N95- 11960 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN OF THE SCIENCE COMPLEX AT ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY Soheila Jahromi, Contractor Bentley Engineering Ames Research Center j _e_o Moffett Field, California This paper gives an overall view of the architectural design process and elements in taking an idea from conception to execution. The project presented is an example for this process. Once the need for a new structure is established, an architect studies the requirements, opinions and limits in creating a structure that people will exist in, move through and use. Elements in designing a building include factors such as volume and surface, light and form changes of scale and view, movement and stasis. Some of the other factors are functions and physi- cal conditions of construction. Based on experience, intuition and boundaries, an architect will utilize all elements in creating a new building. In general, the design process begins with studying the spatial needs which develop into an archi- tectural program. A comprehensive and accurate architectural program is essential for having a suc- cessful building. The most attractive building which does not meet the functional needs of its users has failed at the primary reason for its existence. To have a good program an architect must have a full understanding of the daily functions that will take place in the building. The architectural program along with site characteristics are among a few of the important guidelines in studying the form, adjacencies and circulation for the structure itself and also in rela- tion to the adjacent structures. Conceptual studies are part of the schematic design, which is the first milestone in the design process. The other reference points are design development and construction documents. At each milestone is established review and coordination with all the consultants and the user is essential in refining the project. In design development phase conceptual diagrams take shape, architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical systems are developed. The final phase construc- tion documents convey all the information required to construct the building. The design process and elements described were applied in the following project. SCIENCE COMPLEX The Science Complex at Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina was constructed in 1989 and houses the major undergraduate Science curricula at the university. Primarily, the pro- grams include Biology, Geo-Science, Physics, and Chemistry. The entire instructional program includes classrooms, laboratories, support facilities, and faculty and administrative space. In addition, the complex features a Science theatre/planetarium and a lecture hall to be used by the community. _'AOE _.AI_K _ F_LMED 49 Thefollowing isthearchitecturalprogramasapprovedbytheuniversityplanningcommitteefor thesciencecomplex: A. General Purpose Instructional Fac. No. of Rooms Capacity (persons) 1. Lecture Hall 1 180 2. Science Theatre/Planetarium 1 60 3. General Purpose Classrooms 3 35 4. Lecture Classrooms (Tiered) 2 60 5. Seminar Rooms 4 20 6. Micro-Computer Laboratory 1 25 7. Library/Enrichment Center 1 B. Laboratories 1. Biology 2 35 2. Chemistry 2 35 3. Physics 2 30 4. Geo-Science 2 30 5. Research Laboratories 16 8- I0 6. Cartography Room 1 -- 7. Animal Room 1 8. Greenhouse 1 -- 9. Electron Microscope Room 1 m C. Support Spaces (Instructional) 1. Storage and Preparation Rooms 8 m 2. Central Supply Rooms 2 3. Balance Room 1 4. Walk-In Freezer (Cold Room) 1 m 5. X-Ray/Dark Room 1 D D° Facul _tyand Administrative 1. Department Chairpersons Office 3 1 2. Secretary/Department Chairpersons 3 1 3. Faculty Offices 20 1 4. Secretarial Pool (Faculty) 1 4 5. Faculty Lounge 1 6. Conference Room 1 25 Student Facilities Eo 1. Student Lounge 1 2. Student Organization Offices 5 F° Unassigned Space Mechanical Space, Circulation, Storage, Restrooms, and Other Miscellaneous Space - Approximately 35% of Net The gross area for the building is programmed at 56,413 square feet. 50 SITE DESCRIPTION The site, located at the northeastern end of the Elizabeth City State University campus is primarily fiat, typical for that region of the state. Very little vegetation existed on the site. Storm drainage, water/sewer utilities, and electrical service were all available to the site from the campus and/or from Elizabeth City. SITE DEVELOPMENT The site was developed in order to provide an anchor building to the northeastern end of the campus, where most of the buildings are at least 30 years old or more. The challenge in master planning this site resided in creating a landmark that would symbolize the community of Elizabeth City. Another design criteria was the harmonization of the science complex within the low-key campus atmosphere. To stay in scale with the existing two and three story buildings, the mass of the new science complex graduates from a one-story structure closest to the existing structures to a four-story building adjacent to Hoffler Street. Figure 1 shows the layout of the site plan. Because of its location, the site design sought to create a promenade of trees from the existing campus to the science complex plaza area. This promenade continues through the building, creating a bifocal entrance, with visitors from off-campus having access via the Hoffler Street entrance and students and faculty gaining access from the plaza. Outdoor classrooms, science exhibits, and other university events are scheduled at this plaza. A new parking lot adjacent to the building will provide space for faculty and visitors arriving to use the complex. DESIGN SOLUTION The main spine of this complex is an interior pedestrian atrium (Science Boulevard) extending the campus entrance promenade (south) through the building and leading to the community entrance (north). This atrium also connects the four story laboratory classroom building to high-use spaces housing the lecture hall and the science theatre/planetarium. The primary reason for creating the science boulevard was to provide interaction among students from all veins of science, faculty and at times, community. The four-story graduates from a one-story structure of the southeastern end of the building to a four-story structure adjacent to Hoffler Street (city street). Each successive floor houses a smaller number of functions commensurate and consistent with the program requirements. On the first floor (fig. 2) are housed general purpose classrooms, lecture halls, the science theatre, library and the labo- ratories for the Biology department. In addition, a connecting structure houses the animal room and greenhouse spaces, which are primarily used by the Life Sciences, and other support spaces. 51 Site Plan Figure 1. Site plan. The second floor (fig. 3) houses physics and chemistry facilities, student offices, and other sup- port spaces. The third floor, (fig. 4) the Geo-Sciences with its corresponding support area, in addition to administrative offices for department chairman. The fourth floor (fig. 5) is primarily faculty offices. The central circulation system is a large atrium corridor connecting all floors by an open stairway system (fig. 6). The form of this building followed the functional requirements. Figures 7 and 8 show model studies and elevations for this building. 52 il I t i n ! .... Figure 2. First floor plan (design). 53 t Figure 3. 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