Ball State University Center For The Environment - 4th Year Capstone Project
An Honors Thesis (HONRS 499)
By
Ann]. Ross
Thesis Advisor
Michele Chiuini
,
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana
May 2009
Expected Date of Graduation
May 9, 2009
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Abstract
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na~a fn~onment
The
functions in a sustainable way. To move towards a more efficient
built environment, we need to reflect on how nature does it first. This project focuses on systems
similar to a phototropic sunflower. With the technology available today, we can embrace and design
similar systems to work more effectively.
With my thesis I want to investigate technology and natural systems. The natural
environment functions in a sustainable way. To move towards a more efficient built environment,
we need to reflect on how nature does it first. With the technology available today, we can design
similar systems to work more effectively. I am interested in systems similar to a heliotropic
sunflower. Using new technologies, louvers, sunshades, and photovoltaic panels could move based
on the sun's angle and movement - maximizing their efficiency. The Center for the Environment at
Ball State is a great way to explore how to incorporate these systems into new architecture.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Michele Chiuini for advising and teaching me during this project. He
contributed gready to the success of the final product.
Ann]. Ross
HONRS 499
May 2009
Ball State University Center for the Environment
The natural environment functions in a sustainable way. To move towards a more efficient
built environment, we need to reflect on how nature does it fust. This project focuses on systems
similar to a phototropic sunflower. With the technology available today, we can embrace and design
similar systems to work more effectively.
With my thesis I want to investigate technology and natural systems. The natural
environment functions in a sustainable way. To move towards a more efficient built environment,
we need to reflect on how nature does it fust. With the technology available today, we can design
similar systems to work more effectively. I am interested in systems similar to a heliotropic
sunflower. Using new technologies, louvers, sunshades, and photovoltaic panels could move based
on the sun's angle and movement - maximizing their efficiency. The Center for the Environment at
Ball State is a great way to explore how to incorporate these systems into new architecture.
The Center for the Environment at Ball State is also a great opportunity to explore how the
surrounding community can be influenced by architecture. This building will correspond with the
American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). A goal of the
ACUPCC is to, "exercise leadership in their communities and throughout society by modeling ways
to minimize global warming emissions, and by providing the knowledge and the educated graduates
to achieve climate neutrality." This building will serve as a representation to the public for the future
of sustainable architecture. Even though this is a fabricated project, the process and means of
identifying this building as a public icon for sustainable design is educating and memorable.
Forward thinking in new technologies, although always morphing into something different,
has always influenced architecture. Architects use the technologies and tools of their time to
influence their design. The builders of Mesa Verde used simple tools, but their vernacular
architecture is influenced by their knowledge of the environment around them. The architects of
early skyscrapers used the new material of steel to make their structures significantly taller.
Contemporary architects now have more technology available than ever. Our heritage encourages us
to move forward and develop architecture that is better because of it.
Ball State University
Center for the Environment
- - - - - - 4th Year Capstone Project
Ann J. Ross
ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Precedent Analysis
Micro Electronics Park
Duisburg, Germany
Norman Foster 1988-1996
"Our work in Duisburg is not about a single
emblematic building. It has more to do with the
collective power of diverse interventions."
- Norman Foster
Foster designed an alternating series
of pavilions and atria beneath a
c,....,tinuous curved roof. He wanted
h work to demonstrate that
technology could be used to achieve
green ends. The tapered plans of the
pavilions and the curved profile of
the section use a habitable
environmental buffer (reliance upon
naturally induced air circulation) until
extreme weather occurs when
secondary mechanical units take
over.
Norman Foster Works 4 (2004)
" ... the modernist idea of a
fully glazed building with the
goal of energy efficiency."
Norman Foster Works 4 (2004)
Architectural Philosophy
Norman Foster Works 4 (2004)
ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Precedent Ana lysis
Proposed Site Plan
Norman Foster Works 4 (2004)
60H
Ground Floor Plan
Normon Foster Works 4 (2004)
Section
Norman Foster Works 4 (2004)
Site, Primary Floor Plan and Section; Photographs
ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Precedent Analysis
Connective Tissue
. Rear Spine and Atria
Served Spaces
. Offices, Conference Rooms,
And laboratories
Service Spaces
. Mechanical and
Utility
Morphological/Volumetric Organization
ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Precedent Analysis
-_
Dimensional Order
Symmetry
Triangular Geometry
Spherical Geometry
Norman Foster Works 4 (2004)
Geometric and Dimensional Orders
ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Precedent Analysis
Normon Foster Works .4 (200.4)
The primary structure consists of columns on
the North East side and load-bearing concrete
walls on the South West side. The concrete
serves as a thermal mass.
Primary Structure
ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Precedent Analysis
Natural Illumination
Material layers
- Steel, Glass, Wood
Thermal Mediator
Heavy Basement Supports
light Structure on Top
Enclosure Organization
ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Precedent Ana lysis
Summer Diagram
Winter Diagram
This building relies on naturally induced air circulation. Air comes
into the building through the atria and also from an air intake in the
park. When extreme conditions occur, the mechanical units take
over.
Foster designed the building to use cross and stack ventilation to
move air across the space.
Norman Foster Works 4 (2004)
Response to Environmental Factors
ARCH 401 ARCHITECfURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Precedent Ana lysis
Extruded Section
Repetition of Units
Idea Conception and its Transformation
ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Architectural Intent
To move towards a more efficient
The natural
built environment, we need to
reflect on how nature does it first.
enVIronment
This project focuses on systems
similar to a phototropiC sunflower.
With the technology available today, functions in a
we can embrace and design similar
systems to work more effectively.
sustainable way.
