Design Leadership - Alan Ford Architects

Design Leadership
Alan Ford, Author
Designing the Sustainable School &
A Sense of Entry: Designing the Welcoming School
A Sense of Entry
A Sense of Entry
ol
welc omin g scho
Desi gnin g the
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we lco mi ng sc ho
De sig ni ng th e
lan
Ford
, A
Paul Hutton
d
nifer Sewar
Te x t b y J e n
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The new technology and design center for the Lick-Wilmerding High School
represents the school’s unique dedication and appreciation for arts education.
The design also provided the opportunity to create an environment that would
encourage collaboration and inspire a sense of community for its users.
The school’s integrated and demanding academic curriculum places a strong
emphasis on the technical and fine arts—the only college preparatory school in
the country with this program. Over the years,
the school had nearly exhausted its ability to
expand within its own property and felt forced
to proceed with a building location on the
eastern edge of the existing field. This move, dictated by the existing master plan,
would drastically alter the experience of the school, cutting off the views of the
distant hills.
Departing from the previous master plan, this design extends the lower level
of the campus, placing the workshops at the heart, under the plane of the
existing field. The workshops are now oriented toward each other, creating a
shared work area that encourages interdisciplinary work and collaboration. The
rest of the campus wraps around the centralized core, forming an understated
design solution. The new student center/dining hall overlooks the workshopslevel addition and connects through a stair to the lower level. The school’s
eastward views remain unimpeded; the distant hills remain an extension of the
school’s field and a borrowed landscape for the inhabitants of this small urban
site. The roofs of the workshops are transformed into a series of terraced
landscapes—a favorite spot for students to gather during lunch or between
classes.
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Lick Wilmerding High School
San Francisco, California, USA
Pfau Architecture, Ltd.
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1
Sustainable features:
5Natural cross ventilation is used throughout for cooling. 5Insulated and low-E glass is used throughout. 5All buildings utilize earth as an insulation to limit temperature swings. 5Louvered
sun control elements are utilized at appropriate façades. 5Sustainable harvested Ipe wood is used. 5Photovoltaic panels are integrated to lower energy cost and provide a useful educational
tool. 5Systems are integrated to plan for future photovoltaic panels on various roofs. 5Windmills along I-280 are planned to provide power to the student lounge and become an important
symbol to the community of Lick-Wilmerding’s interest in educating the people who will help shape our sustainable future.
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The Sustainable School
The Willow School
Gladstone, New Jersey, USA
Farewell Mills Gatsch Architects, LLC
Aspen Middle School
Aspen, Colorado, USA
Studio B Architects
Hutton Ford Architects
The Aspen School District emphasizes creative classroom learning, outdoor
education, safety, and sustainability and therefore wanted this new middle school
building to echo its commitment to students and environmental responsibility.
Additionally the ASD wanted a building to unify the tri-school campus and
replace an aging, leaking, outdated, and inefficient middle school. The new
middle school supports the Aspen School District’s progressive educational
mission and curriculum with a modern, 110,000-square-foot (10,220-squaremeter) LEED certified building.
The new L-shaped building wraps around the existing middle school not
only to maintain existing school operations during construction of the new
building, but also to replace the current building with a new larger, safer, sunfilled playground environment. The new efficient, comfortable and stimulating
environment includes ample daylighting, improved ventilation, new building and
technology systems, better access and security, and views and spaces that
connect the building’s users to the surrounding mountain landscape.
The architectural language reflects the direction of an educational program
focused on a sustainable future. Wherever possible, LEED certified green
materials such as bamboo, and recycled content flooring are incorporated into
the design. Aluminum-framed, high-performance glazing provides natural light
to all educational spaces. Window openings and sunshade devices respond to the
solar orientation, and create a distinctive aesthetic. An extended canopy
identifies the main east-facing entry, and the adjacent arcade provides a safe,
visible, protected shelter for student drop-off and pick-up. Selected highefficiency mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems that integrate innovative
products and techniques such as solar air heating, waterless urinals, and solar
tubes will make this the most energy-efficient classroom building on the school
campus. These strategies will result in reducing carbon dioxide by almost
1 million pounds per year.
