Movement gives form to laboratories and campus. Stairs begin and end the addition, anchoring and fronting the academic quadrangle and campus edge. Hallways connect stairs and extend teaching beyond the laboratory. Air handlers connect from stair to stair across the roof, supplying and returning air to fume hoods and open laboratories.
Beginning Circumstance
The existing 1960's Science Hall formed the north side of the University's academic quadrangle. A new campus walk connected this quadrangle along its east edge to the library, Student Center and Admissions Building, effectively orienting the quadrangle to its more dominant entry from the east. The present Science building was entered from the quadrangle without ceremony through a fire stair.
Quadrangle Marking
The addition could not be located in the academic quadrangle, however, a presence there was sought through a new entry lobby and stair. This stair tower completes the expression of the central spine begun at the north addition wall and extended by a central circulation, mechanical and service spine through to the four story tower on the academic quadrangle.
Teaching Corridor/Corridor Teaching
The double-loaded corridor of the existing building is transformed in the new structure through a continuity of floor and wall surfaces, providing a double reading as an extension of teaching and research spaces into the center hall and vice versa. Most laboratory functions requiring fume hoods were relocated to the new structure, thereby returning the existing building to more appropriate dry uses.
Inside/Out Frames
As counterpoint to the existing exposed external frame structure, the addition has an exposed internal frame with self-bearing brick and block masonry bays wrapped about its exterior. The frame within masonry perimeter receives expression at the third level as a metal and glass curtain above the self supporting masonry bays, and at the steel-framed, metal-clad north stair, which emerges from the masonry walls.
Building as Machine
The mechanical system is a rooftop spine with a mechanical system extending between both stair towers. This system completes the expression of service/circulation/mechanical spine at roof level from the addition through the existing structure to the stair tower on the quadrangle.
© 1997– KieranTimberlake
[ 420 N 20 Street, Philadelphia PA 19130.3828 | V 215 922 6600 F 215 922 4680 ]
read more