SOM’s Diagonal Tower in Seoul Adds a New Dimension to Energy Efficiency

<a href="http://www.som.com/content.cfm/www_home">SOM's</a> proposed Diagonal Tower, prominently located Seoul, South Korea's Yongsan International Business District, is a clever, energy-sipping design with expansive, bright interiors. The diagrid shape is the key to the tower's success, allowing winds to slip by and providing <a href="http://inhabitat.com/korean-tower-boasts-one-of-the-worlds-most-efficient-solar-facades/">multiple faces</a> to protect itself from summer sun while maximizing heat gain during the long winters. The slinky tower’s use of advanced energy-saving technologies throughout actually improves the quality of life for its occupants, making a convincing case that green is not just about saving money and energy.

At first glance SOM looks to be channeling Norman Foster’s Hearst Tower with the strong diagonal frame, giving the building its charatertisic shape.

just like Hearst Tower, the structure’s material is reduced by 25% over conventional box frames — something that really adds up in a 64 story tower.

The design takes a few important steps forward in energy savings both inside and out.

Each section is clad in louvers set either vertically, diagonally or horizontally to block summer sun’s glare and heat but allow winter solar energy to help heat the interior.

The windows are triple-glazed, an unusual choice for large buildings but very important for those seated near widows to maintain comfort.

Chilled beams warm and cool the floors much more efficiently than forced air, and like the windows control radiant temperature.