Owner
City of New York
Architect
Raphael Vinoly Architects
GC
Bovis Lend Lease
Completion
2006
Contract Value
36.2m
Program
10-stories; 775,000 sqft
Building Type
Government
Technology Type
Blast/Security Design, Shadowbox, Special Geometry, Skylights
Facade
Design/build of 350,000 sqft of custom unitized curtainwall; Five different custom curtainwall systems; additional scope included louvers, skylights, metal panels, stainless steel and revolving doors
Glass
Insulated with low-e coating
Description
Unique corrugated design of curtainwall system was required to span an unusual 18 ft dimension between floor-plates, accommodates day-lighting, thermal performance, and blast-resistant program requirements
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This $275 million project was begun only weeks before the September 11th terrorist attacks, and as a result new security features such as blast-resistance, bulletproof glazing and exterior wall systems were adapted to the building program. With 18-foot tall ceiling heights, courtrooms possess a commanding yet appropriate sense of scale, seating 60 spectators and 16 jurors. The requirement to span the 18 feet between floor slabs along with the security requirements also placed some demanding structural challenges on the exterior wall system.
Transparency, day-lighting, and thermal efficiency were all important aspects of the facade program. Enclos was selected to provide complete design/build services for the building skin. A custom unitized curtainwall system was developed that provides the desired transparency while flooding the interior spaces with natural light.
Security was a paramount concern and a leading reason why Enclos was selected as the facade design/builder, as the firm has been with many other building programs where security issues are critical, including federal courthouses and other government buildings. As it did with the Las Vegas Federal Courthouse, the Enclos team went back to the White Sands blast simulator and tested a 15 by 30 foot section of the curtainwall system developed for this project.
The corrugated glass and aluminum curtainwall design provides a building skin that is both visually engaging and high-performance. Integrated light shelves reflect sunlight at angled folds, directing daylight onto ceilings that diffuse the light throughout broad floor areas. The curtainwall system is articulated locally to increase natural luminance, provide shade or diffused light as appropriate, and control glare. The south and west folded wall systems utilize etched glazing to diffuse direct sunlight and prevent a view of the interior from outside. In other areas fritted glass provides views from inside the structure to the streets below while providing some measure of control over direct solar penetration. |
