scott FOCHT scott FOCHT scott FOCHT scott FOCHT scott FOCHT mike MAJEWSKI mike MAJEWSKI mike MAJEWSKI mike MAJEWSKI

ryan SISON ryan SISON ryan SISON ryan SISON ryan SISON ryan SISON

scott FOCHT scott FOCHT scott FOCHT scott FOCHT scott FOCHT mike MAJEWSKI mike MAJEWSKI mike MAJEWSKI mike MAJEWSKI

ryan SISON ryan SISON ryan SISON ryan SISON ryan SISON ryan SISON

special thank you to our studio professor [Susan Frosten] and our tech professor [Chris Boskey]

for guiding us through this process

a component

1 : a constituent part: INGREDIENT

2 a: any one of the vector terms added to form a vector sum or resultant

b: a coordinate of a vector; also : either member of an ordered pair of numbers

3 : a new piece of architecture that merges together the disciplines of the college of architecture and the built environment in a way that is complimentary to the site conditions of Philadelphia University and beneficial to the evolution of the innovative strategies set forth by the university: C_ABE

current layout of c_abe

PROGRAM ANALYSIS

SITE ANALYSIS

THE FINAL PROJECT

MIDCRIT

current layout of c_abe

PROGRAM ANALYSIS

CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT

MIDCRIT

CLARIFICATION OF INTENT

.75 CRIT

SEED center

A&D

smith house

ravenhill studios + weber design studios

current layout of c_abe

graduate programs + 4th year interior design or 5th year architecture

3rd-5th year architecture + 2-4 year interior design+ administration

3rd-5th year landscape architecture + 2-4 year interior design+ administration

1st-2nd year architecture +1st year landscape architecture+1st year interior design

Currently, students within c_abe are spread throughout campus. With a university moving towards a more collaborative educational approach, it is vital for c_abe to unify it’s students and create an environment conducive to collaborative development and interaction.

ravenhill studios + weber design studios

3rd-5th year landscape architecture + 2-4 year interior design+ administration

1st-2nd year architecture +1st year landscape architecture+1st year interior design

our goal

therefore, our goal is to unify the disciplines of the college of architecture and

the built environment within a piece of architecture that visually signifies the program and compliments the current site conditions of Philadelphia University

PROGRAM ANALYSIS enrollment spatial needs

As the program of c_abe develops into the future, the student enrollment with in the program potentially increases. The analysis of enrollment trends and growth will directly influence the spatial needs in regards to experience and square footage for the college of architecture and the built environment.

enrollment projection

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tA projected 20% student increase within the College of Architecture and the Built Environment results in the average enrollment of undergrads jumping from 640 students to 830 students

These calculations will help determine the amount of studio space, classrooms, CAD labs, and flex space needed for the new building.

undergrad enrollment

masters of arch(1 year)

masters ofconstructionmanagement

interiorarchitecture

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t Along with the projected 20% increase, C_ABE will be introducing several new masters programs. Masters in Architecture, Geodesign, and Historic Preservation will increase the graduate enrollment from 96 students to 185.

The SEED Center will house all masters programs. Collaboration between undergrad and graduate students is crucial, so the SEED Center will play a role in the new C_ABE building.

graduate enrollment

Studios, classrooms, and faculty offices account for the majority of space within C_ABE buildings. Since C_ABE is housed in multiple buildings across campus, duplicate spaces hosting similar functions exist. For example, there are three building receptionists; one for A+D, Smith, and SEED. Redundancies like this can be eliminated in order to create a more compact building

C_ABE program space

Further analysis shows how often redundant and mismanaged spaces occur within C_ABE buildings. Mismanaged space is characterized by being utilized infrequently or to an extent that is inconvenient for the user.

totalmismanaged

space analysis by program use

space analysis by building

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The spaces most frequently mismanaged are classrooms and conference rooms. They are sparingly used throughout the day and are often inaccessible to students when needed. Giving spaces like these dual-purposes will increase the use and occupation, leading to a more dynamic building.

