5.2 MICRO CONTEXT: GENZYME CENTER IN CAMBRIDGE
5.2.3 Biophilic Elements
By incorporating Biophilic elements into the design of the Genzyme Centre the architects were successfully able to create an environment that certainly enhances the users well-being and encourages collaboration and social interaction to occur. The Biophilic elements used will be explored and will form part of the analysis of this precedent.
Figure 82: The main stairs at the entrance into the building leads into the central atrium area surrounded by trees and an abundance of natural light filters into the space (http://www.solaripedia.com).
5.2.3.1 Natural Lighting
The building’s central atrium acts as a light shaft which allows for light to penetrate deep into the interior spaces. Day lighting is one of the most important features of the building.
Seventy-five percent of workers receive natural daylight. Day lighting is enhanced through a combination of innovative strategies that allow the light to penetrate deep into all parts of the building. These strategies include the glass shell, heliostats, skylight, reflective panels and surfaces, prism chandeliers, and a light wall. The building makes use of several day lighting strategies to capture light efficiently without causing discomfort and glare (httpsustainability.tufts.edudownloadsGenz yme.pdf). These strategies are listed below and are crucial in the success of the users well-being:
Figure 83: Section through the building showing the open plan offices surrounding the central atrium. The central atrium is the key element used to allow an abundance of light into the building.
The section further explores the use of garden and patio balconies which allows the users to have views both internally and externally and allows social interaction to occur. The dynamic cut outs and use of plants throughout the building can clearly be seen (http://www.solaripedia.com).
HELIOSTATS: The building makes use of mirrors which are located on the roof that follow the path of the sun during the day. They reflect daylight onto mirrors which then reflect and direct the light down into the atrium.
SKYLIGHTS: These allow an abundance of natural light to enter into the atrium.
LIGHT WALL: The building incorporates a light wall which is made of polished aluminium strips that help distribute the daylight within the building.
Figure 84: Heliostats are large mirrors located on the roof of the Genzyme Center They follow the path of the sun throughout the day, reflecting sunlight onto a set of fixed mirrors which then direct light down into the atrium, where a skylight allows the sunlight to enter the building. A central component in the light enhancement system, the chandelier, consists of 768 animated prismatic plates that distribute light from the skylight into interior spaces throughout the building (http://www.solaripedia.com).
REFLECTIVE CEILING PANNELS: Reflective ceiling panels help direct light deeper into the building.
CHANDELIERS:
A central component in the atrium which further enhances the distribution of daylight is the chandelier which consists of 768 animated prismatic plates that distribute light from the skylight into interior spaces throughout the building.
PERFORATED BLINDS: Along the glass exterior of the building, computer controlled blinds automatically track the sun’s position and open the blinds to desired angles. This allows light in whilst deflecting excessive heat gains (www. solaripedia.com).
5.2.3.2 Ventilation
The envelope of the building consists of a high performance curtain wall glazing system with operable windows on all twelve floors. Most of the exterior envelope is a double ventilated façade that blocks solar gains in summer and captures it in winter.
Figure 85: Throughout the central atrium illustrated, the Genzyme Centre maximises natural light and views throughout the interior. One can see the use of indoor plants and the internal gardens which act as social meeting places (http://www.solaripedia.com).
The central atrium acts as a return air duct that allows for fresh air to move into the atrium and up and out through exhaust fans that are located towards the top as well as the stack effect. The design of the building allows for occupants to control the temperature in their area by the installation of operable windows which allows for natural ventilation to take place (http//:leedcasestudies.usgbc.orgimages.cfm). With sophisticated and advanced technology the Genzyme Centre uses a state of the art air monitoring system that ensures the air is of sufficient quality. The building is designed to ensure sufficient ventilation standards and allow an abundance of fresh air to enter into the building environment which certainly enhances the well-being of the building users.
5.2.3.3 Planting
The Genzyme Centre makes use of a green planted concrete roof in most parts of its roof which reduces the environmental impact. Indoor air quality was of high importance to the design team as it is one of the main ways of ensuring that the building is a healthy work environment for employees.
Figure 86: Section exploring the ventilation methods used within this building. Air enters the building through the operable windows and the hot air escapes into the atrium and out the top from the stack effect. Blue arrows indicate fresh cooler air coming in whilst the red arrows indicate the warm air escaping (http://www.solaripedia.com).
The indoor plants and trees also help to naturally regulate humidity levels, prevent pollution and provide oxygen for the building users. Eighteen interior gardens and seven accessible outdoor garden terraces increase the workers connection to nature and contribute to better indoor air quality. Both the plants and the moving art structures (chandelier) with the reflective pool on the first floor make the indoor environment seem more natural and dynamic (http.sustainability.tufts.edudownloads Genzyme.pdf).
5.2.3.4 Water and Water Features
Besides the reflective pool located on the first floor, the building could have incorporated more water features which would have had a more profound effect on the interior environment, further enhancing the dynamic experience of the building and the well-being of building occupants.