Kroon Hall - Marvin Windows and Doors

Kroon Hall
New Haven, CT
Creating a flagship green building
When the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies set out to achieve an unconventional — even audacious —
agenda, they focused on building social capital, breaking with the past and speaking to the future of environmentalism.
A building was needed — but not just any building. Centerbrook Architects partnered with Hopkins Architects in London
to envision Kroon Hall as a cutting-edge flagship in sustainable architecture. It opened in January 2009 and
accomplished superior energy savings along with LEED ® Platinum certification.
A key element of the building’s eco-friendly design was its fenestration. All windows are set deep into the walls to
provide natural shading in the summer and to take advantage of solar heat gain in the winter. Unlike most public buildings,
many windows are operating. A signaling system is used throughout Kroon Hall, with green-light indicating a go-ahead to
open windows at will; amber lights indicate it would be more energy-efficient to keep windows closed.
In addition to cost and energy savings from using natural ventilation, the building boasts an exceptionally sophisticated
HVAC system that uses a combination of exhaust air, inventive air circulation methods, geothermal technology, an
evaporative cooling system and a ground water pump to regulate air temperatures, all reducing the building’s energy
needs by half.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
• y Marvin Tilt Turns, Casements and Awnings on the upper floors can be opened
or closed based on heating or cooling needs of the building. Tilt Turns, also on the
ground floor, can be locked in an open position to ventilate during cool evenings,
keeping the building secure
• y The Tilt Turn’s functionality was a key factor in selection, due to its dual function as a
Hopper for ventilation and as an inswing window for a larger, fresh-air opening. The
architects appreciated the Tilt Turns’ custom sizing, so the building could be designed
according to their designs rather than accommodate standard window sizing
• y Caulk joints were engineered to withstand seismic movements and thermal
expansion/contraction
• y The level of detail included custom extruded aluminum casings and subsills, and a
custom cover to conceal the screen-receiving channel on fixed windows
SPECS
project Type
New Construction
building type
Education
units and applications
Marvin Tilt Turns, Casements and Awnings;
Douglas Fir units on the ground floor;
Bronze clad throughout.
architect
Hopkins Architects, London and
Centerbrook Architects, Connecticut
contractor
Turner Construction, Milford, Connecticut
Services
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