VIRGINIA G. PIPER SPORTS AND FITNESS CENTER FOR DISABLED PEOPLE
Building Analysis by Olivia Nagel and Rose Hillebrandt
VIRGINIA G. PIPER SPORTS AND FITNESS CENTER FOR DISABLED PEOPLE Phoenix, Arizona Baldinger Architectural Studio Building analysis by Olivia Nagel and Rose Hillebrandt Arch 341, Fall 2019 Lab Instructor: Stacey White
Cover image: Raul J. Garcia
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1_Project Summary 2_Place 3_Form and Assemblies 4_Perception and Performance 5_References
1_PROJECT SUMMARY PROJECT DATA Location: Phoenix, Arizona Year of completed construction: 2012 Total area: 45,000 sq ft Total construction cost: $12.5 million
TEAM Client: Arizona Bridge for Independent Living (ABIL) Architect: Baldinger Architectural Studio Landscape: Killip Land Planning Structure: AED Inc. Structural Engineers MEP and FP: Stone Engineering Inc. Civil: A.E.C. Consultants Lighting: Rowle Engineering General Contractor: Caliber Construction
1.1 Indoor Rock-Climbing Wall Photo: Raul J. Garcia
ARCHITECT PROFILE The architects on the project were Baldinger Architectural Studio, a tempe design firm in Arizona, established in 1986. The company is run as a collaborative studio and prizes their unique and creative solutions. The believe trust and collaboration are the cornerstones of successful client architect relationships. They strive for strong involvement in every phase and promote a collaborative team environment. Their design approach is comprehensive in addressing program, site and environment at the same time making it economical, easy to build and maintain, energy efficient and environmentally responsible. They believe sensible architecture strives to extract the essence of a building program and it’s intended use. Baldinger architectural studio designs elegant modern buildings that can withstand the test of time. Their buildings are known to be rational, functional, well engineered, economical, easy to build, easy to maintain, energy efficient and environmentally responsible. Baldinger architectural studio understands the unique role of architects and designers in bringing about positive sustainable changes to the build environment. Their architecture firm pursues high performance building design by reducing building energy consumption, reducing and mitigating carbon emissions, increasing water conservation, and promoting local building materials. They also make a point of utilizing recycled materials standards and design to enhance building interior air quality and the overall health and wellness of its occupants. They believe LEED is an excellent framework to organize and implement project sustainable goals, but they also believe that their other tools and strategies are more applicable to different projects and site criteria. Their ultimate goal is to serve their clients in an advisory capacity to: educate, inform, and facilitate responsible and green architecture. 1 The Virginia G. Piper Sports and Fitness Center fits into the firm’s evolution over time as it exemplifies the synthesis of accessibility, simplicity, and sustainable design.
1.2 (l) Facilitec Showroom, Phoenix, AZ Photo: Baldinger Architectural Studio
1.3 (r) Disability Empowerment Center, Phoenix, AZ Photo: Baldinger Architectural Studio
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1.4 Drawert Residence, Cave Creek, AZ Photo: Baldinger Architectural Studio
PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESIGN PROCESS The Virginia G. Piper Recreational Center is a Sports and Fitness Center for disabled people in Phoenix Arizona is located as a part of the Ability360 Sports and Fitness Center near the Phoenix airport. Constructed in 2012 at approximately 45,000 square feet, this building was added to an existing office building site that transitioned overtime and became a full-fledged disability empowerment center. It includes facilities for a wide range of sporting activities for the Greater Phoenix Disability community ranging from rock climbing to team sport courts to weight training. The main concept behind the design was to fuse function, environmental conditions, and aesthetics into the “total environment” that extends from site to the building. It is meant to promote health, wellness and active participation for the widest possible range of users that will be empowered. It also had to reach the highest level of accessibility with ramps elevators and wheelchair lifts and accessible aquatic center. The “total environment” is meant to offer complete freedom as well as safety and health.
