Design Journal Entry - Module 1

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Sophia Kianni
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Module 1 - Design Inspirations & Big Feature Ideas
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Created
Jan 15, 2025 3:21 AM
Last Edited
Jan 15, 2025 3:32 AM
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Sophia Kianni

Design Inspirations and Rationale

Primary Inspirations:

  1. The Edge (Amsterdam):
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    1. Features: Double-skin facade for thermal efficiency, integrated solar panels, and smart energy management systems.
    2. Rationale: This design showcases how data-driven systems can optimize energy use while maintaining a sleek, modern aesthetic. It inspires the inclusion of real-time sustainability metrics visible to visitors in the lobby and exhibition areas.
  2. California Academy of Sciences (San Francisco):
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  • Features: Green roofs seamlessly integrated into the building design, acting as both insulation and a public educational tool.
  • Rationale: This project emphasizes the importance of blending built environments with nature. Its approach will inform the terraced green roofs in this design, which double as outdoor learning spaces.
  1. Bullitt Center (Seattle):
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  • Features: Exposed rainwater harvesting systems, composting toilets, and visible mechanical systems.
  • Rationale: By showcasing the building's inner workings, it demystifies sustainable technologies, which aligns with the center’s educational mission.
  1. Singapore’s Sky Greens:

  • Features: Vertical hydroponic systems for urban agriculture.
  • Rationale: Integrating functional urban farming into the building offers a hands-on demonstration of sustainable food production, inspiring a hydroponic garden in the cafe and interactive kid-focused areas.
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  1. Salesforce Tower (San Francisco):

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  • Features: Smart glass technology and collaborative workspace design.
  • Rationale: Its efficient use of daylight and emphasis on flexibility inspires the conference and office spaces in this design to balance functionality and sustainability.

Proposed Design Concept

A hillside sustainable education and innovation center, spread across three terraced levels, emphasizing integration with the landscape, community engagement, and functional education on sustainability practices.

Design Program & Floor Area Allocation

Ground Level (Public Welcome & Interactive Play Zone) - ~12,000 SF

  • Guest Lobby / Welcoming Area:
    • Double-height ceiling with floor-to-ceiling glass inspired by The Edge, offering panoramic hillside views.
    • Seating integrated with green walls, drawing from Amazon Spheres, for air purification and visual appeal.
    • Real-time dashboards displaying energy and water usage, inspired by The Edge’s data-driven design.
  • Interactive Play Zones (Kid-Focused):
    • Three distinct zones:
      1. Solar energy demonstration featuring solar-powered models.
      2. Interactive water feature mimicking Bullitt Center's rainwater systems.
      3. Kinetic tile flooring, inspired by Pavegen, powering adjacent LED displays.
  • Visitor Cafe:
    • Locally sourced menu featuring produce from an on-site hydroponic farm, inspired by Sky Greens.
    • Outdoor terrace shaded by solar pergolas for energy efficiency and comfort.
  • Gift Shop:
    • Recycled material products and sustainability-focused books, in line with the educational mission.

Second Level (Exhibition & Seminar Spaces) - ~15,000 SF

  • Permanent Exhibition Space (~8,000 SF):
    • Features live demonstrations of energy systems (solar, kinetic, and wind) and adaptive building materials.
    • Includes interactive displays inspired by The Edge’s integrated tech systems.
  • Temporary Exhibition Space (~4,000 SF):
    • Focused on global sustainability challenges, with rotating installations such as Sky Greensstyle urban farming.
  • Seminar Rooms (3):
    • Modular spaces inspired by Salesforce Tower’s collaborative layouts, with acoustic panels made of recycled materials.
  • Outdoor Learning Terrace:
    • Shaded by vertical solar fins, drawing from California Academy of Sciences’ green roof principles.

Third Level (Corporate & Administrative) - ~6,000 SF

  • Large Conference Rooms (2):
    • Circular seating arrangements inspired by Salesforce Tower’s Ohana Floor.
    • Smart glass walls for natural daylighting and reduced energy use.
  • Director’s Office & Administrative Offices (4):
    • Offices with reclaimed wood furniture and operable windows for natural ventilation, informed by Bullitt Center’s biophilic principles.
  • Open Office for Volunteers/Docents:
    • Hot-desking stations with ergonomic furniture made from recycled materials.
  • Utility & Storage Spaces (~1,000 SF):
    • Visible rainwater tanks and HVAC systems, directly accessible for educational tours, following the Bullitt Center model.

Sustainability Goals and Strategies

Goals:

  1. Achieve Net Zero Energy through renewable energy systems.
  2. Minimize water consumption with rainwater harvesting and graywater recycling systems.
  3. Promote material circularity by using recycled and locally sourced materials.
  4. Integrate nature-based solutions to improve biodiversity and reduce urban heat.

Strategies:

  1. Energy Efficiency:
    • Solar panels and vertical solar fins across roofs and terraces.
    • High-performance glazing inspired by The Edge for daylight optimization.
  2. Water Management:
    • Rainwater harvesting tanks, visible for educational purposes.
    • Permeable pavers for stormwater management.
  3. Material Choices:
    • CLT (cross-laminated timber) for structure and reclaimed wood finishes.
    • Acoustic panels and furniture from recycled ocean plastics.
  4. Integration with Nature:
    • Green roofs on terraces, inspired by California Academy of Sciences, featuring native plants to reduce water needs.

Building Form & Massing

  • Overall Shape:
    • Terraced design integrated into the hillside, minimizing excavation and preserving natural contours.
    • Outdoor terraces on every level for landscape engagement.
  • Best Practices:
    • Stepped green roofs with educational signage, inspired by California Academy of Sciences.
    • Exposed mechanical systems to educate visitors on sustainability technologies, following Bullitt Center’s principles.