Category: Landscape architecture and public space Project design: 501 Durán Arquitectos ↑ Arch. Luis Miguel Durán López Concept and coordination of work: Taller5 Architects: Arch. Elisa Lerma García de Quevedo, Arch. Octavio Arreola Calleros Collaborators: Skate Zone ARCHITECTURE BRAND: Arch. Mariano Arreola Calleros Construction: GRK Group: Eng. Luis Ricardo Villalobos Location: Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico Year: 2018 Area: 38,000.00 m2 Photography: Allen Vallejo
The Miguel Hidalgo Park, in León, Guanajuato, Mexico, had been increasingly abandoned, given its unattractive structural characteristics, so our recovery work consisted of restoring its primary vocation at the service of the people.
The work included active and passive recreation areas, spaces where you can spend time, either sitting or walking, an intervention strategy in the landscaping area, and a space for outdoor performances. The objective is to convert it into a meeting point.
The rescue project clearly solved the main and secondary circulations with the creation of small squares in strategic places, which generate meeting points, the concentration of youth and children’s recreation areas, the integration of an activity track for urban sports and the redesign of the service modules, as well as the recovery of the open-air entertainment forum.
In the landscaping project, the rescue of endemic species, the sanitation and reforestation of the existing areas was proposed, in addition to the proposal of free transit through the green areas, which are now provided with urban furniture to promote the meeting, the opportunity to sit down to talk and share everyday life. The project takes advantage of the benefits of having a wastewater treatment plant located in the western part of the park, which will guarantee its constant irrigation.
The materials used seek to maintain a neutral color range in an attempt to maintain and highlight the brightness of the \”green\” tonality and textures, thus the external pavements and the buildings are manifested in apparent concrete, the pavements of the squares were made in flagstone with a subtle gesture in a red tone, and the pavement of the main circulation axis creates a rhythm with pieces in different sizes and cloths.
The street furniture meets the needs of the public space through three simple designs, defined by simple geometric lines, while providing a utilitarian solution to the passerby, whether it is to park the bicycle or carry out different urban activities.
The rehabilitation actions were carried out knowing and understanding the user, who in this way becomes the central figure, as an inherent element of the space, since it serves for the construction and consolidation of citizenship. Parque Hidalgo now has the capacity to host the urban acts that our society demands, in addition to having become an important social and economic detonator for the Barrio Arriba area.
The house is on the 400 block of Indiana Street in the Pinkney Neighborhood, one of the oldest in the City of Lawrence. The site was previously developed, but the building and its foundation had been removed and the lot was very overgrown. It is adjacent to the flood zone with a small portion encroaching on the building site. Studio 804 saw potential in the location despite the challenges. Because of the easement, there is no alley running behind the lot like there is in most of Lawrence. The flood zone becomes an extended, forested backyard that feels secluded for being in the heart of a neighborhood.
Photo Courtesy of Studio 804
The neighborhood is among many valuable living amenities. Just a few blocks away Downtown Lawrence pulses with vibrant shopping, dining, and cultural experiences. Also nearby is the Kansas River which is a National Water Trail with its waterfront parks that extend up to downtown. There is also access to the Lawrence Loop bike route that runs for 22 miles through and around town. As well as being a pedestrian friendly neighborhood, there is easy access to the city bus system which expands the possibilities of travel around Lawrence without a car.
The scale of the house and its gabled forms fits the neighborhood. On the main level, one enters an open living, kitchen, and dining area. A hallway to the backdoor, across from the garage, is lined with storage and houses a laundry, mechanical room, guest powder room as well as a mudroom. At the end of the hallway is a bedroom suite with a full bath and walk-in closet. The bedroom opens to the east to the quiet tree canopy behind the house. At the top of an open staircase from the living area is a second bedroom suite. A flexible space that adapts to the varying privacy needs of different living arrangements and the different stages of people’s lives. It has a full bath and a cozy loft ambience. There is a small self-sufficient accessory dwelling on the second floor above the detached one-car garage. It is accessed through a private exterior entry. This means even moreliving flexibility for the homeowner as well as the opportunity for rental income while supporting the effort to increase residential density in the heart of town which helps mitigate urban sprawl.
The house is expected to achieve LEED Platinum certification. The highest certification level possible under the U. S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) standards for sustainable practice.
Studio 804’s 2023 project aligns with the long-term mission of the City of Lawrence to support sustainable development as part of creating sustainable community for the future. Part of this effort is analyzing local economic and demographic trends and strategically adapting. In recent years, both the City of Lawrence and Studio 804 have recognized trends in the housing market of Douglas County. The population is growing at a high rate, while the average household size is dwindling and availability of property in the existing city limits is diminishing. Community engagement during city study found that residents are open to seeing smaller lots and houses as well as accessory dwellings that infill a neighborhood and address the housing shortages as well as reducing the need for the city to expand. Moving forward, the City of Lawrence plans to use this data to inform policies and goals in the updated Horizon 2040 plan
SUSTAINABLE FEATURES
LEED PLATINUM
Beginning with the first residence in 1998, Studio 804 has an established track record of award-winning highly sustainable buildings that include 15 USGBC LEED Platinum certified projects, one gold and three Passive House institute US (PHIUS)certified buildings.
