The project aims for LEED Gold and Living Building Challenge certifications.
Pike’s Peak, a mountain in Colorado, is set to begin work on a new 50 million USD complex at the summit. The design of the building is both meant to emphasize the view rather than the architecture and at the same time reduce maintenance costs, a problem for the old summit complex due to the extreme wind and weather conditions.
But perhaps more fascinating is the building team’s plans for the glass that will showcase the peak’s amazing view. Every pane will be laminated with a triple-glazed electrochromic material that darkens to cut glare and solar gain, helping to prevent excessive heat and marred views. The large windows will also feature a ceramic frit that provides UV patterns in the glass that birds can see but people can’t.
The project is pursuing LEED Gold and Living Building Challenge certifications. The Summit Complex is expected to produce more energy than it consumes, reducing operating costs and minimizing its ecological impact. Resilient materials and its location on the southeast side of the mountain will help the complex resist extreme winds and temperatures, and the site has been designed to take advantage of the mountain’s hydrological water flows.
The project is slated to be complete in the fall of 2020.