Studio Anne- Fall 07

Portfolio: Studio Introduction

2007-10-22T19:21:00.002-07:00

This blog represents work completed during my second semester studying with the Boston Architectural College.

The purpose of this Comprehensive studio was to determine the needs of those who would use the building, study the site, and apply this information to the development of a detailed and feasible plan for a building that incorporates green strategies beginning in the schematic phase.

Portfolio: Concept Statement

2007-10-22T19:21:00.001-07:00

Portfolio: Research and Exploration

2007-10-22T19:20:00.000-07:00

Portfolio: Site and Roof Plan

2007-10-22T19:17:00.001-07:00

Portfolio: Program of Requirements

2007-10-22T19:16:00.004-07:00

Portfolio: Floor Plans

2007-10-22T19:16:00.003-07:00

Portfolio: Building Section

2007-10-22T19:16:00.001-07:00

Portfolio: Elevations

2007-10-22T19:15:00.002-07:00

Portfolio: Model and Perspectives

2007-10-22T19:15:00.001-07:00

Portfolio: Structure

2007-10-22T19:14:00.004-07:00

Portfolio: Code Analysis

2007-10-22T19:14:00.003-07:00

Portfolio: Building Services

2007-10-22T19:14:00.001-07:00

Portfolio: Materials and Detailing

2007-10-22T19:12:00.000-07:00

Portfolio: Practice Work

2007-10-22T19:06:00.000-07:00

Studio Final: Concept Statement

2007-10-01T14:52:00.001-07:00

Studio Final: Research and Exploration

2007-10-01T14:51:00.002-07:00

Studio Final: Program

2007-10-01T14:51:00.001-07:00

Please follow the link below for a list of some basic requirments for the design, quality, and equiping of the major spaces.

Space Requirements
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dscn5hk_6d8tccp&hl=en

Studio Final: Code Analysis

2007-10-01T14:50:00.002-07:00

Studio Final: Model and Perspectives

2007-10-01T14:50:00.001-07:00

Studio Final: Detailing

2007-10-01T14:49:00.003-07:00

Studio Final: Building Services

2007-10-01T14:49:00.001-07:00

Studio Final: Section

2007-10-01T14:48:00.000-07:00

Studio Final: Elevations

2007-10-01T00:44:00.000-07:00

Studio Final: Plans

2007-09-30T21:43:00.000-07:00

Studio Final: Site and Roof Plan

2007-09-30T17:09:00.000-07:00

Studio Final: Structure

2007-09-30T15:02:00.000-07:00

Quick Perspective Sketches

2007-09-24T20:06:00.000-07:00

Realizing I did not like how my brick was pasted to the front elevations of the studios and not allowed to go elsewhere, I have allowed the brick to wrap around the building in a gently sloping form, not typical to brick. The brick is underneath the second floor also, providing a surface for sliver shaped shadows to project. Next I will model the wrapping brick stair that will be consistant in language. In all of this, the glass is the back drop against which the brick moves. Considered entry slivers to pierce the projecting brick ledges. However, I think they are a bit too literal.

Wrap Stair

2007-09-23T15:11:00.000-07:00

I am considering not expressing the landings with the wrap stair, but creating a sloping structure, that encompasses the landings. I feel this is more within the language of the building. I will potentially construct the wrap stair with glass on the steel frame which will cantileaver from the concrete structure of the tower. Instinctively, this may want to be some other material, but it wouldn't be brick, and metal panel is not used elsewhere in the building.

West Elevation- Draft

2007-09-23T14:56:00.000-07:00

North Elevation

2007-09-22T18:50:00.000-07:00

Regarding the South elevation- Entry vestibule redesign in progress. Also considering a vibrant color and its placement. Stay tuned...

Really Rough Elevation

2007-09-22T11:27:00.000-07:00

Studio Final: Site Plan

2007-09-19T20:57:00.001-07:00

Studio Final: Site Plan

2007-09-19T20:44:00.000-07:00

This is a preliminary post showing the first floor rather than the roof plan. At this point it is helpful to see the first floor.

