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Foster Student Innovation Center
The Foster Student Innovation Center “While its beautiful windows are intended to illuminate the creativity that drives innovation, they also provide a way for all of us to look in and glimpse an important element of the future of this university, and of our state.” –Robert A. Kennedy, President, University of Maine The Foster Student Innovation Center, at the University of Maine at Orono, was created as an incubator for knowledge-based business ventures. Oak Point’s goal was to provide a stimulating environment that fosters innovation and creativity within a solution that encompasses a vision for the future through adaptability and green design. The Center was awarded Silver LEED-NC in 2008. The unique nature of the project required a facility that strikes a balance between sustainability, aesthetics, and function. Through sustainability, it represents the forward-thinking direction of the University and its student entrepreneurs and supports the new University master plan for development over the next 20 years; through aesthetics, the Center distinguishes itself from other buildings on campus; through function it acts as an incubator for new businesses and as a doorway between the university and the business world. The Center opened its doors to students, staff and entrepreneurs in October of 2006. The 6,000 sqft facility is located at the center of an active campus, though placed in a serene woodland setting accessed largely by walking paths. On the outside, stone and broad expanses of glass reflect the surrounding environment, while the roof provides a field test for a University-developed experimental roof panel system. On the inside, the Center provides an inspiring environment that hosts a wealth of courses, seminars, business presentations and competitions. Free-thinking minds are supported by technologically advanced flexible spaces that include an open-air team space, private work rooms, multi-media conference and seminar rooms, and offices. Modular furniture throughout the spaces is easily reconfigured to meet the needs of various gatherings and events. Etched glass walls separating the seminar and conference rooms from the lobby can be retracted to accommodate large gatherings. The central, light-filled lobby area encourages chance meetings and is popularly referred to as the “Aha! Space”–a place to enjoy floor-to-ceiling views of the surrounding natural environment, as well as look out onto a world of potential. Most importantly, the Student Innovation Center is a connection point where students can meet with in-house experts and industry professionals, receiving assistance toward developing and funding their business ideas. The Foster Student Innovation Center’s dynamic internal environment is meant to inspire, provide room for free and creative thinking, and space for developing new product designs and technologies, based on Maine’s own resources. Here, students are leading the way toward new innovative businesses that will help shape the state’s economic future. Sustainability The preservation of the character of the site was of key importance. The challenge was to find a balance between site disturbance, solar orientation, and the visual approach. The building was situated in order to minimize cut and fill and preserve the integrity of the site and as many of its character-defining trees as possible. The placement also had to provide adequate construction access without creating a hole in the site. University forestry students handled tree removal, using the lumber to create board lumber and firewood. University ground crews handled much of the site work, providing cost savings and client involvement. The main challenge of the architectural design was finding a balance between aesthetic and energy concerns. Considering the care taken in preserving the compelling woodland and marshland site and the respite it provides, visual access from the interior of the building was a primary goal. Access to natural daylight was a high priority for this project, not only for energy savings reasons, but also for the scientifically-proven increase in occupant comfort and productivity. Both daylighting and energy efficiency were achieved by utilizing high U-factor, non-glare windows, maximizing their placement, and increasing insulation. Low-flow fixtures conserve water, saving 20% more water than traditional fixtures. Construction material selection emphasized local and recycled products. Nearly 46% of the material used to construct the building was manufactured within 500 miles of the project site. Finish materials included rapidly renewable and high recycled content sources. Low VOC finishes minimize air pollutants. A variable air volume air handling system controls air volume assures each space is well ventilated, provides fresh air and controls CO2 and other air toxin levels. Carpet and concrete floors are low maintenance as opposed to other flooring materials that require waxing or special cleaning products. Long-life fluorescent lighting fixtures provide energy savings and do not require frequent bulb replacement. Although the original intention of utilizing geothermal heating and cooling was not realized, the project team was able to determine a solution that is both cost effective and provides a high level of efficiency. The boiler is up to 97% efficient, low maintenance, and provides considerable fuel conservation. Daylighting techniques provide natural light to 89% of the building, reducing the need for artificial lighting and conserving energy. Occupancy and daylight controls automatically turn lighting on and off, saving at least 35% in electrical costs. Tests performed prior to occupancy show that the building design provides a total energy savings of 22.1%. True to the self-reliant character of Maine people and the principle of growing Maine business, many of the materials selected for this project were locally harvested, produced and engineered. Locally produced rapidly renewable materials were chosen over other popular “green” material choices for their contribution to local economies, reduced carbon footprint and greater connection to the environmental and economic context of the building. Maine-quarried Freshwater Pearl granite pavers and steps lead the way into the Center. The design team chose cherry and locally harvested cedar over imported bamboo for a finish material. The Center is the first real-world test for University-designed experimental roof panels that feature increased structural capacity and integrate University-engineered recycled plastic wood composite material, helping bring this technology closer to production. They were manufactured at a site twenty miles from the campus. Aesthetics The aesthetics of the Student Innovation Center needed to speak directly to its intent. The stone, steel and glass architecture of the building defines it from its brick-clad counterparts, indicating its unique position at the university. The facility sits below the road, nested into its wooded site, conveying a level of exclusivity and removal from the rest of the busy campus. The north side of the building, with its stone façade, a band of copper that reflects the color of oak leaves in fall, and a low roof, takes on the character of the surrounding woods. One approaches this side of the building low through tall trees and enters into an unexpectedly dynamic interior. Standing in the Aha! Space, the soaring ceiling and extensive views overlooking marsh and woodland provide an element of surprise and a feeling of expansion. The south side of the building sits tall on the site, its glass façade expanding upwards, reflecting and taking on the character of the sky. Functional/Operational Creativity requires flexibility. Flexibility within the design allows the Center to maximize the effectiveness and impact of the interior spaces. With modular furniture and retractable walls, the interior spaces are intended to adapt to their users and provide various levels of privacy. The facility offers a variety of settings required during the business development process from individual work rooms for building prototypes to a conference room for presenting business ideas to potential investors. The floor plan divides the Center into private workzones and public interaction zones. The work areas are nested within the building and provide the most privacy. The open spaces promote interaction and cross-pollination of ideas among students through their informal, relaxed atmosphere. The seminar and conference rooms are, at the touch of a button, combined with the Aha! Space to accommodate large gatherings. Integrated technology systems facilitate and protect the Innovation Center users. Wireless internet access is available throughout the facility. Voice and data jacks are provided in multiple locations in all working spaces. The conference and seminar rooms provide overhead projectors and video capabilities. External video surveillance and card reader access to the building at the entries provide security to tenants and their projects. Public access to the team space and offices is limited by programmable internal card readers. The building was designed to easily adapt to future reconfigurations and upgrades. The number of interior columns was reduced with large spans of roof panels. None of the interior partitions are structural, allowing modifications to the floor plan and additions to be made without major structural changes. Results The Student Innovation Center allows students and the university as a whole to create stronger connections to the outside business community, bringing more attention to university research and development. The facility promises to generate a host of new entrepreneurs with businesses based on Maine’s own resources. As one entrepreneur said, the goal is to “create, sell and ship wicked good ideas”. The new facility supports that goal through the integration of sustainable, stimulating, flexible and highly functional architecture. Project Description:
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