Architecture studio Becker + Becker has completed the historic rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of New Haven’s iconic Breuer landmark into a model for sustainable hospitality. The mid-century modern Armstrong Rubber Company Building aka Pirelli Building, originally designed by Marcel Breuer in 1967 is now a 165 room high quality boutique hotel, including restaurant, gallery and meeting facility close to the waterfront, train stations and major highways at the city’s gateway.
Sustainability + Design
They targeted LEED Platinum certification and 60% more energy efficient than code requirements. Solar power generated from the rooftop and parking canopy arrays, fitted with more than 1,000 solar panels, provide 100% of electricity for lighting, heating and cooling (using high-efficiency VRF air-source heat pumps) and electric car charging stations.
The architects used recycled and local construction materials achieving a high-performance envelope with industry-leading thermal insulation technology.
They chose to preserve as much of the original facade design, repairing it where needed without changing its original form and brutalist style. Breuer initially conceived the building as a rectangular volume split in half by a central void supported by columns. The shape from its side becomes unusual, a stand out Connecticut landmark throughout the years.
All lighting uses low-voltage power-over-ethernet (POE) LED technology. Energy Use Intensity Rating is projected to rank at 80% less energy use than median EUI for hotels in the United States.
The Marcel Hotel is set to become the first Passive House certified Hotel in the United States.
Visit the Marcel Hotel iconic Breuer building in New Haven, set to become the first Passive House certified Hotel in the United States.
Hotel Marcel New Haven, Connecticut (2022)
Architecture Becker + Becker
Interior Design Dutch East Design
Photography Seamus Payne
