A Chancellor’s Residence and Event Center

Inspired by Bachelard's insights on "House and Universe," the design of this project strives to speak to individuals and the community alike. Linking yet separating the Chancellor's residence and Event Center defines clear public and private zones, their connection celebrated in form and experience. This architectural venture aspires to self-sustainability and ecological exploration, envisioning an eco-beta site for environmental research. The synergy between architecture, engineering, and nature is pivotal in achieving these goals. While architectural style remains undefined, scale, landscape integration, and potential for prefabrication take precedence. The project seeks to integrate seamlessly with the natural surroundings, a living testament to sustainable living and ecological harmony. The ultimate vision is for the buildings to be nestled so organically within the site that they blend into the university's verdant landscape, reminiscent of its picturesque green pockets.

This project connects the adjacent neighborhood to the university. The site contains community accessible outdoor spaces including seating, gardens, and other passive recreational opportunities. From the elevated outdoor space to the graceful parks space and great views from the elevated perch at the top of the stairs overlooking the event spaces are opportunities for the public to enjoy the enhanced campus experience. Publicly accessible gardens provide educational and research opportunities through the display of water management and native and adaptive plant species.

A combination of mass timber and structural steel was considered for the primary structural system. The mass timber was selected for the main structure inside the residence and event center and steel was used on the exterior for durability. Existing Garage and Parking deck was re-used to accommodate parking entry into the residence and provide additional parking for the event center. Existing concrete on site will be crushed and re-used within the landscape.

This project is aiming to achieve Living Building Challenge Core, Water and Energy petals as well as NetZero, LEED Platinum and Fitwel. The university would like for this project to be the sustainable model for all new development on campus and a sustainable education center for students and the public. Stormwater, gray water, and blackwater on site is to be collected and filtered through an on-site wastewater system with organic solids waste to thermal energy composting. The project also includes two water gardens adjacent to the residence in a courtyard that provides a naturally cooled micro-climate to mitigate a future warmer climate. On-site renewables will be collected through bio-solar roofs.