LIVE WORK GROW GENERATE
/ David Cole / Keegan Brochu / Eduardo Meza / Nick Hammer
The existing building relies on single-use
zoning, cheap energy, and a lifestyle centered
on automobile dependence.
Natural daylighting
David Cole believes that the GSA building, with
its obsolete zoning and automobile dependence,
should be replaced with a design that allows for
leisurely strolls between work and home, and
produces energy and clean water from waste and
rain. “Buildings like the existing site rely on single-
use zoning, cheap energy, and a lifestyle centered
on commuting,” says the 30-year-old architect, who
worked on the competition with three colleagues
from KlingStubbins, in Raleigh, North Carolina.
“They’re set up to consume huge amounts of energy.”
As a remedy, Cole and his team proposed a multi-
purpose commercial and residential complex that
would eliminate the daily drive, generate energy
from waste, and allow the same water to be used
up to three times. “It can’t be just about reducing
consumption,” says Cole, who estimates he dedi-
cated over 200 hours to the competition. “Until
these buildings become active producers of energy,
we’ll never get to net zero.”
The most spectacular feature in the proposal
is its three asymmetrical towers, which are 15, 22,
and 33 stories, respectively, and formed of 1,000-
square-foot residential units stacked askew above
the existing footprint like transparent Lego blocks.
“It was a design decision,” explains Cole, who was
on his way to medical school before an undergrad-
uate elective in architecture changed his life and
career path. “This configuration helps provide shade
and space for vegetation, through which we can
introduce outside air into the building. We’re not
just trying to make a pretty picture.”
INTEGRATED
HOUSING
Efficient
building
systems
Cloud computing
Green wall
High-performance skin
Greenhouse
for CO2 scrubbing
and water filtration
Rain- and
condensation-
harvesting cistern
Sky court
for ventilation
and daylight
REHABILITATED
EXIS TING BUILDING
Waste-to-energy
digester
Geothermal-energy
production
PROPOSED SOLUTION TOTALS
BEFORE
AFTER (PER PERSON)
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
WATER CONSUMPTION
WASTE PRODUCTION
POLLUTION
55,660
12,660
3. 2
35,710
11,625 KWH
0 NET GAL
0.2 TONS
8,084 LBS CO2
HEATING, VENTILATION, AND DAYLIGHTING
Connection chimney
Sun shading
Greenhouse
Indirect lighting with
automated daylight controls
ENERGY/CARBON REDUCTION
Double skin: shaft-box wall
Tempered air from shaded patio
and passive cooling
Passive chilled beams
Pipes to precool and remove
moisture from air in summer and
preheat air in winter
Natural air convection
in light well
Raised-access flooring
with under-floor air distri-
bution through interior
Courtesy KlingStubbins
WATER/WASTE REDUCTION
