Project: UC Research School of Earth Science
Category: Architectural Design
Designed By: Dena Hamed
Year Designed: 2011
Location: San Francisco, California, USA
Purpose: Master of (design) Architecture – Final year design thesis project
Project Description: The UC Research School of Earth Sciences, San Francisco, California, aims to break the boundaries of conventional laboratory architecture whilst providing the functional and performance requirements for it’s building type.
It is estimated that typical laboratory buildings consume 5-10 times more energy than office building of a similar size. The building aims to combat high energy use with the use of a solar collecting roof. The form is modified to maximise solar UV radiation from the south all year round – minimising solar energy downturn during Winter.
The panels are made of nano-solar panels that have the ability to generate 350MW every year – half the energy generated from the Alta Wind Farm in California. Green space is also used to enhance the internal atmosphere as well as providing a physical connection with the research performed in the building.
The building revolves around four subject departments that contain both generic and specialised laboratories, store rooms and teaching classrooms specifically located in plan depending on their natural light and ventilation requirements compared to their mechanical light and ventilation requirements.
Programs Used: Autodesk Revit, Autodesk Vasari, 3DS Max for rendering with Mental Ray and Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator
