Question posed by PKAL:
Given what we've learned from recent experiences in designing new spaces for undergraduate STEM communities, and given the new opportunities and challenges facing our students, our society, including new directions in science and technology, what kind of questions do you wish your clients or prospective clients were now asking you, in the process of shaping new spaces for science?
Responses
We see science curricula evolving into more and more interdisciplinary programs with contextual information woven into the teaching of science courses. How can we build flexibility into the design of our teaching and research labs to ensure their long term accommodation of interdisciplinary initiatives?
And/or:
With the energy demands of a new science facility, we are building the most complicated and expensive building to operate and maintain on campus. With the rising cost of energy, how do we ensure that our building is sustainable in the next decades?
Submitted by: Shirine Boulos, Ellenzweig Associates
Our last science building was designed 30 years ago. Let's assume that we won't have this opportunity again for the next 30 years. How can we think broadly enough to insure that this design will meet our vision until that time?
Submitted by: James Baird, Holabird & Root
We are struggling with the real need for one-pass air in laboratories due to the ever increasing cost of energy. The thought is that science is changing using less chemical applications and more computational applications - even on the bench. How do we determine what the real need for BSL2 laboratories is to be in the future?
How does simulation and virtual testing affect the design of laboratories in the future?
Submitted by: Cynthia Walston, FKP Architects
We have a need and an opportunity to update our science facilities. I know how we currently work, instruct and research today at XYZ College, but I know we need to integrate flexibility into our science lab facility to make it more adept to future science pedagogies and research (for example, our undergrads are participating in our research programs today...something we didn't have 10 years ago around here). How do I best solicit the level of flexibility needed for this institution in 10, 20, 50 years? How do I define that flexibility, what it may cost, get buy-in?
What is the alternative to four walls, bench-casework and a fume-hood in the defining the science teaching environment of the future? a.k.a - Where will science instruction take place in 10, 20, 50 years?
- Will it be physical or virtual?
Submitted by: Richard Smith, Loebl Schlossman & Hackl
PKAL questions we wish clients would ask of us (and vice versa) regarding the next generation of science facilities:
- How can this science facility program achieve distinction for our institution?
- How can you help us make research and teaching the same thing?
- Can you participate with us in developing our institutional strategic plan for STEM sciences?
- What is the one thing about design that you think will allow us to do better science ten years from now?
Submitted by: Zibby Ericson, Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott
Many recent projects have encountered sharp construction cost escalation during the design and construction period. Administration has encouraged the project team to explore "value engineering" in order to bring the projects in closer to budget. What proportions of the "value engineering" ideas that are taken affect the core mission of the project and are added back in at greater cost at a later date? What are some examples of VE ideas that you wish you could take back?
On the other hand, what are some VE ideas that worked?
Submitted by: Mark S. Reed, William Wilson Associated Architects
Considering the shortcomings we see today with the Sputnik-era buildings designed 35-40 years ago, how do we anticipate the next 20-30 years with greater foresight?
How can we make greater use of our teaching laboratory space for different things to improve space utilization? How do issues of appropriate laboratory support space and availability of support staff impact these discussions?
How can we best leverage our limited space/dollars to best support undergraduate research for faculty and students? What are the advantages/disadvantages of private vs. shared research spaces?
Submitted by: Richard Heinz, Research Facilities Design