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Architectural Intent
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ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Architectural Intent
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ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Program Development
1,920 sq. ft.
Four laboratories @ 480 sq . ft (Capaci ty ' 24 students ea)
Multi-Use Suite
1.0
4,000 sq. ft.
6.0
These spaces will be used dunng the day for lectures for
large classes, for evening banquets, for evening lectures
by prominent -environmentalists" and for plenary sessions
for symposia.
11
Auditorium (Seating for 150 in chairS orfor
12
Stage Area
1.3
14
15
16
17
640 sq It.
Stage Activity Prep Area (Quasl-Green Room)
Meals Serving Area (For catered meals brought by truck)
Storage for Tables and ChairS
sq ft.
A-V Room
(For · state 01 the art· A-V)
Coat Room (For 150 coats)
7.0
960 sq. ft.
8.0
Reception Area
800 sq It
8.0
(Outside of the auditorium. can be combined
with an atrium or other common space)
2.0
Exhibit Suite
2 1
22
1,440 sq . ft.
Exhibit space
1200 sq ft
Exhibit storage
240 sq ft.
3 .•
Computer Lab
24 Stations
120 sq ft
18
Model Fabrication Su ite
600 sq. ft.
Fabrication area
480 sq ft.
One routing machine and two laser cutting machines
6.2
Technician's Office
120 sq ft .
61
Director's Office Suite
480 sq. ft.
240 sq ft
8.2
Director's Office
9.3
Two person office for Coordinator of Clustered M inors in
Environmentally SustaInable Pract ices and Coordinator of
· Green- Initiatives
9.4
Technician's Offices
7 41
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120 sq
library
Cl assrooms
Dlreclor's Secretary piUS wailing area
240 sq ft
General Office Suite
2, 000 sq. ft.
9.1
General Office (One secretarial position. plus areas for
copying and storage and waiting seating)
9.2
Office for Campus Sustainability Coordinator
742
1,200 sq . ft .
4.0
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fl.
2,880 sq . ft.
4.1
Four classrooms @ 240 sq ft (Capacity: 24 ea.)
4 .2
Four classrooms @ 4BO sq. ft . (Capacity: 48 students ea.)
1,920 s<
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symposia
Computer Technician
120 sq ft .
9.4
9.5
96
9.7
7.43
General l aboratories Technician
Four person office for graduate assistants
Conference Room for eight wI Kitchenette
General Storage
120 sq ft .
Unisex disabled-accessible toHet
ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Program Development
Exsitinq NREM Labs:
_The existing NREM Labs contain
wooden cabinet storage for glass
beakers, chemicals, and equipment.
_The center of the lab space has a
countertop with a water trough sink
in the center and work space
surrounding it.
_This center space has access to
water, gas, and vaccum.
_The lab space currently has little
circulation space throughout the
room.
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ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Structural Systems
Concrete is a sustainable
material because it has a
very low inherent energy
requirement, is produced to
order as needed with very
little waste, can be made
with recycled materials.
Use of coal ash, rice-husk
ash, wood ash, natural pozzolans, GGBFS, silica fume,
and other similar pozzolanic
materials can reduce the use
of manufactured Portland
cement clinker; and, at the
same time, produce concrete
tr~t is more durable.
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solid wastes, and leads to
sustainable cement and
concrete industry.
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ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Site Analysisl Design
ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Site Analysis/ Design
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ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Environmental Systems
Solar Aquatic System
Used for:
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irrigation of plants, both indoor planters and exterior
landscapes
flushing toilets
groundwater recharge
Require:
sunlight, oxygen, bacteria, algae, plants, snails and fish
Anodonta Freshwater clams can individually filter
as much as 40 liters/day removing 99.5% of waste
Marsh plants include bulrush, cattail, water iris, and reeds
Round tanks may be used to maximize circulation
Pumps and fans are necessary to circulate and aerate water
Biofilter of humic materials and bark may be used after initial
filtration of solids to reduce odors
'Narm Climates
May be outside, Temperature encourages biological activity
Temperate Climates
Greenhouse is necessary to maintain water temperatures to prevent
plant life from winterizing
Cold Climates
Supplemental heating may be required
1 Aeration
Air is diffused into waste water which helps naturally forming and supplemented
commercially produced bacteria breaks down organic chemicals into carbon
dioxide and water. The bacteria also helps breaks down nutrients for other
organisms later in the process
2. Nitrification
Plants, bacteria, and algae metabolize nitrates, ammonia, and phosphates which
snails and plankton begin to digest the sludge.
3. Nutrient Removal, Solid Reduction
The surface plants use materials to grow while their roots provide habitat for zoo
plankton which aid in water filtration
. Filtration, Denitrification
Solids are filtered through sand and stone substrate while marsh plants reduce
bacteria and convert nitrate into nitrogen gas and water
5. Disinfection
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ultraviolet light at the discharge point
ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Environmental Systems
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ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Environmental Systems
Solar Tanks
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ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Principles of Sustainability
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ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Principles of Sustainability
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ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Principles of Sustainability
ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Life Safety
EGRESS
GREEN HOUSE/SOLAR UVING MACHINE
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ARCH 401 ARCHITECfU RAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Life Safety
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ARCH 401 ARCHITECfURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Building Envelope
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ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Wall Sectionsl Building Assembly
ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Detailing
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ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Space Development
ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Site Context
ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Final Sections
Section A-A
Section B-B
ARCH 401 ARCHtTECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Final Elevations
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ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Final Floor Plans
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ARCH 401 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Fi na I Floor Pia ns
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ARCH 401 ARCHITECfURAL DESIGN Fall 2008
Final Floor Plans
Third Floor
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