Project Brief: Integrated Design Project

Project Brief: Integrated Design Project

CEE 120B/220B | Integrated Design Project

Sustainable Built Environment — Learning and Exhibition Center

You’ll practice all of the skills and techniques covered in our course by designing many types of building systems and integrating them into a holistic design proposal for a single building project -- a Sustainable Built Environment Learning and Exhibition Center.

Overview / Design Goals

Our objective for this project is to design an elegant and functional building that exemplifies sustainable building practices and outstanding building performance.

Our clients want to create a building that serves as a model and inspiration for green building enthusiasts -- illustrating the exceptional results obtainable through smart performance-based design -- and provides a vibrant hub for sustainability-related activities.

The building should feature exhibition space and resources for visitors to explore the various possibilities/features in the green building world that can be used and replicated in other buildings. They want a very dynamic and exciting space that will appeal to visitors of all ages and varying degrees of interest and expertise in sustainable design, including:

  • Families and school groups
  • Design professionals
  • Anyone who is interested in learning more about sustainable technologies and living opportunities

Design Approach

Our design process will be divided into a series of iterative phases, in which we’ll each be developing and enhancing individual design concepts.   And we’ll continue to use these integrated design projects as a point of integration for the many systems that we’ll cover in our class.

As in the real world, your initial design ideas will like need to change and adapt as new information is introduced and new design strategies and constraints emerge -- for example, as the class progresses and new modeling and analysis techniques are covered in the course modules.  So, be prepared to be nimble and responsive -- don’t get locked in to singular thinking and inflexible decisions.  Rather, let your design thinking be guided by high-level principles and strategies, and let the details adapt and follow as needed.

Progress Check-Ins Documenting Your Design Journey

Weekly Project Check-Ins

We’ll use a series of weekly milestones to help us stay on-track as the quarter progresses.  You’ll meet each week with a member of the teaching team to review your progress and share tips about how to proceed.

Each course module includes a brief of the issues to be addressed during that weekly check-in.

Design Journal Entries

You’ll also be sharing your weekly progress with other members of our class community through postings in an online Design Journal using Notion.

Project Site

Your design project can be located on any site of your choice -- anywhere in the world!  Our only requirement will be that your design is responsive to the local site and climate conditions.

If you prefer to work on a site close to the Stanford campus, Revit models with accurate topography will be provided for two potential sites near the Stanford Campus:

  • Site A: Near the Stanford Dish, facing the Campus and Bay
  • Site B: At Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, near Searsville Lake

Both of these sites have beautiful natural terrain and breathtaking views, providing a stunning backdrop for a Sustainable Built Environment Learning and Exhibition Center.

But if you prefer, you can choose your own site.  We’ll cover techniques for importing topography for other sites in Module 4.

Design Program

Your proposed design should provide a total floor area of around 30,000 to 35,000 SF.

If you use one of the provided sites (which are on hillsides), your program spaces will likely be spread across multiple floor levels.

The design program includes:

  • Guest lobby / welcoming area
  • Multiple exhibition spaces for permanent and temporary exhibits on sustainable design principles and technologies / living lab
  • Interactive kid-focused “play zones” for experiencing sustainable technologies first-hand
  • 3 educational spaces / seminar rooms
  • 2 large conference / meeting rooms
  • Visitor cafe with food preparation and guest seating areas
  • Gift shop featuring books and educational materials

In addition to those public-facing spaces, your proposed design should also provide:

  • 4 offices for the center director and administrative staff, as well as open office space for volunteers/docents
  • Storage space for equipment
  • Utility space for mechanical and electrical equipment
  • Stairs and access/egress features as needed
  • ADA-compliant restrooms on each level