Architects, ecological engineers and other contributors are currently meeting every two weeks, discussing the design of Oberlin's environmental studies center. The project is an unprecedented integration of environmental concerns and architecture.
With an unstructured and dynamic open-debate setting, the engineers, landscapers and architects alike met all day this Thursday sharing ideas and discussing possible elements of the building. The project is being designed by McDunna and Associates, the architectural firm hired by the College.
To be completed in December of 1998, the environmental studies building has received national attention for the ecological engineering utilized in its design and construction. "There is national interest in this building," David Orr, professor of environmental studies, said. "It [could be] a standard setter for future academic buildings."
The Environmental Studies building, first conceived in 1992, has been en route to construction with significant student input and campus involvement over the last two years. Currently, the project is in the hands of architects and other specialist who are making the more technical decisions. Previously, planners were focusing on fundraising for the building, but earlier this fall after goals were met more concrete planning could ensue.
Planners are now focusing on the heart of the project - erasing distinctions between environment and structure. Presenting the current design and landscaping ideas for the site, Lead architect Chris Hayes and landscaper John Lyle visited Orr's Environment and Society class Thursday morning.
Beginning by explaining their supreme goal to integrate building and landscape, Lyle said they want the environment in and around the building to be able to teach not only environmental studies students, but all students on campus. So far, the planned environment around the building includes an orchard, a vegetable garden, a pond and a meadow with indigenous grasses. The building is going to be a completely self-sustained organism that includes a "living machine" to provide organic waste water treatment.
Sharing slides with the class, Hayes described briefly the process the architects have gone through, reaching the current schematic design a few weeks ago. The schematic design is the first of three parts of the design process, even before any construction begins. This part of the design includes a model with movable parts. The individual aspects of the construct have been established, but no relative sizes and locations have been concretely determined.
Specific materials to use for construction are now being considered. "[They are] developing ideas for building materials, landscaping," Environmental Studies Intern Brad Masi said. "Right now they're considering using straw bales in construction of the walls."
Issues such as sunlight and site-specific integration are continually worked through discussions. In the Environment and Society class questions were raised regarding the chemicals currently used by the school for killing weeds, along with the salt used on sidewalks. Those are details being worked out as they are brought up, responded Lyle.
"That's a key issue - how we take care of the snow," Hayes said, with regard to the location of the greenhouse/atrium currently located underneath an overhang of the down-slanting solar-paneled removable roof.
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