The Terry Thomas was designed to provide a healthy and creative work environment and to illustrate the possibilities of sustainable design. The project was driven by Weber Thompson, who was looking for space to accommodate their expanding architectural practice. The firm wanted to stay in the neighborhood in a building that reinforced its commitment to sustainable design.
The project goals for the building were to develop a sustainable building without air conditioning. Sustainable strategies incorporated into the design include shallow floor plates, operable windows, a central, open-air courtyard, different treatments on the façades to minimize heat retention, and floor-to-ceiling glass at an optimal height to depth ratios and open floor plans to maximize daylight.
The building is constructed out of recycled steel, aluminum, and fly ash concrete. Interior finish materials were produced using sustainable methods with high-recycled content. The windows and storefront are locally manufactured, as is the metal exterior cladding. The exterior cladding of the building also includes FSC-Certified ipe wood. The interior minimizes the use of additional finish materials.
Materials were chosen for their ability to serve multiple functions. Castellated beams were integrated into the structure to reduce the weight of steel used and to encourage air movement. The exposed concrete slab was polished and used as the finish floor surface. The castellated steel beam structure, chosen for strength, lower cost, and reduced material was left exposed and painted white, allowing light, air, and services to circulate. The metal cable tray system corrals electrical and data cabling also serve as the support for the light fixtures. Ceiling mounted acoustical panels double as light reflectors. Acoustical wall panels provide additional noise damping and a place to pinup sketches.
Passive cooling is achieved through multiple design strategies; the most significant being operable windows. The windows are enhanced by automated louvers, high ceilings, a shallow floor plate, and a central court that acts as a chimney, drawing the warmer air out the windows and up through the courtyard. Exterior shading devices protect occupants from significant solar heat gains and a white roof keeps the upper floors cool while reducing the urban heat island effect. Every exterior façade is treated differently, according to its micro-climate and sun exposure.
According to en.wikipedia. Source of photos: internet