Sustainable features:
5Green, recycled, and low-maintenance materials used where possible5High-performance glazing 5Window openings and associated shading devices respond to solar orientation5High
efficiency mechanical and electrical systems 5Solar air heating 5Waterless urinals 5Solar light tubes 5Photovoltaic panels 5Natural daylighting in all classrooms 5Access to views and
outdoor spaces 5Automated electric lighting controls
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The Sustainable School
6
4
The Willow School is a gold-level, LEED certified, K–8 independent school
located on 14 hectares (34 acres) in Gladstone, New Jersey. This small private
Lick Wilmerding
Schoola curriculum
21
school was designed
to High
reflect
rich in the lessons of environmental
stewardship where children could experience a sense of wonder about the
natural world and a connection to place. Built in phases, on a former 19thcentury farm, each phase was designed to be perceived independently and yet be
part of a complete whole. The program stresses the connection of indoor and
outdoor spaces, use of the environment for learning opportunities, and the
linkage of historical and contemporary experience.
Environmental stewardship has meant preserving both a historic farmstead
as a piece of cultural history, conserving and stabilizing ecological zones such as
wetlands and woodlands, and minimizing the impact of new construction on the
natural ecosystems. The buildings are low and linear, with the long axis oriented
east–west to respond to the sun and wind. The façade reveals a composition of
local stone, salvaged heavy timbers, wood siding and glass organized in agrarian
structures along the spine of a sunspace corridor. The main entrance hall is used
for morning gatherings of the entire school population. It fosters a strong sense
of community and provides a location for community events after regular school
hours. The light-filled classrooms, which spill off the corridor, have clear visual
connections to the outside, making the link between learning and the world
beyond the classroom walls readily apparent.
1 The master plan addressed site issues including
woodlands, wetlands, setbacks, and circulation
2 The Willow School was carefully designed to
harmonize with its woodland setting
3 Main entrance
1
5
4
4
2
3
Sustainable features:
1
5Planting of native species meadows and reduction of areas of turf 5Marsh wetland stormwater management employing deep-rooted wetland plants to remove suspended solids, phosphorous
and nitrogen before stormwater leaves the site 5Constructed wetland treatment system treats human waste on site to recreational water standards 5Planting of species along waterways for
erosion control 5Rainwater collection minimizes off-site stormwater 5Landscaped to encourage habitat diversity; planting of 40,000 diverse species to re-establish forest succession 530%
water use reduction; toilets flushed with collected rainwater 5Optimization of energy efficiency to 40% better than ASHRAE 90.1-1999 code requirements 5Provision of south-facing sun space
with concrete slab to store heat in winter and function as a heat sink in summer 5Operable windows with outdoor sensor that turn on a light when the temperature and humidity are conducive
to opening the windows 5PV panels integrated on clerestory roofs; the 50 kW system produces approximately 14,000 kW/hr over the course of a year 5Electric light dimming system with
photocell sensors 5Night purge ventilation to introduce cool air in spring and fall 5Waste management plan diverted 84% of construction debris from landfill 5Salvaged materials (heavy
timbers and local stone) (20%) 5Recycled content (more than 20%) 5Preference given to locally harvested and manufactured products and materials (16%) 5Rapidly renewable linoleum
1 Elementary school School
1_Elementary
and cork
floor finish
and Forbo tack boards (5%) 5Rediscovered structural wood framing from within 500 mile radius; all other wood reclaimed, rediscovered or certified 5CO2 monitoring
2_High
School
2 High school
3_Replaced
School
3 VOC
Replaced
middleMiddle
school
paints,
adhesives
and sealants5Non-toxic cleaning products
5Low4_Playing
Fields
2
4
Playing fields
6
Bus barn
5_Parking
5 Parking
6_Bus Barn
1
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The Sustainable School
2
1 Site plan
2 Southwest elevation and playground
3 Southwest entry and cafeteria terrace
4 Northeast entry and library
3
The Willow School
3
4
Aspen Middle School
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Design Leadership
16 PLANETA design
pré-requiSitoS de
uma eSCola verde
Nos últimos 35 anos, o arquiteto
norte-americano Alan Ford idealizou
mais de cem projetos de instituições
de ensino com design sustentável.
