Owner
Liberty Property Trust
Architect
Robert A.M. Stern
GC
L.F. Driscoll Co.
Completion
2008
Contract Value
55m
Building Type
Commercial
Technology Type
Stainless Steel/Zinc, Shadowbox
Facade
Design/build services for 698,000 sqft custom unitized curtainwall and 100 ft screen wall
Glass
IGU's with low-iron and low-e coated glass
Description
The tallest LEED building in the United States is draped in transparent glass with 15 to 17 ft between floor slabs, a 120 ft high glass enclosed winter garden and atria, and a dual skin system with integrated and automated shading
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Mixing modernism with minimalism on the tallest building in Pennsylvania, Robert A.M. Stern Architects have placed their mark on the Philly skyline with another vertical eye-climb. The 1001 foot tall Comcast Center features a subtle geometric design of large glass planes interrupted by terraces and notches in a fully glazed highly transparent facade that floods the interior spaces with diffused natural light.
Because of the projects embrace of sustainable building design, Comcast was awarded LEED Gold certification by the United States Green Building Council, making it the tallest LEED certified building in the United States. The building structure incorporates 15 to 17 foot floor heights that use 13 percent less energy than conventional floors because of the facade’s reliance on natural lighting. A high performance low-e coating protects the building from temperature extremes.
A large public winter garden at the base of the tower soars to 120 foot heights and is clad entirely in glass. An advanced facade design features a double skin cavity wall with an integrated sunscreen system to regulate daily and seasonal solar and temperature variations while continuing the structure’s theme of maximized day-lighting.
Enclos Corp provided complete design/build services for all facade elements while working closely with the architect during the design phase. Ultra-clear low-iron glass is used throughout the oversized curtainwall units that were fabricated and assembled offsite, then shipped in a carefully coordinated sequence to support the firm’s installation crews. Enclos site operations people worked closely with the general contractor to develop an optimum erection strategy for this challenging site amidst its dense urban surroundings. |
