YALE UNIVERSITY SCULPTURE BUILDING: GLASS IN ARCHITECTURE

Kieran Timberlake - Yale University Sculpture Building and Gallery, New Haven, Connecticut

Atmospheric Effects of the Fins on the Interior Spaces 

Yale University’s Sculpture Building and Gallery, in New Haven, Connecticut, has been classified as a Platinum LEED building. Designed by Kieran Timberlake and associates, the project was presented with a number of requirements and desires by the client for the interior space conditions, daylighting, and other facets which were addressed to its fullest potential, through research, testing, and experimentation. Kieran Timberlake and associates have exerted all possibilities for the most efficient uses of its resources; recycling, sun orientation, and ventilation technologies and techniques.

The purpose and focus of this article will bring you into the interior spaces of the Yale Sculpture building, experiencing the full volume studio spaces and its overall atmospheric effects of the fin-screening, applied only to the South and East facing facades. 

One of the goals of the Sculpture building was to achieve ample daylighting but minimizing solar heat gain. This is very notable for the spaces that are being exposed to this harsh sunlight. The building consists of three floors of 14 feet high (4.3m) studio spaces, sitting on top of the ground and basement levels housing the classrooms, workshops, administrative spaces and utilities. 

Natural light is taken full advantage of through the construction of the almost full transparent curtain walls  around the studio spaces. It features a triple glazed, low-e vision panel, 8-foot high operable windows and translucent double cavity spandrel panels.

 These translucent spandrel panels are composed of a Aerogel that acts as a insulator as well as a light penetrable medium.  This allows the whole wall to illuminate light, leaving a 2% daylight factor.

In order to determine the type of shading required, the solar exposure was tracked and resulted in the present  sun screening system. This tracking concluded that the south and East facades would require horizontal shading, further research of the altitude, azimuth, and travel path of the sun, calculated the angle and dimensions of the shaders. Lighting sensors in the studio spaces are programed to switch off when their is no occupancy detected in the space. They also adjust according to the amount of natural illumination.

The fins present the appropriate kind of light suitable for a working environment. Especially that of a studio space, where studies have shown that individuals are proven to work more efficiently, comfortably, and productively in the presents of natural light. The fin-screening creates a relaxed open atmosphere, and enables views of the surrounding environment. The interior spaces are naturally light-up with a diffused light reaching far into the spaces. This is resulting from the translucent full length windows and and the spandrel panels as well. The angle of the shaders assists with this effect with the addition of a selection of materials. The space has exposed structural steel and floor slabs which act as a thermal mass in the winter. The space is generally monochromatic with white walls on some floors reflecting light back towards the center of the space, creating an even distribution of illumination. This is also created by the polished concrete slabs deflecting the light. Shadows seem to have been intentionally avoided. 

    As originally intended the shaders minimize solar heat gain during the summer months, and during the cold winter months the sun has a very low altitude of 25 degrees at midday, allowing solar radiation to penetrate the glazing and to be stored in the exposed concrete slabs.

 The seasonal sun differentiation can be seen in the diagram. 

The Yale University Sculpture Building creates a environment appropriate to its many uses. This achieved through the proper use of resources, adequate research, planning, and uses of technologies. “The first objective is to do as much as possible with as little as possible.” - Architect Stephen Kieran


LINKS: http://kierantimberlake.com/home/index.html
www.brandonmscott.com