| The Student Modular Habitat (SMH) is located on Cal Poly Pomona as a replacement of the CLA Building designed by Anthonie Predock in 1992. Due to water problems and major structural deficiencies, Cal Poly Pomona has decided to completely replace this iconic structure. In the midst of this, Dean Michael Woo challenged students to provide viable solutions that were both sensitive and innovative in terms of materiality and spatial qualities required for the 21st century student generation.
Context
The site is located at the heart of the campus and is currently occupied by the Classroom Laboratory Administration (CLA) building. It is adjacent to Cal Poly Pomona's College of Engineering buildings on the west, the newly constructed parking structure on the east, faculty parking lot on the south, and student dormitories to the north. Many of the buildings surrounding the site stand at maximum heights of 50'-70'. A special characteristic and challenge of the site is the connection of the design to the adjacent Japanese garden situated along the north-western edge of the site.
Program
The resulting design is a proposal for two new structures: an elongated bar stretching across the site and an iconic tower, both of which would contain housing units for the students and faculty. The SMH will offer a catalog of 12 different unit configurations for students and faculty to choose from. It will also house a library, cafe, administration offices and a fully functional bicycle repair and sell center with bicycle parking for the student community of the campus.
Special Challenges and Design Solution
The design was born as part of the PCI material-based studio, which emphasized the use of precast concrete as a modular and integral part of the tectonics of the building. The resulting design uses precast concrete's modularity to allow all the units to be assembled on-site from precast pieces. All pieces can be easily transported by truck and maximize quality control of the units. Another challenge of this project is that replacement of an iconic architectural building such as the CLA structure.
The SMH contains a tower that serves as the new icon of Cal Poly Pomona and a long bar that houses the bicycle storage and repair facility and student housing. The units were arranged in section to provide dynamic spaces both inside of the building and on the facades. The resulting structure provides users with a wide variety of spaces while at the same time keeping costs low due to its modular nature. The skin of the building is designed as both a shading device and railing for the balconies.
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