CGU Cadigan stands as a dynamic educational collaborative building situated within the Claremont Graduate University (CGU). The innovative architectural endeavor captures the spirit of interdisciplinarity, fostering a space where diverse activities intertwine seamlessly. The design’s alternating opacity and transparency embody a fluidity that allows distinct activities to unfold while encouraging crosspollination among scholars, artists, and professionals. CGU campus, the building’s integration is evident through its porous and inviting architectural form.
The Community aspect addresses the essence of collaboration – a central Agora serves as a gathering space for interdisciplinary exchange, nurturing creativity and innovation. Comfort embraces ecological harmony, seamlessly merging indoor and outdoor spaces, while Character manifests in the building’s iconic presence that echoes CGU’s commitment to enduring impact.
The expansive Agora space not only fosters collaboration but also serves as an open canvas for passive cooling Crafting a Collaborative Nexus Introducing a framework that fosters exchange, featuring spaces and volumes organized around a central courtyard – the Agora. This design mirrors our own commitment to collaboration, mirroring CGU’s ethos of bringing diverse minds together under one roof. The Agora concept materializes as a catalyst for creativity and innovation, reflecting the university’s aspirations for a collective environment that nurtures interdisciplinary pursuits.
Our design pivots around four guiding principles: Context, Community, Comfort, and Character. Contextually rooted in the strategies, enabling natural ventilation and reducing energy consumption. The carefully designed porous massing interacts with the surrounding elements to provide shade and regulate temperature, ensuring interior comfort while minimizing the need for artificial cooling. Further advancing our sustainable vision, the design integrates solar panels and rainwater collection systems on the building’s roof to achieve carbon neutrality by generating clean and renewable energy, plus promoting responsible water usage and conservation. As we unite architectural innovation with ecological sensitivity, Cadigan Hub becomes a testament to our pursuit of sustainable excellence and a beacon of positive impact for generations to come.
Team:
Marcelo Spina
Georgina Huljich
Sanghyun Suh
Alejandro Loor
Renders:
Nephew LA
Animation:
Sanghyun Suh
Partners:
Penta Building Group
Gruen Associates
Consultants:
Buro Happold
