New W Hotel in London is Wrapped in an Amazing Illuminated Façade
Posted By Tafline Laylin On April 21, 2011 @ 9:00 am In Architecture,carousel showcase,Features | 3 Comments
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The W group’s newly-opened illuminated hotel in London may have passersby wondering if they’ve stepped into Manhattan’s Times Square. The Starwood Hotel W London-Leicester Square designed by Jestico + Whiles [5] and developed by McAleer & Rushe [6] is a mixed-use building wrapped in a frameless glazing skin [7]. Potentially a monster to heat during England’s brutal winters, the 200,000 square foot building features a tri-generation system that gives this luxury facility a sustainable edge [8].
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Designed as a tribute to the locale’s theatrical history, the hotel’s façade drapes over the building like a curtain, and simultaneously reveals a lit-up pixelated [10] screen when darkness falls. In addition to the glazing, a tri-generation energy system comprised of gas-fired CHP, absorption chillers, and a geothermal heat [11] pump for heating and cooling keeps W’s energy portfolio modest.
A paragon of sustainable urban development [12], the 200,000 square foot, ten storey building combines retail, leisure, and residential facilities, ensuring that its lucky guests won’t have to travel far to meet their needs. For their design, Jestico + Whiles received the MIPIM Special Tribute to UK Country of Honor award for the second year in a row, the first firm ever to do so.
+ Jestico+Whiles [5]
Via World Architecture News [13]
Article printed from Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building: http://inhabitat.com
URL to article: http://inhabitat.com/new-w-hotel-in-london-is-wrapped-in-an-amazing-illuminated-facade/
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[3] Email: mailto:?subject=http://inhabitat.com/new-w-hotel-in-london-is-wrapped-in-an-amazing-illuminated-facade/
[4] Image: http://inhabitat.com/new-w-hotel-in-london-is-wrapped-in-an-amazing-illuminated-facade/w-london-leicester-square-jestico-whiles-1-2/
[5] Jestico + Whiles: http://www.jesticowhiles.co.uk/
[6] McAleer & Rushe: http://www.mcaleer-rushe.co.uk/
[7] glazing skin: http://inhabitat.com/un-studios-korean-mall-kinetic-translucent-skin/
[8] sustainable edge: http://www.solus4.com/news/view/inhabitat-sustainable-marine-research-center-studies-tsunamis
[9] Image: http://inhabitat.com/new-w-hotel-in-london-is-wrapped-in-an-amazing-illuminated-facade/w-london-leicester-square-jestico-whiles-2/
[10] pixelated: http://inhabitat.com/pixelated-birdhouses-sprout-on-city-trees-in-london/
[11] geothermal heat: http://inhabitat.com/iceland-may-tap-liquid-magma-as-new-geothermal-energy-source/
[12] sustainable urban development: http://inhabitat.com/wood-wrapped-floating-house-maximizes-urban-growth/
[13] World Architecture News: http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=16445
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