CS/AT - Key Details

CS/AT- Precast Panel

Hold the phone folks.... I think I found it... A precast concrete panel with integral rigid insulation... solves my thermal bridging issue.... This is courtesy of the Pace Representatives site... more to follow..

CS/AT-Core building envelope material

Werner, thanks for the link.. I was looking at that site yesterday.. I am starting to think that, because the precast concrete panels need to be directly connected to the steel frame, there is no way that I can have both the pre-cast panel and the continuous insulation and moisture barrier as every connection will be a thermal bridge. Furthermore, as you stated, sequencing would be an issue. These two systems seem to counter-act each other. None of the details I have seen, or the engineers I have spoken to, seem to have a solution for this.
I still want to use a concrete product for the core building to achieve that thick, heavy feel. I could look at some type of CMU, as this could tie back into the studs with masonry ties and leave my envelope alone. I am much more familiar with this type of wall system.
Any thoughts??? Anyone??? I think that it could still achieve the same feeling aesthetically, plus it makes for a proven wall system in this part of the world....

CS/AT- Typical parapet detail (sketch 1)

Behold my masterpiece below..... this is a ROUGH sketch of what I think my typical parapet detail is going to look like.... this is based on the wall system that Wagdy Anis went over with us which consists of a continuous moisture barrier in the envelope... one thing I am still working out is how to tie the concrete panels back to the steel without causing too many major thermal conductors.. I know that, with a masonry veneer, I could tie back into the stud framing... but I am not sure if that is possible with full concrete panels... I am going to talk to some of our structural engineers tomorrow, but if anyone can shed any light it would be most appreciated....

CS-Plaza renderings

Rick, this rendering program is awesome.........

CS-Intensive Final Presentation

Below are the images that were posted at saturday's final presentation..

CS-Parti

CS-Parti's

CS-Vision(Intent)

AT- Environmental Program (project priorities)

High Priorities

1. First and foremost, I want my design to qualify for a minimum of a LEED certification. Obviously I would like it to achieve a platinum rating, but since this is the first project that I have ever worked on (even if it is purely academic) that is shooting for LEED points, I see this as a great opportunity to become acquainted with the process. I intend to remain consciously aware of LEED requirements throughout the design process and have a theoretical list of points that I feel the design could achieve by the end of the semester.
2. 50% reduction in energy consumption. In keeping with the 2030 challenge; "All new buildings, developments and major renovations shall be designed to meet a fossil fuel, GHG-emitting, energy consumption performance standard of 50% of the regional (or country) average for that building type." This goal is intended to be met by all buildings prior to 2010, and is a great way to aggressively move toward the goals set forth by the challenge.
3. Where possible, sustainable systems and design features will be showcased to increase awareness and drum up excitement concerning green building strategies. The 2010 imperative strives for "complete ecological literacy in design education." For this to realistically happen, design schools must also serve as laboratories for green technologies & methods to be experimented with.

Low(er) Priorities

1. All occupied spaces will have access to views and natural lighting. This type of exposure to the environment is an extremely important feature for any space used by human beings and it should be incorporated in all design.
2. All plant materials used in outdoor spaces and/or greenroof will be native plant materials suited for the New England climate and requiring minimal maintenance.
3. At least 30% of the building will/could be comprised of pre-fabricated modules. In addition to sustainability, pre-fabrication conveys a sense of speed and efficiency also. These are qualities which help make the Distance M.Arch program special and should be seen in its design.

CS-Program post

CS- Program and Bubble Diagram progress prints

Below is a revised program and some bubble diagrams illustrating what I see for adjacencies, proportional relationships, and general grouping of spaces.... at this point, I envision 3 clear levels, one for students staying in the dorms, one for students attending classes, and one for exhibit/public functions.... My square footages have been determined by combinations of graphic standards recommendations, layout requirements for certain space types, historical precedent, and general gut feelings...

AT-Eco quiz results

My results for the eco-quiz are below.... not pretty..... I just barely beat the national average... I am interested to see how the rest of the class scores....

