Planning Process:
In 2009 The College of the Desert (COD) finalized a Development Disposition Agreement with the City of Indio. This agreement forged a relationship between COD and The City of Indio, demonstrating to the community how public agencies are creatively adopting the value of education and it relationship to a strong community. The new offsite instructional facility is the first ground up project within the City of Indio’s revitalization master plan. In addition; this new instructional facility is part of COD’s outreach strategy to extend educational opportunities into the Eastern Coachella Valley.
Design Process:
The new three-story education center has been sited along the western edge of the property to reinforce planning principles of the City of Indio’s urban master plan. The overall building mass is truthful in its form and organized into three rectangular volumes, which supports efficient program organization and clear internal circulation.
- Atrium, volume 1: primary entry and visual connection between the interior circulation space and the community’s activity along the streetscape.
- Classrooms, volume 2: the building form is a reflection of the functional internal space with articulated fenestrations for daylight.
- Retail & Classroom, volume 3: educational spaces positioned above a full glazed retail space on the first floor, which engages the community.
Providing ample daylight within each instructional space is vital to the success of the educational environment. Likewise providing framed views of the surrounding community connects the student with a larger consciousness of place while learning as an individual.
Sustainability:
The driving design principal of connecting students with the community and reinforcing the urban edge, created a north to south building axis that is not optimum for passive design strategies. Therefore the design team successfully leveraged a set of sustainable design strategies in order to meet the project’s established building performance goals and LEED Gold target.
- Energy performance is 22% better than baseline, due to a robust building envelope, ample daylighting, hybrid ventilation in the atrium, 20% reduction in lighting power density, and efficient mechanical system with enthalpy wheels.
- Building use water reduction was reduced by 45% from the baseline, through a collaborative effort with COD’s maintenance and operations group.
- 100% of stormwater will be treated with bio-swales and stored onsite underneath the parking lot. The stormwater will then be released back to groundwater.
- Landscape design yielded a 60% reduction in irrigation water, while supplying an appropriate desert planting scheme that connects with the context and City of Indio’s master plan palate.
The team used early conceptual analysis tools and whole building simulation throughout the design process, which influenced design decisions and strategies. The education center has strongly targeted LEED gold, successful participated in IID Energy Efficiency program and reported its EUI to the AIA 2030 Commitment.
|
