The new School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) generated the need for an integrated, spacious and well equipped new campus with modern infrastructure and technology catering to its growing functions and programs.
THE URBAN GROUND
Highlighting the important distinction between Urbanism and Urbanization, we propose the Urban Ground. This is a model of urbanism that attempts to dilute the extremities between the natural and the human imposed context.
At the Macro-level, the urban ground respects the once nature dominated skyline and simultaneously the need for human intervention. At the Meso-level, acknowledging the pressures exerted by the site’s morphology, the Urban Ground acts as an extension of the existing terrain, both as a blend or an additive layer.
This ground can be understood as a surface at the Microlevel, that negotiates topography and accommodates functional deployments, performing as a roof, a ground, and occupiable space, depending on its own gradient and the variation in its thickness.
TOOLING “If architecture is an extended process of formation, then before ideas coalesce into definitive form there must exist some undifferentiated state free of any organization.” - Benjamin Aranda & Chris Lasch
Ideas are formless and exist floating in describable abstracts. Design development is a process that initiates the transition of these ideas from the abstracts into the realms of the tangible; and Tooling is the operator that transfers this ‘pre-material’ to the ‘material.
Tooling is a set of techniques that afford the design decisions to set sail. The products however, may reflect abstractions in purity or their derivations.
We break down tooling into algorithmic reasoning. The architectural and planning decisions are supported by custom written codes that create a certain degree of accidental yet consistent results. The modulation of codes provide a repertoire of formal outputs, demonstrating relations and their evolution, loading the project with glaring information.
A series of conducted operations generate 2D patterns, 3D forms, and varying spatial configurations that are open to interpretation. With our machinic processes we attempt to balance the theoretical, digital, and intuitive input.
LANDSCAPING
The goal of the landscape concept for the campus is to reinforce the urban design concept for the community, respond to environmental issues, provide aesthetic distinction to open spaces, and provide visual continuity and compatibility with the architectural design.
• Utilize plantings that reinforce open space organizational principles and circulation patterns. • Selection of plant materials appropriate for their environment and setting.
ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGY
The design process incorporates an environmental optimization strategy that responds to microclimate conditions. Water elements such as fountains and spillways are utilized to increase localized radiant cooling. Surface runoff collection and storage are utilized to supplement irrigation water supplies and promote ground water recharge, accomplished with bio-detention basins, infiltration swales, filter swales and hard surface collection and filtration points.