This house is expected to be the 16th LEED Platinum certified project.
EXTERIOR SKIN: The gabled forms are clad with a rainscreen ventilated facade.
The rainscreen design improve the thermal performance and water drainage of the high performance, highly insulated building envelope.
The cladding itself is recyclable, extending its use beyond the life of the building.
CONTROL LAYERS:
High quality air, vapor and water barriers contribute to the tight envelope design preventing undesirable water and vapor transmission.
The assembly also passed a blower door test to assure air tightness.
The insulation well exceeds the code requirements to further reduce the energy consumption of the building.
LIGHT EXPOSURE:The design of the south facade of the house allows access to natural daylight year-round.
Louvers mitigate direct solar heat gain in the summer but permit the winter sun to warm theconcrete floors.
On the roof, 16 solar panels will significantly offset the energy consumption.
WINDOWS & DOORS:
Energy efficient windows and doors contribute to the high R-value of the wall assembly and the overall performance of the building. Operable windows provide cross-ventilation, thereby lowering energy costs and increasing access to fresh air.
INTERIOR FINISHES:
All finishes are low VOC emitting.
ELECTRICAL & APPLIANCES:
The house is equipped with state-of-the-art interior lighting technology. Exterior lighting is planned to minimize light pollution. Furthermore, most appliances meet the highest standards for energy and water efficiency with Energy Star and Water Sense ratings.
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT:The detached garage with an ADU above provides additional storage and rentable living space and promotes urban density.
ELECTRIC CAR CHARGER:The garage is wired for electric car charging.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT:The driveway is paved with a permeable surface to minimize storm water runoff that can often overwhelm city systems and the river to which it drains and cause flooding. Instead, the water saturates the ground and replenishes the water table. On the eastern edge of the site, a rain garden will retain and absorb runoff from the roofs.
THE STUDENTS OF STUDIO 804’S CLASS OF 2023
Alexa Balkema
Austin Eikermann
Bryan Bencomo
Colin Dwyer
Drake Johnson
Emily Low
Ethan Witt
Grace Kramer
Holden Knudsen
Jack Heller
Jacob Lentin
Karina Sande
Katie Smithson
Kevin Tapp
Liz Putnam
Lydia Juengling
Maggie Roux
Mal Michel
Matt Gallentine
Matthew Schwartz
Piero Martinez
Rosalie Patrick
Santiago Patiño
Thomas Padgett
Tom Tabor
Tyler Koory
The remaining photography and graphic content are courtesy of Studio 804 Studio 804, Inc.
STUDIO 804
Studio 804 was founded in 1995 by Dan Rockhill, Studio 804 is a non-profit organization and a full-year design studio for graduate students that finds its momentum at the intersection of contemporary architecture’s most topical concerns: sustainability, affordability and education. The studio has produced 27 projects to date, including 15 buildings that have been certified LEED Platinum, one Gold and three that are Passive House-certified. These projects have gone on to become spaces for both private and public use and engagement; they are spaces for leisure and spaces for learning.
Contact:
Dan Rockhill
Founder + Executive Director, Studio 804, Inc.
JL Constant and ACSA Distinguished Professor
University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design
dan@rockhillandassociates.com
785-393-0747
Studio 804, Inc.
School of Architecture & Design
The University of Kansas
Lawrence Kansas 66045
www.studio804.com
In 2011, Koblenz was chosen as the site for the Bundesgartenschau, a biennial horticultural show that drew 3.6 million visitors. Various structures were erected for the occasion, including a belvedere designed by Dethier Architectures. In addition to providing a lookout point, the belvedere has become a symbol of the city.
The G-M house is located in the South-Eastern extremity of Italy , and it is surrounded by the green typical olive trees and the blue Mediterranean Sea. The project is based on the principles of bio-climatic architecture and green building, through the perfect integration of architecture, landscape and micro climatic comfort. (consume less for a better life !!!).
The Green Door Initiative, Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice and the Southeast Michigan Sustainable Business Forum have partnered to develop the Detroit Sustainability Center (DSC), which envisions the resurgence of Detroit as a vibrant urban hub where all can thrive in environmental, economic and social health. The heart, pride and creativity of Detroit are the roots and catalyst for local and regional change.
With an energy-efficient design, solar cells on the roof and thermo-active slabs, Viborg Municipality will get Denmark’s first sustainable town hall – designed to provide the very best framework for the meeting with the citizens as well as an attractive work environment for the more than 900 employees in the central administration.
