In Residence
In Residence is a design that will provide housing for upwards of 50 architecture students on top of the existing architecture school at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA. The existing school was designed in the brutalist style which makes is a great candidate to use as a foundation for a steel structure above. Modular, prefabricated units that can be built with a high degree of craft and will minimize waste during the construction process will be used to fill the open structure. A benefit of building housing near the center of campus is that it negates the need for students to own a car. All of a student's basic amenities are within walking distance of their home. A canopy with integrated solar cells will shade the building while also producing enough energy to power all of the units' various power loads as well as the studios below.
An open atrium in the center of the structure encourages creative uses.
Countertops integrated into guardrails provide impromptu workspace and display areas.
"Plug and play" utilities in overhead trays allow ease of installation and replacement of units.
The open structure of the student housing on top of the existing architecture school combined with the ideal climate of San Luis Obispo, CA makes a "rack and fill" design possible.
Photochromatic skin changes opacity when introduced to radiation from the sun.
At night, the photochromatic skin is clear which allows for an unobstructed view to the sky.
Operable louvers on the North facade will effectively direct the prevailing winds to keep the structure comfortably ventilated year round.
Acrylic tiles attached to the stair structure create an interesting environment to explore, thus encouraging students to take the stairs.
