The Joan Mitchell Foundation commissioned an 8,000 square foot studio building for its artist residency program in New Orleans soon after Hurricane Katrina. The building is situated on the interior of the block and is the only new construction within a larger campus of historic structures owned by the foundation. The building’s L-shape frames a large communal green space, and the profile of the roof monitors for the studio volumes echo the scale, geometry, material and rhythm of neighboring houses.

SERVICES

Daylighting improves the quality of visual comfort while reducing energy use. We use scale physical models and calibrated simulations with RADIANCE software and proprietary scripts to:
• Predict and evaluate illumination levels and light distribution
• Predict and analyze luminance gradients and glare potential
• Analyze thermal and energy use implications of daylighting design
• Design and evaluate daylighting to exhibition and curatorial performance criteria
• Predict energy savings from daylight harvesting
• Coordinate daylighting and electrical lighting design
• Post-occupancy HDRI analysis of luminance and visual comfort
Visual and thermal comfort in high-performance buildings rely on integrated glazing and curtain wall design. We use advanced simulation techniques to:
• Analyze visual performance of glazing alternatives
• Evaluate advanced glazing applications, including light redirecting glass and internal shading systems
• Predict and evaluate thermal performance of curtain wall systems
• Predict occupant comfort conditions for curtain wall alternatives
• Identify and coordinate value engineering tradeoffs for integrated high-performance facades
Effective shading reduces glare and minimizes solar heat gain without impeding the use of daylight for visual tasks. We assist the architect to design shading appropriate to the program, the climate and context of the project. We use scale physical models and calibrated models with RADIANCE software to:
• Analyze site conditions for solar access and shade potential
• Design sun control and glare control alternatives for local skies and climate conditions
• Evaluate shade alternatives for visual and thermal comfort

Loisos and Ubbelohde assisted with the daylighting performance and shading of the studio building and studio spaces. View windows, clerestories and skylights in each studio were designed to deliver quality daylight and views without thermal stress in this hot humid climate.

Radiance simulation of large studio under clear sky conditions for June 21 at 12pm noon. The simulation results show three images for a perspective view looking East: human adaptation (left), false color luminance map (center), and perspective with iso-lux illuminance contours. For this particular study, the façade glass was clear insulated glass, the clerestory glass was clear insulated impact glass and the skylight glass was translucent glass.

Completed double-height studio as occupied, featuring skylights and large north-facing clerestories.

AWARDS

USGBC LEED Gold, 2017

AIA Louisiana Design Awards Merit Award, 2017

AIA New Orleans Design Awards Honor Award, 2016

AIA New Orleans Sustainable Design Honorable Mention, 2016

Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. Merit Gold Award, 2015