Arch 126:
Environmental Building Design Winter 2018

Final Term Project:
OASIS:
Off-Grid Field Research Station

Project Description:

THIS IS A TWO PERSON PROJECT (no singles)

An Oasis speaks to architectural invention whose purpose is to create sublime comfort and the sensual experience of space -- much more than mediation or correction of the exterior environment -- much more than SHELTER -- beyond PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS and FUNCTION -- ACCOMMODATION OF THE BODY, THE SOUL AND REFRESHING THE SPIRIT...

Our OASIS project additionally is seeking to do all of this in an "unplugged" building. We wish to reduce our Carbon Footprint, through the use of passive "unplugged" strategies, but yet create BETTER architecture! Comfort is important as well as aesthetics. What are the appropriate low energy, passive aesthetics that define the Oasis architecture for hot arid, hot humid or cold climates? This is up to you to investigate.

PROGRAM:

Working in the field, performing research, necessarily takes place in locations where standard urban services such as energy supply, water supply and sewage are not available. Many researchers need to perform their tasks for longer periods of time, and in locations where the weather is severe, making "tenting" or temporary lightweight accommodation unfeasible.

This project asks you to design an OASIS, Off-Grid Field Reseach Station that is to provide longer term accommodation for:

- two unrelated persons (sleeping separately as far as beds but may share the same room. not concerned about gender)

- a place to do their work (imagine if the person is a botanist, geologist, collecting weather data, storm watching, etc. they might need a computer, benches, shelves, sink, storage)

- a washroom (composting toilet, shower, sink)

- compact kitchen for food storage and preparation

- be located in an engaging natural site of your choice (see climate limitations below)

CLIMATE:

You may select from cold climate, hot arid and hot humid climate zones only. Please use Climate Consultant to provide charts to demonstrate the data that you have used to inform your strategies and to verify the climate type.It is VERY IMPORTANT that you truly understand the climate data and not your impression of the climate. If you do not use Climate Consultant no marks will be awarded for this part of the exercise. Note that the location needs to be north of the equator as HEED will not work south of the equator.

HEED:

A HEED Analysis is required as an additional graded component valued at 10% of the term grade. You should START with a HEED based set of selections that will allow you to begin to select your strategies but you are expected to MOVE BEYOND the limitations of HEED in terms of your choices in materials, massing, roof shape and systems.

RUBRIC OF REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DESIGN AND DOCUMENTATION:

As with any of my rubrics, if you do not address a category you will receive 0/10 for the category.

1. Passive Heating: Prove the minimization of energy use for heating via the use of solar energy, conservation (insulation) and thermal massing. /10

2. Passive Cooling: Prove the minimization of energy use for cooling via the use of shading, materials and natural ventilation. /10

3. Active Systems: Work to provide as much as you can in solar hot water, integrated PV and wind as well as other efficient mechanical systems to power your building. If this is an off grid building you need to supply ALL of the power. This will include allocating a space for battery storage. You will need to power your equipment (fridge, cooking appliances, computers, etc.)/10

4. Daylighting: Demonstrate effective daylighting for research activities. They should only need electric lighting for minor evening activities. /10

5. Net Zero Water GOAL: This building will require a washroom and a kitchen type sink. Demonstrate how you are making this building water independent through the use of collection means and efficient fixtures. Likely need to include rainwater collection, a composting toilet and a water purifying system. /10

6. Envelope Design: This project is summitive of everything you have learned in Arch 172, 173, 125 and 126. The envelope must be detailed properly and large scale wall sections included as part of the drawing set.

7. Landscape: Ensure that your building sits well in an integrated landscape environment. Do not just plunk it onto the site. Think of access and creating comfortable microclimates around the building. Provide shade or shield from the wind. /10

8. Aesthetics and Inspiration: You need to go beyond your HEED model appearance! This is about "Architecture" and enabling students to learn through the creation of an inspirational environment. /10

9. Climate Consultant Charts. Make sure you state which comfort model you are using. Include for your location the Monthly Diurnal Averages Chart,Temperature Range, Psychrometric Chart, Wind Roses for the 4 seasons that are critical to your design (you need to separate out winter and summer, etc). /10

10. Overall graphic presentation. Create the set as a compelling competition entry. Maximum 4 panels (if printed 24" x 36") "Boards" MUST be in landscape format. Ensure that the text size is large enough to be legible when viewed on a smallish computer screen. This is a DIGITAL SUBMISSION. It must be uploaded as a single PDF file. I will be grading these while at a conference in Singapore so I will be restricted in download speed. Make sure to flatten your InDesign files and compress before uploading to LEARN. /10

RESOURCES AND IDEAS:

Check out the websites associated with the Solar Decathlon as these projects are designed to be grid independent, low energy and quite compact.

2015: http://www.solardecathlon.gov/2015/competition-teams.html

2013: http://www.solardecathlon.gov/

2011 and earlier: http://www.solardecathlon.gov/past/2011/

SUBMISSION:

Submissions will be digital and submitted via LEARN in PDF format. Ensure that your entire submission is submitted as a single PDF.

HEED COMPONENT:

A HEED analysis is required of the basic shape and strategy of your building. Please print screens as suits the project (including the one of the model that shows your configuration, PV and window placements) to describe your overall energy use as well as the temperature range achieved. This information can constitute an additional "board" in your submission to make the project more coherent. It will be necessary to examine the achieved interior temperatures to see if the building is comfortable. You cannot simply eliminate heating and cooling systems and let the occupants suffer. This is worth 10% of your term grade. You are to aim for Carbon Neutrality but it is not anticipated that you will reach it given the extreme climates. However your summation graph that shows the progress of your iterations should indicate a decent improvement.

LATE PENALTIES:

The project is due via LEARN at as per the course outline. Projects received late will be docked 5% per day of lateness to a limit of 5 days, then a grade of zero will be awarded.