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The Science of Healing, the Art of Compassion
Designing Sustainable and Healthy Architecture is an Organic Process
by Michael
Hawker and Jennifer Desmond, Contributing Writers
Feature photographs
by Jennifer Desmond
Additional photography by Michael Hawker
Copyright 2012, Symbiotic Sense, All Rights Reserved.
Every image may be enlarged for better clarity and viewing by clicking on it.
Don't hesitate to try!
Additional photography by Michael Hawker
Copyright 2012, Symbiotic Sense, All Rights Reserved.
Every image may be enlarged for better clarity and viewing by clicking on it.
Don't hesitate to try!
SOUTH JORDAN, UTAH - At first glance, any news of the upcoming
American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Convention to be held mid-May
in Washington, D.C. would naturally not garner much notice from the broader
community of students, faculty, or staff of Salt Lake Community College. This
year, however, might be good reason for pause and note the connection. Tagged
with a slogan "design connects" and anticipated to draw 17,000 architects,
designers, and building industry-related professionals along with 800
exhibitors, this year's AIA event will focus much of its general and education
sessions on sustainable design and themes of healing our world through the
built environment.
Featured will be tours of several LEED-certified buildings, the green building certification system of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and foremost among green rating systems worldwide. To date, over 44,000 projects participate in the LEED rating system in all 50 states and 120 countries, and additionally more than 67,000 residences have been registered under the LEED for Homes program.
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| The Health Sciences Center, Jordan Campus, earned LEED Silver certification in 2009. Click image to enlarge. |
Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) claims
a trio of LEED-certified buildings, among which is one focused on the
"science of healing and the art of compassion," the Health Science
Center at the Jordan Campus. It opened in 2007 and was awarded the College's
first LEED Certification in 2009. The other LEED-participating SLCC buildings are
the Center for New Media Annex (LEED Certified Silver) at the South City Campus -- currently under construction -- and the new Instructional Administration Building (pursuing LEED Silver rating) which will replace an existing
energy-devouring building at the same site on the Taylorsville-Redwood Campus. Both
are expected to open doors to students and faculty January, 2013.
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| Courtesy USGBC from "List of Top Ten States for LEED Green Buildings" |
LEED certification is relatively new to Utah,
unlike in Washington, D.C. where the largest percentage of LEED certified
buildings per square foot of building space and per capita have been awarded.
Utah's increasing participation is largely due to the Federal mandates for LEED.
Since June 1, 2009, the State Building Energy Efficiency Program has required
all new campus structures to be designed to meet LEED Silver designation.
SLCC's buildings are owned by The Division of Facilities Construction and Management (DFCM), which is committed to meeting the capital development
building requirement.
"The State's own high performance criteria
at the time the Health Sciences Center was being designed -- before 2007 -- was
very comparable to LEED," stated Kenneth Adlam, AIA, a LEED-accredited
professional and Principal with GSBS Architects. Adlam was the Project
Architect responsible for the Health Science Center design. After the
architects articulated the advantages of LEED to the College, educating them on
the various nuances, the College opted to commit to even higher standards and
meet the basic LEED Certification requirements.
"DFCM then recognized that not much of a
stretch was needed to reach for LEED," said Adlam. It was "about $75,000
difference" to get the building a base level LEED Certification, recalled
Adlam, and those funds were not provided by DFCM, but were all raised by the
College. This step has proved invaluable for the College and the State for pursuing a more
aggressive approach to green building.
"DFCM is now very committed to fully
commissioning its buildings being sustainable and energy efficient," says
Curtis Clark, PE and LEED-accredited professional, who worked as a project
manager for DFCM at the time when the Health Sciences Center project began.
Clark now is the Director of Sustainability Services for GSBS Architects.
The Health Sciences Center
The Health Sciences Center (HSC), designed by GSBS Architects, is 150,000 feet of space providing classrooms for nearly 1,200 students in several health-care-related disciplines, including nursing, biotechnology, medical assisting and laboratories, occupational therapy, pharmacy studies, physical therapy, radiologic technology, surgical and health administration, and mortuary science. Amid the 16 classrooms are multiple examination and assessment rooms, more than 30 computer, medical and cadaver laboratories, a 500-seat auditorium, two clinics, a physical therapy pool and student wellness center, a library center, and four computer testing centers. All this surrounds a grand three-story keynote atrium space adjacent to an outdoor garden patio along the building's west side. The atrium admits significant daylight from a combination of an expansive insulated glass curtain wall and several clerestory windows high along the stepped roof's underside.
