Studio - Signature Element Scope

In developing the terraced greenroof to a further level of detail, I will be primarily concerned with three typical conditions;

1.) The typical roof edge/curb condition
2.) The typical transition between the greenroof and the Media Labs
3.) The typical drainage condition, in particular where the drainage empties out into the collector below at the plaza level.

Studio- Develop Signature Element Part 1

((1) identifying the element and describing their reasoning for the
selection)

The signature element that I will be focusing on for further detailed study
will be the greenroof/terraced rooftop gardens. This element is of
particular interest to me as it is a major part of my concept; The Green
Apple...

First, a little background on the value of a greenroof. In addition to being
aesthetically pleasing;

1.) They are comparable to other roof types when considering life cycle cost

2.) They are energy efficient, providing extra insulation in cold weather
and helping keep out heat in the warm weather

3.) They provide sound insulation

4.) They help preserve the roofing membrane

5.) They help retain and cleanse stormwater

6.) They provide usable space where there traditionally was none

(These benefits are from "Design Guidelines for Green Roofs" by Steven Peck
and Monica Kuhn)

The greenroof is an excellent step towards making better use of our
buildings where sustainability is concerned. Traditional roof construction
provides a horizontal plane to store rooftop equipment and hide "stink
pipes." It is a missed opportunity that can, and should, be taken advantage
of.

Studio Intensive-Comment Recap

The majority of the comments made concerning my project at the Saturday Crit
were rather detailed and space specific. For example, I had a few comments
regarding the size of the ceiling at the main product floor (second level)
and what could be done so that it didn't seem so cumbersome. There were also
comments regarding certain vertical planes and how they could be made more
visually appealing. These were all valuable comments and will be crucial in
my further development of the design.

The most significant of the comments were a bit broader in scope and will
require deeper investigation to begin solving. They were, in no particular
order;

1.) The building presently feels as if it is two structures, one stacked
on top of the other. My main product floor, whose roof also serves as the
bottom level of the terraced garden, provides a visual break between the
lower two levels and the upper 3 as presently designed. This could be
validated, considering that the uses of the top 3 are significantly
different than the bottom 2, but I don't know if I want that break to be so
drastic. I originally foresaw the bottom levels (main floor, mezzanine
level, and level 2) as product and gathering spaces, whereas the top 3 were
to be destination points for field trips, computer labs, cyber café, and
teleconferencing type spaces. Some type of visual separation was intended
and acceptable, but I do not want it to be so overpowering that it
undermines the unity of the building. This will require additional
investigation.

2.) The placement of this building on Copley Square is an excellent
opportunity to engage the square that is not being fully realized by the
present design. There is the beginning of a relationship between the two,
but they are not nearly as connected as they could be. How can this be
rectified?

3.) A driving force behind the concept and the design is the "Green-ness"
of the building. The blurring of the transition between the interior and
exterior is a start, but there is so much more to being a green building
than just having plants and water inside. I will definitely need to further
study the arrangement of the spaces and anticipate the daylighting
characteristics of the building. Am I getting the right kind of sun where I
want it when I need it? Conversely, am I getting the wrong kind of sun where
I don't want it, when I don't need it? It isn't enough just to have it
looking green, it has to BE green for this concept to be realized.

Additionally, there was discussion as to where the break should take place
between the interior and exterior. Should the water feature/seating plaza,
which now spans both the interior and exterior, be fully enclosed in some
type of glass "nana-wall" which can be opened when the weather permits? This
would allow for year round use of the space.

It was also suggested that I may want to look at the buildings relationship
with the alley to its rear. The design presently is completely closed off to
the alley and, at this point, I can't really see any reason to change that.
The alley is not very desirable and I don't choose to engage it. Rather, I
am interested in encouraging the relationship with Copley square to the
front of the building. The alley serves as a decent opportunity to handle
services, i.e. shipping, receiving, waste disposal, etc. without making it a
focal point.

In closing, the comments were all very helpful, from the minute details that
some addressed to the more big picture issues. I will undoubtedly be doing
my best to address them as I move forward with the design.

Portfolio: Concept #1 and early mass modeling

The design problem was a Flagship Apple Store in Boston located the corner of Boylston and Dartmouth across from Copley Square. My concept was summarized graphically by the "Green Apple"; A store whose commitment to the environment becomes evident by its ability to "blur" the transition between the interior and the exterior. As seen below, there is also an element of global interconnectivity between the different stores worldwide. This demonstrates the scale of this issue. It is not enough to have just one "Green Apple" store.....

A gathering/seating plaza with water feature that extends from the interior to the exterior, and vice versa, as well as a terraced rooftop garden visible from throughout the square, were instrumental in bringing the interior and exterior together......

Portfolio: 3-D Model and Perspectives

Select Exterior Views

Select Interior Views

Theory 01.23-Thursday afternoon writing

Rural, Environmental, Green, 2030, Difference, are some random words to describe my thoughts on a potential writing topic… Specifically the “2030 Challenge”…. Set forth by Architect Ed Mazria, this is a challenge to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by buildings to zero by the year 2030…

Some questions I have;

1.) I need to understand the challenge fully
2.) As an Architect, what will I be able to do to move toward it?
3.) What will I be able to do to move my profession toward it?
4.) What about my community?? My family??

Focusing specifically on the Bangor/Northern central Maine area, I will need to map out a strategy for meeting the challenge.

1.) Phase 1-Research
a. Understanding the problem
b. Understanding my role in it
c. Understanding my firms role in it
d. Understanding my industries role in it
e. Understanding my families role in it
f. Understanding my communities role in it

2.) Phase 2-Strategy
a. Formulate the necessary steps to make a change
b. What will I need to do?
c. Who can help me?
d. Who can I help?
e. What resources will I need?
f. What is the timeline
g. What will my milestones be?

3.) Phase 3-Implementation
a. Set the plan into motion
b. Evaluate the results
c. Re-evaluate the plan
d. Am I making the change?
i. If not, why?
ii. If so, can I do better?


(Affinity Group member 1 comments)

Will you change or improve upon the past as you move into the future or will it be all new from here on out? Take the case of the automobile; today (in Ohio for example) you don’t have car inspections where the older 1970s and 1980s cars are polluting the air. The same can be said w/older buildings. Poor HVAC, overused HVAC, which uses more fossil fuels and electricity, thus polluting the air and environment. Newer facilities by current construction standards are more efficient. They could be better though. So, one point of contention would be how to bring older facilities up to current standards with education, advocacy and implementation the rest should follow.



(Affinity Group member 2 comments)

I have limited exposure to sustainable design other than the information presented at seminars. I am familiar with it, but have never implemented it. It seems some building typologies are embracing it, specifically government and educational and health care industries. How do we promote this involvement on a smaller scale? The masses don’t use schools, hospitals, and such on a daily basis. Homes, retail spaces, and smaller building typologies like churches and such are the pre-dominant built fabric of our environment. Without changing these typologies, the green building movement will have a weaker impact. Is legislation the answer in a capitalist society? Force the masses to comply by code requirements?

Theory.02 . great quote

"putting a sign that requires twelve seconds to read in a place where customers spend four seconds is just slightly more effective than putting it in your garage." paco underhill

Message? understand how the space is used or youre wasting everybodys time.. Brilliant...