The relationship between design and climate is dynamic: Every day, it seems, new architectural technologies emerge that allow us to better react to, and in some cases harness, the world around us. Chief among those innovating in this space is the Sheward Partnership, a Philadelphia-based firm that recently introduced plans for a self-tinting glass office building in the City of Brotherly Love: 3.0 University Place.
Slated for completion in 2018, 3.0 University Place is expected to be the first building of its kind to achieve LEED Platinum certification, with its self-tinting windows specifically designed to combat the problem of excess cooling costs produced by direct sunlight and ensuing glares. Manufactered by Minnesota glass developer SageGlass, the windows operate with a sensor technology not unlike that of self-tinted eyeglasses, which register light intensity and change accordingly. On days when office workers simply want more shade, the windows can also be adjusted by remote control.
A pioneering force in Philadelphia’s sustainable design scene, the 189,000-square-foot building will contain a variety of other remarkable eco-friendly features, including a heating and cooling system that minimizes energy spent by fans, high-efficiency LED lighting, and a green roof that collects rainwater for reuse in cooling and irrigation activities. All said and done, 3.0 University’s developers expect to see a 50 percent energy reduction relative to comparable commercial spaces. The structure will be the first of several LEED-certified buildings to be developed in the West Philadelphia neighborhood.