Module 11 - Sharing Your Project

Your Name

Riley Burke

Linked Student

Journal Entry For

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Created

Mar 14, 2022 3:27 AM

Last Edited

Mar 22, 2022 6:10 PM

Overview

One of my favorite design features is the glass curtain wall enclosed café and bar on the upper floor. This was one of the key design features that would bring people in not just for the sustainable exhibits but also for the great food and views.
Using a ductless mini-split heat pump system was also a very unique design feature for the HVAC system. Since this exhibit halls focus is on sustainability, I thought it would be interesting to use some leading technology in the HVAC space.
The location of the building and its structural design were major design features of the project. One of my design goals at the beginning of the project was to have limited impact on the land where the project would take place. Essentially, if the building was ever to be removed I wanted it to look exactly as it was before it was built. This meant limited excavation and that the building had to be built on stilts following the contour of the hillside.

One of my biggest goals for the overall design of this project was to make the building interactive with the guests visiting. I think I achieved this by having a well structured plan for how people would progress through the building. I like how they started on the upper floor and entered the bottom floors through the ceiling. This allowed the guests to interact with the green roof and see solar panels up close for a great learning experience.
I think my design for the building’s floor plan was well thought out in terms of its two functions - exhibit and office. Keeping those two spaces largely separate in the building allows each building user to get the most out of their experience. For example, the offices are accessible by a door not open to the public, which allows those coming into work everyday to not have to deal with crowds or lines. The offices also do not pose a distraction for those who are there solely for the exhibits because they are largely unseen by the general public.
Additionally, I like how I opted for a large open spaces that focus on natural light and allow the guests to take in the view of the natural surroundings.

The biggest challenge for me was altering different parts of the project at the wrong stages. I think I should have just made my design and stuck with it rather than thinking of new ideas throughout the process. This was especially difficult with the structural framing of the project as I completely changed the roof design after the structural module and it now does not line up as I would have liked.

Start early, start strong - I think the most important modules are the floor plan and envelope modules because the shape and organization of the building sets the stage for the rest of the project. Spending an extra amount of time and consideration at this stage will set you up for success later on in the project.
Plan, plan, plan - Taking a moment to plan everything out before you do it is a huge help. Sometimes a quickly thrown together idea will fall apart halfway through and then you’re back to drawing board at square one. Spending time planning saves a significant amount of time in the long run.
Learn to let go - Not everything is going to be perfect and it doesn’t have to be. Learning to focus on the things that matter and letting go of the things that don’t will help make a better project and will keep you more sane and happy.

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