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VISION 21 — ARTGLASS
If daylight is one of the great pleasures here, it also
has the potential to create the challenge of heat
transmission. How does your design respond to that?
The glass facade is actually a wall treatment applied to
the inside face. Obviously any opening that relies on
providing light and ventilation has to be treated in a
manner appropriate for energy efficient design. Today
that involves the appropriate thickness and type of
performance glass, and double-glazing if necessary.
The balconies along the north and east facing elevations
are recessed balconies to maintain outlook yet restrict
direct summer sun.
Did your client have any apprehension
about your initial renders and sketches?
They didn’t waiver at all about such an expression.
They were very encouraging and supportive and
were really proud of the result. The response and the
feedback from the community has been very positive.
Any acoustic issues given the proximity of the train
line? One of the more typical responses is to design
with very small window openings to manage noise.
We have this beautiful position with a northwest
orientation and wonderful outlook to the city. More than
50 percent of the apartments have a city view which is
sensational. At the same time there is a train station at
our doorstep. The noise of the trains can be heard,
but it is never uncomfortable.
THE NOISE OF THE TRAINS
CAN BE HEARD, BUT IT IS
NEVER UNCOMFORTABLE.
Robert Ficarra, Architect