Transbay Terminal revised designs revealed
Architect Cesar Pelli and the Hines development team has unveiled revised designs of the Transbay Terminal in San Francisco, California, US.
The white tower in glass will cover 60 floors and will have a height of 1,070 feet as per the new design. It will now be 200 feet shorter than the earlier design and will be topped by a 150 feet sculptural transparent metalwork frame. It will feature an entrance at First and Mission streets, office area spanning 1.35 million square feet, and a public plaza covering a half acre-area.
The new design retains the obelisk shape of the original design. The buidling will now incorporate a lattice-like metal skin tapering in toward the glass which will don curved corners.The glass will sport a neutral shade behind aluminum mullions and window frames which will imbibe a pearlescent white tone. The building will also comprise metal gridding which will act as a sunshade and reap energy cost cuts. The office areas of the facility will comprise floor-to-ceiling heights of 10 feet.
The new design phases out the wind turbines which were a part of the earlier plan. It is also expeceted to eliminate plans of a glass canopy, and the two cable-car-like funiculars of the plaza.
The new designs are subject to city approvals following which construction is due to begin by 2013 end. The tower is slated to open by 2016.
