The End!

In our last lecture of the course, Bill Sherman explored different case studies and how they utilize different systems. It was a great way to include all the different principles and systems we have learned over the course of the semester and wrap up and clarify concepts, demonstrating how beautiful buildings can be designed, not around these systems but with them.

One of the case studies Bill spoke about was the  Sidwell Friend’s School in Washington D.C by Kiran Timberlake Associates, Andropogon Associates and Natural Systems International.

At the front of the school, lies a terraced wetland garden planted with various local plants. This garden also functions as part of the wastewater treatment for the building. Thus in this building there a wetland system incorporated where the water is coming through the building through primary filters into bio squalls and being recycled as great water. What is most fascinating is how the courtyard, central place of the building is where the water treatment plant is located, this further explores the concept of complete building integration of nature with the built structure. Furthermore, the storm water run off from the buildings’ green roof is accumulated into a pond that students can use for biology research.

Moreover, the green roof acts as an insulator for the building and also functions as part of the water recycling system. It acts as an outdoor classroom by allowing students to see the green features in the building. These include: rooftop vegetable garden run by the teachers and students, PV cells to provide energy for the building, and solar chimneys that allow for passive ventilation.

For more information: http://www.sidwell.edu/green_tour/index.aspx

Another project that Bill spoke about was the Institute for Forestry and Nature Research by Stephan Behnisch in Alterral, Netherlands. This building is interesting as it becomes a solar greenhouse with gardens and intricate spaces are created throughout the space but the building becomes narrow and slivers between garden machines. Another great design strategy is that this building almost needs nothing in terms of energy consumption!

CHL Social Housing is Clad With Bright Blue Louvers for Sun Protection & Privacy

This CHL Social Housing project is a new six-story building containing 39 apartments that are filled with natural daylight and quality space designed by Atelier O-S. It is located in Chalon-sur-Saône, France and is distinguishable with its bright blue louvered façade. These giant blue louvers protect the interior from over heating but maintains daylighting and privacy. The apartment complex was also designed to optimize solar orientation and minimize heat losses.

Moreover, it is the building’s compact design and layout coupled with an interesting shift in layers which gives the facade a kinetic effect.

It is divided in two volumes, one side accommodated 16 apartments surrounding a staircase with natural light, while the other side holds 23 apartments and a lift and a staircase with a basement that provides parking for the residents.

Atelier O-S worked hard to meet the demands of the client of costs and simple organization of the units, while ensuring that residents have access to outdoor space, privacy, and quality construction. Thus each apartment has several views to the exterior and a balcony, which helps draw in natural light and cross ventilation. These exterior balconies are surrounded by large blue louvers that serve multiple purposes.

The blades minimize overheating from the sun and protect the apartments from the elements like wind and rain. They also provide an increased level of privacy and create semi-enclosed spaces in the balconies, which can now double as outdoor living areas.

Designed to respect the THPE 2010 objectives and the CERQUAL profile (http://www.cerqual.fr/ it is in French), the CHL Social Housing complex makes use of increased thermal insulation, reduced thermal bridging, and solar passive design. It is simply yet smartly designed, and the project addresses sustainable development concerns within the urban context.

Burke Lecture

On the 29^th November we had a guest lecture from Carrie and Kevin Burke who shared with us some of their design principles and theories when designing. Their focus is towards designing human experience in the built environment through the precise integration of architectural strategies: light, gravity, air, thermodynamics, water and the balance of constancy and change over time. The collaboration of these elements result in a full range of human sensorial capacities and not just visually appealing. Moreover, they support their design by scientific research.

However it was Kevin Burke’s work that stood out during that presentation. He worked at William MCDonough + Partners for 16 years and helped implement the Cradle to Cradle design protocol within building and community designs. He worked on the Oberlin College’s Adam Joseph Lewis Center and NASA’s Sustainability base at Ames Research Center.

Kevin Burke in his presentation talks about the Hannover Principles (1992) which were the precursor to Cradle to Cradle for sustainable design. Some of the points include:

– Insist on the right of humanity and nature to co-exist
– Recognize interdependence
– respect relationships between spirit and matter
– Accept responsibility for the consequences of design
– create safe objects for long term value
– eliminate the concept of waste
– rely on natural energy flows
– understand the limitations of design
– seek constant improvement by sharing knowledge

However, the Project in Netherlands is based on the Almere principles. In which essentially the dying sea was rejuvenated and cleaned. Almere is a new town designed 30 years ago on lane reclaimed from the sea and will be healthy by 2030. The way this was achieved is by following a few points

1. cultivate diversity
2. connect place and context
3. combine city and nature
4. anticipate change
5. continue innovation
6. design healthy systems
7. empower people to make the city

Furthermore, the Oberlin Project had a design strategy that aimed to redefining the relationship between humankind and the environment and to explain our sense of ecological possibilities. This sustainable building also creates awareness among the students as the students educated must learn to:

– power society by sunlight
– stabilize climate
– disinvent the concept of waste
– build prosperity within the limits of natural systems
– preserve biological diversity
– restore damaged ecosystems
– advance the causes of justice and non-violence.

Moreover, Kevin mentioned something that was particularly interesting about LEED buildings that they can have negative aspects as well. By that he meant that they do not have to be good for the society/neighborhood even though LEED designs are meant to be sustainable and beneficial in the long run.

He said that one of the main aspects of designing is not only to reduce the impact of the buildings but the question is to how to create positive effects. Being LEED is just a check list but does not have to create positive effects, therefore choreographing the experience of the building and function of the building – ventilation etc can provide that extra/positive aspect that new developments should incorporate.