Portland, Oregon’s new mixed-use development, known as Slate, consists of a shifting stack of volumes that reflect the vibrancy and complexity of the neighborhood and earned LEED gold certification as an energy-efficient complex that takes the curtain-wall system to the next level, reports Inhabitat.
The 10-story development, designed by Works Progress Architecture for co-developers Urban Development Partners and Beam Development, has six floors of apartment units, up to four floors of co-working office spaces and around 7,800 square feet of retail space at street level. Its modular, rectangular shapes have a sculptural quality on the east and west elevations, while a flat, clean look dominates the north and south side of the building.
The architects worked closely with the glazing contractor to create a unitized curtain-wall system. Dallas Glass installed Wausau Window and Wall Systems, which can be put in place in a fraction of the time needed to install field-glazed systems.
The facade was thermally improved to respond to the challenges of Portland‘s climate. This thermal barrier is combined with solar-control, low-e, insulating glass to achieve a high performance for solar heat gain control, condensation resistance and high visible light transmittance. The system also facilitates optimal natural ventilation to reduce the reliance of HVAC systems.
This Quick Read was submitted by Ryan Berlin, managing editor of Facility Maintenance Decisions, ryan.berlin@tradepressmedia.com. Read more about the difference between LEED points and credits and measuring the cost to become LEED certified.
