To win the commission for the recently completed John and Frances Angelos Law Center at the University of Baltimore, Behnisch Architekten, Boston'in partnership with architect of record Ayers Saint Gross'gave daylight a starring role. The design employs building skins of varying porosity and massing to represent the programs housed within the 190,000-square-foot, 12-story structure: punched windows within rainscreen cladding demarcate classrooms and offices; a fritted library volume reaches the staggered mass's full height; and all other rooms surround an extensively glazed atrium through which they visually communicate.
Daylight guided the design from inception. 'Building dimensions, setbacks, and transparency of materials were key to achieving the highest possible daylight factor,' says Behnisch partner Matt Noblett of using sunlight to maximize occupant well-being and minimize electricity consumption. Responding to sun angles, Behnisch placed the atrium glazing on a north'south axis, with fixed louvers on the south elevation to minimize heat gain.
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