C_ABE mismanaged space

existing spaceA+D SEED

mismanaged spaceSmith Webber Ravenhill

Program spaces were designated after analyzing projected enrollment and current space trends in C_ABE. It was imperative to unite all studios in one building to increase collaboration and maximization of resources between the programs. One of the biggest missed opportunities with C_ABE being spread out over the campus is the inability of students to learn from higher levels. With all years housed in the same building, quality of design and craft will increase due to accessibility to numerous resources

program distribution

6 hot desk studios33 fixed studios

8 existing studios in SEED

lecture hallpresentation space

lounge

fab. lablaser labsstorage

Flexible space allows for the minimization of square footage. These program blocks represent functions that will exist within the floor plans. All program blocks do not require specific, designated real-estate in the building. For example, the presentation space, conference rooms, and lounge can all exist within the same space. Housing numerous functions within one space increases the opportunity for students to be subjected to other programs, therefore increasing the student’s diversity.

21 full-time offices4 directors offices

2 deans officesflexible adjunct offices

5 classrooms2 computer labs2 drawing labs

archivestemporary storagelong-term storage

materials library

Classes spread all throughout campus led to classrooms going unused for extended periods of time. Optimizing the use of classrooms within the C_ABE building and SEED Center results in a constant flow of students using classrooms and computer labs

classroom efficiency

To ensure a high level of occupation for the classrooms, class times and locations were streamlined. The current classroom model occupies the space for roughly 30% of the day. After condensing all C_ABE specific courses to 5 spaces, the new classroom model houses occupants for roughly 65% of the day

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studios computer labs

admin.suite

mtls.library

storage flex spaceclassrooms mechanical

Total: 68124 sf

After condensing program types into shared, flexible spaces, tentative square footages were decided. Square footages were based upon C_ABE’s past, present, and future. The largest program requirements are the 39 studio spaces, necessitating 26,100 sf of space. Flexible space housing presentations, meetings, and leisure requires 6750 sf of space. The rest of the square footage allotment requires classrooms, faculty offices, and a lecture hall.

total square footage

analysis documentationbenefitsSITE ANALYSIS

SEED center

DEC center

Gutman Library

Ravenhill Studios/Dining

Tuttleman Center

Weber Studios/Fabrication

Gallagher Center

Kanbar Campus Center

Hayward Hall

Smith House

THE TOWNHOUSE SITE

campus setbacks campus lighting dominant wind direction

campus analysis

The presence of the surrounding environment will have a significant impact on the siting and design of the building. The newly created DEC Center and Kanbar Campus Center will have the strongest stimuli on the C_ABE building. Reusing the SEED Center will create design challenges on how the two will respond to each other.

Creating a new campus destination point will significantly benefit our campus. Exterior space that is function, and not only existent, will provide students of all majors a location in which to either seclude themselves or engage in public activity.

site influences

context and grading

site drainage

weather conditions

JuneMarch

September December

campus shadow study

kanbar shadow study

CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT

conceptual development

The concept of the nucleus was our first driving concept. After doing initial studies and massings of the site, the idea of creating a new campus nucleus presented itself. This nucleus would create functioning outdoor space for all members of the university to use. Expanding from the idea of the nucleus, the living cell provided significant characteristics that can be translated into architecture. The ability to self-assemble, self-organize, and self-heal make the living cell a desirable concept. Tensegrity, permeability, and regeneration are all fundamental

Tensegrity is a structural concept comprised of isolated components acting in compression within a network of con-tinuous tension. Joints and ligaments in the human body are real-life examples of tensegrity at work. Valuable aspects of tensegrity are its ability to be adaptable, stable, and trans-parent. Conceptually, tensegrity can justify equal distribu-tion of program while maintaining an efficient system.

