net zero DESIGN: Green Motion at MONTEREY bay area

This project accommodates the needs for a recreation center and the Kinesiology Department, which are defined through a moving planar form. “Movement” was considered a design concept as the science of Kinesiology mainly deals with that. A moving planar form rises from the ground, lands, and merges with the ground at the very end. Therefore, the building also integrates an earth-berm strategy with the architectural design concept, where part of it is located underground to use the ground’s stable temperature as a passive strategy for saving energy. An undulating walking path, which was defined as the “healing path” connects the outdoor space to the indoor and roof space of the building. This path in the landscape of the project is in harmony with the already existing green park space on the north side of the site. A row of clerestory windows has been inserted in the gap space between the two roof decks to break the width of the building and ensure that daylight can reach all the interior areas. The one-story height at the north-east and south-west corners of the project gradually reaches a two-story height at the north-west corner to provide opportunities on its green roof for views towards the surroundings. The 100% glazed walls expose the interior of the space to direct solar gain with the possibility of being shaded using the louver system, if needed, to avoid heat loss at night or to avoid glare and overheating during summer daytime (Teammates: M.Azimi and H. Pesarakli).