Wish they would have just put tinted glass panels
5 Likes
Same here, but rooftop mechanical equipment has very particular air circulation requirements that solid surfaces like glass panels will interrupt where louvers (or being completely open) will not. I would bet the louvers are cheaper than solid panels, too.
AI says: Mechanical equipment on large commercial towers is screened with louvers rather than solid panels primarily to ensure necessary ventilation for HVAC systems, preventing heat buildup while still obscuring the equipment from public view. Louvers also reduce wind pressure on the structure and provide a durable, aesthetically consistent finish.
Key Reasons for Using Louvered Screens:
- Airflow and Ventilation: Mechanical equipment needs to “breathe” to prevent overheating and ensure efficiency. Louvers allow air, heat, and moisture to escape, preventing dangerous heat buildup and exhaust entrapment.
- Structural Efficiency (Wind Load Reduction): Louvered blades allow wind to pass through, significantly reducing the wind pressure and structural loads on the screening system and the building itself.
- Aesthetics and Concealment: Louvers are designed to completely hide unsightly machinery from the street or neighboring buildings while offering a clean, modern aesthetic.
- Maintenance and Safety: By allowing air movement, louvers ensure a safer environment for maintenance workers, preventing the accumulation of heat and fumes.
- Durability and Compliance: Often made from powder-coated aluminum, they are corrosion-resistant and comply with building codes that require both concealment and ventilation.
5 Likes
From this great drone picture, doesn’t it look like the area where the workers are might be an outdoor terrace with windows behind them suggesting a space in the building for enjoying the view? On the terrace there are railings to prevent falling but purposefully open above for enjoying the view, that’s my guess.
The side with the full height screens appears to be a completely blank wall and a smaller walkway between the building and screens, so maybe not intended for people walking through there.
4 Likes
26 Likes
That’s looking pretty nice. Don’t see that screening at the top though 
1 Like
Yeah, without the screens, how are they going to prevent flies from coming in?
4 Likes
I’d bet using a different material for the screening was an intentional visual choice by the architects too. Some design principal at Henning Larsen wanted the tower to have a gradient of transparency so that it gave the appearance of blending with the sky. Or, just as likely: someone thought displaying the inner workings of the building was in line with the goal of radical transparency of the democratic process – central to the concept of this building. 
(only half-joking here. On average, most architects aren’t as bothered with completely “blending in” functional parts of buildings to pretend they aren’t there as much of the public seems to be. Conceal ugly stuff so it’s not jarring, sure, but I do honestly think the mechanical level should be visually distinct from everything below it).
1 Like
If we spent all this money on a nice new building representing our city, and the end result is a crown featuring a mishmash of mechanical parts which wasn’t shown in any rendering, I think that needs a fix. Just my 2 cents.
3 Likes
yeah, I think it should be screened too. I’m responding to a comment about wanting the screening to be tinted glass instead of louvers – I could imagine the architects wanting a different material than the facade below, and something not completely opaque so that you can still see shadows of what’s there. I know us. I can hear the conversation in my head. We’re insufferable.
3 Likes
wait i honestly can’t tell if that’s screening or fall protection lol
3 Likes
I’m not convinced it’s gonna be on all sides or really screen. But if it is all sides at least, I can live with that. Thanks for the pic regardless. I’m just waiting impatiently to see it finished up 
2 Likes
I could believe it, but also they’re all lined up the same at each opening… it does look fence-like though.
2 Likes
I think it’s cool they put Leo’s name and site address on the street. You’ve made it, Leo!
8 Likes
By code it has to be screened. The City would look bad if they didn’t follow their own rules and have mechanical units showing like the Troxler ag building on Reedy Creek Rd. where they thumb their nose at City rules. That is example of how not to screen mechanical units.
1 Like
Plus the City has $14 million dollar budget shortfall and is looking to raise taxes to pay for all these big projects. They also implemented a hiring freeze.
Yes, but the type of screening isn’t clear-cut and would depend on how the AHJ interprets the requirements. The Raleigh UDO specifies roof-top mechanical equipment needs to be screened from view at ground-level from adjacent property/public right-of-way, meaning they wouldn’t necessarily enforce this if view is a concern from a distance or down the street.
It also just asks for a parapet wall or “architectural element” for concealment – that’s it. It’s very brief and generic language compared to a lot of other UDO’s I’ve worked with. Some cities require screening to exceed mechanical equipment by a certain height, specify distances from the property line (and from grade) for clean sightlines, and specific opacity requirements that make it clear that you can’t get away with partial concealment. Raleigh’s code is very loose here.
2 Likes