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JAMES FIEGE BAC: FALL 2007

PROFESSOR: CARMEN GARUFOPROJECT DURATION: 16 WEEKS

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IO Introduction:This studio involved designing a high-rise building in Boston’s Back Bay. The focus for the semester was the development of the site/floor plan, basic understanding of building structure, vertical circulation, overall exterior design as well as the exterior facade design. Case studies were conducted by each student to explore the different types of high-rise design. These precedents helped form a starting point for each student. The overall design also had to be environmentally friendly as high-rise buildings can poten-tially be huge energy liabilities. Each high-rise building is to be designed as an independent environmental structure.

The site location was the same for each student, located at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Newbury street at the current Best Buy building. It was determined that this existing building would be demolished and each student would have a blank slate for creating their building. A few site conditions had to be resolved in our deisgns. The existing MBTA subway at Hynes Con-vention Center as well as the adjacent Massachusetts Turnpike. Each student had to conduct a site analysis that was to document the different site conditions and experiences to start to inform design intentions for the students design.

Site Analysis:The project site is extremely windy, mainly due to the openness of the site and adjacent Mass Turnpike overpass. My site analysis focused on typical wind conditions and how it interacted with the existing building. The existing building was a rectilinear shape and not very accepting to the wind. The flat surface of the building often forced winds to go in other directions forcing up drafts, down drafts and all types of unpleasant wind conditions to its surrounding area.

Other site conditions I focused on were solar path, population density and public transportation locations. This site recieves a great amount of sun exposure which could be utilized for solar panels and provide adequate lighting for green spaces on the site. The density study showed that is site is very heavily congested with both pedestrian traffic and vehicular traffic. The main reason for the amount of traffic is due to the fact the intersection of Boylston & Mass Ave has so many things coming together. The Hynes Con-vention train station, multiple bus stops, Mass Turnpike as well as a high volume of vehicular traffic all run through the site simulta-

neously. All these issues will be addressed snd incorperated in the final design.

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Project Site

Wind and Sun Diagram Wind Diagram Density Diagram

Boylston Street

Massachusetts A

ve.

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Process Sketches:This process started by simply using the existing site boundaries and extruding up the shape to see what my initial form was. The site was very restrictive so our instructor allowed the class to extend the boundaries of our site over the Mass Turnpike, allowing for a better site design. I started to play around with curved shape to bring in a form that was accepting to the wind.

My plan layout and form was initially based off of an oval plan which then developed into a combination of two oval shapes. The structural support was designed to form three sets of triangles. With placing the retail in the first segment I want to create an expanded layout which provided more open space for retailers and consumers. The main idea for vertical circulation did stay consistent through out the process but the main elevator core did change locations a few times. Vertical circulation would have a central core of elevators which would act as a main structural support for the building. There are structural supports on the exterior which also house vertical circulation. Some of the exterior vertical ciculation is designed for certain levels and or emergancy egress only.

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Plan Sketches:

Solar Path on Massing Scheme:

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Massing Models: For the massing of the tower I wanted to create a design that

was “Aerodynamic” and “Porous “ which allow the wind to pass through, harnessing the wind for energy. I did not want a solid

mass form partly because of the effect it would have on site but also the wind loads that would be applied to my building. So I chose to use four oval shaped segments. Each segment was

assigned a different occupant use group. The gap between each segment would serve as the location for the wind turbines. This

feature is carried through almost all the massing schemes.

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First Model

Final Model

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Final Design:The site paths conform to the buildings overall form, the arched path helps to create a safer area by providing a buffer between the vehicular traffic and pedestrian traffic. As you enter from the building you have a few op-tions, if you are heading for the T you head left and down the escalators. If you are traveling to any of the upper levels you would head towards the main elevator lobby. Here you find access to all the floors. The main level also contains a receiving and loading dock area which is attached to a stair and elevator core. The major structural supports also serve as egress in case of an emergency.

Final Renderings:

Site Plan:

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Final Design:The final high-rise design contains ten levels. Three of which are the wind turbine floors for maintenance access only. The tower has four main building segments. The first segment is occupied by retail shops and has a an interior and exterior Garden Level on the top floor. The second and third segments all contain office space which is lease out to many different business. The fourth segment is occu-pied by a hotel. The top floors have some of the best views in Boston.

Final Building Section:

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Wind Turbines:The form of my building was designed so that wind could be harnessed and be utilized to power the building. I chose to use six Bluenergy Solarwind Turbines, designed by an engineer in Germany. Not only is it a wind turbine but it also serves as a solar collector and contains a solar panel exterior finish. Another unique feature is that the bearings that allow the turbine to spin is a double frictionless bearing which almost never allows the wind turbine to stop spinning thus providing more energy. This feature also reduces the wind turbine noise to almost nothing.

Green SpaceThis high-rise design has an indoor/outdoor green space located on the top level of the retail section. The outdoor green space not only provides great views of the Back Bay but also gives users a place to relax and unwind. The indoor green space allows you to enjoy nature 365 days a year.

At street level there are many green spaces located right outside the main entrance. This green space provides a nice area to sit and relax while your waiting for the bus or if you are just on lunch break.

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Sketch of Air Flow through Wind

Turnbine Area:

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Exterior Facade Window System:The exterior facade of this high-rise building contains a fully glazed double skin facade with operable interior windows to allow for air circulation. The outer skin is fixed butt glass which has an operable vent at the bottom of the glazing. This vent is a louvered system which is controlled by the occupant. The second layer of glaz-ing is fully operable. Once the exterior vent is open the air travels into a small chamber which has a louver on the bottom and the top. This allows for a few options, one to allow direct air flow from the exterior or second you could close the exterior vents and just open the bottom and top vents to allow the air to circulate up the whole side of the window system and be vented out the top.

Sketch of Air Flow through Louver: Sketch of Louver: Details at Double Skin Facade