Life Sciences Building, Paradise Valley Community College
Posted
06/29/2011
Life Sciences Building, Paradise Valley Community
College, Phoenix
Incorporating copper in
the structure and aesthetic of the facility, principle architect
Miriam Imirzian blended the state's main export along with stucco
to design the new Life Sciences Building on the Paradise Valley
Community College campus. Maximizing use of the outdoor space,
large overhangs create an elevated porch environment exposing
staircases, hallways and learning pods on the exterior of the
building. The design intent is to minimize the amount of air
conditioning needed to keep the indoor facility cool. The learning
pods run along the east façade, constructed mostly of steel framing
and handrails to provide space for informal collaborations, small
group study or simply a place to relax in the otherwise unforgiving
Sonora Desert. To ensure comfort, eight Big Ass Fans built from
aircraft-grade aluminum, were installed to provide the evaporative
cooling effect required for comfort. Big Ass Fans circulate a large
volume of air providing the necessary cooling to make occupants
feel 8 to 10 degrees F cooler.
Imirzian, no stranger to the need for air movement in this hot
desert climate says, "I had these [fans] in mind as soon as I
started conceptualizing the space. I knew I wanted to move air and
have the mechanics exposed," she explains, "not concealed." Part of
the conceptualization process was to bring science to the forefront
by exposing mechanisms that brought the building to life. Fans,
rainwater collection and outdoor usability all contribute in this
unique goal.
Architect: Miriam Imirzian
Fans: Big Ass Fans, Lexington, Ky., www.bigassfans.com, Circle
#74