Ele elaborou uma lista de pontos
fundamentais para que uma escola
possa ser considerada verde:
• bom uso de recursos naturais locais;
• utilização de material durável e
ecologicamente correto;
• boa iluminação natural, acústica
adequada e boa qualidade do ar
nos ambientes internos;
• eficiência energética;
• conservação dos recursos naturais;
• redução da sobra de resíduos,
tanto na construção quanto nas
atividades diárias da escola;
• ensino e promoção da
consciência ambiental;
• por fim, nesses ambientes, deve
prevalecer uma arquitetura inspirada.
“Se você cria um lugar que as pessoas
valorizam e que enriquece suas vidas,
naturalmente, elas vão se esforçar
para preservá-lo”, ensina Ford.
Na opinião do arquiteto Alan Ford, para
conceber projetos sustentáveis, é fundamental ter conhecimento sobre o clima e o meio
ambiente. “O primeiro passo deve ser respon-
Brazilian
Magazine
Feature on
y
Sustainabilit
der a perguntas como: Qual é o ecossistema
local? Quais são as médias de temperatura
e níveis de umidade? Como é a incidência
da luz solar? Que recursos naturais estão disponíveis na região?”, ensina ele. “Uma escola
lisa Ford. Para o arquiteto, essas estratégias
gia de montagem rápida e de baixo custo
máticas e na integração com a natureza que
elevadas para o segundo andar, onde grandes
váveis e melhorar a biodiversidade do campus,
podem incluir ações simples, como a maxi-
para pequenos prédios e edifícios energeti-
o escritório francês Tectoniques planejou as
plátanos criam uma atmosfera acolhedora e
entre outras conquistas.
mização do uso da ventilação natural e da luz
camente eficientes e ecologicamente cor-
escolas de Rillieux-la-Pape, próximo a Lyon, e
agem como reguladores do clima.
Em 2013, a escola foi, dessa vez, premiada
do dia. “O futuro da sustentabilidade pode es-
retos. “Frog é um anacronismo para Flexible
tar em pesquisas como o biomimetismo, que
Response to Ongoing Growth [Resposta Fle-
“Uma escola verde
no Brasil será
completamente
diferente de uma
no Canadá”, diz o
arquiteto Alan Ford
estuda ecossistemas para traduzir a natureza
xível ao Crescimento Contínuo]”, explica Ni-
-los para espaços saudáveis e inspiradores.”
altamente eficiente e regenerativa do meio
kki Chang, diretora de Marketing da compa-
Os chamados edifícios Frog são erguidos
ambiente em soluções de design.”
nhia. Com sede em São Francisco, a empresa
com material sustentável pré-fabricado, o que
já construiu e modernizou diversas institui-
praticamente elimina resíduos na fase da cons-
ções de ensino na Califórnia. “Estamos aju-
trução e diminui consideravelmente o prazo
dando muitas escolas na missão de tirar os
de duração da obra. Em pouquíssimo tem-
alunos de salas de aula deterioradas e inseri-
po, a escola está pronta para ser frequentada.
verde no Brasil será completamente diferente
o uso das formas da madeira, resultando em
de uma no Canadá, por exemplo.”
um projeto simples e original.
