Schematic Design
Jason Greer
General Information
Name: Villanova University: School of Law
Location: Villanova, PA
Owner: Villanova University
Size: 170,000 SF
Cost: $56,566,661
Occupancy
•Law library
•Classrooms
•Student services
•Faculty/Administrative Offices
•Chapel
•Dining facility
Project Team
•GC: Gilbane
•CM: SmithGroup
•Architect: SmithGroup
•MEP: SmithGroup
•Landscape Arch: ML Baird &Co.
•Civil Engineer: Yerkes Associates, Inc.
•Structural Engineer: O'Donnell &
Naccarato, Inc
“Light is more than some abstract,
unknowable energy force. Light is Truth.”
-Renee Bledsoe, Addiction Alchemy
Design Goals
Design Goals
•Exemplify the legal institution’s ideals of
prestige and excellence through light
•Enhance the experience of the building’s
occupants
•Highlight architectural elements of the
spaces within the building
•Provide an attractive façade to gaze upon
during evening hours
•Allow for maximum flexibility in the spaces
that will serve multiple functions
Chosen Spaces
Spaces To Be Redesigned
1. 135 Seat Classroom
2. Moot Court
3. Atrium
4. Courtyard
135 Seat Classroom
1st Floor Plan
135 Seat Classroom | Moot Court | Atrium | Entry/Courtyard
135 Seat Classroom
1st Floor Plan
135 Seat Classroom | Moot Court | Atrium | Entry/Courtyard
135 Seat Classroom
Key Architectural Features
•Tiered Seating
•“U-Shaped Seating
•Presentation Area
Space Functions
•Lecturing
•Presenting
•Classroom Discussion
•Exam Taking
(reading tasks)
135 Seat Classroom | Moot Court | Atrium | Entry/Courtyard
135 Seat Classroom
Room Materials
Flooring
•Carpeting Walls
•Painted Gyp Board •Acoustical Panel Ceiling
•Painted Gyp Board •Acoustical Tile -
135 Seat Classroom | Moot Court | Atrium | Entry/Courtyard
135 Seat Classroom
Design Goals
•Provide a flexible space to be used for
lectures, presentations and reading tasks
•Provide a VDT friendly environment
•Continue the idea of bringing prestige and
excellence to the forefront
•Provide necessary light levels to accomplish
all tasks that will occur in the space
•Promote sustainable design by limiting
power consumption
135 Seat Classroom | Moot Court | Atrium | Entry/Courtyard
135 Seat Classroom Concept
135 Seat Classroom | Moot Court | Atrium | Entry/Courtyard
Moot Court
2nd Floor Plan
135 Seat Classroom | Moot Court | Atrium | Entry/Courtyard
Moot Court
135 Seat Classroom | Moot Court | Atrium | Entry/Courtyard
Moot Court
Key Architectural Features
•Judge’s Bench
•Jury Box
•Witness Stand
•Counselor Tables
•Tiered Seating
•Presentation Area
•Entrances
Space Functions
•Mock Trials
•Presentations
•Lectures
•Classroom Discussion
•Exam Taking
135 Seat Classroom | Moot Court | Atrium | Entry/Courtyard
Moot Court
Room Materials
Flooring
•Carpeting Walls
•Painted Gyp Board •Acoustical Panel -
•Wood Panel -
Ceiling
•Painted Gyp Board -
•Acoustical Tile -
135 Seat Classroom | Moot Court | Atrium | Entry/Courtyard
Moot Court
Design Goals
•Provide a realistic courtroom setting
•Provide a flexible space to allow all functions of the space
to be met
•Accent the architectural rich wood and other architectural
features
•Emphasize lighting at the critical areas (judges’ bench,
jury box, witness stand
•Provide appropriate light levels for all tasks
135 Seat Classroom | Moot Court | Atrium | Entry/Courtyard
Moot Court Concept
135 Seat Classroom | Moot Court | Atrium | Entry/Courtyard
1st Floor Plan
135 Seat Classroom | Moot Court | Atrium | Entry/Courtyard
Atrium
1st Floor Plan
135 Seat Classroom | Moot Court | Atrium | Entry/Courtyard
Atrium
Key Architectural Features
•Glass Façade
•Entrance/Vestibule
•Seating Area
•Entrance to Coffee
Bar
•Exits to Courtyard
Patio
Space Functions
•Sitting/Gathering
•Eating
•Parties
•Passing Through
•Studying
•Exhibits
135 Seat Classroom | Moot Court | Atrium | Entry/Courtyard
Atrium
Room Materials
Flooring
•Carpeting -
Walls/Ceiling
•Painted Gyp
Board •Wood Panel Walls/Ceiling
•Façade – Clear glazing, dark
aluminum mullions
135 Seat Classroom | Moot Court | Atrium | Entry/Courtyard
Atrium
Design Goals
•Provide a flexible space for all designed functions
•Provide proper daylight controls
•Accent wood paneling on ceiling and wall
•Use light to guide people through this transition space
•Provide sufficient light levels to allow for each task
•Create a elegant view from the exterior using interior lighting
135 Seat Classroom | Moot Court | Atrium | Entry/Courtyard
Atrium Concept
135 Seat Classroom | Moot Court | Atrium | Entry/Courtyard
Chosen Spaces
Site Plan
135 Seat Classroom | Moot Court | Atrium | Entry/Courtyard
Courtyard
Site Plan
135 Seat Classroom | Moot Court | Atrium | Entry/Courtyard
Courtyard
Key Architectural Features
•Open grass area
•Patio against building
•Stone walkway surrounding
vegetation
•Great view from parking lot
Space Functions
•Drawing attention
•Relaxing/Eating (patio)
•Entry to law school
135 Seat Classroom | Moot Court | Atrium | Entry/Courtyard
Courtyard
Design Goals
•Draw people to the building
•Provide a peaceful place to eat or relax in twilight hours
•Provide a safely lighted environment for safe passage
•Provide an eye catcher from the parking lot and road
•Accent the green space and other vegetation
135 Seat Classroom | Moot Court | Atrium | Entry/Courtyard
Courtyard Concept
135 Seat Classroom | Moot Court | Atrium | Entry/Courtyard
Questions
QUESTIONS?