skylon tower

tensegrity

Permeability is the measure of the ability of a material to allow substances to pass through it. This concept is applicable to several scales within the human body. The smallest scale is the cell membrane which protects and enriches the cell. Architecturally, permeability can inform user interaction within spaces and the building as a whole. Environmental performance can also be influenced by permeability. Glass, screens, and solid walls are examples of how sunlight and solar heat gain can be limited using different levels of permeability.

permeability

tarrant county college

One of the most crucial characteristics of the living cell is regeneration. Regeneration is the process of renewal, restoration, and growth. In a building, this can heighten the efficiency and minimize the consumption of materials and energy. Tensegrity, permeability, and regeneration combined create architecture that can perform on a high level in a campus environment.

regeneration

preliminary massings

MID CRIT

floor plansperspectives sections

A&D

Ravenhill Studios/Dining

Weber Studios/Fabrication

Gallagher Center

Kanbar Campus Center

Hayward Hall

Smith House

SEED center

DEC center

Gutman Library

the nucleus

“ehhhhhh.... not quite there yet”

the nucleus

the flex/collaboration space “pod” is visible on the exterior to visitors or students along philaU drive. the three-story wrapped pod protrudes out of the building, signifying itself to those along the main vehicular artery of campus.

inside the building, the flex/collaboration space “pod” is easily visible as it is centrally located within the building and architecturally stands out as a three-story wrapped pod sitting on a steel struc-ture.

CLARIFICATION OF INTENT

after mid-crit, our building shifted from a centralized nucleus to a complimentary component. Engaging the building with the quad became a priority in order to form a dynamic relationship with Kanbar, DEC, and the rest of the university.

This shift to thinking of the building as a complimentary component to the site and campus led to parti development and further conceptual, structural, and architectural evolutions of the C_ABE building.

The linearity of Philadelphia University’s campus is defined by green space complimented by the built environment. Destination points (classroom buildings, dorms, campus center, etc.) spatially compliment quad zones and allow for these open spaces to be efficiently utilized through circulation or leisure

with the addition of CA_BE as another campus destination point, an excess of 400+ students and faculty would journey to this point of campus, contributing to the enhanced utilization of a currently underutulized quad space.

additional site analysis

tensegrity

the idea of tensegrity forumlated from our analysis of the campus as a series of destination points. These destination points or campus buildings are compressive on the landscape, yet all of these buildings are stretched throughout the campus, leading to the juxtaposition of compression and tension. These two traits led us to our research of tensegrity and future ideas.

tensegrity and adaptability are responses to external or internal forces acting on a model/structure/obect.

In the way that the push of a finger can cause the adaptability/tensegrity model to react in a multitude of ways, the c_abe building’s form and internal makeup are direct responses to environ-mental conditions (such as wind and sun) and desirable and comfortable spaces for users of c_abe.

the reactionary traits of tensegrity and adaptability help shape the building from the inside and outside, while models of tensegrity and their ability to float on a plane are informing c_abe’s approach to integrating with the landscape

“opening up a window of c_abe to visitors and other demographics.”

with this idea in mind, it becomes of utmost importance to create a filter of permeability to create a comfortable and intriguing environment for the users of c_abe and also the public.

the evolution of our permeability studies dealt with user filtration, visual curisoity and interaction, and passive systems

evolution of permeability studies

Further development of our building resulted in the architectural integration of the c_abe building into the quad. Radiating openings within our initial massing studies blurred the boundaries and merged spaces of the quad with interior spaces of the building, creating a sense of permeability in and out of our building.

development of “a component”

Pulling apart the masses within our building in order to create a sense of permeability in and out, allowed us to define program through these extracted program blocks. Adjacencies, functionality, and environmental conditions helped mold the placement of program within these extracted blocks

development of “a component”

parti + (response to interior & environmental conditions)

the extraction of these masses and the definition of program within these blocks combined with our studies of the principles of tensegrity and permeability resulted in our building being defined by “pods” or “components” . These components allowed us to follow through on our studies of permeability in regards to spatial experience and passive systems, but it was just as important to help create comfortable interior conditions. This was resolved through the use of acoustic screens on the interior and solar shades on the exterior.

