"Studio Final: Building Services"(PROGRESS)

Site Plan

The landscape plan designs on the South sides are to invite the foot traffic to enter the building. The pavement and the box planter are built around the building perimeter and terminates at the two main entrances, one is intended for private access, (mainly for the distance student for easy access to the classroom and support areas), and the other one is for public entrance where the cafe and gallery are welcoming the visitors.
Underground parking for the building occupants are accessible from Ipswich Street. Retaining wall is built for vehicle safety purposes and on the other side of the wall it have green-screen system. The purpose of green-screen system to help Pines on the north side to improve the air quality around the building, and gives a pleasant look from the highway traffic. The types of plants that can grow for the green-screen and can withstand the New England weathers are Wisteria, Boston ivy, and English ivy.
The ideal of natural soil profile for planting to include layers of organic, topsoil, subsoil substratum and followed by bedrock.
Pervious paving to be use to reduce storm water runoff.

3rd Revision Floor Plan

This is the latest floor plan drawing. The biggest differences between this plan and older ones are, the 24 bedrooms are all fitted in 2nd floor. Therefore the extra programs, and 3rd floor plan are eliminated, this will allow the penetration of lights to 2nd floor from Northern exposure sunlight. Although, the drawback of this latest plan, is less spacious and less program than the older one, but the new plan is more organize and easy access throughout the building. Anyway, it does make sense to have this simplify plan for the Distance Program Students to have simplify spaces for eat-sleep-work.. Interaction public and private spaces.

Rainscreen System

The terra-clad panels rainscreen direct water along the surface while venting and panel shape prevents pressure and wind respectively from driving water into the wall system. Venting also keeps the wall cavity dry. The mounting rail and gaskets channel water out at the joints.

Structural Drawing

I'm using steel construction for the building materials, due to the benefits of :
1. Strength. (the site situated next to railroad, and highway, lots of vibration, and movements to the new building) Steel characteristic are manufactured without any twisting, warping that can be found in wood.
2. Fire Safety. In comparison to wood, steel is non combustable, nor provide additional fuel to the fire.
3. Resilient to creatures infestation.
4. Environmental benefits.
-There is more steel recycled in North America each year than aluminum, plastic and glass combined. Each year, steel recycling saves the energy equivalent to electrically powering about 1/5 of the households in the USA for one year.
-Steel recycling programs reduce the solid waste stream resulting in saved landfills space and conservation of natural resources.
-In 1999, steel plates and beams used in construction were recycled at a rate of 95% also rebar and other steel construction material posted a recycling rate of 45%.
-14.2 million cars were recycled in 1999 (enough to circle earth 1-3/4 times) and every ton saves 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,400 pounds of coal and 120 pounds of lime stone.

Although there are also many advantage of using wood for the construction, but I feel Steel constructions are the best method for my building.

Diagram

This diagram is for discussion with Chris.

South Elevation-In Progress

This drawing still in progress, feel free to comments.

First Floor Plan

This is the latest revision of my first floor plan. Student display work area should now be able to receive diffuse lights, from the opening created on the 2nd floor. This opening is controlled and lights small poche' area for students to seat and to read.

There are 2 main entrances, one for students(private), the other for guest(public).

The students can enter directly to lobby/info center area, located on the far left. While the public can use the entrance in the exhibition area.

These two entrances are connected by the cafetaria, where the place are open for everyone to purchase food. The north side of the buildings there are 3 classrooms facing the west side of the building with windows opening towards to the north to receive natural lights.

I hope this make sense, if not feel free to ask questions.

Green Screen Detail

The existing site located next to the railroad and highway traffic. For the comfort of the new building occupant, I thought it is necessary to some type of screen system to reduce the amount of the dusts and the noise that can enter into the building. So, upon my research there are products called green screen panels that can receive flowering and deciduous vines planted into the screen to reduce dusts and to improve the air quality. Not so much for aesthetic but I think this system is crucial for the comfort, and integrated well with the overall design.
For product info : http://www.greenscreen.com/home.html

Cross Section

Re-visit 2nd Floor Plan

This is the latest set of my second floor plan. It has been change from my previous floor plan.
In terms of programs I think I had included all the necessary spaces and necessities for the students. Overall, I really think this plan will work in terms of layout and accessibilities and concept wise.
The main programs are divided into 3 bars. The first 2 bars for student living area, and 1 bar that is open for public and privete.
Having a corridor on the North side for student access to computer room, storage room, recreation room and access to the Main lecture area.
The area between the bars are small garden space that are sloping 2 feet below the finished 2nd floor, to create enough opening for the light to penetrate the first floor. This is my solution to
let the light to enter the building but also to control the amount of light that can enter to the first floor.
I treated the last bar as the celebration piece (Main Lecture area) where the public space collides with the private space (back to the concept that I have to connect Public vs. Private in vertical manner) The Lecture hall are open for public/private meeting, distinguished lecturer, presentation, education etc.

Building Section

This is my floor plan and section in progress, based on the comment that I received during the intensive(thanks, Rick), I'm making a slope roof between the dormitories bar to create opening for the lights to penetrate deeper into the building. I will post another section, plan and elevation.

Roof Detail

PV(photovoltaics) elements actually become an integral part of the building, by having dual functions. Not only to serve as the building envelope material, actually the PV roof system also serves as a power generator. Having the PV oriented to Southern exposure, to maximize the solar gain, while having glazing to the Northern exposure to achieve natural lighting into the building

The power that are generated by the PV can obtain proximately from 3-5 kilowatts per square meter of solar energy.

On a replacement basis, PV power is cheap. It takes about twenty years to replace the entire array. Such a program would guarantee level electrical output forever. And what would the cost be in this scenario? Only 5% of installation costs, or less than one cent per kWh! That is why PV electricity is a compelling long-term investment and energy efficiency.

Sneak peak (more progress is coming)

This drawing is still in progress, notation of materials need to be added. But I thought I post this progress anyway so you know that I'm following up you comments.

From Intensive comments

Comments:

-How do you get light inot the ground floor from the South?
-What are the materials for the exterior?
-What are the openings in the south facade?
-Computer room and sleeping area should be articulated differently in the second floor?
-Try to engage public/private space in vertical manner?
-Why is there a hamster in your parking garage?
-Maybe vertical circulation can occur between sleeping stripes?
-Begin to play with slices up and down (ramps like in second floor roof deck)
-Very nice diagrams explaining your concept, but I would like to see what type of materials for the building.