April 8, 2011

Steve Davis, Architecture student won 1st place at the 2011 AIA West Jersey Student Design Awards for his skyscraper project from his architecture class Studio 5-1. Students were asked to present the problem issued by their professor and briefly discuss their approach to the problem and their solution. The panel of jurors graded each project on a scale from 1 to 10 in design approach, design solution and graphic presentation.  

Steve designed a sustainable skyscraper in Philadelphia entitled the Green Tower of Philadelphia.  The tower's intention was to set a precedent for sustainable towers in expanding American cities. He was inspired by the Hearst Building in New York City and the CCTV Building in Beijing and wanted the skyscraper to resemble a crystal palace on the river or a diamond in the sky.  Features of the tower include a diagrid exoskeleton structure and a double skin curtain wall system amongst various other sustainable strategies such as geothermal heating and radiant flooring.  The tower would house 65 office floors and a 13 floor 5-star hotel.