1.5 Site Plan
Baldinger Architectural Studio
1.6 Project Elevation and Section Baldinger Architectural Studio
1.7 Design Render Universal Design Style
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Second Floor Plan 0’ 5’
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First Floor Plan 0’ 5’
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Massing Model
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Scale: 1/64” = 1’-0”
Basement Floor Plan 8 0’ 5’
MASSING AND CONFIGURATION
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Gym - Basketball Courts Locker Rooms Restrooms Offices Indoor Track Exercise Area Social Space
8 Stair Space 9 Mechanical / Electrical / Storage 10 Elevator / Control Room 11 Trainer Room 12 Outdoor Deck 13 Classroom
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Composite diagram
Program
Structure
Envelope - Zinc and Rainscreen
Envelope - Glass
Daylighting
Thermal Performance and Ventilation
Circulation
Egress and Fire Safety
GRAPHIC SUMMARY
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2.1 Aerial view of Phoenix, AZ near International Airport Photo: Google
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REGIONAL RESOURCES
CONTEXT
The Virginia G. Piper building is part of a broader environment of energy resources in Phoenix. Most of the energy comes from the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station. Phoenix has three main sources of water include surface water from rivers and lakes, groundwater pumped from wells, and reclaimed water which is used for agriculture, industrial cooling and landscape. A large quantity of Phoenix’s water comes from the Salt, Verde, and Colorado River. The Salt River Project (SRP) brings water by canal and pipeline from the Salt and Verde Rivers, while the Central Arizona Project (CAO) transports water from the Colorado River. Most of the waste water in this area is treated at Maricopa county Environmental water treatment plant and then transported back to Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station to be used in the cooling towers or sent to evaporation ponds. 2
The project is in the middle of the urban fabric on Phoenix, acting as a communal place for lots of people to come and work out with very accessible transportation. It shares a site and connected form with the Arizona Autism United Center. It is also close to the Phoenix airport and the 143 and 202 highway, making transportation to other areas much easier. The rail passes right by the front of the entire fitness complex, making public transit easy to utilize. There is a more private road that runs through the project that makes the front of the sports center accessible by car. There are also two pathways that pass over the top of the road, which gives it a feeling of enclosure and being embedded within the project site and building context. There is also a parking garage nearby right on the property. The site is right across from a historic castle site and other commercial lots.
Wind Rose
Sun Path Chart
Psychrometric Chart
50% Fossil Fuels
CLIMATE ANALYSIS AND RESPONSE The climate of Arizona is very hot and dry and this definitely impacted the design of the building. This caused the architects to limit the amount of glazing, and those areas that do have glazing often have translucent instead of transparent glazing in order to limit heat gain. The architects were also careful to limit the amount of glazing on the west and south facade of the building. The psychrometric chart also shows a large diurnal swing and varying humidity levels which makes it difficult to design a building that can be kept in the comfort range from passive strategies rather than active systems. The climate also allows the pool to be outside, and it is often shaded since it is on the North West corner of the building.
50% Carbon-free Sources (Mostly Solar and Nuclear)
3_FORM AND ASSEMBLIES Gym / Recreation Areas Classroom Lockers / Bathrooms / Storage Offices
“The one argument for accessibility that doesn’t get made nearly often enough is how extraordinarily better it makes some people’s lives. How many opportunities do we have to dramatically improve people’s lives just by doing our job a little better?” —Steve Krug3
3.1 Gym and Recreational Space Photo: Raul J. Garcia
3.2 Locker Rooms Photo: Raul J. Garcia
PROGRAM The program of this building mostly consists of gym and recreation space including a rock-climbing wall of over 35 feet tall. There are fitness rooms, as well as a large gym with two basketball courts, and an indoor track. The building also includes one classroom space and multiple offices. There is also an abundance of lockers and storage space for equipment. The remaining space is typical circulation space that goes through the building, connecting the various programs. The spaces are organized for ease of access and navigation to all programmatic elements. This takes shape in a spine along the West side of the building that contains more service spaces. There is another branch of circulation down the middle of this spine that spreads into the served spaces in either direction.