The Health Sciences Center (HSC), designed by GSBS Architects, is 150,000 feet of space providing classrooms for nearly 1,200 students in several health-care-related disciplines, including nursing, biotechnology, medical assisting and laboratories, occupational therapy, pharmacy studies, physical therapy, radiologic technology, surgical and health administration, and mortuary science. Amid the 16 classrooms are multiple examination and assessment rooms, more than 30 computer, medical and cadaver laboratories, a 500-seat auditorium, two clinics, a physical therapy pool and student wellness center, a library center, and four computer testing centers. All this surrounds a grand three-story keynote atrium space adjacent to an outdoor garden patio along the building's west side. The atrium admits significant daylight from a combination of an expansive insulated glass curtain wall and several clerestory windows high along the stepped roof's underside.
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| Second Level plan: library in lower left corner. Please click image to enlarge. |
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| First Level plan: atrium surrounded by auditorium (upper right) and classrooms. Please click image to enlarge. |
On one level, the programs contained within the
building work towards a healthier environment by promoting healthier students
within its walls. "It's not so much because of the LEED aspect, but
because of all the clinics we have here," said student staff member Steven
Marble, who is a Health Science major. "That is how it encourages my
health -- the teaching and all the labs." On another level, the architecture and
environmental conditions of design promote health along another angle. "In
the LEED sense, it is the huge bank of windows here [in the Atrium] that has a
lot to do with health because it lets in so much light," said Marble.
The architecture of the HSC exudes
a sterile aesthetic with a simple material palette and chiefly small windows
lined with horizontal concrete sill bands that emulate many hospital designs of
years past. Perhaps this was intentional, as a training center for the medical
and health science disciplines. The building fits into the context of the other
Jordan Campus buildings, primarily through material and color. The entire campus is draped in a palette that
was meant to keep the campus harmonious to its residential neighbors, along
with lower and sloped roof lines. The sloping roof of the HSC -- which balances the flat roof portions of the building -- is sheltering, purposeful in
providing shade to the exterior walls, but also becomes the primary visible feature
on the exterior as it mimics the slopes of the mountains. This is simultaneously
bold and reserved, some design flair peeking through the overall restraint. A more
daring and bold avant-garde look would not have been welcome here on the Jordan
campus, as it would compete with the residential character present in the
surrounding sight lines. The public seemingly agreed in a poll when it voted to
award the design a People's Choice Award in 2008, co-sponsored by the AIA-Utah
Chapter and The Salt Lake Tribune. In 2009, the building was awarded its LEED Certification.
The site placement is along the centralizing "main street" that runs through the campus heart, and borders it along the east edge to face the plaza. From the high vantage point, practically the highest point on the campus site, views to the southeast of the Wasatch mountains are maximized from the corner library. Daylight washes the library and provides a serene space for study.
The architecture of the HSC exudes
a sterile aesthetic with a simple material palette and chiefly small windows
lined with horizontal concrete sill bands that emulate many hospital designs of
years past. Perhaps this was intentional, as a training center for the medical
and health science disciplines. The building fits into the context of the other
Jordan Campus buildings, primarily through material and color. The entire campus is draped in a palette that
was meant to keep the campus harmonious to its residential neighbors, along
with lower and sloped roof lines. The sloping roof of the HSC -- which balances the flat roof portions of the building -- is sheltering, purposeful in
providing shade to the exterior walls, but also becomes the primary visible feature
on the exterior as it mimics the slopes of the mountains. This is simultaneously
bold and reserved, some design flair peeking through the overall restraint. A more
daring and bold avant-garde look would not have been welcome here on the Jordan
campus, as it would compete with the residential character present in the
surrounding sight lines. The public seemingly agreed in a poll when it voted to
award the design a People's Choice Award in 2008, co-sponsored by the AIA-Utah
Chapter and The Salt Lake Tribune. In 2009, the building was awarded its LEED Certification.The site placement is along the centralizing "main street" that runs through the campus heart, and borders it along the east edge to face the plaza. From the high vantage point, practically the highest point on the campus site, views to the southeast of the Wasatch mountains are maximized from the corner library. Daylight washes the library and provides a serene space for study.
