LIVING BUILDING
CHALLENGE
KSU 2015
JONATHAN MCCONNELL
PLACE
Key Imperatives
1.
Local Urban Agriculture
2.
Reflective Material pays homage to existing
site
3.
Residential Units either prioritize views to
Space Needle or engage morning sun.
4.
Conciseness + addition to program
prevents decentralized nature of sprawl
5.
Creation of community based on the
pedestrian rather than the automobile
ACHIEVING THE PLACE PETAL
Reflective surface pays
homage to the pre-existing
context
Urban agriculture possibilities
Urban agriculture possibilities
Residential units are oriented
towards the east so the
residents may rise to the
morning sun, thus engaging
circadian rhythms.
Residential units face directly
towards the Space Needle for
premium views.
EQUITY
Key Imperatives
1.
Equal access to sunlight, clean air, and
water
2.
Universal access provided to those with
disabilities
3.
Those who can’t afford expensive
transportation can still fully participate in
the major elements of society.
4.
Inclusive terrace level shopping
center/restaurant hub/gathering space
fosters sense of community
ACHIEVING THE EQUITY PETAL
Centralized gathering spaces
foster a distinct sense of
community.
Every inhabitant has equal
access to sunlight, clean air,
and water.
Universal access is provided
to those with disabilities.
WATER
Strategies Used
1.
Water is collected on roof.
2.
Untreated rainwater is used to flush toilets and
water plants and green roofs.
3.
Rainwater is treated on site and converted to
potable water.
4.
Greywater from showers and sinks are recycled to
flush toilets and water gardens
5.
Rainwater captured in cistern and absorbed in
green roofs reduce runoff and strain on the city’s
storm-water system
6.
Water collected on roof cascades through the
center of the building, down to the cistern, raising
awareness regarding water preservation
ACHIEVING THE WATER PETAL
Rainwater is collected on the roof. The water in its untreated form can be used to flush toilets and water vegetation. Greywater from sinks and showers can also be
repurposed toward the same ends. Part of the collected greywater will be treated on site and converted into potable water. The water captured on green roofs
reduces runoff and alleviates some of the pressure from the city’s storm-water system. Although the collected rainwater is eventually stored in a subterranean
cistern, before it makes its way there, it literally cascades directly through the building, raising awareness about the importance of finding alternatives to relying
exclusively on city water.
HEALTH AND HAPPINESS
1.
Many units face East; residents rise to morning
sun; circadian rhythm engaged
2.
Double height fitness center with iconic rockclimbing wall added to the program
3.
Masses are intentionally narrow to allow for
maximum penetration of sunlight.
4.
Building is made to feel as light and open as
possible, avoiding feeling of claustrophobia
5.
Special focus on open spaces with access to fresh
air
6.
Circulation/transition spaces made particularly
pleasant with natural elements
7.
Sense of community fostered by additions to
program
Strategies Used
ACHIEVING THE HEALTH AND HAPPINESS PETAL
Transition/circulation spaces
are made as pleasant as
possible, reversing the
usually unpleasant commuting
conditions present in a city.
Adding to the program and
providing extensive amenity
areas allows one to function
fully without leaving the
building. In this way a strong
sense of community is
fostered.
A double height fitness center
with an dramatic street side
rock climbing wall was added
to the program specifically to
promote health.
Due to orientation, many
residents rise to the morning
sun, engaging their circadian
rhythms.
ENERGY
Strategies Used
1.
East/West shades block intense East and
West sun & minimize intense solar gain.
2.
Office mass maximizes its south facade to
more directly control light/heat via
horizontal overhangs
3.
Green roofs provide additional insulation
4.
Physical masses made as narrow as
possible to allow for maximum penetration
of sunlight and thus reduced reliance on
artificial light
ACHIEVING THE ENERGY PETAL
East/West shades block the
energy and heat intensive
early morning/late afternoon
sun, thus minimizing
excessive solar gain.
Green roofs provide an added
layer of insulation.
The Residential masses are
made as narrow as possible
to permit maximum
penetration of natural light,
thus reducing the need for
energy-intensive artificial
light.
The office segment’s directlyfacing south façade is
maximized, allowing for
strong control over solar gain
via horizontal overhangs.
MATERIALS
Strategies Used
1.
Materials are locally sourced
2.
No red-listed materials used
3.
Materials with no/very low VOCs selected
for use
4.
Material selection contributes to building
appearing as open and light as possible
ACHIEVING THE MATERIALS PETAL
Source as many local materials as possible.
No red-listed materials are to be included in the project.
Reduce off-gassing as much as possible by monitoring material VOCs.
BEAUTY
Strategies Used
1.
Proportional relationships between
volumes established
2.
Selection of reflective material pays
homage to the beauty of the surrounding
city.
3.
Green terraces and transition spaces
provide pleasant juxtaposition to hardscape
surfaces
ACHIEVING THE BEAUTY PETAL
Most classical definitions of
beauty are related to
proportion. Within the
project, proportional
relationships are forged to
create a feeling of coherence.
AERIAL VIEW OF NORTH CORNER
AERIAL VIEW OF SOUTH CORNER
VIEW FROM THE SPACE NEEDLE
GROUND LEVEL_NORTH CORNER
GROUND LEVEL_EAST CORNER
STREET LEVEL VIEW TOWARDS ROCK CLIMBING WALL