Krueck + Sexton Architects have been selected by the GSA Design Excellence Program for the firm’s design of the Federal Office Building in Miramar, Florida just outside of Miami. The 375,000 square foot building is designed with three goals in mind: reduce energy, resources and consumption, incorporate high performance buildings materials and systems and harvest renewable energy sources available on the site. Currently out to bid, the project is scheduled for completion in mid-2014.
Read on for more after the break.
The Federal Office Building is designed as two 60′ narrow bars running East to West along the site. The strategy is to reduce heat gain by orienting the side with the least surface area toward the rising and setting sun. The bars are six and seven stories and are connected at their midpoints, creating two enclosed exterior courtyards. The architects have also provided outdoor areas that are comfortably shaded in areas adjacent to the site, such as near the parking garage and service annex.
A curtain-wall system with high performance glass maximizes daylight access while reducing heat gain. This, in addition to perforated sun screens, provide the building and its inhabitants with shade and daylight when desired. The building will reduce water use by 95% by using several systems such as rainwater capture, well water, and municipal reclaimed water. Photovoltaics on the roof of the Annex and parking garage will accumulate solar energy.
As part of the building initiatives for sustainable design, the wetlands adjacent to the site will be restored. These make up the majority of the site and is an effort by the architects to bring back the natural state of the site while also invigorating the native ecosystem and local community through a physical connection of nature.
The design team consists of Atelier ten (environmental), WSP Flack + Kurtz (MEP), Curtis + Rogers (landscape), Miller Legg (civil), Thornton Tomasetti(structural) and Shepphird Associates (envelope engineers).