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| From the Jordan Campus central plaza, a partially shaded walkway leads to the Health Sciences Center. Please click image to enlarge. |
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| The Health Sciences Center atrium admits natural light from clerestory windows. Please click image to enlarge. |
"I like the general design of the building. I enjoy the
big windows and natural light. The atrium is very nice," remarked Kim
Kincher, the Circulations Specialist for the library the past 8 months.
[author's note: time spent first-hand using the space for study several hours on two separate dates gleaned the peaceful and pleasant aspects of the library, its expansive views of the mountains and southern half of Jordan Campus site; the space does face east and so window blinds are required to filter the bright morning sun]
[author's note: time spent first-hand using the space for study several hours on two separate dates gleaned the peaceful and pleasant aspects of the library, its expansive views of the mountains and southern half of Jordan Campus site; the space does face east and so window blinds are required to filter the bright morning sun]
Inside, the near monotone color cleanliness is
similarly set to a medical facility tone. With wide corridors and a reception
station enveloped in glass, the nursing classroom wing layout emulates a
hospital floor, while the atrium space might rival the most public of
circulation spaces in a large medical center. Yet this building does have its
own identity, and it takes that shape from its stepped roof line meant to
relate to the nearby mountain ranges, as well the high-tech metal columns on
the exterior supporting the roof in areas where it extends broadly past the
building perimeter walls. The columns on the inside supporting the exposed
metal roof and joist structure are concrete.
The atrium, undoubtedly, is the marquis space for the building serving as circulation central. In time, however, it has become something more to the students. "Because of the atrium, it's a study area for all the students," said LuAnne Holt, the Assistant to the Dean of Health Sciences, whose office faces the atrium on the lower level and who has worked in the building since it opened. "Our nursing students especially, Monday through Friday you'll see large study groups of ten to fifteen and then they line up to have their test, and somebody else comes and fills it up. It's wonderful to see them out here, taking part here, instead of in a corner hidden. They can be comfortable while studying."
[author's note: interviewing students of this aspect was almost unnecessary, as observation alone over a few hours witnessed a number of students using the space comfortably. Some studied. Others had gathered to talk. Some were at tables with laptop computers. Despite the large area volume, the place was quiet, serene, and filled with natural light filtering from above through the open roof joist structure. It was a testament to the space to actually observe how it was used.]
The atrium, undoubtedly, is the marquis space for the building serving as circulation central. In time, however, it has become something more to the students. "Because of the atrium, it's a study area for all the students," said LuAnne Holt, the Assistant to the Dean of Health Sciences, whose office faces the atrium on the lower level and who has worked in the building since it opened. "Our nursing students especially, Monday through Friday you'll see large study groups of ten to fifteen and then they line up to have their test, and somebody else comes and fills it up. It's wonderful to see them out here, taking part here, instead of in a corner hidden. They can be comfortable while studying."
[author's note: interviewing students of this aspect was almost unnecessary, as observation alone over a few hours witnessed a number of students using the space comfortably. Some studied. Others had gathered to talk. Some were at tables with laptop computers. Despite the large area volume, the place was quiet, serene, and filled with natural light filtering from above through the open roof joist structure. It was a testament to the space to actually observe how it was used.]
LEED Strategy is Not Absolute Perfection
HSC was awarded its LEED Certification based on a positive point system -- a point credit earned for every element addressed and included in the design according to various categories aligned with sustainable practices. It included many specific features a casual passerby may not even detect.
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| LEED Certification levels and point-earning categories. Please click image to enlarge. |
All artificial lighting in the building is
controlled by some level of automatic means, including occupancy sensors,
daylighting controls and networked relay controls that work toward assuring
that the lighting is never energized when unneeded. The flood of atrium
daylighting, for instance, is detected by photocells so that lights in those
areas are off when daylight is sufficient. The controls are linked to a
building management system so that campus maintenance may monitor and control
the lighting remotely.
"There are many times when you come into the
building and a lot of the lights in the Atrium won't even be on because we are
having a good day outside and [maintenance] can leave those lights off because
of the bank of windows allowing daylight," concurred Marble. The architectural
design and the building systems clearly are needed to work together for meeting
particular goals.