Sintonia Com o verde
de Nîmes, perto de Montpellier. Na primeira,
Longe dali, na Austrália, está outro exem-
pelo design do Centro de Meditação e Cultu-
telhados verdes e jardins contornam o prédio
plo de integração com o entorno. Eleita, em
ra indígena, um dos edifícios do complexo. A
e compõem a arquitetura com o relevo mon-
2012, a instituição Educacional Mais Susten-
construção, projetada pela dwp|suters, foi con-
tanhoso. Na segunda, as salas de aula foram
tável do Mundo pela premiação international
siderada 100% sustentável e renovável. Erguido
Green Awards de Londres, o Bentleigh Secon-
com madeira reciclada, o centro faz a captura
dary College, em Melbourne, conseguiu tornar
de carbono e utiliza o sistema geotérmico, que
mais eficiente o uso da água potável, reduzir a
envolve a troca de calor com o subsolo. Os jura-
dependência em fontes de energia não reno-
dos do concurso ficaram impressionados com
No alto, o complexo esportivo do Fontys Sport
College, na Holanda: as amplas janelas envidraçadas
favorecem a iluminação natural e a integração com
a área externa. Embaixo, o interior da construção,
com ambientes clean e iluminação solar
foto CHRiSTiAN RiCHTERS | DivULGAçãO
Foi justamente pensando nas questões cli-
Saúde e inSpiração
Com a ambição de revolucionar a cons-
“Temos percebido que as abordagens me-
trução civil tradicional, a Project Frog, nos
nos tecnológicas têm muito a oferecer”, ana-
Estados Unidos, desenvolveu uma tecnolo-
Assinada pelo escritório Tectoniques, a arquitetura
da École Maternelle Jean Carrière, em Nîmes, no sul
da França, respeita o clima da região, com soluções
que agem como reguladoras de clima, como a
elevação das salas de aula para o segundo andar
rd
Alan Fo
o-Chair
Program C
House Bill SB11-173
Schools
Interoperable Communications for K-12
May 2011
Signed by Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper
ty as an
Architect Alan Ford testifies on School Safe
oting
prom
e
mitte
Com
Expert and Advisor on the
ols in
Scho
K-12
for
ns
icatio
mun
Interoperable Com
Colorado
Alan Ford
Program Co-C
hair
Design Leadership
Selection of
Contributed Articles
by Alan Ford
• TrailerWrap: A Study in
Creating the Habitable
Mobile Home, by Alan
Ford
• The Colorado Fellows
Book: A Case Study, by
Alan Ford
• University of Colorado
Denver Anschutz Medical
Campus visual tour, by
Alan Ford
• Chronicles of the LAUSD
School Modernization
Program
• Structural Poetry: On the
Interaction of Architects
and Structural Engineers
• Stanley Tigerman and
Chicago’s Pacific Garden
Mission
Alan Ford, Former Subject Matter Expert for Design Content
National AIA Soloso (now Architect’s Knowledge Resource) website
for 80,000+ Members
Chronicles of the LAUSD School Modernization Program
By Alan B. Ford, AIA
In the April 1, 2008 issue of Architect Magazine, writer Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson in her article “L.A.’s Learning Curve”
addresses the question: How does one school district build 132 new schools – and update some 800 more – without
sacrificing design quality?
Dickinson’s article chronicles the Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) undertaking of a school modernization
and construction initiative, which began in 1997, that ultimately became the largest public infrastructure project in the
United States...
UCD Anschutz Medical Campus Visual Tour
By Alan Ford, AIA
...The architectural language of the campus is governed by design guidelines that define a series of distinct
quadrangles around which the campus is organized: the research quadrangle is characterized by a contemporary
glass and metal aesthetic; the education quadrangle utilizes brick expressed in a contemporary manner; and the core
quadrangle, located on the central axis of the campus and anchored by the 500 Main Building, takes on a more eclectic,
referential quality...
• Timeless Architecture
• I.M. Pei in Colorado
TrailerWrap: A Study in Creating the Habitable Mobile Home
By Alan Ford, AIA
• John Anderson (Colorado
Architect)
• Review: Inhabitat.com
• Review: Archinect Connecting Architecture
According to the 2006 American Community Survey (US Census) figures, more than eighteen million people across the
United States live in mobile homes. Based on the numbers alone, there is an obvious need for this relatively affordable
medium-density housing type. The lightweight homes are designed and built for mobility and cost efficiency. Despite
their “mobile” intent, the majority of these homes rarely see the open road...
Acknowledging the more permanent nature of this housing type and the magnitude of the unmet need, a group of
professors and students at the University of Colorado College of Architecture and Planning set out to create a new
prototype for the mobile home with livability and sustainability in mind. The completed award-winning project is titled
“TrailerWrap...”
• Review: LebbeusWoods.
net
• Review: Video: High
Performance Building
Perspective and
Practice...
Stanley Tigerman and Chicago’s Pacific Garden Mission
By Alan B. Ford, AIA
In the March 1, 2008 issue of Architect Magazine, the article “Home to a Thousand Souls” by Vernon Mays features
Stanley Tigerman’s design concept behind the newly relocated Chicago homeless shelter, Pacific Garden Mission.
Tigerman McCurry Architects and its team of engineers and consultants created a low budget, highly functional,
environmentally-friendly refuge for individuals who are homeless that blends into its raw industrial surroundings...