also by Alex Hershey and Tristan Becker
In our previous post, Energy: A Conversation about our National Addiction, we discussed the Department of Defense’s monthly lecture series which is dedicated towards bringing together a large number of senior leaders, academics, and researchers, from both inside and outside the government to listen, learn, connect, share, and collaborate on energy related issues. Each conference invites a new upper-level executive or academic to speak to the group on a topic of their expertise. Topics vary from energy efficiency, the emergence of photovoltaic technologies for military/commercial applications, conversion of waste byproducts into fuel, climate change, water security and agriculture.
The most recent conference featured renowned architect Bob Fox of Cook & Fox Associates. Fox is celebrated for his work on “Green” building projects, the most recent and revolutionary of which being the new billion dollar Bank of America Tower in midtown Manhattan. Standing at a height of 1,200 feet, One Bryant Park will be the second tallest building in New York, featuring an array of environmentally friendly materials and processes that will make it the world’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certified skyscraper.
In his presentation, Fox explained the importance of sustainability to our future. With nearly two “New York Cities” being built each year in China alone, booming third world populations who want exactly what America has, it is imperative that building designs embrace sustainability immediately. With over 65% of total U.S. energy consumption going into commercial buildings, and over 30% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions coming from them, this project represents a trend that will substantially help to reduce commercial energy consumption in future years, setting a precedent that all other commercial buildings can follow.
Fox and his colleagues have incorporated a massive amount of environmentally-friendly design techniques into One Bryant Park. From waterless urinals to rain harvesting systems, from recycled structural materials to ultra-purifying air filters, from floor to ceiling insulated windows to LED lighting, from an Ice Farm cellar used for air conditioning to a heated-energy-chimney-capture system, this building has it all. Each of these designs has a very competitive payback period when taking into account energy saved and tax credits granted.
In addition to efficiency, One Bryant Park also has a tremendous aesthetic appeal which Fox explained will increase worker productivity and contribute to the building payback period in the form of Bank of America profit. The building boasts an Urban Garden Room, a glass-enclosed subway entrance, and ‘ice falls’ that create an inviting atmosphere where the indoors and the outdoors become one. Workers will breathe purified air, they will be able to adjust their very own thermostat, enjoy natural sunlight, and observe prominent views of the adjacent Park that is its namesake.
Fox is committed to changing the way we all view sustainability in the future. In doing so, all environmental benefits incorporated into One Bryant Park will be thoroughly documented for the public to view over the internet. Our hats go off to Bob Fox and Bank of America for aggressively pursuing a sustainable future for everyone.
Please attend the next Energy Conversation on the economics of energy in Agriculture.
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