The Hearst Tower - 2006

The Hearst Tower achieved a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold standard – the first certified office in Manhattan. The key sustainable design features include reduced water usage through rainwater harvesting and reuse for evaporative cooling in the grand lobby’s water feature. The building’s embodied energy is also significantly reduced. The diagrid shape of the frame shrinks the amount of steel required by 21 percent. Of the steel used 90 percent is recycled. In fully optimising its performance, the building consumes 22 percent less energy than a code-compliant building. Outside air is used for cooling and ventilation for 75% of the year, thus reducing the cooling load. Natural light was maximised and intelligent lighting systems incorporated, so as to also reduce the lighting load.