Ice Fall

A system in the roof preserves the rain water which is stored in a tank and used to water the plants in the building. This preserved water is also used for a three-storey water feature named "Icefall" built with thousands of glass panels and courses through the grand atrium inside the entrance which serves an environmental function by serving to humidify and chill the atrium lobby as necessary. Polyethylene tubing is embedded under the floor and filled with circulating water for cooling in the summer and heating in the winter. Interior walls are kept to a minimum in order to maximize penetration of natural light throughout the building. The glass that surrounds the exterior of building is a solar control glass. Special sensors are present in the rooms which switch off the lights and computers in the rooms whenever they are vacant. The building is naturally ventilated for up to three quarters of the year. Furniture used in the offices is formaldehyde free. Overall, the building has been designed to use 26% less energy than the minimum requirements for the NewYork city.

Awards:
• Emporis Skyscraper Award, 2006

• Runner-up for the Royal Institute of British Architects' Lubetkin Prize, 2007.

• British Construction Industry Award, 2007

• International Highrise Award, 2008