One of the most demanding elements of creating commercial architecture is the pressure to deliver an optimised use of space. In every industry, it really is the case that every inch of a building represents part of their operational costs, so using the space in the most effective way possible is vital for success. We have recently become aware of an impressive innovation which not only allows architects to achieve this, but also takes important environmental considerations into account.

The AVA 55 Ninth building in San Francisco features 270 apartments and nearly 5,000 square feet of commercial and retail space. As those figures suggest, it’s a large and impressive structure, and yet it incorporates a unique space-saving technique: waterless tank heating. All of the building’s hot water requirements are met through an innovative pre-heating system which is powered by a combination of solar energy and gas fired heating. Research is ongoing to establish how the system could eventually run on solar power alone.

In terms of commercial architecture, the ability to produce a reliable supply of hot water without the use of storage tanks has incredible value. Traditional water tanks are large in size and have a substantial weight, all of which had to be factored into design plans and operational concerns. Removing the necessity for large tanks frees up very valuable space. The drive to make solar power a more integral part of the system also enables businesses to reach their eco-friendly goals and become more environmentally responsible.

We view this as a significant achievement in the world of commercial architecture and look forward to incorporating equivalent space saving techniques in our own work. Being able to present an optimised and practical use of space while focusing on limiting the environmental impact is what we strive to achieve in our work, and this new structure provides a key example of how this can be done.