Archinect
Loretta Franklin

Loretta Franklin

New York, NY, US

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Concept Designer/LHFA collaborated with EiTeam; 54k sq.ft.; 9 acres of site area, 760 slot machines, 30 table games, restaurants, bars, coffee, etc.
Concept Designer/LHFA collaborated with EiTeam; 54k sq.ft.; 9 acres of site area, 760 slot machines, 30 table games, restaurants, bars, coffee, etc.

A Sustainable Green Casino at Buffalo Waterfront

Design Concept:

A Sustainable Green Casino at Buffalo Waterfront
Native American Theme:

The casino elevation design is inspired by the native Indian tents and the tremendous force of the Niagara Falls. Exterior envelopes are rhino skin combinations of solar panel integrated curtain walls, back lit 3 form panels, metal panels, stones and green vegetarian walls. Native American theme is highlighted on building exterior by totems and fire lamp torches. The east wall of the casino features a series of totem poles to show achievements of the Indian tribes. Under the porte-cochere canopy, two totem poles flank the waterfalls to welcome the visitors.
Casino interior spaces will take advantage of the high and low roof architecture and emphasize on heavy texture, warm colors and natural elements of Native American theme. The volumes of the interior spaces mimic the force of the Falls. Casino gaming area will have textured wavy patterns on the ceiling and romantic flower patterns with wavy water background on the carpet.

Green Building Features:

The casino roof top will show off patterns of combined green roofs and photovoltaic solar panels taking advantage of the intriguing geometry of the building. Extensive green roof will add more green coverage on the site and reduce stormwater runoff. The system also collects rain water for cooling purpose and flushing toilets. Electricity generated by the solar panels will serve the night lighting for the casino.
Vertical green vegetation walls include recycled steel grass as exterior casino west wall décor to break up its long linear façade and green wall and water feature at the south wall of the porte-cochere.
Ground covering will include recycle glass pavers and crushed, graded recycled glass mulch for ground cover or plant mulch.
Light absorbing materials will be used for the lighting strips along the sidewalks. Sustainable solar flower petal street lamps open up photovoltaic petals during the day to collect sun rays and transform them into energy. At night the lights close and LED lights turn on to light up the parking lot.

 
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Status: Competition Entry
Location: Buffalo, NY, US