Written by EMIR TURSIC, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C HKS ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
Article published on Downtown Alliance Blog in Urban Development

In an era of urban renaissance, rapid growth, and climate change, residential high-rise buildings are not only additions to a glittering skyline; they are symbols of the way that we hope to live tomorrow. That’s exactly why the developers behind Kensington Tower, the Kensington Investment Company, and HKS, the tower’s architects, have presented a vision for a development that will tackle one of Salt Lake City’s most pressing environmental threats: air quality.

Emir Tursic, one of the lead architects at HKS who designed the tower, sat down with us to discuss how Kensington Tower is a sign of times to come, and a step toward Salt Lake City becoming an even more sophisticated, international city.

How did this project begin?

When Kensington Investment Company approached HKS to design a high-rise apartment building in Utah, they shared common aspirations to create a building that goes beyond standard sustainable practices and features. Kensington wanted to design a unique urban community that will have an impact on the well-being of its residents and its city. The team envisioned a building design that would improve the indoor air quality for the residents, raise community awareness of outdoor air quality and set a unique example of environmental stewardship.

You’ve set some lofty sustainability goals for the project. Why? How will this one building present a better future for Salt Lake City?

Global buildings create 40% of the world’s CO2 emissions, finding ways to create more sustainable, resilient ways of building are key to creating a more healthy and equitable future. So, while the design of the tower presents an innovative vision of how people can live in Salt Lake City, it’s also tackling one of our greatest shared concerns: the quality of the air we breathe and environment we live in.

How will Kensington Tower be different? How will it change the way people live?

Many people don’t realize that they can make a difference in our air quality through the daily decisions they make. We’re addressing that in our design. The project plans to provide air quality monitors in each residence to inform and educate residents about how everyday activities, such as cooking or cleaning, affect their indoor air quality and contaminate the air. Units will have operable windows so tenants can simply open them to ventilate their residences from air contaminants. Natural ventilation will significantly improve the energy efficiency of the building, and consuming less energy directly translates to reduced emissions. In the lobby, sensors will prominently display outdoor air quality and encourage residents to ride public transportation during inversion days. Located less than a block away from a light rail stop, Kensington Tower residents will be a short ride away from the airport, the regional intermodal hub and the University of Utah. In addition to the light rail system, Kensington Tower is located on the major bus transit line on 200 South that provides access to areas not covered by the light rail system. Residents traveling to destinations not accessible by public transit will have access to electric shared vehicles and bicycles available at no charge.