• Comparative Building Costs

    40,000-Square-Foot Office Buildings

    Feb. 2, 2010

    Building #1
    This 3-story, 41,351-square-foot office building was constructed as part of a brownfield redevelopment along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. The design’s five-part massing with varied setbacks reduces the scale to blend in with smaller neighboring buildings. Flexible interior space for tenants is provided with 30-foot column bays.

    Structure: Concrete
    Exterior: Limestone-colored EIFS; brushed aluminum curtainwall on central building bay; low-E glazing
    Interior: Acoustically treated masonry and concrete floors
    Roofing: EPDM

    Building #2
    Goals for this 39,975-square-foot building with green features included use of renewable or recycled materials, reduced operating costs, and decreased energy consumption. Building materials included wood from certified forests, local stone and brick, and zinc and other easily recycled metals. A thermal storage system provides cooling with off-peak electricity.

    Foundation: Cast-in-place concrete
    Exterior: Brick and natural stone; glazed curtainwall; perforated metal sunscreens; aluminum and zinc cladding; vaulted roof with skylights
    Interior: Finished drywall
    Roofing: EPDM

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