-
---
"
'
,
// I
si~/dfthesis advisor (Bob Fisher) certifying completion and review of this honors thesis to
be submitted to the honors college by Leah Rexroth.
Advisor Signature:
Date:
$:A'ci1YL
1l 1M':!
h1
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to take this space to thank several people for their part in the
creation of this project. First of alii would like to thank my art and drafting
teachers who first recognized and informed me of my talents in art and
physics and suggested the profession of architecture. I would also like to
thank the many guest lecturers and professors who gave of their time to
come to Ball State and speak on the many topics that influenced this
project, without their input and knowledge this project would not have been
possible. Finally and most critically I would like to thank Bob Fisher who
oversaw and critiqued every step of this project and who's humor and
positive attitude made it's creation an absolute blast.
On a more personal note I would like to thank my family who have
supported me both emotionally and financially as I completed my degree
and this thesis. Without them I would be nothing and I will always be
grateful to them for that.
Project: Medium Sized Office Complex
Location: North of 465-West of Westfield Blvd.
Thesis Topic-Issues and Positions:
Health and Well ness by Design
Research has shown that Americans spend on average 90% of their time each day indoors. Other
research relating indoor air quality, daylighting, etc to worker productivity has spawned a new
movement focused on creating the healthiest indoor environments possible among commercial
spaces and especially traditionally drab office spaces. The need and demand for this type of
design is especially high in the rapidly expanding areas north of Indianapolis. I would like to thoroughly explore the different elements that contribute to this indoor environment (i.e. air quality,
daylight, color, vegetation etc.) and how the built environment can affect each of these elements in
a positive way. Specifically I would like to focus on how an indoor office space can maximize daylighting and indoor air exchange while at the same time reducing the amount of heat and energy
traditionally lost due to large expanses of glass.
Background for the Design Inquiry:
I have spent my whole life in indoor environments in which there is often little or no daylighting and
air quality is not even a consideration. Also, my father is considering the expansion of his own office. Having worked in his current office space in the past I can attest to the utter desolation experienced in the existing environment and I believe that this background and present research well
equip me to address this issue.
Project Description:
The project I would like to undertake is a medium sized office complex in which indoor environmental quality is the single highest priority in the design process with the aim of increasing efficiency and employee health considerations. In fitting with the surroundings of the site the building
will be approximately 4-8 stories tall with the intent that each story could be separately leased
by individual companies. The building site is also located along the Monon to allow for alternate
means of transportation, which will also be a major design consideration for this building.
Context-Physical and Cultural:
This project is to be located in northern Indianapolis; a very wealthy and rapidly expanding area
in which land values and office space such as this are at a premium for those wanting to shorten
the commute to downtown offices and locate the office space closer to employees to allow alternative forms of transportation. To this type of clientele, health concerns are currently a major area of
concern, making this a prime area for this type of project.
Research: Overview and Bibliography:
http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/GreenBuilding/CaseStudies/CommerciaIiRidgehaven.htm
http://gl.nacdnet.org/Presentations/Ford%20Green%20Building%20Initiatives_files/frame.htm
http://www.moea.state.mn.us/greenbuilding/
ii
ii i Ii Hi'i> 'Ii;; lin; iiililil iiil
INITIALCONSIDERATIONS:
Site Selection and Orientation
Solar Orientation/Collection
Ventilation
Water Retention and Treatment
./
#
~--
Site Selection and Orientation:
-Located between Carmel and Indianapolis to allow for alternative means of transportation from
either area.
-Located along the Monon to promote biking/jogging etc.
-Located on an unutilized portion of one of the many local golf courses (one of the most environmentally unfriendly landscaping schemes)
Solar Orientation/Collection:
-Solar Chimneys to the south to encourage passive ventallation in the summer months and passive
heating in the winter months.
-North facing atrium spaces angled for maximum exposure to diffuse light while preventing any
direct solar gain.
-Solar PVC's along south facing sun shades to utilize active solar collection during high use times.
Ventilation:
-Mechanically operated windows to encourage maximum ventilation and night flush cooling ..
-Solar chimney's help draw air from the cool north side of the building across the green roofs and
through each level.
-Open ended floors allow for maximum air circulation throughout the entire space and taller ceiling
heights allow lower quality air to stratify away from inhabitants and be vented out.
Water Retention and Treatment:
-Several layers of green roofs prevent water from simply running off into streams or sewers, and
instead utilizes parts and allows the rest to slowly filter into the ground as it would normally do
-Artifical retention ponds work to reflect extra light into the spaces as well as serving as a place to
hold the water that is displaced by the new contstruction.
Mono
Trail
Carmel
Golf
Course
Westfield
Blvd
Ind ianapo Iis
Vicinity Map
Scale: Undefined
[I Il
C
=:>[1 (] c · ·=:>
First Floor Plan
•
All other floors are similar, area but stop at the
northern most row of columore details. All floors
are designed to be adjus10f permanent walls
possible. Utility areas a this open design.
CIRCULATION
HVAC
CIRCULATION
F
North Facing
A,ngled to Blc
Southern EXF"'"
Glass Enclosed Towers
Facilitate Stack Effect\
Natural Ventilation
>=
Operable Windows
to Faciritate Ventilation
Section AA
Open Ended Floors to
Facilitate Air Exchange
PVC's on Sun Shade for
Active Energy Collection
,•
Steel Truss
Reinforced
Concrete Column
Precast Concrete
Panel
Steel I-Beam
OWSJ
HVAC Return
i
~
I I
e
~
El
E
[§
~
a
El
a
==
North Elevation
Facade Materials
1) Poured in Place
Reinforced Concrete
2) Precast Concrete
Panels
3) Blue Tinted UV
Glass for Solar Towers
4) Tinted Glass for
Off ice Spaces
5) Clear Glass fo'r
Rec eption/Transition
A rea