SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

1. Arizona State University Student Health Services: Tempe, Arizona / Lake|Flato Architects +
Orcutt|Winslow

The Arizona State University (ASU) Health Services Building is an adaptive reuse project that
transformed the existing sterile and inefficient clinic into a clearly organized, efficient, and welcoming
facility. The design imbues the new facility with a sense of health and wellness that leverages Tempe’s
natural environment and contributes to a more cohesive pedestrian oriented campus. The building’s
energy performance is 49% below ASHRAE 90.1-2007, exceeding the current target of the 2030
Challenge. The facility achieved LEED Platinum certification and is one of the best energy performers on
campus as evidenced by ASU’s Campus Metabolism interactive web-tool tracking real-time resource use.
(Rosenfield, 2014)
 2. Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt (EGWW) Federal Building Modernization: Portland, Oregon / SERA
Architects with Cutler Anderson Architects

On track to be one of the lowest energy-use buildings in the U.S., EGWW is a model for U.S. General
Services Administration nationwide. The project’s goal was to transform the existing building from an
aging, energy hog to one of the premiere environmentally-friendly buildings in the nation. With a unique
facade of “reeds”, light shelf /sunshades designed by orientation and a roof canopy that supports a 180
kW photovoltaic array while collecting rainwater, EGWW pushes the boundaries for innovative
sustainable deign strategies. In addition to the energy improvements, the design reveals the history of
the building, exposing the artifacts of the original builders. (Rosenfireld, 2014)
GREEN ARCHITECTURE
1. “Gherkin” (Foster & Partners, 2003)

“Gherkin” (Foster & Partners, 2003), where the building’s open-floor ventilation system was
compromised when security-conscious tenants created glass separations. Operable windows whose
required specifications had been lowered because of the natural ventilation feature actually began to
fall from the building, and had to be permanently closed. The ambitious goal of a more sophisticated
natural ventilation system paradoxically resulted in even worse ventilation. (Michael Mehaffy & Nikos
Salingaros, 2013)

2. Masdar’s sustainable city

The planned carbon neutral city was originally supposed to be completed this year, but as real estate
developments go, it’s far from finished. The project’s managers are turning their backs on the initial
plan. Chris Wan, the city’s design manager, admits there is no way the community could reach its zero
carbon goals, even if the buildings were to be completed. (Michael Mehaffy & Nikos Salingaros, 2013)
SOURCES:

(2014, June 27). Retrieved November 5, 2016, from

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/27/sustainable-architecture_n_5193101.html

(2013, July 3). Retrieved November 5, 2016, from http://www.archdaily.com/396263/why-green-

architecture-hardly-ever-deserves-the-name