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Sustainable Strategies: From Building Organization
to Detail
Mark Shapiro, AIA, and Steve
McDowell, FAIA, BNIM Architects
The Design for the Research Expansion Project for the Institute
Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Disease at the University
of Texas Health Science Center in Houston is based on the institution's
desire to create a highly collaborative research environment that
encouraged both formal and informal interaction among all members
of the research teams. The Architect's design response is a vertical
campus comprised of spatial typologies or species specifically designed
to optimize the functional, comfort and support needs of the diverse
uses that make up the program. Communal spaces-Hall of Discovery,
Auditorium, café and conference rooms inhabit the ground
floor and surround the medicinal gardens and pools. The upper floors
are home for the labs, computational research and offices spaces
all organized around the upper volume of the Hall of Discovery and
gardens.
The building incorporates sustainable design strategies at many
scales that include: Building orientation, where the penetration
and control of natural light was optimized in relationship to the
differing programmatic elements of flexible laboratory space, support
laboratories, office and common areas. Sectional organization allowed
the design team to optimize the spatial characteristics of different
program elements. By separating office and lab elements the environmental
control system was able to capture and reuse energy that would normally
be wasted. The reinforced concrete column and slab structure employs
high fly ash concrete thus reducing the upstream impact of the building.
Cladding and finishes are based on a palette of natural, sustainable
and low VOC emitting materials. A terra cotta rain screen cladding
system helped to provide a building envelope that reduced energy
loss and gain as well as reducing the likelihood of moisture penetration
in the harsh Houston climate. Provision was made for future photovoltaic
panels.
Labs21 Connection:
The building was planned as the second LEED™ Gold or Platinum
building for the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston.
The design originally included a micro turbine based cooling and
energy system, operable windows in offices, green roofs, a gray
water system and a constructed wetland storm water retention system.
These elements were eliminated when the university policy on sustainability
was changed during the design process. Nevertheless, the current
design could accommodate most of these features in the future. At
the time of the decision to retreat from a sustainable strategy
the client believed that cost and schedule would be adversely impacted
for a building of this type, in the hot and humid climate of Houston.
The integrity of the design as proposed, with efficient and controllable
systems, a tight and well insulated envelope, durable and maintainable
systems, flexible and changeable office and lab environments and
well shaded fenestration systems remained intact despite the change
in direction. Regardless of the decision regarding LEED™ the
scientists will enjoy an environment that enables innovation and
collaboration that will lead to better treatments or the elimination
of human disease.
Biographies:
Mark Shapiro brings to his role of Project Designer/Architect
a wealth of experience earned through his professional and academic
career. With over 27 years of experience in the profession, he has
been recognized with many honors and awards for his work, has exhibited
across the world and has been published extensively. He previously
taught at Syracuse and Tulane Universities and was Head of the Department
of Architecture at Kansas State University. He also served as Director
of the Kansas City Academic Program where he continues to teach
a design studio.
Mark's advice and expertise are sought by academic institutions
and organizations. He is frequently invited to participate in Design
Juries, has been a visiting critic and an invited lecturer both
on the national and international scene. Throughout his career,
he has participated in many design competitions, produced a variety
of studies, solved urban planning issues and analyzed issues of
historic contexts such as the National Endowment for the Arts funded
"Six City Sites: New Buildings in Historic Districts"
study in New Orleans. His competition entries have included the
New Orleans Museum of Art, Felix Nussbaum Museum, Cardiff Bay and
Oslo Opera Houses, the South African Constitutional Court, the Grand
Egyptian Museum and the Hermann Park competitions.
While with BNIM Architects, Mark has worked on several projects
on both a local and national level, including the Kansas City Art
Institute Masterplan, the Johnson County Office Building Competition,
Miller Housing on the Plaza and the Urban Redevelopment Plan for
the city of North Charleston, South Carolina. He is currently working
on the design for the Institute for Molecular Medicine Research
Laboratory at the University of Texas in Houston.
Steve McDowell has a special passion
for people, architecture and Kansas City. One of his favorite phrases,
"It's all about people," says a lot about his approach
to design and his work. He also is a strong believer in the power
of design to make our lives and world better. With his collaborators,
he seeks straightforward, honest and effective solutions that respond
to the intellectual, functional and spiritual needs of the users
of our work.
As Director of Design at BNIM Architects and a principal of the
firm, Steve leads studio directors, associates and designers at
every level to produce architecture that celebrates site, environment
and technical exploration. His originality is creating a new definition
of architectural practice in his city and across the country. One
of his unique strengths resides in the way he understands and leverages
the client's investments, strategy and assets while uplifting the
power of ideas. Steve shares the belief that experiential learning
advances the interaction between people and places.
With his workplace functioning as a laboratory, he is instituting
a practice founded on collaboration, with virtually no boundaries
to peer critique, open exchange of ideas and free initiative. He
has established a design symposium to better mentor the firm's emerging
young talents and he is cultivating partnering relationships with
several architects around the nation to practice innovation and
growth.
His leadership by design is setting new ground in cutting-edge
projects at the University of Texas-Health Science Center at Houston,
revitalizing urban communities, with projects like Science City
at Union Station and the upcoming Metropolitan Kansas City Performing
Arts Center with Moshe Safdie.
Steve's way of harnessing creativity has forced him to push the
envelope of technical investigation. The Packard Sustainability
Matrix, a tool BNIM Architects' team created to measure the impact
of our environmental choices, was recognized in 2001 by the AIA
Central States Region, while the firm was creating a sustainable
blueprint for the design of the David & Lucile Packard Foundation
Headquarters in Los Altos, California.
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