While rooftop gardens are fast becoming the norm in major cities like San Francisco and New York, the new headquarters of the North Carolina chapter of the American Institute of Architects is bringing the first green roof to Raleigh. Designed by Frank Harmon Architect PA, the building is set to meet LEED platinum standards.
Described as a “modern shell with a green heart,” the building boasts much more than just a green roof. The vegetated roof filters rainwater, and a buried rainwater cistern collects water for reuse. The structure is oriented to protect the interior from harsh sunlight while still making the most of day-lighting and ventilation. Perhaps the site’s coolest feature is the parking garden – a lot made from porous pavement supports cars and functions as an open green space while eliminating storm water runoff.
The building and the landscape are designed as one intertwined and interdependent system. Any soil or land that is removed for construction is reused in a different location on the site to create an elevated landscape. The structure sits on a narrow piece of land situated between Peace College and the North Carolina Government Complex, and the architecture reflects its surroundings. The city-facing wall greets the neighborhood at the natural grade and establishes a more urban facade, while the north end of the site rises to meet the Government Complex. The designers hope the building sets a precedent for green architecture in North Carolina. The building should be complete within 10 to 12 months.
+ Frank Harmon Architect PA
Via Arch Daily
Images © Frank Harmon Architect PA
This is a wonderful design and exactly the type of project that should be submitted to the Holcim Awards for Sustainable Construction. The focus on sustainability is inspiring!
Looks more like those trailers they put up when your schools run out of classroom space. Perhaps not so bad looking if not for the fact the building appears as if it’s one building being sheltered or swallowed inside another building. I would say it looks more like a giant pop up book about to slam shut and crush the spirits of the children/architects who practice and replicate this style of crap all over the American landscape. I suppose they can still play peekaboo through the slot shaped hole in the wall.