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is monitored with a
carbon dioxide detection system, a part of the IAQ management plan that was
established well before building occupancy during construction. Materials and
interior finishes were specified for their low-volatile organic compound
emissions characteristics, often associated with creating sick building
syndrome, a combination of health ailments caused by flaws and/or contaminants in the building. Though many of the staff members may not know the architectural,
technical, or recognition details of the building, they do sense the impact of
the naturally-lit atrium and the awareness of attention to good green design.
"I am impressed with the value that was
placed on aesthetics. This is a very pleasing building. The atrium is bright,
airy, and welcoming," said the Nursing Division Chair, Judy Scott, MSN,
RN, and who has worked in the building for over a year. "I love coming to
work here. My office has a huge window to look outside. I also love all the
greenery, since all the plants you see inside are live plants. Nothing artificial.
It's a low-stress level place to work."
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| The Health Sciences Center Atrium. Photo by Hawker. |
Important to understand is that even newer buildings, such as the Health Science Center, require regular energy reviews to identify continuous quality improvements. In five years since its construction, technological advances in lighting could warrant replacing particular luminaires in the Health Science Center, perhaps to embrace the recent LED advancements in lighting. LED lighting is proving to be the technological revolution in lighting for its energy saving and cost benefits. Energy audits also identify areas where minor adjustments may be made to the energy management monitoring systems that establish temperature set points for hvac systems in order to achieve optimal performance. With real occupancy and utility data, adjustments made can be suited to the particular habits of the building.
A SLCC-wide and multi-campus comprehensive energy analysis and audit was undertaken and reported by Chevron Energy Solutions in March, 2011, with several goals in mind, including a goal to enhance the economic development at the College by demonstrating leadership in energy efficiency, operating efficiencies, and experiential education in energy fields in addition to implementing energy cost saving measures. Five campuses and 37 buildings were part of the audit report, including the Health Science Center at Jordan Campus. Chevron recommended a program to save approximately 14.5 percent of overall utility costs within the first year of implementation, the bulk of savings from replacing outdated lighting fixtures with energy efficient options. Other recommendations addressed fine tuning existing energy management monitoring systems and several mechanical and hvac improvements.
"I don't know what improvements have been
approved or will be made exactly. I do know they did not talk to the Operators
as part of their study," said Duane Bywaters, a Heat Plant Operator for
the Jordan Campus Distribution Center. "It seemed the audit identified the
easier low-hanging fruit of improvements, such as lighting."
Existing buildings, whose energy inefficient systems could include significantly outdated equipment such as furnaces or boilers over twenty five years old, or rooms outfitted with T12 fluorescent lighting lamps and magnetic ballasts could find improvement. Replacing T12's with high efficacy and 40% more efficient T8 lamps with electronic-controlled ballasts is one example. One advantage of this replacement is that it can be performed by utilizing the existing luminaire, thereby reducing construction retrofit waste. Another lighting improvement depending on the tasks performed for the space could include replacing the same T12 lamps with specular reflector systems that allow up to half of the lamps and ballasts in an existing room to be removed and still maintain the same lighting levels at the work surface. Usually achieved are better distributions of light and reduced glare. Appropriateness of system improvement is foremost in any energy assessment recommendations, as well as considering the existing building shells and enclosures. The USGBC does certify existing buildings for LEED.
"Our oldest building, the old South High
School, is actually our most energy efficient building," commented
Askerlund. "We have done a lot of upgrades to it and it's a fairly good
building -- nothing fancy, just bread and butter systems -- but it's mass. That
building is solid and so when it is brought to temperature, it coasts. We can
actually see this in our energy billing."
Some problems are simply a matter of particular
design decisions or elements that cannot be readily modified, if at all. For
the newer HSC, the balance of siting, orientation, program, material, envelope,
budget, may have some compromising aspects. The southwest orientation of the
atrium, which contains a great amount of glass for daylighting, also
accumulates a lot of heat gain in the summer, and heat loss in the winter,
thereby complicating the climate control temperature. Duane Bywaters estimates
the temperature difference between the lowest and highest levels around four or
five degrees, significant for a single space occupied at all elevations.
Another contributing factor was a hole large enough for a bird to enter the
building located somewhere in the roof. "The past two summers, we've had a
falcon in the place," said Bywater. Such a hole was an easy outlet for
heat escaping, or entering.
