Case Study: Hines achieves a zero-carbon retrofit playbook with Thornton Tomasetti

Hines retrofits 100 Avenue of the Americas to cut carbon 80% by 2050 with Thornton Tomasetti

Thornton Tomasetti was engaged by Hines to address the challenge of retrofitting the aging 100 Avenue of the Americas building in New York City. The building's inefficient systems and uninsulated facade made it a prime candidate for a study on how to meet the city's ambitious 80x50 carbon reduction goals through electrified HVAC systems.

Thornton Tomasetti collaborated with a team to develop a playbook of six different HVAC schemes for whole-building and single-floor renovations. Their solution focused on reducing heating and cooling demand, reusing heat generated within the building, and using efficient electric equipment. The study demonstrated that exceeding carbon reduction targets was possible for the same cost as a standard code-compliant retrofit, without needing to alter the building envelope.

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