Nunnmps in Chicago, Illinois by cheungvogl

Article source:  cheungvogl

Nunnmps – Brief Description

Nunnmps, Chicago is an information technology system development, security and service office. The site is located in South Chicago, bordering Lake Michigan.

The project consists of a 50,000 square meter design and research studio in addition to surrounding public open space and natural landscape. One third of the building encompasses the design and research studios and support areas. Since the studio projects are of a strategic nature and highly confidential, the building is lifted above ground, high above the crowns of trees, floating like clouds, overlooking the distant skyline. The remaining two thirds of the office space exist within its subterrain. It accommodates a reception area and a large open administration office with mushroom-like cores penetrating the ground to connect both parts of the Nunnmps.

Image Courtesy cheungvogl

• Architects: cheungvogl
• Project Name: Nunnmps
• Location: Chicago, Illinois, US
• District: South Chicago
• Use: Office
• Site Area: 50,000 ㎡
• Bldg. Area: 16,000 ㎡
• Gross Floor Area: 16,000㎡ basement/below ground; 48,000㎡ office/above ground (64,000 ㎡ total)
• Bldg. Coverage Ratio: 32%  (0.3)
• Gross Floor Ratio: 128%  (1.3)
• Bldg. Scale: 3 Stories above Ground, 1 Storey below Ground
• Structure: basement and ground floor: concrete; upper office: steel frame
• Max. Height: 60 m
• Landscape Area: 46,000㎡
• Parking Lot: 400 + 40 cars
• Exterior Finish: glazing, ETFE, concrete, steel, aluminum
• Design year: 2009
• Completion year: ongoing

Image Courtesy cheungvogl

Nunnmps – Sustainability Strategies

The design is oriented such that the open portions of the façade are mainly directed to the North.

Image Courtesy cheungvogl

On the ground floor, the glazed facade to the south is passively shaded by the cantilever concrete slab during the summer time. The thermal masses of shaded concrete provide natural chilling for the interior spaces during the hot seasons. In the winter, the low sun angle allows storage of energy within the thermal masses, warming up the interior spaces.

The office parts, elevated from the ground are wrapped with translucent ETFE. The surface absorbs glare and harsh direct sunlight, creating a thermal buffer zone in between the external and internal spaces. The room temperature is regulated by chilled ceilings and chilled beams.

Image Courtesy cheungvogl

All air in-take is transferred through underground conduits. The ground temperature is cooler than the outside temperature during the summer months while the ground temperature is warmer than the outside temperature during the winter months. In a natural balance state, the in-take air is pre-chilled or pre-warmed by the ground. The system makes use of sustainable energy rather than high energy consumption appliances such as air-conditioning units. This sustainable system pre-chills the air to desirable room temperature in the summer and pre-warms it in the winter. Heat-exchange between in-take and out-take provides additional temperature regulation by recycling the energy from the out-take air.

Image Courtesy cheungvogl

Image Courtesy cheungvogl

Image Courtesy cheungvogl

Image Courtesy cheungvogl

Image Courtesy cheungvogl

Image Courtesy cheungvogl

Image Courtesy cheungvogl

Image Courtesy cheungvogl

Image Courtesy cheungvogl

Tags: Chicago, Illinois

Categories: Offices, Research & Development Centre

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