Explore the Building Site Context:
Location: Site B: At Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, near Searsville Lake
This was the area that I chose for my proposed design. It has a lot of foliage which I thought was great as I really want to bring a natural feel into my building and I love having the trees nearby, as well as the lake.
With the Jasper site, you have the nature and lake nearby, the existing educational building to interact with, and an existing parking lot that can be used.
As far as the climate goes, the space looks like it isn’t covered well, so you may get a lot of sunlight, but we can use that to our advantage as far as using it for natural daylighting and heating. I think we can use design elements as well to work for shading. With the exhibition space, the neighbors in the building nearby can use for field trips or visits as well.
Here is the information from Climate Consultant. The weather is relatively mild. It shows the best design strategies that I would like to employ in my design. I want to focus on the passive ones first.
Explore Building Massing Alternatives by Creating Several Conceptual Mass Models:
My design goal is to create something that feels natural and comfortable to people, but is also a building that isn’t ridiculously expensive to build or not constructible. Again, we are focusing a lot on sustainability so I want to focus a lot on that as well.
Since the building is an exhibition space, I would like to focus on having one area of a large mass, and then having smaller spaces inter-connected. Maybe an L or a U-shaped building. I want to focus on using the natural areas (the lake, the sun) to use for energy and cooling. I really want to use a bold angular approach to the design for a modern take but then incorporate a fresh look with the nature. And I really want to focus in on the lake as a focal point. I also want to include an outdoor balcony overlooking the lake with sliding glass doors that can be opened to encourage natural airflow and ventilation.
Alternative 1:
This is my first pass at putting together the building. I am not very happy with it but wanted to focus on more of the angular approach with the main focal point being the lake again. I wanted to try an organic shape first. I wanted to focus on creating an angular shapes to create a design emphasis, while taking up space for solar panels, and having a chance to use natural daylighting and airflow. I want to stick to just having two stories in the building so that it doesn’t seem like a huge structure in this natural environment.
Alternative 2:
I tried to stick to a more traditional building approach with this one. More square with a bit of angular flair. I still again want to focus in on the lake, but still be able to use the surrounding nature to help reduce energy usage. I am thinking of doing more of a canopy overhang/parapet on this model to encourage shading. I’m still not fully happy with the massing. I think I might shift it to be more of an L shape so I can have a fuller outdoor patio/garden. By choosing a more conventional shape, this building has less potential for PV energy production. (It’s funny. I made this model thinking it was more conventional and easier, but it ended up using more energy and being more expensive.)
Most Important Factors:
Architecture 2030/Net Zero (I combined these because I feel they are similar):
- One thing I think is important and is a great design aspect is to include a canopy. In my previous construction project, we used a wood look metal panel to create a canopy which not only was a design aspect, but provided shading to the building and I really liked it.
- Having window shades - I want to look into installing a material called Okalux which I used on a previous construction project which worked has shading, but was also insulated between thick glass and helped preserve the insulation of the building.
- Double-paned windows to insulate the energy within the building. In the winter, I want to keep the heat within, but in the summertime I want to use natural ventilation.
- As discussed above, I want to incorporate natural ventilation, having windows that open and I want to install glass sliding doors to an outdoor balcony that can be opened to allow natural airflow but also create an indoor/outdoor feel.
- Using drywall with a higher R-value and better insulate to keep the energy within the building.
- I am not too sure about the roof because I would like to focus on the install of solar panels, so I am not sure about the how well the roof needs to be insulated. I would think TPO roofing would be sufficient.
- And then finally the biggest factors (of course I left these for the end) are the MEP systems. The HVAC is one of the biggest systems that eats at the energy and passive energy needs to be utilized to the full extent. Being located in California in a temperate climate gives us an advantage so I want to take advantage of that. Again with the lighting as well. We can take advantage of a lot of the natural lighting we have access to, and I want to use that and supplement with the lighting we need as secondary.
- At the end of the day, it all comes down to costs. If there wasn’t a limit, I would love to explore options like geothermal pumps or some other really cool HVAC ideas.
- I am assuming a building like this will be run with some VAVs.