3.3 Fitness and Workout Equipment Photo: Raul J. Garcia
Lateral Bracing Steel Columns / Beams / Girders Masonry / Concrete Bearing Walls Steel Stud Wall
3.4 Steel Trusses and Beams as Primary Structure in Gym Space Photos: Raul J. Garcia
STRUCTURE The structure of this building is a combination of steel framing, light-gauge steel framing, and concrete and masonry bearing walls. The concrete and masonry are used for the foundation walls as well as areas where there is vertical circulation and emergency-exit egress stairs. The steel framing supports most of the structure, and lateral cross-bracing is utilized in the form of trusses to form the curved shape of the West facade and to support the large gym/basketball court without intermittent columns breaking up the space. Steel stud walls are also utilized for things such as the round space on the second floor. Additionally, there are a few moment connections utilized throughout the structure for more lateral stability.
3.5 Lateral Bracing as Secondary Structure for Curtain Wall Photos: Raul J. Garcia
“What happens if, rather than seeing disability as a problem that architecture is expected to solve, we ask basic questions about how diverse human bodies actually occupy built space. Can disability − and ability − help us think more explicitly about habitation, how we envisage a ‘typical’ user and what impacts buildings have on their many and varied occupants?” —Dr Jos Boys4
Zinc Paneling Terracotta Rainscreen Panel
ENVELOPE: ZINC SCREEN WALL The envelope of this building consists mostly of glass, zinc panels, brick veneer, and a terracotta rainscreen. The primary cladding--zinc standing seam panelling--is mostly used for the curved surfaces and areas over the roof. The zinc panels are very weather resistant, corrosion resistant, and have a very long lifetime. The panelling is also 100% recyclable, which makes this choice of material very eco-friendly and sustainable. 5 The terracotta rainscreen is located on the rectilinear, more static parts of the building program. This rainscreen is constructed of ceramic panels on an aluminum frame system. With continuous insulation outboard of the primary part of the wall system and room for ventilation, this system helps improve the thermal performance of the building. 6 The brick and terracotta rainscreens help the building feel slightly more warm from its coloration and earthen properties.
3.6 Standing Seam Zinc Panel Wall Photo: Raul J. Garcia
Curtain Wall Translucent Curtain Wall
ENVELOPE: GLASS CURTAIN WALL There are four different types of glass including operable glazing, non-operable glazing, translucent glass, and a small amount of spandrel glass. The operable windows are used mostly for views and ventilation, while the the non-operable windows provide daylight and views to users. Both of these types of windows allow in sunlight and heat. The translucent panels located in the center of the glass curtain wall provide diffused light without a lot of glare into the gym space. Lastly, the small section of spandrel glass on the east facade serves to continue the look of the facade while still hiding the structure and mechanical systems behind it. The glazing included for daylighting exists mostly on the East and North sides of the building, with almost no glass on the west and south side of the building.
3.7-3.8 Glass curtain wall: interior and exterior views Photos: Raul J. Garcia
Energy Model
4_PERCEPTION AND PERFORMANCE
Daylight Model
March 21st 12pm
June 21st 12pm
ENERGY AND DAYLIGHTING PERFORMANCE The energy sources of the Virginia G. Piper building are fifty percent fossil fuels and fifty percent carbon-free sources, mostly solar and nuclear. Daylighting is very important in the entry and social spaces of the building, but is not as prioritized in the back of the building, the concrete cores, and the large gym space. However, skylights in the gym do help to bring ambient light into this large space. Areas with less daylight include the back locker rooms and office spaces, which are typically more private spaces. Glass facades are limited mostly due to energy considerations because of the hot climate and an attempt to rely less heavily on energy intensive active systems. Blocking out daylight especially on the west and south facades helps to limit the annual solar exposure and heat gains into the building. Also because this building has lots of equipment and active users, internal gains will be quite high, so limiting external heat gains is very important. The target EUI for the building, as given by ZeroTool, is 18 kBTU/ft^2/yr compared to the actual EUI of 42 kBTU/ft^2/yr. The higher EUI is caused by the need for lots of cooling and equipment usage.