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| Last summer, a hawk or falcon trapped inside. |
"If I knew then what I know now about
building and envelope commissioning, we would probably have a better building
just by the standards we should have required," said Bob Askerlund, the
Assistant Vice President of Facilities Services for SLCC. "We have a
building out there that is not that energy efficient -- it is a LEED building
yes -- but it could have been a lot better." Askerlund recognizes that the
LEED commissioning and testing requirements have changed drastically since the HSC was in design.
[author's note: "Commissioning" is a wholistic process of assuring and verifying that all systems and design elements are performing to the intentions established for the project's goals and to the buildings owner's functional needs. Bringing everything into balance is no small task and requires specialized knowledge, and vision to see beyond a narrow focus.]
[author's note: "Commissioning" is a wholistic process of assuring and verifying that all systems and design elements are performing to the intentions established for the project's goals and to the buildings owner's functional needs. Bringing everything into balance is no small task and requires specialized knowledge, and vision to see beyond a narrow focus.]
A New Paradigm is Only Beginning
Though State mandates calling for LEED Silver certifications make the decision a bit easier, Salt Lake Community College has also made sustainability a part of its five strategic priorities in its Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan that is also closely tied to the College's five strategic priorities, namely as part of "advancing a culture of evidence and accountability."
Two primary goals include creating and maintaining an energy-efficient campus (or campuses in SLCC's case), and promoting water efficiency and a strong connection to natural ecology. The Chevron energy audit is an example of the School's commitment to continuously identify areas of improvement.
Though State mandates calling for LEED Silver certifications make the decision a bit easier, Salt Lake Community College has also made sustainability a part of its five strategic priorities in its Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan that is also closely tied to the College's five strategic priorities, namely as part of "advancing a culture of evidence and accountability."
Two primary goals include creating and maintaining an energy-efficient campus (or campuses in SLCC's case), and promoting water efficiency and a strong connection to natural ecology. The Chevron energy audit is an example of the School's commitment to continuously identify areas of improvement.
Sustainability as a new paradigm in Higher
Education for operations, curricula, purchasing, facility operations, student
housing, and new construction is becoming more an accepted as a response to issues
of health, operating costs, and ecological stewardship. Salt Lake Community College is no exception in pursuing this new paradigm. A Sustainability Committee oversees the
various initiatives around the school, from recycling to gardens to facilities
improvements. While some committee members work towards implementing curriculum
adoptions of sustainability matters, Askerlund serves on the committee and
describes himself representing the "doing" side. An example is
managing the collection and consolidation of recycled materials before delivery
to the off-campus sorting stations. The program has grown exponentially and
practically outgrown the School's ability to handle because of the staff it
requires.
Designs focused on green building rating systems
-- such as LEED, Green Globes, or Energy Star -- or those based upon
definitions such as 'sustainable' or 'ecological,' do much for our global
transition to a healthier planet. But is it enough? Are their more factors to
consider? Beyond the pragmatics of achieving energy efficiency and reducing
waste for financial benefits, healthier buildings are also attracting positive
attention that elevates a School's reputation. The admissions office can
utilize the positive PR to recruit more, even finer students, ones interested in their learning institutions
having an environmental ethos. The human resource department can likewise attract progressive faculty and staff that are more committed to stewardship of sustainability measures for the same reason.
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| HSC's xeriscaped lawn, taken after sunset. Photo by Hawker. |
A health sciences department preparing students
for careers in the medical, laboratory and biological sciences in a healthy
learning environment -- as in the case with SLCC -- sends a strong message
about the importance placed on healthy environments. For instance, better air
quality equals higher worker productivity and higher student learning. The
wholistic thinking for health is also for human happiness and survival. Happier
employees tend to be retained longer.
"The environment does influence health," said Judy Scott, MSN and RN in the Nursing Division at Jordan Campus. "It has been studied and proven that stress can cause health issues. Pleasing environments reduce stress. This is why I like working here."
Healing the Earth is also attributed to a spiritual shift in thinking about the evolution of the human race. Some feel by observing energy efficient practices, they are achieving a higher level of spiritual awareness or fulfillment through reoriented thought and behavior, and in general being in tune with the greater cosmos.
"The way [the architects] have worked with the natural environment, with the natural light, to encourage the lighting in this space...is almost comforting, or easier on me, knowing it's natural. Not artificial. You can almost feel the Earth," said student Steven Marble, who also suggested that buildings creating less waste are good for the environment and planet and also healthy overall for humans as a race.