I am in kind of a tough spot on alot of these categories.... first, I live in Maine... I'm rural, like most people up here and need to drive to just about everyplace I go... I could get some type of motorbike, but those are pretty cost ineffective when the weather only allows for them to be driven a few months of the year... Considering everyone up here drives a 4wd truck, the fact that I am driving a car automatically makes me more environmentally sensitive.. I have replaced all of my light bulbs in the house with energy efficient bulbs, and have all new energy efficient appliances, but these things pale in comparison to the fact that my house is about 100 years old, drafty, poorly insulated, and I have to burn oil and wood for at least half of the year to keep my family from freezing.... my boiler isn't old, but I am sure its not that efficient either...

Personal changes that I could make would probably be, 1. Get the house better insulated and install a new, more efficient boiler and water heater 2. Buy less processed products 3. Try to carpool to work 4. Eat less meat 5. get rid of my wife's 2 cats..... (I'm just throwing that one in there for fun... it might not lower my eco-footprint, but it would sure make me feel better)...

CS-Program progress post

This is how my program is coming along so far... I am eager to hear other's input to guage my progress so far... The way I read the problem, many of the support functions are to remain at 320 Newbury st so I am not allocating space for them here... anyone??? anyone???? Also, I just remembered that the leadership assignment 2 is due tomorrow night... is that right???

CS-Program check

I am looking for a check for my program gross square footage..... my first pass at the program is coming up with a building in the range of 13,500 gsf to 15,000 gsf.... this is at 60% efficiency so my net assignable area is around 9,500 sf to 11,000 sf.... I would be really interested in others ballpark numbers to see if I am missing anything....

CS-Sketch Problem 1- Final Post

CS- Sketch Problem 1 (re-post with narrative)

My approach to this first sketch problem was one that I have grown fairly comfortable with over the past few years. First, read, re-read, and re-re-read the problem. Try to become familiar with what the instructor is asking for, before I get married to any course of action. I have found that, as a creative person, I have the tendency to start solving the problem before I even really know what it is. In this case, my earliest attempts turned out to be throw away solutions because it took some digging and fumbling before I could grasp what the purpose of this exercise was; simple spaces and transitions. In my initial solutions I was convinced that I needed to shake things up by adding some new geometry to the plan. I was playing with curves and introducing new angles. In the end, all of this was taking me further away from the solution. Rather than fight with the existing geometry, I decided to embrace it and let it drive my layout (on a side note, this is one reason that I love sculpting with found objects. Sometimes its helpful to have parameters already set up for you, as long as you can adapt to them). So, I let the existing geometry drive the exterior footprint. The only thing I really needed to do was make it large enough to accommodate my program which consisted of a large space(with two distinct subspaces), and small space, a transitional space, and the 3 required transition types. I felt it was only logical to have my Object Trouve located in the small space. I felt it deserved its own space, but didn’t need something as substantial as the large space. Also, I felt it needed to be located away from the entry to promote circulation and build suspense. I wanted to make people work to get a view of it. What fun is it if I pull them in off the street and show them the goods right off the bat?? This way, there is some anticipation. There are glimpses of it offered throughout the interior and from portions of the exterior, but a user has to be in the small space to get the full money shot… One of the other minor freedoms I took was to double and triple many of the walls and columns that divide up the spaces. I believe that the substance of these walls will be felt in the plan and really reinforce the division of the spaces. I also think that the transition from a triple wall to a group of columns to no obstructions at all makes for a special transition element in its own right. At one point as I travel down the rear corridor/transition space, I am separated from the OT by a massive slab of wall. As the wall ends, I catch a glimpse of the OT thru a group of columns which become more scarce as I travel into the space and am finally able to fully view the OT. Oh, the drama……. In the end, I feel that this plan successfully satisfies the problem that was presented.

AT-Climate Analysis

Climate Analysis for Boston, Massachusetts (Latitude 42.35, Longitude -71.07)

Solar path
On December 21st, Bostonians can expect the sun to rise at approximately 7:30 am at 120 degrees azimuth. This winter sun will reach its highest elevation of approximately 23 degrees in the southern skies at around 12pm. It will set at approximately 4:30pm at 240 degrees azimuth.
Conversely, on June 21st, Bostonians can expect the sun to rise at approximately 4:30am (I think that this should be adjusted to 5:30am for DST) at 60 degrees azimuth. The summer sun will reach its highest elevation of approximately 72 degrees (a mere 18 degrees shy of being straight up in the sky) at around 12pm. It will set at approximately 7:30pm (adjusted to 8:30pm for DST) at 300 degrees azimuth.


