Project Description: 11-storey U.S. courthouse with horizontal louvers on the south façade . Horizontal exterior fixed louvers span across the entire south façade . The louvers are made of perforated metal which blocks direct solar radiation yet allows a small percentage of daylight to be admitted to the interior. The louvers are scaled to block unwanted solar radiation in the summer months and to allow its direct penetration during the winter months. 

The main corridor runs along the length of the south façade, creating a thermal buffer to the interior courtrooms. The area shaded in green is the circulation space. The red shaded areas are the horizontal louvers on the façade system. 

Reference 

Global Architecture Document 2001 (January), no. 64: 10-27. 

Giovannini, J. 2001. "Richard Meier and Partners and the Spectator Group: United States Courthouse and Federal Building, Central Islip, New York." Architecture 90(1): 78-89.

Question/Information: eslee@lbl.gov