* Context / Community:
The history of this California campus was founded on the agricultural sciences in 1904. A world leader in research with tremendous benefits to California and the global Agra community, including chemical elimination, field production density, climate change, medicinal / medical uses, energy sourcing plants, breed varieties that withstand & eliminate smog. This 40,000 SF plant growth environment looks at technology and design to take the school into the next level of agricultural research and continue its impactful presence in education and in the field.
* Program / Process:
Through a collaborative multidisciplinary approach, the design evolved from continually modeling and testing of roof forms, air movement, heat gain/loss, light, moisture, and water. The first-floor laboratory is designed to be flexible and adaptable. The upper level greenhouse roof was formed by the cool air supplied from the floor with heat drawn and discharged from the top. Above, an innovative Teflon carbon fabric shading canopy modulates the summer sunlight on overheated days. A living machine of 24-hour experimentation and modulation of the internal environment. Every component was taken into consideration for an optimal plant growth and sustainable solution.
* Architecture:
The building’s mass, and orientation take’s advantage of the sun’s direction. The tall entry stair, elevator towers identifies the entry. Simple internal circulation enables a safe condition for users, instrument movement, and chemical handling. The lower level lab areas are open for group teaching, growth chambers for longer experimentation divide the lab spaces from the back of house. The upper level greenhouses align with the lower level modulating the dynamic massing of the building. The two levels architecturally integrate though alignment of venting walls, columns, and windows. The building is an instrument to leaning, students can measure, control, and observe the development of plant growth in a safe, comfortable environment.
* Opportunities / Outcomes:
1. The facility represents today’s multi-disciplinary learning environment where mathematics, science, health, and food come together, and where research and practice are seen as one.
2. The building itself teaches sustainability through active digital feedback technology; a monitoring system ingrained in the building’s infrastructure, mobile app, and the build's use.
3. Learning how to affect light, air and water towards a plant’s success educates in the practice of environmental sustainability.
4. This building’s outreach to the local community and the California agricultural industry including viticulture will lead future industry leaders to a more sustainable / healthy environment.
5. Planned for LEED Gold
The building looks at six nature of place metrics including; Integration, Economy, Resources, Community, Design for Change and Innovation as design drivers.
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