BIG, the Danish architecture studio, has recently revealed their latest project in Houston called 1550 on the Green. This remarkable skyscraper, their first in Texas, was developed by Skanska USA and stands tall with 28 stories.
Situated across from Discovery Green Park in Downtown Houston, the building is composed of six towers that gracefully curve as they ascend. The tallest tower reaches an impressive height of 450 feet (137 meters).
According to Jenna Dezinski, the lead architect for the project, the decision to divide the building into multiple towers adds a dynamic and captivating quality to the overall design.
“By breaking up the building into a bundle of towers, we created a dynamic quality to the building,” she said per reports.
Jenna Dezinski
1. The line of towers gently bends, moving away from the nearby park. Dezinski explained that this design choice gives the impression that the park is integrated into the building when seen from the glass-walled ground level.
2. Towards the top of the building, BIG positioned the central core, resulting in a larger footprint compared to other areas of the structure.
Denzinski added, “The core is attached to one side of the building instead of being in the center of the building.”
The fins of the building are crafted from aluminum and coated in a terracotta hue, chosen deliberately by Dezinski to impart a sense of warmth to the surroundings. This choice of color aims to infuse the site with a soft and inviting ambiance.
Complementing this color scheme, the facades of the ground floor feature pre-cast concrete elements, echoing the warm tones found in the aluminum fins. Adjacent to the lobby, retail spaces are situated on both sides, their exteriors adorned with floor-to-ceiling glass panels alternating with sections of warm concrete.
Additionally, the floors above ground level extend slightly beyond the building’s perimeter, creating subtle overhangs that contribute to the architectural character of the structure.
Each stepped vertical element culminates in an open space adorned with various outdoor features, all meticulously landscaped with verdant foliage, a design concept executed by landscape studio SWA. Dezinski elaborated on the design, mentioning that each of these areas was cultivated with a distinct “biome,” offering diverse natural environments for occupants to enjoy.
Throughout the buildings, the interiors were partitioned into 60-foot by 60-foot (18 by 18 meters) “modules,” strategically designed to maximize natural light penetration across the entire floor area. This approach contrasts with traditional skyscraper layouts, which typically revolve around a central core and have thicker profiles, often resulting in less evenly distributed illumination.
Internally, the amenities spaces received meticulous attention from Austin-based studio Michael Hsu Office of Architecture. Within areas such as lounges and the gym, the studio opted for warm color palettes and incorporated copper accents to harmonize with the exterior facade.
Dezinski further explained that the segmentation of the tower into separate vertical elements not only enhances its visual appeal but also introduces an “interior rhythm” that benefits inhabitants. This design strategy facilitates the inclusion of more corner offices, thus optimizing the spatial experience for occupants.
The team highlighted the use of an Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator, a tool employed to measure the carbon footprint associated with materials used in the building’s construction. This marked the first instance of such a measurement tool being utilized in a Texas construction project, as stated by the team.
Additionally, extensive rainwater collection systems were integrated to mitigate water consumption for irrigating the greenery incorporated into the building’s design.
Furthermore, BIG has undertaken various projects in Texas, one notable example being the design of a 3D-printed community near Austin, currently in the construction phase.
Check out Big.Dk for more information.
