Statement of Study/Argument
The New York Times Building, designed by Renzo Piano, is the first building in the United States to have a curtain wall with a “ceramic sunscreen.” The framework of ceramic tubes covering the building not only reflect light and change color, they serve a greater purpose. The ceramic tubes absorb heat and screen the windows, creating a comfortable work environment without putting a strain on a cooling system. This system is coupled with double-glazed windows also preventing heat from entering the building. The curtain walls of the building allow sunlight to flood the office spaces, reducing the amount of lighting needed during the day.
This energy efficient design was part of a collaboration between the New York Times Building, Renzo Piano, the Thornton-Tomasetti Group and the Berkley Lab’s Environmental Energy Technologies Division (EETD). The end product not only created a building that followed the newspaper’s philosophy to be transparent and open to the world, but also created office spaces that do not rely on air conditioning and lighting systems, reducing the energy demand. The New York Times building also uses innovative technology to save energy throughout its buildings. such as in its elevator system, which I plan on exploring further in this assignment.
Method of Research
The New York Times Building website, http://newyorktimesbuilding.com/, has much more information on the building, its design, and systems. It also includes a link to the study on the ceramic tubes conducted by the Berkley National labs. (http://windows.lbl.gov/comm_perf/newyorktimes.htm) There are also several articles on the recent construction of the building and its sustainable features. These include:
“Shedding Light on ENERGY” in Sustainable Facility by Michael Jouaneh
“The New York Times sign of the times” in Engineered Systems by Joanna Turpin
“SolarTrac System” brochure: http://www.mechoshade.com/SolarTrac/SolarTrac_Brochure.pdf
“The New York Times Building” in Architectural Record by Suzanne Stevens
Intended Final Product
I intend to explore the daylighting systems of the New York Times building through a series of diagrams of heat, light, and ventilation systems. I will analyze a section of the building and the flows of air, heat, and light through its materials. I also plan to examine the data that has been collected in the research done on the systems in the building as well as similar systems.
kaitybadlato 
Kaity –
I love this building and it’s even prettier in person! The skin of the building seems to be one of the most important parts of it. I think making a detail model or diagram would be very helpful in understanding how light comes in. You could then take pictures of how light changes throughout the day to show how they are getting the best light when they need it. Also looking at double skin walls & our lecture on insulation would be helpful.
Good luck!