1. Narrative:

In taking a closer look at the site, the ramp down into the parking garage will still be above grade, because of the slope in this area. I have enclosed the ramp and developed a roof top garden here, that connects to the boardwalk. The boardwalk allows very little about the grade to change, while bringing the pedestrian through the site. Several types of porous pavers are used, so that the percentage of impervious paving on the site has actually been decreased to the building footprint, which is less than the existing parking lot. Deciduous trees line the south facing facade, and evergreens will form a wind break to the north in the winter and diffuse some noise. A waterwall using captured rainwater is included at the entry/public green space, which will also mask noise and make the space more intimate. Slivers of green reach out into the sidewalk, and the largest sliver (between the buildings) is a green learning garden.

Insulation Locations

2007-09-18T20:04:00.001-07:00

Brick and Curtain wall

2007-09-18T19:38:00.000-07:00

The brick shown will be recycled brick that was recovered locally and has a SW grade.

Details

2007-09-17T19:10:00.000-07:00

Here are a few sections of roof conditions.

Building Section- Mechanical and Environmental

2007-09-16T20:51:00.000-07:00

Shown is a section through the main stair and the sliver bridge between the two buildings. Major design elements are labeled, future details will explain foundation connections, green roofs, and curtain walls, etc.

Studio Final: Building Services

2007-09-15T21:26:00.000-07:00

1. Mechanical Systems Description:

Passive heating and cooling will not be adequate to control the needs of the building. Additionally, the climate is somewhat humid and not suited for certain alternative methods that involve dry outside air. Therefore, the building employs the most effective passive solutions in combination with active green systems.

The building uses a combination of radiant hydronic heating and cooling that is contained in ceiling mounted panels and a natural ventilation system called Dedicated Outside Air System. Some of the advantages of this system include: Reduced chiller, condenser pump, and air handler size, reduced ductwork size and cross section, reduced electrical service during peak usage hours. The ventilation system provides 100% fresh air in lower quantities than required by air driven systems. The system regulates the flow of chilled or heated water by sensing room temperature and monitoring dew point. The thermal mass of the concrete slabs adjacent to curtain wall will naturally prevent large temperature swings and will work nicely in combination with the hydronic system.

2. Annotated Environmental Systems Plans.

Section to Follow in another Post. Rainwater collection to be included with site plan.

Roof Plan

Third Floor (Fourth and Fifth Floors similar.)

Second Floor

First Floor

Basement

Conversation with Chris Schaffner 9.05.07

2007-09-15T20:14:00.000-07:00

Discussed:
Envelope- Recycled brick, sitecast concrete, green roofs, light-colored roof for residential

Lighting- Increased square footage of fenestration on north, west, and east sides of studios and gallery, will need sun shading for at least the west side

Heating/Cooling- Radiant hydronic heating/cooling is well suited to the spaces in combination with the thermal mass of the concrete structure. Boiler located in basement on exterior wall, with exhaust. Connections to smaller building will be made through a crawl space under the smaller building. Living areas will use some natural ventilation in combination with the above systems, since they will have lower cooling loads naturally. Exposed thermal mass on the east side of the residential tower corridor will contribute to the heating of that corridor.

Ventilation-I will be using a Dedicated Outside Air System which controls humidity, temperature and dew point for the smaller amount of fresh air that will need to be supplied to the building. Intake can be placed over green roof on larger building. Not on the smaller building, as intakes are noisy and it is meant as a peaceful place.

Energy Production- Photovoltaic panels on the roof of the residential tower will provide domestic hot water for the living units.

Generally, an understanding of the placement and parts of the system and how it moves through the building is desired. This will be described in detail in another post.

