Renaissance Tower

The Renaissance Tower is a new 36-story, Class-A office
building located on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, Turkey.
Occupying an “edge-city” context at the intersection of two
major highways that connect the continent, the tower’s
chiseled, sculptural massing takes cues from Ottoman
geometric motifs and local landforms. The tower is rotated
33 degrees for optimum solar control, and features a solar
responsive stippled golden scrim attached to its curtain
wall. This second skin coveys the spirit and aura of “The
East” while further reducing heat load–a perfect fusion of
environmental performance and ornament. Three
groupings of two-story “sky-gardens” are strategically
integrated at key exposures in the building to provide a
thermal buffer between exterior/interior, access to fresh air
and a respite for occupants. A larger exterior garden
crowns the tower with a weaving of plantings and
architectural elements, while the base of the building
includes several public amenities, such as retail, varied
gardens, and a piazza. The project is on track for LEED
Gold certification. Construction begins in early 2012.