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New York Times Building

A Green Office + Commercial Building in New York, NY.
  • 620 Eighth Avenue, between West 40th and 41st Streets
  • New York
  • NY
  • 10018

  • By engaging Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the foremost experts on daylight, and with financial assistance New York State Energy Research and Development Authority( NYSERDA), The New York Times Co was able to create a very advanced dimmable lighting system and dynamic shading system with real saving of 50%. The lighting system is the first of its kind in the world. By use daylight harvesting, it maximizes use of natural light so that electric lighting is used just as a supplement. Each of the more than 18,000 electrical ballasts (a the amount of current flowing in as electric circuit)in the lighting system contain a computer chip that allows it to be controlled individually. this means that lighting levels can be adjusted to meet the needs of different spaces operating at maximum efficiency with varying levels of light.

    The shading system is programmed to use the position of sum and input from an extensive sensor network to act as determinants to raise and lower shades, either blocking extreme light to reduce glare or allowing light to enter at times of less direct sunlight. The Daylight and shading system work in connect to ensure that the building efficiently uses natural light whenever possible.

    This is the first time this type of double-skinned curtain wall has ever been used. By deflecting the heat, the double curtain wall allow use- of floor-to-ceiling ultra-clear glass that maximizes views and light for occupants of building while allowing people outside the building to see the moments within. The ceramic rods also enhance the design by gently reflecting light and color change throughout the day.
  • Blocks away from Port Authority
  • Construction year
  • 2007
  • No. floors
  • 52
  • Green Energy Features
  • - Co-Generation On Site. Featuring clean-burning gas, the co-generation plant is used to supply 40% of power for the Times Co space. The co-gen system heats the Time Co space during the winter and provides cooling during the remainder of the year. This is a more efficient use of the electrical generation equipment than is typically found in a utility Co. as the heat byproduct is used.
  • Energy Efficiency Features
  • - Curtain wall with low-e windows
    - Individually dimmable fluorescent fixtures supplement natural light.
    - Double-Skin curtain wall to reduce the amount of heat coming into building. Architect Piano envisioned a second skin of horizontal ceramic rods that act as sunshade, sufficient in number to block half of the sun's energy.
    Lighting and Shading

    a versatile underfloor air distribution(UFAD)system design for comfort and efficiency. With this underfloor air system, the New York TimesCo is able to air condition 10 degree warmer than typical system- at 68%F-and gently pump this chilled air up from the floor rather than pushing air down from the ceiling at high velocity cooler air naturally fills the lower area of room and rises it hits warmer objects such as people or computers. the warm air then exits through vents in the ceiling. This system not only save energy,it also ensures a much more regulated,comfortable temperature throughout the space. The Time CO is also able to use free-air cooling, meaning that on a cool morning, air from the outside can be brought into the building. The UFAD also uses waste heat from the co-generation process to heat the space on colder days. this is largest underfloor installation of its kind in New York City
  • Green Products
  • 95% of structural steel was recycled
  • Transportation
  • close to Port Authority, A,C,E,1,2,3,7,Q,R,S,W trains
  • Type of building (home, school, commercial, etc.)
  • Office
  • Designer
  • Renzo Piano Building Workshop, FXFOWLE Architects
  • Building Style
  • modern steel and glass structure
  • Owner/Developer
  • Forest City Ratner and The New York Times
  • Landscape architect
  • H. M. White Site Architects & Cornelia H. Oberlander