Minimum Viable Product v2.0
We are designing a building focused on utilizing and integrating with the natural surroundings of the location as much as possible and maximizing the use of natural light and nature/landscaping.
We believe there is a sustainable wellness function to this design that can improve learning retention and general happiness/mental health.
Based around Thomas’ incredible cylindrical design concept, we have designed a large oval shaped building with several interior spaces, but the main focus will be the large park-like space inside the oval of the building which will be entirely open to the outdoors.
There is a modular construction element to our design that also allows builders to customize the structure or easily expand it at a later date.
One key design element is making a building that avoids the traditional box shaped design of a square or rectangle and creating more architectural lines inspired by nature or the surrounding geography (e.g. Stanford is in California surrounding by mountains and trees, our structure is partially inspired by a hollowed out tree trunk and the surrounding mountains).
Other examples of design features include incorporating views of nature from all spaces, natural light used as primary lighting throughout, fresh air-flow and ventilation from outside air, and sustainable sound and thermal insulation materials.
Not just human-centered design, nature-centered design.
Human-Centered Design Features:
- creating more break-out spaces for small and medium group study and meetings
- avoiding interior rooms without windows (interior spaces should be limited to storage and mechanical/utility)
- Health/Wellness Sustainability Elements: happiness, comfort, discovery are all important parts of education and the environment we learn in affects these things.
The simplest version of this product that delivers value and meets the challenges of this POV statement will have these essential features:
- Interior Spaces that bring the “outside in”:
- All spaces used by people will be exterior facing rooms with views of nature
- interior plant walls, indoor gardens, tree planters, and interior landscaping integrated into indoor spaces as much as possible
- Outdoor Central Park (center space of building)
- Outdoor coffee house style seating / open floor plans for both eateries and group study spaces as an alternative to the more corporate style seating of large institutions
- Library-style personal study spaces + group study areas (no need to trek across campus to library if you’re already here and want a quiet place to study)
- Open air atrium type design
- Sustainability / Environmental Design Elements:
- geothermal heating & cooling
- base structure of building constructed of stone with interior insulating walls to preserve hot & cool air (facade within a facade concept)
- use of transom windows in lower levels to promote air flow
- Modular Design
- Modular nodules are incorporated into the design concept allowing designers and schools to customize the structure to their exact needs or easily expand (”bolt on”) additional spaces at a later time. Thinking ahead about points of egress that can be used for later expansion and the layout of spaces will allow this to be easily expandable and adapt to an institutions physical and economic needs (or limitations).