the interior screens helped us define pods and create acoustically comfortable spaces, but we also desired a level of transparency in order to still possess a full level of visual interaction between circulation and studio pod

developing the screen

sectional studies digital model development

elevation studiesdigital model development

the working model

.75 CRITIQUE

floor plans spatial experiencesections

the componentunifying the college of architecture and the built environment along with complimenting the current site conditions of the campus is vital for the future development of c_abe and also Philadelphia University. Open green spaces should be preserved when considering new construction for the campus, and the townhouse site possessed the potential of forming a new campus quad and complimenting the newest buildings on our campus, all while keeping an open green space.

Noticing the pattern of massive academic and housing buildings stretching the campus, led to the idea of tensegrity being the driving force for this project. Conceptually tensegrity simply means interdependency on components, which is what our campus is. Our building became a component of the site that revitalized and formed a new campus quad.

This idea translated into the programs within our building taking on the idea of components unified by a central flex/collaborative space which is all threaded together by a suspended circulation path. these components read volumetrically as well, with spaces pulled apart creating voids throughout our building. the “pod” components of our building were then defined due to practicality and aesthetics. On the interior visually permeable metal acoustic screens wrap the studios. On the exterior, a metal solar shade controls the harsh impacts of the sun. The layering of systems and components created a dynamic and effieciently functioning college of architecture.

the spaces

1. fixed desk studios2. flex space3. break out rooms4. flex/computer lounge/pinup

5. hot desk studios6. fabrication lab + woodshop7. CAD labs8. classrooms

9. lobby10. lecture hall11. offices12. restrooms13. elevator

1 2

floor plans

3 4

(through southwest + southeast studio pods) cross section

acoustic screensacoustic screens

section

acoustic screensacoustic screens

solar shades

the exterior shading system consits of 2x4” steel tubes attached to a supporting steel structure. This system allowed for the studio pods to possess a sense of integration with the new campus quad.

an undulating pattern allowed for completely open views along certain areas of the curtain wall

the interior screens also posses an undulating pattern in order to create a diversity of visual permeability between circulation and studio space.

THE FINAL PROJECT

floor plans systems detailssections spatial experience

a component

unifying the college of architecture and the built environment along with complimenting the current site conditions of the campus is vital for the future development of c_abe and also Philadelphia University. Open green spaces should be preserved when considering new construction for the campus, and the townhouse site possessed the potential of forming a new campus quad and complimenting the newest buildings on our campus, all while keeping an open green space.

Noticing the pattern of massive academic and housing buildings stretching the campus, led to the idea of tensegrity being the driving force for this project. Conceptually tensegrity simply means interdependency on components, which is what our campus is. Our building became a component of the site that revitalized and formed a new campus quad.

This idea translated into the programs within our building taking on the idea of components unified by a central flex/collaborative space which is all threaded together by a suspended circulation path. these components read volumetrically as well, with spaces pulled apart creating voids throughout our building. the “pod” components of our building were then defined due to practicality and aesthetics. On the interior visually permeable metal acoustic screens wrap the studios. On the exterior, a metal solar shade controls the harsh impacts of the sun. The layering of systems and components created a dynamic and effieciently functioning college of architecture.

kanbar campus center

DECcenter

DownsHall

ArcherHall

PhysicalPlant

SEED center

GallagherFitness & Recreation

Center

DownsHall

ArcherHall

the quad

CABE is a physical component, working interdepen-dently with DEC and Kanbar to frame a diverse out-door space to activate campus life.

It’s neighborly proximity consolidates campus func-tions and promotes interaction between students of different ages and majors.

The landscape plan was devised to incorporate several different kinds of outdoors spaces. An open field provides space for students to get out of the stu-dio and be active. South facing stairs provide a place for people to hang out, socialize and relax in the sun.