Clickable Structure Drawings

2007-09-12T20:58:00.000-07:00

Studio Final: Structure

2007-09-11T18:52:00.000-07:00

1. Structural Systems Summary:

Selection
This building will be constructed using Two-Way Flat Slab strategies. Two-way sitecast concrete was selected because of the needed flexibility for the irregular angular footprint of the building and the possibility to deviate from column grid up to 10% of the span. The system will allow for a fairly thin slab and the use of round columns. The round columns suggest the shape of the surrounding trees and add to the "forrest". Even though the round column needs to be larger in diameter, it is important to my design. The whole system provides noncombustible construction needed for a five story building. The slab itself will provide opportunities to utilize its thermal mass, especially on the east side of the residential tower, which will be curtiain wall.

Description
The building have a basement which will sit on a conventionally reinforced structural slab that rests on structural precast piles 80-100' deep, because of the waterlogged soil. 10' tall square columns will hold the first floor slab (10" thick). The first through fifth floor columns will be round, (although those which are burried in walls could be square). Column grid spacing will be roughly 30'x3o', with 14' tall columns on the first and second floors, and 11' tall columns on subsequent floors. All floor slab thicknesses will be 10". Edge columns will need to be 24" diameter and center columns will need to be 18" diameter. It may be desirable to use arrangements of reinforcing in the slab called shearheads to avoid overly large drop panel widths.

6" Non-load bearing precast insulated sandwich panels with brick ties will infill as the wall system, and recycled brick will be the veneer. This is true in several locations- not much differently than shown in previously posted renderings of the building. Other locations will use curtian wall, and the first floor will probably use a storefront.

The roof of the smaller building will be a green roof. I will be considering this tommorow and revising the post as needed.

The roof of the low portion of the larger building will also be a green roof, but will utilize the self irrigating low maintence grass roof tiles, introduced by Toyota, which do not require additional sizing of the structural system, because they are lightweight.

Third Floor Plan and Third Stair Location

2007-09-10T20:55:00.000-07:00

Second Floor

2007-09-09T21:02:00.000-07:00

I have a lot more that needs to be made into post worthy material...Elevation tomorrow.

Annotated Plan

2007-09-04T21:31:00.000-07:00

In Progress models

2007-09-04T21:25:00.000-07:00

Studios read independently- glass Residential fenestration yet to be modeled

Stair to green roof-

In Progress Residential Tower

2007-09-03T19:24:00.000-07:00

Update 9.05.07: I am no longer considering green panels as shown here for sun shading on the exterior. They will be brown in the winter, and vertically they don't block the sun in the right direction. I am considering green walls inside the atrium in the smaller building and possibly in temporary locations where they are accessible and won't be missed if taken down in winter.

Slivers

2007-09-01T12:55:00.000-07:00

I can apply slivers in innumerable ways to this building- or I can let the sliver order the design logically. This is what I'm having trouble with- I can't move forward on technical aspects until I get this form at least partially nailed down.

An article about the "sliver" architecture in Tokyo, building on left over pieces of land: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/05/billboard_build.php

Five Stories

2007-09-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

Has anyone considered going up five stories? Are there any issues I should be aware of in considering this? I will be doing some more code research, but I thought I'd ask.

Site Plan Ideas

2007-08-28T20:10:00.000-07:00

This is not elevation work, but I felt that my site and building needed some work. I will have mostly glass on the first floor with second floors cantilevering to shade below on the south and west sides. There is a central atrium in the east building and studios will be on the upper floors of this, depending on how the massing works out in sketch UP. The west building will have housing on the upper floors. I'll be working on this 3Dimensionally next.

