Jason Walsh: How did Cook + Fox come to sustainable architecture? Is this a one- off initiative for a specific client or do environmental concerns underpin all of Cook + Fox's work?
Cook + Fox: Cook + Fox was formed in 2003, when Richard Cook joined his firm, Richard Cook & Associates, with Robert Fox, founding partner of Fox & Fowle Architects. Their combined experience represented extensive work in historic preservation districts as well as with large New York office buildings. With the Bank of America Tower as the firm’s first commission, designing beautiful, environmentally responsible buildings became the primary focus of the firm. In the years since designing the Bank of America Tower to be the country’s first LEED-Platinum high-rise office building, the firm has worked to integrate green building strategies into all of its projects. We have a firm goal of 100% of our projects becoming LEED certified.
JW: What is the purpose of an 'eco-skyscraper'? There are those who argue that the form is inherently unsustainable while others counterclaim that higher-densities are the only way forward.
C+F: This question frequently comes up when discussing green building and its application to skyscrapers. While it’s true that skyscrapers consume a lot of energy and materials, there are substantial environmental benefits to building on a large scale in dense, urban environments such as Midtown Manhattan. The biggest benefit is probably in the area of transportation – a building such as One Bryant Park will be served by one of the best mass-transit systems in the world. Its occupancy will be equivalent to approximately 60 suburban office parks, the kind of development that increases urban sprawl and the car-travel and pollution that go with it. A city such as New York has a surprisingly small energy consumption per capita, thanks in large part to the prevalence of mass transit and multi-family dwellings. Furthermore, as countries around the world are rapidly urbanizing, finding sustainable patterns of development for cities will become increasingly important.
JW: Is the purpose of the above to mitigate the embodied energy in the building or to create a new, environmentally-sound form?
C+F: Attention was paid to both issues in the design of the building. In regards to reducing embodied energy, examples include purchasing locally-manufactured and recycled materials where possible, and using a specially-mixed cement made from 45% blast furnace slag, an industrial waste product – saving the production of over 56,000 tons of CO2. As a whole, the building systems represent a model that can (and should) be replicated throughout the US, with currently available technology.
JW: Is there more to an eco-skyscraper than energy efficiency?
C+F: Yes. One of the most important issues, especially considering that the building will house a bank with thousands of 'knowledge workers', is the indoor environment and its impacts on the health and productivity of occupants. Studies have shown that people function better and tend to be happier in spaces that have ample daylight, excellent air quality, and a connection to the out-of-doors. For the Bank of America, hiring and retaining the best people is extremely important, so creating an unparalleled work environment has been a top priority.
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