KEY INFORMATION

Project name: One World Trade Center
Date: Completed 2014
Clients: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) and The Durst Organization
Location: New York, New York, USA
Size: 3,000,000 square feet

PROJECT SUMMARY

As building envelope consultants, Vidaris assisted the architect in drawing review and mock-ups for exterior wall performance, including blast mitigation. Vidaris was also instrumental in the development and selection of building exterior materials including a high performance thermally advanced curtain wall system, incorporating energy efficient low-e glass. We witnessed the curtain wall fabrication and monitored the installation.

Additionally, Vidaris performed LEED modeling, energy code compliance, and compliance with Executive Order 111, which requires 20% energy savings compared to the energy code baseline. We also evaluated the thermal modeling of the curtain wall as provided by the manufacturer. To meet these goals, Vidaris, in collaboration with the architect, Skidmore Owings & Merrill, and JBB, the HVAC consultant, analyzed several bundles of efficiency measures that included:

• A high-efficiency envelope
• Efficient lighting with daylight dimming at perimeter
• Water-cooled packaged units, with highest efficiency, allow for different occupancy schedules across diverse tenants
• All buildings on the site must use ConEd steam – and 1 WTC recovers the heat from the steam condensate
• The design included a 1.2 MW fuel cell system. Vidaris studied the operating parameters extensively to verify that the system was optimized for the building load. Unfortunately, the fuel cell system was damaged beyond repair by Superstorm Sandy.

PROJECT DETAILS

Standing 1,776 feet tall over its 104 floors, the iconic tower’s unique envelope incorporates curtain wall, glass panel wall and cable net wall. It achieved a LEED Gold rating.

Copyright © James Ewing