Annual temperature & relative humidity ranges
During the winter, the design temperature range is from 5 degrees F to 57 degrees F. In the summer, the design temperature range is from 57 degrees F to 92 degrees F. The average annual temperature range is from 44 degrees F to 58 degrees F. Boston has record high and low temperatures of 96 degrees F and 5 degrees F.
During the winter, the relative humidity ranges from 50% to 76%. In the summer the range is 52% to 82%. During June, July, and August the dry bulb temperature and humidity hover around the comfort zone, occasionally exceeding it. For the rest of the year, temperature and RH are below the comfort zone.

Annual wind speeds & directions
Average wind speeds annually range from 7mph to 21mph, with a mean of 13mph. The record high is 41mph.
In Jan, Feb, and Mar, winds are primarily cold and on the dry side and coming from North/North-westerly directions
In Apr, cool dry winds come from the west, while cool humid winds come in from the South and East.
In May, winds are cool and steady from all directions.
In Jun, cool dry winds come in from the Northwest, and warm/hot winds start to come in from the West/Southwest.
In Jul, warm/hot winds continue from the West/Southwest. Steady comfortable winds come in from all directions except for Northeast.
In Aug, warm comfortable winds come in from the West/Southwest.
In Sep, cool dry winds come in from the West/Southwest with some strong winds coming in from the Northeast.
In Oct and Nov, cool dry winds begin to come back in from the North/Northwest.
In Dec, the return of the cold winds returns from the North/Northwest, and Westerly directions.

Annual percent sunshine
The average amount of sunshine is approximately 42%.
In Jun, Jul, Aug, and some of Sep, shade is required for much of the day. The rest of the year is primarily cool/cold regardless of percent of sunshine.

Psychometric chart notes of interest
60% of the year, some form of conventional heating system is required.
Because of the cool dry air from the North, some type of Humidification is recommended for 44% of the year.
Protection from the wind is required for 34% of the year.
Conventional air conditioning is only required 2.2% of the year (provided natural ventilation and direct evaporative cooling methods are utilized).
Shading from the sun is required for approximately 9% of the year.

Summary
Boston is a cold weather city where exposure to the sun’s warmth is at a premium, and heating systems take precedence over cooling systems. Provisions should be made to maximize southern exposure to take advantage of the sun, to allow for cool southwesterly breezes during the warm summer months, and to protect from the cold north and northwestern winds throughout most of the year. Because of the predominately cool, dry air, some form of humidification may be desirable. During the summer months, shading from the sun and methods of natural ventilation should be provided.

Sketch Problem 1

Below is my revised solution for Sketch Problem 1... Some notes of interest are;

1. I stayed within the original geometry because I felt it was logical. There was a clear linework established in the original problem and I chose to work within that framework to take advantage of it.
2. Per comments from Werner and classmates, I felt that I needed to rethink portions of the circulation and transitions. With some slight shifts, I feel that I have addressed these issues and achieved a more open feel, with less confinement and a better variety of transistions.
3. I chose to double, and triple up some of the walls and columns in an attempt to give them more substance. The elements that were added by me play a crucial part in dividing up the spaces.... By making these elements "heavier" I feel that I am successfully reinforcing that division...
4. I took a very minimalistic approach to creating space 1B... In fact, I merely aligned a new double wall with an existing opening in the exterior wall to help define that space. That opening is crucial in creating a sense of enclosure for that space. This also serves as the setting for my gradual transition.
5. My lead transition takes place at the main entry... with a substantial wall that runs from exterior to interior and vice versa... I added wall panels to the inside of that wall, and left gaps at the butt joints to create a rhythm that draws users into space 1A.
6. Although this is not a very efficient layout, given its use as a display/museum type space, I feel that the excessive circulation space is acceptable, and desirable for additional art/exhibit space..

Sketch Problem 1

Folks.... below is my solution to the first Sketch problem..... I am interested in feedback, and will happily revise the layout if necessary, but I think the solution is valid. I have addressed all of the major design elements as stated, ie. inside/outside, main entry, large sub-space, small sub-space, transition space connecting the two..... I have gone with a gradual transition which slowly brings the user into the object trouve space.... there are ample glimpses offered into the o.t. space to help build mystery and interest....... I am trying to take the user on a journey into that space and slowly reveal the art inside as the journey progresses......