, an interior LED scheme, and
automatic-dimming sensors. A new
HVAC system will pa ssively cool the
building, while a water reclamation
system should reduce consumption
by 40 percent. The interiors will
employ largely biodegradable,
recycled materials.