Intensive Presentation

2007-08-27T16:36:00.000-07:00

Parti in progress

2007-08-22T06:25:00.000-07:00

Distance M.Arch Building Vision

2007-08-22T06:21:00.001-07:00

Environmental Program

2007-08-16T14:42:00.000-07:00

The distance intensive building I will be designing, has not only a spatial and design program with requirements but also an Environmental Program. The goal of the program is to establish desired outcomes from the construction of this new building and its thereafter existance. I have prioritized the goals which are most important to me below:

High Priority Goals
1. Consume less energy than the average LEED Certified building of similar size and function
2. Rescue industrial and construction materials headed for landfill and use them for 50% of the building make-up
3. Provide adjacent buildings on its block and the building itself with sufficient greenery to provide cooling effect equal to their warming effect. The entire block would be neutral. http://environment.newscientist.com/article/dn11862

Lower Priority Goals
1. Contribute less than typical amount of water to storm system
2. Implement a ventilation system that employs a combination of strategies for less energy consumption and better air quality efficiently
3. Utilize the sun's maximum potential for lighting and heating purposes

Comments welcome

Preliminary Program

2007-08-15T19:23:00.000-07:00

This is really fun. I like to dream. See my program here:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dscn5hk_2dwxw2d
It is important to me that Blue (Public) and Yellow (Private) spaces get good sunlight levels. Certain support spaces can be shared between public and student/admin spaces. It is important to me that there be small getaway spaces. Places to be alone for rest, contemplation, or be able to communicate on the phone comfortably with family members. I want to create niches in which sound reducing, comfortable materials and furnishings and an architecture of being away improve the experience for the intensive student. I also feel it is critical for living areas to be away from the work space, at least seperated by floor level.

Living Level

See a complete description of main spaces here: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dscn5hk_3fcxdd6

Climate Analysis

2007-08-14T19:45:00.000-07:00

Ecological Footprint Results

2007-08-14T15:15:00.000-07:00

FOOD: 5.4 GLOBAL ACRES
MOBILITY: 2 GLOBAL ACRES
SHELTER: 4 GLOBAL ACRES
GOODS/SERVICES: 5.4 GLOBAL ACRES

TOTAL FOOTPRINT: 17 GLOBAL ACRES

Considering the amount of available usable acreage per person, if everyone lived like me, we would need 3.8 planets.

What I wonder is, if you add up every person on the planet's global acreage, what percentage of global acreage are we using? More than 100%? Is that possible? People are dying of famine in Africa- if we moved them, could we support them? I don't want generalized answers either, if anyone has any detailed information, please share. But I think these are questions to ponder while doing what we can here.

Radial transitions

2007-08-12T20:53:00.000-07:00

Ideas don't come from computers

2007-08-12T18:49:00.000-07:00

New model in deliverable format to come...

Boston Climate Questions

2007-08-11T18:11:00.000-07:00

In researching Boston's climate via the Climate Consultant software, I have stumbled across several questions. I am early in the process, so I am sure more will come.

1. Does "annual' mean average in cases such as temperature and windspeed where there is an average low for each month and a record low for each month? I notice there are also "design" lows, which I am not sure what those refer to.

2. Would annual percent of sunshine be the opposite percent of annual cover?

3. For fun- did anyone notice the "record" low for January temperature in Boston was 6 degrees? I'm pretty sure it was colder than that when we were there this past January.

I have learned that dry bulb temperature is what we think of as air temperature. Wet bulb temperature has to do with the cooling effects of water.

Transitions 2

2007-08-11T18:04:00.000-07:00

Here is another view into a more pronounced entrance, with a more defined small space, and less division between areas 1A and 1B. Lead transitions are meant to guide you to exploring every area of the space and eventually out by gradual transition.

Spaces and Transitions

2007-08-08T18:11:00.000-07:00

With a defined space allotment, a defined set of structural and spacial components, and a fixed object of focus; it seems at first that the number of solutions to the problem should be limited. I found that the opposite was true. In fact, I found it difficult to settle on one set of "transitions" over another, each being a valid answer to a problem. Below represents an answer to a spacial problem that has none of the architectural factors we normally use to drive design. Generally form generated by concept and site factors tend to have more influence on me. This is similar to the experiential perspectives we explored last semester.

Below is an arial view of this week's sketch problem.

This plan identifies the spaces. Please see the key below for explanations.