CONTEXT
Pomona College is a residential campus committed to providing its students with a full living and learning experience. As a residential college, students are expected to live on campus all four years, participate in the life of the college on campus, and interact with other students in the residence halls, dining halls, and throughout campus activities. A primary goal of campus life is to promote a safe and sustainable community. Physically the Pomona campus is organized by a hierarchy of axially oriented open spaces linked by pedestrian pathways.
SOLUTION/DESIGN
The primary architectural challenge for the new North Campus Student Housing project for Pomona College was to create a building complex that fit both the much loved traditional campus and the functional program while simultaneously being of the 21st Century. A distinctive-but-compatible approach was adopted early in the design process, and the modern architectural response clearly connects without copying; the new architecture departs from the Campus’ red tile roof vernacular with flat roofs that harvest energy, but exterior sun shades made of terra cotta - a specific response to the harsh solar conditions of the semi-desert landscape of inland southern California - elegantly reference the roof tiles of existing buildings.
The exterior material palette is warm and natural, echoing the historic buildings on campus. Yet the design employs state-of-the-art technologies and many sustainable strategies making the buildings feel current. One example is the use of thermal mass as an energy conservation strategy achieved by a cast-in-place concrete structure and 11 inch deep precast concrete exterior walls, with punched openings of the same dimensions as the adjacent exiting 1920’s hall, reflecting both the massing and the materials of the existing campus. The result led to this project being the first LEED Platinum-certified student residence hall in the state of California.
PROGRAM/SCOPE
The residence halls consist of two “L”-shaped buildings, giving a three-story face to Amherst Avenue to the east and stepping down to two-stories towards the existing residence halls to the west. At a combined 81,000 square feet, the two buildings have a total of 150 students in suites with individual bedrooms. The project includes an underground parking garage for 170 cars constructed beneath Sontag Hall and the relocated natural turf Athearn Field. There is also an apartment for visiting faculty in each building and one staff apartment. Every suite contains a group living room, individual bedrooms and toilet and shower facilities.
SPECIAL CHALLENGES/UNUSUAL CHARACTERISTICS
Throughout the design, special attention was paid to sustainable materials and features, including thermal mass construction, photovoltaics, thermosyphon hot water, drought-resistant landscape, and extensive use of re-cycled materials. The building also incorporates a significant internal recycling program, a green cleaning program and a public education programs. Sustainable features are also demonstrated in two roof top eco classrooms.
BUDGET/COST
The project was constructed for $42.6 million and completed in 2011.
Narrative Sustainable Design Certificate:
Pomona College has made a pledge to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 75% by 2050 and has implemented Green Building Standards which require all new construction to achieve a minimum of LEED Gold certification. Additionally, the residence halls were charged with functioning as an example of living sustainability and teaching tool for students. All aspects of the design were considered with respect to how they could raise awareness, educate and even assist the occupants in making more informed choices whether it be utilizing the power outlet wall switch to turn electronic equipment off and reduce phantom loads, taking a shorter shower to conserve water or opening a window and taking advantage of natural ventilation and fresh outside air rather than relying on air conditioning. The design team took these goals to heart and the project received the first LEED Platinum certification for a residence hall in the state of California!
The project addresses a variety of environmental quality issues including stormwater management, heat island effect reduction and onsite ecosystems. Stormwater runoff is reduced 100% through the use of pervious materials, landscaping and an underground detention basin & drywell system that collect all remaining runoff and release it back into an aquifer adjacent to the site rather than discharging it into a city storm drain. The site plan maximizes open space, providing twice as much area as the overall building footprint and nearly three times as much usable open space as before. Landscaped areas are planted with native and adapted species, creating small ecosystems for grasses, succulents, shade foliage and fruit trees, all of which have low water requirements. Even the soil composition and the irrigation system for the turf playing field have been designed with water conservation in mind. Eight existing mature Oak trees were relocated in order to save them from demolition and pedestrian walks have been routed around other mature trees left in place in order to respect what was already there.
Claremont has a very wide day/night temperature swing. Daytime temperatures often exceed 90F and frequently surpass 100 F during the summer, while temperatures drop dramatically after sunset, almost always below 70F. Responding to these climatic conditions the project utilizes the concept of thermal mass for the design of the building envelope. Responding to feedback gathered during the programming phase, the suite layouts have been designed so every bedroom and living room has direct access to exterior daylight, views and natural ventilation. Windows were also sized and located so daylight penetrates deep into each room reducing the need for additional lighting.
During construction an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) management plan was implemented in order to protect porous materials against moisture exposure and pollutant contamination. Over 95% of all site and construction debris was recycled and diverted from landfills.
