The New York Times Building is an iconic 6 million sf, 52 story high rise office tower in mid-town Manhattan. Working with MechoShade, Loisos + Ubbelohde was responsible for shading protocols and controls to recognize site shading and reflections from surrounding buildings. The New York Times Headquarters is clad with a highly transparent glass curtain wall and exterior white ceramic pipes. To control sun penetration and provide visual comfort while optimizing energy efficiency, automated diffusing shades are controlled in response to sky conditions, the movement of the sun, shade patterns and brightness. Daylighting and shading deliver measured lighting electrical use at 0.37 watts/sf with high occupant satisfaction.

SERVICES

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

Shades deploy in anticipation of the sun striking the facade and then retract when the sun is no longer in view.  Electric lights dim in response to give occupants a sense of the changing skies and save energy.

AWARDS

AIA Honor Award for Architecture, 2009

AIA NY Chapter Sustainable Design Commercial Honor Award, 2008

AIA NY State Award of Excellence for Large Projects, 2008

AIA NY Chapter Merit Award for Architecture, 2008

Deutsches Architekturmuseum International Highrise Commendation, 2008

New York Municipal Art Society Best New Building Award, 2007

L+U developed computational methods of accurately predicting solar incidence on thousands of shades while accounting for the complexities of the surrounding Manhattan context.