Exterior View (Photo by Thorbjoern Hansen Kontraframe)
FIRST SCHOOL IN SAN FRANCISCO TO RECEIVE LEED GOLD CERTIFICATION
SAN FRANCISCO – September 16, 2011¬– As the first school in San Francisco to be awarded the coveted LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, San Francisco Waldorf High School begins the 2011-12 academic year with a tremendous accomplishment to celebrate. The award was received for San Francisco Waldorf’s new 1.7 acre high school campus in West Portal, located in what was formerly a Pacific Bell call center. The centerpiece of the project, led by David Bushnell of the San Francisco based 450 architects, involved the conversion of a 1970s-era 23,000-square-foot concrete structure into a sustainable learning environment featuring classrooms, science labs, art studios, a library, and administrative spaces. This marks the first time that a school in San Francisco has obtained LEED Gold certification.
The overall goal of the project was to create an environment that is in harmony with the philosophy of Waldorf Education. Perhaps the greatest reflection of this success is the fact that the building itself will be incorporated into the curriculum as an educational resource for environmental studies. The principals of the Waldorf philosophy and the actual building serve as a teaching tool for students, demonstrating how to become actively involved in today’s social issues.
In order to achieve the LEED Gold designation, the design team sought improvements that not only make the school environmentally friendly, but also have a positive impact on the daily lives of the students, faculty, and staff. The architects designed Waldorf High School to connect the students to their environment by visually integrating the building with the surrounding eucalyptus grove. In addition to reducing water usage, increasing energy efficiency, and using a high percentage of recycled and repurposed materials, the architects of the project created better air and light quality that are conducive to learning. To that end, they installed a state-of-the-art HVAC system that monitors and controls the level of carbon dioxide in the classrooms, as CO2 levels are known to directly affect brain function. They also replaced the existing fixed windows with operable wood windows to provide fresh air and give the learning spaces a connection to nature. One teacher remarked that the quality of the light and air was so refreshing that she felt like she was outside.
The Waldorf curriculum is designed to help students achieve their full potential. Every aspect of the high school experience, from the science lab to the playing field, to internships and community service, is viewed not only from the standpoint of academic preparation, but also from its contribution to the student’s developing sense of self. Through its emphasis on ethical values and social responsibility, Waldorf education helps students become a force for transformation in the world. Studies have found that Waldorf students have a tremendous degree of social responsibility and are unusually oriented towards improving social conditions.
“The reaction to the new campus has been tremendously positive,” said 450 architects principal David Bushnell, AIA. “With one daughter a recent graduate and one a current student, I have a unique insight into how the facility is meeting the needs of our young people. And what I’ve seen continues to amaze me. The school’s main goals are to provide our students the basis on which to develop into free, morally responsible, and integrated individuals and I can’t think of a better way to do this than to demonstrate our commitment through putting into practice these philosophies in a concrete building project. They are inspired by what we’ve done and are now coming forward with projects that build upon lessons learned from our project.”
Founded by Bushnell and his partner, Richard Lee Parker, 450 architects has a common vision that architecture is an art that can be formed as well as give form to who we are and how we feel, both in the present and for generations to come. The studio exemplifies dedication to the client and attention to detail, while being fully committed to green building principles and embracing a spirit of advocacy and activism. The firm has worked on a variety of projects including (we chose these from the website/can be edited by Bushnell) The Argonne Child Development Center, Japanese Weekend commercial building, and residences extending from Sonoma County to Europe.
Proposed for Cleveland Ohio’s new Campus International School (CIS), this unique world of learning emerges from below street level, clad in triple-pane glass and solar panels. With an open classroom plan situated on the continuous spiral of wedge shaped platforms, traditional floor planes are eliminated, an outside-the-box experience to inspire learning and participation at all ages. Each platform elevates one step around a central atrium, This ADA compliant spiral commences at street level, from which the Elementary School winds down 18ft (5.5m) to the Physical Education platform, and up 42ft (12.8m) from street level for the Middle and High Schools. With an inviting arc of exterior steps, the CIS relates to the Cleveland State University Payne Avenue campus and to the Cleveland community via a bridge to the 18th Street arrival area.
The southwest elevation, with its integrated photovoltaics, emerges from a surface below street level
Architects: ShortList_O Design Group
Project: A New School Vision
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Design Proposal: ShortList_0 Design Group LLC
Project Name: Campus International School – A New School Vision
Designer: Bill Caplan, 2011
Site Area: approximately 5.5 acres (22,000sm)
Building Footprint: 53,000sf (4,900sm)
Program: School with Grades Kindergarten through 12
Sustainable Design Technologies: Building Integrated PV and Solar Thermal panels
“We can not overestimate the transformative power of food and agriculture. A sustainable agri-food system can be harnessed to realize enormous benefits to BC community objectives such as improving BC health, strengthening local economies, and reducing climate emissions. Planning communities in BC around food to create sustainable food and agriculture systems is not only possible, it is essential. “Foregrounding” food across this province is one of the top priorities for BC in the 21st century.”
Mark Holland and Janine de la Salle,
“12 Big Ideas to Shape B.C.’s Resilient Future”, Vancouver Sun
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