The network of paths allow for a free flowing circula-tion while still providing straightfoward access to buildings and major pathway connections.

Rain gardens and small bio swales control water by holding the it on site and then releasing a surplus into the large bio swale which taps into the Wissahickon Watershed.

view within hot desk studios (2)

1

2

floor plans

the entrance-atrium space possesses the potential to act as a lobby, gallery for work, or lounge for students and faculty. Open to the right of this flexible space is the lecture hall/forum, and when not in specific use it is a continuation of the lobby, gallery, lounge area. To the left of the entrance-atrium is the administrative suite; allowing for immediate access to faculty

as students or faculty access the second floor, they are greeted by the fabrication lab at the northern corner. Extending from the northern corner down to the southeast edge are CAD labs and classrooms which are accompanied by flex/lounge/pinup space across from their entrances’. For first year students, the Hot Desk studios are located at the western pod

view of northwest and southwest studio pods (3)view within southwest studio pod

floor plans

3

4

the third floor consists of the upperclassman studio pods, breakout rooms, and flex spaces, which are threaded together by the circulation path. People traveling along this path are presented the opportunity to see and interact with studios below and above, due to the voids placed between circulation and studio pod. These open air slots allow for visual curiosity and passive ventilation

the top floor consists of more upperclassman studio pods, breakout rooms, and flex spaces. This top floor also has access to a rooftop green space, which resides above the second floor southeast studio pod.

all of the upperclassman studio spaces are designed with an open layout so that the users can define space with desk and pinup partition placements

upperclassmenstudio pod

flex|lounge|pinup

lecture hall/forumentrance|lobby|gallery

flex|lounge|pinup

longitudinal section

the longitudinal section further signifies the concept of

the components, as two atrium spaces definethis

section as three distinct pods: the western studio

pod, the flex/lecture space, and the eastern studio pod.

upperclassmenstudio pod

flex|lounge|pinup classroom

SEED CENTER

upperclassmenstudio pod

upperclassmenstudio pod

administration

hot desk studios solar shade

solar shade

DECCENTER

The cross section through the northwest and southwest studio pods are further defined by the undulating

interior acoustic shades. These acoustic shades not only minimize excess noise, they also create an experiential transition from circulation into studio pod. The atrium

space that the circulation strip is in allows for views between hot desk studios and all upperclassmen studios.

Anchoring the entire bottom floor of this section is the administrative suite, housing all adjunct & full-time

professors as well as program directors and the dean of CA+BE

half section/half elevation; the elevation displays a series of solar shades that occupy any western glazing of the

CA+BE building

cross section

section details

the screen

section model

southern and western facades with extensive glazing are screened with Cambridge Architectural’s Mid-Balance Stainless-Steel mesh screen.

the screen helps reduce the amount of solar heat gain during the warm weather months to keep comfortable conditions, but also allows for some solar heat gain to warm the building during the colder season.

the performance benefits of the screen allow for studios to have a full range of views out to the campus, resulting of a sense of integration with the outdoor environment

section model

systems

extensive green roofs provide thermal insulation of the building and also retain water and gradually release it onto the site.

a stainless steel mesh metal screen reduces glair and reduces enough solar heat gain on southern and western studio glazing but also allows for the sun to still heat the building.

a monitor roof and atrium spaces with clerestory windows promote stack effect ventilation of the building and also bring in sunlight through the central portion of the building.

the first floor possesses a radiant heating system within the polished concrete floors

passive systems

systems

from a conceptual standpoint, it was in the building’s best interest to possess three rooftop package units heating and cooling different zones of the building: south and west exposed areas north and east exposed areas central core area.

the building consists of a primarily steel grid structure, with additional shear walls contributing to structural integrity.

exposed steel structure complimented by board form concrete walls create the interior architectural experience of the building.

HVAC + structural systems

a component