"The environment does influence health," said Judy Scott, MSN and RN in the Nursing Division at Jordan Campus. "It has been studied and proven that stress can cause health issues. Pleasing environments reduce stress. This is why I like working here."
Healing the Earth is also attributed to a spiritual shift in thinking about the evolution of the human race. Some feel by observing energy efficient practices, they are achieving a higher level of spiritual awareness or fulfillment through reoriented thought and behavior, and in general being in tune with the greater cosmos.
"The way [the architects] have worked with the natural environment, with the natural light, to encourage the lighting in this space...is almost comforting, or easier on me, knowing it's natural. Not artificial. You can almost feel the Earth," said student Steven Marble, who also suggested that buildings creating less waste are good for the environment and planet and also healthy overall for humans as a race.
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| The Health Sciences Center at night. Photo by Hawker. |
The transformative in sustainable architecture is
not a precise and measurable science, but it stands to reason that a healthy
mind and heart on the inside of a person tends to be evident on the visible
body outside. Each influences the other in a two-way relationship. Likewise, a
building, whose body consists of structure and skin, and circulation systems --
the form of load bearing walls and columns, exterior cladding, and plumbing and
climate control systems -- also has intelligence and heart in the form of
ornament, spatial arrangement, unity and consistency of aesthetic grammar, and
the employment of color, texture, and light. The principles of building design
that express beauty, and appropriateness to site, its inhabitants, and to the
times are the same principles that connect a building to its nature and gives
it its soulful spirit.
Perhaps the embrace of multiple elements and
perspectives of life within one's environment can help to achieve this overall
balanced health. According to the LuAnne Holt, Assistant to the Dean of Health Science, the College's first Fulbright
Scholar attends the Health Science program. He is an acupuncture student from
Beijing, China, and a reception in his honor was held in the Atrium. "He was
overwhelmed when he saw this," said Holt. "And also the fact that we
have a space that's not just four walls, nobody gets locked out which is nice
for them. The open feeling is very good. Bands have come out and played here. The
sound is so good, it doesn't broadcast all over campus. We also have had dance
classes out on the patio, I've seen several of them," added Holt.
Sustainability requires a reorientation of
behavior to effect any change. It also requires a reorientation in thought,
which precedes any action. Addressing pragmatics of calculated cost savings,
efficiencies, and streamlined operations -- though worthy --
do not speak to our nature as spiritual beings where the notion of
place, of art, of humanity and harmony in our environment may uplift our
spirits and bring ego-less joy. This has a primal importance. Those pragmatics
may, however, add to the collective consciousness of the Earth, combine with
actions that further our Awareness and enlightenment. The environment in which
we all live and work, can be equally transformative. Perhaps the question
becomes, 'what is needed first, the thought, the deed, or the place to foster
them?'
"I think where this world is going and everything being pointed toward 'green' or to fight to do that kind of construction, you will see more of that type of construction from the College and the community," said Susan Craig, a Specialist the last year for the Dean's office in the Health Sciences department. "In Riverton, as things are built there, and Herriman too. Herriman will be wind technology."
"I think where this world is going and everything being pointed toward 'green' or to fight to do that kind of construction, you will see more of that type of construction from the College and the community," said Susan Craig, a Specialist the last year for the Dean's office in the Health Sciences department. "In Riverton, as things are built there, and Herriman too. Herriman will be wind technology."
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| Jordan Campus Master Plan, Site, 1997. |
A New Sustainable Campus
SLCC is currently developing a master site plan for its new Herriman campus, a site planned to house the School's renewable energy training programs, such as wind power generation, solar photovoltaic technology, and energy management positions the School in a unique opportunity to create something extraordinary. This campus will be home to the National Institute for Advanced Energy Training, a regional center that will coordinate, create, and facilitate energy-related education and training across the state of Utah. Though Jordan Campus' Master Plan was something referred to, the Herriman plan is underway in an era when sustainability and ecological design is more to the fore than ever before. CRSA architects, a firm historically known for its preservation work and whose company philosophy and culture is firmly rooted to sustainability, is working with the College to develop the concept plan, including a model. A proposed site plan, pending SLCC Administration approval, is close to being unveiled.
