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Keck Institute for Space Studies

| Lehrer Architects

Pasadena, CA, USA | 2014

Lehrer Architects

Offices | LEED v3 BD+C (New Construction)

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PROJECT DESCRIPTION

A new home for the Keck Institute for Space Studies to define a sense of place, production, and purpose for the academic think tank. As well, a new home for the California Institute of Technology’s Board of Trustees.

Design Relevance:

- The relationship of old and new creates a unique opportunity for a courtyard that takes advantage of the Southern California climate and extends the use of the buildings through a unique indoor-outdoor connection

- It was determined that the restored Tolman-Bacher House, the Mission-style structure, could not adequately meet the needs of the organization so the adjacent, undeveloped lot of land became the starting point for the design of a new Modernist structure

- Throwaway spaces that were not part of the original brief were leveraged to solve the problem, to create a sanctum in the heart of the campus and promote the significant urban agenda of the campus master plan

- Architecture and organizational mission conspire to create a place that is a catalyst to encourage affinity among individuals

- Affinity to the purpose is created by the affinity to the environment

- Architecturally, an association to the existing structure and the existing outdoor landscape is always present and experienced with the new structure

AWARDS

2014 Historic Preservation Award for Adaptive Use of the Tolman-Bacher House City of Pasadena Historic Preservation Committee

2014 Design Award, West Side Urban Forum

2014 Merit Award for Excellence in Design, The American Institute of Architects California Council

2014 Honor Award for Excellence in Design, The American Institute of Architects Pasadena Foothill Chapter

2014 Savings by Design Sustainability Award, The American Institute of Architects Pasadena Foothill Chapter

SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES

Natural ventilation

High efficient façade

High efficient lighting

Daylight sensors

Occupancy sensors

Daylighting maximised

SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY

Sustainable Design:

-The design employs a hybrid of active-mechanical and passive systems.

-Large sliding glass doors allow for natural ventilation of the main lobby area. The boardroom can be ventilated through operable louvers at both high and low positions. When cross and stack ventilation are inadequate, the HVAC system can be utilized to provide active exhaust assist.

- Interior lighting throughout incorporates low mercury type T8 lamps with LED lamps used for task lighting. Lighting controls include occupancy sensing for interior lighting, and photocell for exterior lighting. Photometric analysis informed the lighting design with an emphasis on efficiency.

-Frameless glass windows and walls, along with extensive skylights provide daylight to all the occupied spaces in the new structure.

- The concrete slab on grade creates a cooling heat sink to reduce the cooling loads for the building.

- Solar energy from the nearby campus array is harvested and allocated.

- A white, energy-star rated roof reflects heat and sunlight reducing the heat island effect.

ENERGY DATA

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Climate zone:

Temperate

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