Tower Design Innovations in Dallas's Harwood District

Dallas’s Harwood District continues to redefine urban architecture with its latest addition—a stunning 27-story tower designed by Kengo Kuma and Associates (KKAA) in collaboration with Corgan as the architect of record and production architect. This project exemplifies how innovative design, computational precision, and cost-effective construction can come together to create a landmark structure.

A Masterpiece of Computational Design: The Undulating Granite Staircase

One of the most striking features of the building is its undulating staircase, a sculptural centerpiece that blends artistry with engineering. Instead of handcrafting 1,500 unique granite blocks, Corgan utilized algorithmic optimization to maximize efficiency.

85% of the sawtooth-profile steps are identical, reducing fabrication costs.
Custom blocks were reserved for tight-radius curves, ensuring fluidity in the design.
The wavelike tiers of the plaza appear to flow seamlessly beneath the lobby’s low-iron, mullion-less glazing, enhancing the organic aesthetic.

This approach not only saved time and resources but also maintained KKAA’s vision of a natural, flowing form within a commercial framework.

Architectural Harmony: Blending Organic and Rectilinear Forms

The tower’s design juxtaposes organic curves with clean, rectilinear volumes:

The base rises 120 feet, stepping back at a lushly planted roof terrace before ascending to its full 27-story height.
The lower levels house parking, concealed behind perforated aluminum panels for both function and aesthetics.
The 360,000 square feet of office space above features a standard curtain wall, ensuring practicality for tenants.

To unify the design, KKAA proposed aluminum fins that ripple across the façade, extending the lobby’s organic language upward.

From Concept to Reality: Corgan’s Cost-Effective Innovation

Corgan faced the challenge of translating KKAA’s poetic yet expensive vision into a feasible, budget-friendly solution.

Only three fin templates were used, but through strategic rotation and randomized placement, they created the illusion of complexity.
2,400 water jet–cut aluminum panels were preassembled off-site, speeding up construction and reducing labor costs.
The fins attach to internal mullions via standoffs, ensuring structural integrity while maintaining visual lightness.

Matt Mooney, Corgan’s Chief Practice Officer, emphasized the balance between design ambition and financial reality:

“These projects are very much math equations: you have to work your way back from the lease rate to determine what can be built.”

By focusing creativity on high-impact areas—like the lobby and exterior shading—the team delivered a building that is both visually striking and commercially viable.

A Testament to Success: High Occupancy and Future Collaborations

The tower’s success is evident in its above-average occupancy rate for Dallas, proving that thoughtful design drives tenant demand. This achievement has already spurred another collaboration—Harwood No. 15, currently in development.

Key Takeaways from the Project

✔ Algorithmic design can reduce costs while preserving artistic intent.
✔ Modular prefabrication accelerates construction without sacrificing quality.
✔ Strategic material choices (like perforated aluminum and low-iron glass) enhance aesthetics and functionality.
✔ Blending organic and geometric forms creates a dynamic architectural statement.

Conclusion: Where Art Meets Efficiency

The newest Harwood District tower stands as a testament to the power of collaboration between visionary architects and pragmatic engineers. By leveraging computational design, prefabrication, and cost-conscious strategies, KKAA and Corgan have set a new standard for commercial architecture that excites and endures.

With Harwood No. 15 on the horizon, Dallas can expect even more groundbreaking designs from this dynamic partnership.

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