SLCC is currently developing a master site plan for its new Herriman campus, a site planned to house the School's renewable energy training programs, such as wind power generation, solar photovoltaic technology, and energy management positions the School in a unique opportunity to create something extraordinary. This campus will be home to the National Institute for Advanced Energy Training, a regional center that will coordinate, create, and facilitate energy-related education and training across the state of Utah. Though Jordan Campus' Master Plan was something referred to, the Herriman plan is underway in an era when sustainability and ecological design is more to the fore than ever before. CRSA architects, a firm historically known for its preservation work and whose company philosophy and culture is firmly rooted to sustainability, is working with the College to develop the concept plan, including a model. A proposed site plan, pending SLCC Administration approval, is close to being unveiled.
Rachel David, LEED AP, a Principal and Director
of Sustainability for CRSA architects and planners, is currently working on the
master plan for the proposed Herriman Campus. "They [the SLCC Administration] wanted this
to be the 'sustainability campus,'" said David. In time, as the campus expands, there would be a general education component too to match the projected population growth for this area.
"They really want to show off what can be done with sustainability through the campus, and so it is twofold. How can we make the campus as sustainable as possible? And, how do we make it a sustainable campus that will support what these different educational platforms are? How do we plan for it to have PV training and other aspects on-site?" said David about the challenge given to CRSA.
"They really want to show off what can be done with sustainability through the campus, and so it is twofold. How can we make the campus as sustainable as possible? And, how do we make it a sustainable campus that will support what these different educational platforms are? How do we plan for it to have PV training and other aspects on-site?" said David about the challenge given to CRSA.
This campus will
position SLCC into the sustainability limelight and place it as a vital player
towards fulfilling the Utah Governor Gary Herbert's ten-year strategic energy
plan, released in 2011. All the Herriman structures will be LEED Silver
certified or higher. Striking in the proposed plans is the strong link to community development and to economic development, particularly as how they relate to the curriculum to be relocated to this site. In the adjacent east parcel to the campus is planned a business park.
"They are looking to attracting businesses that will be partners to the campus," said David. "The idea is to focus on the research, development, deployment with these partnerships." It is a responsive plan to develop partnerships between the research universities in Utah and Salt Lake Community College as providers of a trained workforce, along with close association to industry to meet their needs.
"As far as the site, the College did not want this to be a campus that could be plopped on any other site," said David. "This site has a topography with a lot of grade, and you can either work with it, or against it. And so we asked, what is it inherent at the site we should be celebrating and work with?"
The result likely is to be more organic, modern to our times and fitting with its environs. "If we have the traditional quadrangle and traditional direction, those don't necessarily work with this site, and with the orientation, and the winds," said David, "so we decided to use those natural features to dictate rather than traditional campus planning techniques." The plan has incorporated the existing wind pattern directions, the sun orientation, the topographic features, along with consideration for the neighboring aspects of the community and how it would relate.
"They are looking to attracting businesses that will be partners to the campus," said David. "The idea is to focus on the research, development, deployment with these partnerships." It is a responsive plan to develop partnerships between the research universities in Utah and Salt Lake Community College as providers of a trained workforce, along with close association to industry to meet their needs.
"As far as the site, the College did not want this to be a campus that could be plopped on any other site," said David. "This site has a topography with a lot of grade, and you can either work with it, or against it. And so we asked, what is it inherent at the site we should be celebrating and work with?"
The result likely is to be more organic, modern to our times and fitting with its environs. "If we have the traditional quadrangle and traditional direction, those don't necessarily work with this site, and with the orientation, and the winds," said David, "so we decided to use those natural features to dictate rather than traditional campus planning techniques." The plan has incorporated the existing wind pattern directions, the sun orientation, the topographic features, along with consideration for the neighboring aspects of the community and how it would relate.
[author's note: the aspects of linking campus plans with the educational curricula, and integrating it closely into the community and local economy is truly exciting...and sustainable]
Importance of the Nature Study Principle
CRSA's leadership is setting an encouraging tone for the new campus, a melody indicative that a shift in design consciousness for our built world is advancing toward an Eco-logic culture. This shift is making an active turn upward in the evolutionary spiral of humankind. The new epoch humankind is entering is one based on design merging the ecosphere and technosphere.
"The scale at which humankind is restructuring the planet gives us only two choices: become stewards of the earth or destroyers. To integrate human aspirations with natural systems we must model our work on the greatest designer of all -- nature itself," wrote Anthony Brown, the Director of ECOSA Institute of Prescott, Arizona.
