Charrette Documents - Building E Redesign
Building ReDesign
The “E” Building
We chose building E to be the residential area for our
Ecovillage. We first chose this building and its three columns
because it is on the southern side of the complex, which increases the
potential for food production on balconies or in community gardens just
outside. Also, in considering the spectrum from public to private
space, its location away from Main Street made it ideal for a more
private, residential community space. This building will house 98
people total, which is 20 people less than it currently houses and
could serve as a model for renovations to other buildings in the
future. Our goals in redesigning were to create more opportunity for
community interaction, provide a diversity of living spaces which allow
for a diversity of needs of community members, cycle wastes, conserve
water and energy, and improve indoor air quality, ventilation and
lighting.
First Floor
On the first floor we created community spaces for the residents of the
proposed Ecovillage. We removed walls to form a large area (1535
sq ft) with a fireplace, stage, tables and community kitchen. We
turned the existing lounge room into an indoor play space for kids (973
sq ft) to keep their toys in and play together. We kept the
existing two 2-bedroom apartments and added four suite- style
apartments (810 sq ft) with 3-4 beds each. Each of these has a
door to the outside, which may be desirable for families, and a
kitchenette so people who are not on the meal plan (hopefully, everyone
in the Ecovillage) can cook for themselves. The composting toilet
receptacle is on located on the west side of this floor. The
windows will be re-glazed to conserve heat and the laundry room for the
building will have water and energy efficient washers and dryers.
The open community space will increase natural ventilation, contain
plants to help the indoor air quality and have light wells or skylights
in the ceiling to allow natural lighting in from the courtyard above.
Second Floor
The second floor existing courtyard will be used as an outdoor play
space for kids and other residents. The ground will be covered
with living roof material and the courtyard will have a three-season
cover that can be removed seasonally. A swing set, benches, and
other furnishings are intended for the community to enjoy. There
will be community access to the courtyard from three sides on the
second floor. This is accomplished changing the three suites
adjacent to the courtyard into studio apartments (264 sq ft) and two
family apartments (566 sq ft); opening up hallways from the stairwell
area to the courtyard. The family apartments will have direct
access to the courtyard and a second floor balcony on the outside of
the building (opposite side from the courtyard).
Third Floor
The third floor could have community access to the courtyard via a
spiral staircase. The floor plan can accommodate this access by
changing a 6-person suite into two studio apartments (264 sq ft) with a
large hallway in between. Currently on the east and west sides of
the buildings, there are adjacent 5 and 6 person suites. We
decided to knock down the wall between these to create two large suites
(1620 sq ft) per floor that could house 9 students or 2-3
families. On the south side we kept the existing two suites (810
sq ft) per floor. This wide range of housing size should help to
accommodate diverse needs of students, faculty, families and
children. Each of the units will have its own kitchenette and new
windows.
Plumbing Changes
The large suites on the north side will have three composting toilets
and the rest of the units will have low flush toilets and water saving
showerheads. On the west, south and east sides we extended the
hallway through the middle of the suites to capture the window location
as a means to increase natural ventilation and daylight into the
unit. Throughout the whole column indoor plants will improve air
quality and balconies are critical to the indoor-outdoor connection.