The first iterations of the sunshading element took inspiration from the soft wave of sails and wings, common sites along the region’s beaches, the perforated forms emerging from a curved aluminum spandrel panel. The three dimensional articulation of the sunshading also allowed for integration of dichroic elements along the side of the fin, creating a sense of ever shifting imagery as one would traverse the site.

Frit studies explored the possibilities of articulating human scale perception from the interior of the building during occupancy. Fritted glazing would be a cost effective way of mitigating solar heat gain along facades that faced away from direct sunlight while also maintaining a unified character with the rest of the building’s facades.

Further Schematic Design investigation uncovered a desire to unify the sunshading elements vertically, creating a continuous sense of motion between floor levels. To accomplish this, gradient frit and three different fin forms were developed as a first pass. The shapes were continuously informed by the requirement for a clear viewing zone between 3’-8” and 5’-8” from the finish floor as noted in the previous diagrams. but in order to connect to the forms, the fins and frit would resemble a notched form.

As the scheme transitioned into Design Development, the need for simplification and a more sophisticated transition from sunshading fin to frit were of an increasing concern. The sunshading fins were thus simplified, eliminating three axis articulation and dichroic elements in favor of a simple angled fin emerging from the primary vertical spandrel panel.

Complex geometry was also eliminated, with fins and frit shapes reduced to a single notch typology and at a consistent angle and radius.

A persistent spandrel panel was also added to the frit typology as a unifying feature.

These façade elements were also organized into three different categories of typologies: Frit Only, Fin Only, and Transition (which combined elements of the two previous typologies). In this manner, each panel type could be tied to the panel above or below in a seamless manner. They could also be blended horizontally creating a smooth gradient from fin to frit and vice versa without visually abrupt breaks, creating variability in what would otherwise be a field condition.

fin to frit transition diagrams

The unwrapped elevation diagrams below display a range of possible distributions of the three façade typologies and their ability to introduce articulation, while also reducing cost by focusing the more expensive sunshade element where solar studies have dictated to be most crucial.

sunshade fin perforation studies

With much of the physical modulation simplified, articulation studies shifted to the perforation patterns of the sunshading fins themselves, either as singular or hybrid perforation patterns. Singular patterns would be less costly, but hybrid patterning would allow for the illusion of three-dimensional fin articulation on a two-dimensional plane.

The following images are diagrammatic elevations meant to display the various perforation schemes studied and how they would appear on the different fin shapes.

1:1 scale model testing

Physical models were produced as a means of testing various perforation patterns, specifically focusing on the portions of fin with complex geometry.

In the end, the client selected to move forward with the more cost-effective single perforation gradient. The final design development exercise was to excise any nonessential perforation elements from the fin panels to reduce cost further. The exhibits to the right demonstrate reductions where unnecessary in the alternate perforated fin elements and frit, while also attempting to maintain the visual fidelity of the 100% Design Development scheme.

Due to how the contractor calculated pricing of perforated material and fritted glazing, only complete elimination of those elements from panels would be counted as a reduction in cost, whereas merely reducing their area would maintain the same cost.