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New Office Building May Be Orange, But It’s Built To Be Green
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Being an admitted ‘aesthetic-compulsive’, I love great looking design and forms. Knowing that taste is something that is entirely subjective, I try not to pass judgement, at least openly, on any project, product, etc., solely on the basis of it’s looks; especially when its design is intended to be more function than form.
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The Orange Office, new home of eco-building and design material supplier epOxyGreen, situated on Lincoln Blvd. in Venice, CA is a perfect example of a building that may not appeal to some people based on its aesthetics, but should appeal to everyone given its environmentally friendly functional design and construction. Designed by Sander Architects, the Orange Office’s distinctive orange fiber grate provides a screen over translucent acrylic designed to diminish solar heat gain from the sun. During the day, the translucent acrylic will allow diffused natural light to pour into and illuminate office spaces; thereby reducing the need for artificial lighting during daylight hours.
The building also houses a green roof planted with native plants. Occupants will have access to this space as well. Here are a few other green features:
- Low-flush toilets
- Individually adjustable HVAC - up to seven zones per floor
- Earth-friendly kitchen counters and cabinets
- Low-VOC paint
- Low-energy fluorescent lighting
- Energy-star appliances
I thought it was important to showcase a project like this not because it’s a testament to a unbelievably sustainable design, but to show that energy efficiency and green building are not always directly dependent on expensive or futuristic technologies. The orange mesh, though it may look like construction barrier fencing to some, will act in much the same way as louvers do on a window. It will allow in natural light while diffusing a significant portion of the heat associated with it.
The Good: An example of relatively simple and ‘low-tech’ implementations that increase building energy efficiency.
The Bad: To many perspective tenants, the environmental aspects of the building may not be enough to overcome its ‘unique’ aesthetics. The orange netting will most likely not weather well in the California sun.
The Bottom-Line: An usual looking building with commendable sustainable design elements.
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