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
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