Perhaps no other architect in history understood this principle at work and the greater idea of nature than Frank Lloyd Wright, arguably America's greatest architect. Wright advocated an architecture he termed 'Organic Architecture,' designing from within outward to the conditions of life appropriate to its site, its inhabitants, and its times.
Wright understood that the study of Nature encompassed an approach well beyond the visible in nature -- it sought to look into the nature of, to look into the inherent character of something and understand its principle at work. How did Nature solve the problem of shelter, of structure, of balancing the forces of gravity? The appropriateness of this philosophy represents a Democratic ideal, a celebration of freedom and individuality, and emblematic of the creative spirit in harmony with the patterns of life.
[author's note: this topic is of such significance, it requires its own series of articles for proper attention. It represents the 'bigger picture.' Please look forward to future posts and casts that explore this realm in greater detail and how it relates to the matters of building design and systems thinking.]
Importance of the Nature Study Principle
CRSA's leadership is setting an encouraging tone for the new campus, a melody indicative that a shift in design consciousness for our built world is advancing toward an Eco-logic culture. This shift is making an active turn upward in the evolutionary spiral of humankind. The new epoch humankind is entering is one based on design merging the ecosphere and technosphere.
"The scale at which humankind is restructuring the planet gives us only two choices: become stewards of the earth or destroyers. To integrate human aspirations with natural systems we must model our work on the greatest designer of all -- nature itself," wrote Anthony Brown, the Director of ECOSA Institute of Prescott, Arizona.
Perhaps no other architect in history understood this principle at work and the greater idea of nature than Frank Lloyd Wright, arguably America's greatest architect. Wright advocated an architecture he termed 'Organic Architecture,' designing from within outward to the conditions of life appropriate to its site, its inhabitants, and its times.
Wright understood that the study of Nature encompassed an approach well beyond the visible in nature -- it sought to look into the nature of, to look into the inherent character of something and understand its principle at work. How did Nature solve the problem of shelter, of structure, of balancing the forces of gravity? The appropriateness of this philosophy represents a Democratic ideal, a celebration of freedom and individuality, and emblematic of the creative spirit in harmony with the patterns of life.
[author's note: this topic is of such significance, it requires its own series of articles for proper attention. It represents the 'bigger picture.' Please look forward to future posts and casts that explore this realm in greater detail and how it relates to the matters of building design and systems thinking.]
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| An eye to the future with this videocast, click here |
What if for 2030?
…we
had zero-energy campus buildings that became net energy producers, not energy
consumers?
…we had a balanced and variety of applied technologies that are learning opportunities to spark both technological proficiency
and innovation?
…we
had a curricula that integrated sustainability seamlessly so every course teaches and mentors about sustainability as a natural outgrowth of all learning?
…we had more cross-fertilization
between various departments and students of different major paths where ideas result in balanced and wholistic solutions?
…we had all
learning measured for high level of sustainable adherence across all
disciplines - cradle to cradle thinking where the "waste" of one class became the "food" for another?
…we
had on-site campus gardens that supplied the School's cafés with vegetables,
fruits, dairy, etc.?
…we had students
participate in self-sufficiency practices, hands-on, and real learning-by-doing where responsibility and respect is instilled?
…we
had soulful interior and exterior campus environments that truly inspire, touch
our souls, maximize learning?
…we had users of buildings become more Aware from the relationship to site/building, tuned to sensitivities, feelings of materials, colors, textures, spatial arrangements and how they all relate to the functions within?
...we had more of a principle-based inquiry based on 'what is the nature of...?' and 'how might the natural world have solved this?' and less on the trappings of historical precedence, styles, fashions?
...we had ideas based on principle, not on prescriptives?
…we had users of buildings become more Aware from the relationship to site/building, tuned to sensitivities, feelings of materials, colors, textures, spatial arrangements and how they all relate to the functions within?
...we had more of a principle-based inquiry based on 'what is the nature of...?' and 'how might the natural world have solved this?' and less on the trappings of historical precedence, styles, fashions?
...we had ideas based on principle, not on prescriptives?
For additional information on the Jordan Campus Health Sciences Center building, its LEED Certification, and aspects that make it sustainable, please click the image below for an enlarged view of a brochure:
Your comments below are most welcome. Please post your thoughts!
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