SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE LAB
Princeton, Fall 2012
Studio Instructor: Paul Lewis
Consultants: Nat Oppenheimer, Mahadev Raman
Collaboration with Anika Schwarzwald
High Pass awarded
The brief for this Integrated Building Studio called for a redesign of the Princeton School of Architecture's production facilities located in the South of the University's campus. The new complex was to house both manual and digital production methods, whilst establishing a relationship with the existing glass pavilion of the SOA Lab designed by Jean Labatut. The proposal consists of a 2-story building stretching along the East-West axis to maximize solar gains from its South facade. A series of hollow-core precast concrete elements form the structural basis of the building. The internal layout anticipates seasonal differences in the building's use in line with the academic calendar. Semi-outdoor working spaces for summer use are tucked under studio and classroom spaces designed for occupation during the fall semester. Lightweight polycarbonate roof panels interact with the heavier concrete structure to create semi-conditioned workshop spaces.
Unfolded longitudinal section (looking North and South)
A continuous ramp connects staggered floors from production spaces to exhibition and teaching areas.
Cross-sectional perspective
Cutting through ramped circulatory spine with teaching and outdoor construction spaces to the right and library to the left. The building is recessed into the ground to increase its thermal mass.
The exploded axonometric illustrates the interaction of the design's major constructional elements (bottom to top): in-situ concrete foundation, hollow-core panels, in-situ concrete upper floor, polycarbonate units partially filled with colored sand to create louver-effect.
Unfolded drawing of precast concrete elements
Cross-sectional perspective looking West: Circulation route overlooking workshop space with space for CNC-cutter to the right.
Model photograph showing scheme in relation to existing Labatut Pavilion (far right).