| Location | Gensler's Office, 11 East Madison, Suite 300, Chicago |
Abstract: In 2007 Goettsch Partners (GP) won a limited competition for the design of a large A+ commercial office complex at the heart of Abu Dhabi’s new central business district on Al Maryah Island. The resulting project is comprised of 4 office towers between 31-37 stories that surround the new Abu Dhabi Exchange building, at the center of the complex. Due to the extreme coastal desert climate of Abu Dhabi the incorporation of high performance façade technologies into the designs for these buildings was an inherent mandate. This presentation will focus on GP’s response to this mandate and examine in detail the added performance benefits achieved by the various active and passive façade systems incorporated into the designs for these buildings in comparison to standard curtain wall systems. The design development and detailing challenges encountered with these various high performance façade systems will also be addressed. In addition, the presentation will cover the challenges of realizing these complex enclosure systems from tender through completion in the emerging market environment of Abu Dhabi, UAE. Learning Objectives: • Better understand the measurable benefits of both passive and active solar shading systems on a standard unitized curtain wall system. • Examine the design and enhanced performance benefits of a closed double skin façade system. • Discuss the additional performance testing requirements implemented during the mockup testing of the various high performance façade systems developed for the Sowwah Square project. • Review the real-world challenges and solutions implemented during the development of multiple façade systems divided between three different enclosure contractors on a fast paced International project. Project Details: 5,698,000 sf / 529,360 sqm total 250,000 sf / 23,220 sqm retail 5,200 parking spaces Towers 1+2 1,302,400 sf / 121,000 sqm office 31 stories Towers 3+4 1,605,800 sf / 149,180 sqm office 37 stories Stock Exchange 244,000 sf / 22,670 sqm Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange Headquarters Client John Buck International Mubadala Development Company Recognition LEED-CS Gold Precertification Speaker: Charles Wittleder, AIA, LEED AP Senior Associate Goettsch Partners Chuck Wittleder is an Architect and Senior Associate at the Chicago office of Goettsch Partners, and has been with the firm since 1999. Mr. Wittleder brings over 18 years of experience and has worked on some of the firm’s most prominent projects with a focus on the design and detailing of complex and high performance façade systems. Mr. Wittleder is a member of the AIA and a registered LEED Accredited Professional. He holds Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies, Master of Architecture and Master Science in Civil Engineering degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign. Goettsch Partners (GP) is an innovative architecture firm with a global perspective, emphasizing a singular design approach across offices in Chicago, Shanghai and Abu Dhabi. Focused on combining exceptional design, technical expertise and unmatched service, the firm creates measurable value and environmentally responsible solutions. Services include architecture, interiors, planning and building enclosure design. Diverse projects around the world share a consistent emphasis on bringing bold design clarity to complex challenges. The firm has a total staff of 90, including architects, interior designers, planners and graphic designers. The firm also currently has 35 LEED Accredited Professionals.
