Twelve Days in NYC
Early this month Juana Gómez of Lawrence and Gómez Architects traveled to New York City for a certification training in passive building design. The course took place at Parsons New School’s 5th Avenue location, across the street from the almost-completed University Center. That LEED Gold building at 5th Av. and 14th St. (pictured below) designed by Roger Duffy of SOM shows the diagonal circulation imprinted on its skin.
An ingenious awning captures the attention on the Parsons classroom building currently in use.
The Passive House Certification (CPHC) is a
rigorous training in a building type that represents the industry’s highest standard in energy efficiency. Originated and widely applied in Germany and the EU, the standards have been translated to the varied American climates by the Passive House Institute U.S. Upon completion of the requirements, Lawrence and Gomez Architects will be one of a handful of firms to have the capability of designing a super efficient building in-house.
Travel for me always includes visiting other people’s designs. This spring in New York City, work continues on the buildings surrounding the 9/11 Memorial, a moving and serene space in the heart of Manhattan’s financial district.
The beautiful 9/11 Museum behind one of the memorial pools with the transportation hub under construction on the right
The 9/11 Museum by Snohetta with a memorial waterfall in the foreground and the Freedom tower on the left
Michael Arad’s Memorial waterfall, pool, and center void with names of the fallen
Seen from the yard of Trinity Church, the Freedom Tower (One World Trade Center) by David Childs nears completion.