Bringing passive design to new heights
The House at Cornell Tech
New York, NY, USA
Project details
Client
The Hudson Companies | Related Companies
Architect
Handel Architects
Duration
Completed in 2017
Services provided by Buro Happold
Building Services Engineering (MEP), Lighting design, Structural engineering
Cornell Tech’s 270 foot tall residential tower on Roosevelt Island in New York City is the tallest and largest residential Passive House building in the world.
Buro Happold provided multidisciplinary engineering services to achieve Passive House, a rigorous international building standard that results in dramatically reduced energy consumption and operational energy savings while providing superior comfort and indoor air quality.
Challenge
Setting a new precedent in high-rise residential design and serving as a showpiece for low-energy innovation, the new building is part of a campus mega-project which includes over 2.1 million square feet of space.
Solution
The House is part of Cornell Tech’s wider commitment to innovative sustainability. As lighting designers and engineers for structure, mechanical, electrical and plumbing, Buro Happold played a key role in supporting the development of a high performance facade integrated with highly efficient indoor environmental systems and floor layouts that take full advantage of the building’s unique orientation. This was a key factor in the design to reduce energy use and carbon emissions. Buro Happold worked closely with the owner, design team and the New York City Department of Buildings to realize Passive House on a greater scale than ever before.
Value
The House at Cornell Tech is currently the tallest building in the world to achieve Passive House certification. The 352-unit residence provides a mix of accommodation for students, staff and faculty, and features unparalleled views of Midtown Manhattan.
Awards
2018
USGBC LEED Homes Award, Project of the Year