SELF-LEVELING UNDERLAYMENT CASE STUDY

Images courtesy of Studio 804

Project: EcoHawks Engineering Research & Teaching Facility
Owner: University of Kansas
Location: Lawrence, Kansas
Architect: Studio 804

The University Programs: Studio 804 is a yearlong, comprehensive educational opportunity for graduate students who are entering the final year of the Master of Architecture program at the University of Kansas (KU)School of Architecture, Design, and Planning. During each academic year, students enrolled in the full-time class design and construct a building of great technical sophistication. Studio 804 is underpinned by three foundational elements: 1) 20 years of dedication to the continuing research and development of sustainable, affordable, and inventive building solutions; 2) service to Kansas communities; and 3) a unique instructional model. From its inception, under the stewardship of the KU Department of Architecture’s J.L. Constant Distinguished Professor Dan Rockhill, Studio 804’s remarkable hands-on design-build program is the envy of architecture schools the world over.

EcoHawks is a student research program run by the KU School of Engineering. It focuses on alternative energy for transportation, including fuels and mechanical transport systems. Since its inception, EcoHawks rapidly expanded, both in the number of students participating and the scope of its research. This new facility was needed because it had outgrown its second location. The similar ideologies and goals of both the EcoHawks program and Studio 804 made the collaboration of the two groups a natural partnership. The design and construction of new building to facilitate and showcase EcoHawks’ alternative energy research provides Studio 804 with an opportunity to continue its tradition of designing and constructing high-quality innovative and sustainable buildings. The new facility was meant to be part of a proposed engineering quadrangle on the KU West Campus.

The Project Challenge: The new facility needed to have indoor and outdoor work areas designed to showcase the students’ innovative work. Space for computer workstations and an area for prototype testing were all part of the building program. Following the tradition of previous Studio 804 projects, the facility also needed to incorporate both passive and active sustainable systems and technologies. From the start, the building was intended to achieve LEED Platinum certification, which meant that all of the material and product choices needed to be reviewed scrupulously for their effects on both indoor environmental quality and overall impact on the environment at large.

The Project Solutions: The building has been divided into three pods with a total area of 3,500 square feet. The first two pods are connected and contain “high-bay” fabrication and work areas. As large, open spaces, they are completely glazed to allow visitors to view research in progress plus provide maximum visibility and solar gain. The third pod is a detached, open-air mechanical research yard. This area will not be air-conditioned and will serve as a space for outdoor research projects.

A durable and sustainable floor solution was needed for the different pods. After researching a number of alternatives, Ryan Barry of Studio 804 discovered a product website that showcased a premier, sustainable, geopolymer self-leveling underlayment that appeared to be a perfect fit for the project. He then contacted the manufacturer and confirmed the information, including the fact that the product contained more than 75 percent recycled content. Thus, it demonstrated a clear reduction in the carbon footprint of the flooring system.

The Results: The iconic 3,500-square-foot LEED Platinum building will help promote the EcoHawks program and showcase its achievements, Further, it will aid in the research, fabrication, and refurbishment of electric vehicles, with a floor system designed to be durable and environmentally friendly over the life of the building.

MODIFIED WOOD CASE STUDY

Images courtesy of Thermory USA; photo credit: Ryoma Tominaga

Project: The Gathering Place
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Architect: Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates

The Project: The Gathering Place was George Kaiser’s gift to his hometown. Funded by the George Kaiser Family Foundation and designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA), the 64-acre park is located just outside of downtown Tulsa and was aptly named to describe its intentions: to become a city hub that would draw people into the city and revitalize the area. The park features unique, man-made topography to bring new life to the landscape, local stone elements paying homage to the many quarries scattered around the Tulsa area, and an abundance of program and event spaces to engage visitors of all ages. The Gathering Place is unifying the suburban sprawl of Tulsa, creating a brand-new type of public park that is purposefully designed to bring people together.

The Challenge: MVVA is known for its focus on sustainable design and materials without sacrificing function or beauty. This one-of-a-kind outdoor park required materials with reliable availability that could withstand heavy foot traffic. The architects have used black locust lumber in the past, but because it is prone to insect damage, availability is often limited. The park features a number of large docks surrounding the man-made pond used for irrigation, giving visitors a stunning view of the surrounding area while relaxing at the waterfront. In addition to the many other exciting play areas, it features an ADA-accessible sandbox with built-in benches and access walkways, part of the Fairy Land Forest. These elements needed sustainable materials that are durable enough to stand up to high traffic without disrupting the natural feel of the park, which was built within an existing forest.

The Solution: Thermally modified white ash was determined by MVVA to be an ideal alternative to tropical woods, which can be unsustainable in some areas, and black locust, which is very difficult to obtain. Thermally modified white ash lent its durability and beautiful aging process to the designs, while the excellent rot resistance that results from the thermal modification process made it an ideal choice for the expansive waterfront decks. Because the wood will naturally age to a stunning platinum grey, the wooden docks, walkways, benches, and seating areas meshed perfectly with the rustic forest setting as they settled into their final aged patina.

For a project of this magnitude, MVVA didn’t want to blindly purchase thousands of square feet of a new material. Working with a manufacturer/supplier, the firm built test projects out of thermally modified white ash and other woods in another local park. As time passed, MVVA was able to observe how each material stood up to heavy use, various weather conditions, and time. Then the firm made its selection. MVVA saw the qualities that set the thermally modified wood apart from the rest: durability and rot resistance, a stunning aging process, and sustainable practices from forest to finish.

The Results: The Gathering Place is an ode to the city itself. George Kaiser, noted Tulsa businessman and philanthropist, wanted to give young people a reason to stay in the city. The Gathering Place sought to improve the everyday lives of Tulsans and give them a beautiful, functional, sustainable park to make them proud to be in the area.