December 21st 12pm
Distribution Pipes Radiant Panels in Ceiling
Supply and Return Units Centralized Plant Away from Main Building Underground Piping
THERMAL AND VENTILATION SYSTEMS The building utilizes a hydronic system to heat the building and has air-coil fan units for ventilation. A hydronic system is ideal for this building because the distribution equipment does not take up as much space and it is better for temperature zoning which is vital in a building like this with such a mixed program. There is a radiant panel heating and cooling system in place which works better in dry climates like Phoenix’s versus humid climates. These panels in the ceiling spaces use a combination of hydronic systems with a supplementary air-based system. The main passive strategies utilized to maintain thermal comfort is orientation and mass-to-glass ratio of the facade.
4.1 Bathroom Showers Photos: Raul J. Garcia
2nd Floor 1st Floor Basement Vertical
CIRCULATION The circulation is based on two primary cores of vertical circulation surrounded by concrete and masonry bearing walls. The main entrance consists of lobby space with comfortable seating and views of the outdoors and swimming area. The primary horizontal circulation stems off from these cores and provides circulation to the offices, the gym on the first floor, the classroom, and around the track on the second floor. The main corridor on the first floor provides an engaging and exciting experience with colorful walls and windows to allow in pleasant daylight. The entire circulation is completely accessible and allows freedom of movement for all disabled people by utilizing ramps, elevators and wheelchair lifts. This reaches from and to areas like the pool, the gym and all the other sports areas.
4.2 Circulation Corridor with Load-Bearing Walls Photo: Raul J. Garcia
EGRESS AND FIRE LIFE SAFETY Due to its program and accessibility requirements, this building has a fairly open floor plan with wide corridors and interior spaces. This makes it easier for navigation and use in case of an emergency. The exit pathways consist mostly of the main circulation paths in this building. The egress systems, located on the west side of the building, are the same main cores of vertical circulation. The egress exiting coexists with the main circulation. There is another egress stair on the exterior in the back of the gym on the South side of the building.
4.3 Egress Stairs on Exterior South Facade Photos: Raul J. Garcia
5_REFERENCES REFLECTION
BIBLIOGRAPHY
The Virginia G. Piper Sports and Fitness Center succeeded in serving its purpose of providing a building where functionality and accessibility served as the driving factor in the design process. The architects focused on creating a space where disabled individuals could easily and comfortably navigate all areas and amenities of the building. This building surpases the standard ADA requirements by integrating straightforward and completely accessible circulation. Arriving to the site was also carefully considered as seen through the close proximity to public transportation and the private roadway that leads straight to the front entrance. The amenities within the building were also designed and scaled with accessibility in mind as seen with the larger bathrooms and locker rooms, ramp access to the basketball courts, and the lifts into the swimming pool. Other aspects that were clear design drivers for the architects were energy usage and the hot and dry climatic influences of Phoenix. Some ways in which these manifested were in the orientation of the building and careful consideration of excessive heat gain and daylighting. And while the design of the hydronic air and ventilation system and consideration of mass-to-glass ratios and orientation proved to be important, the overall Energy Use Intensity of the building was a little high. However, considering the more extreme climate of Phoenix and the large-scale of this building, overall, it was designed really well and sets a high standard for the future of accessible design. This informs our own work through the need for balance of energy efficiency and programmatic needs. It is important to consider both the climate and the client’s requirements when designing a building. And when it comes to accesibility, it is really about meeting the true needs of the users and not necessarily meeting code minimums.
Aguilar, Cristian. “Sport and Fitness Center for Disabled People / Baldinger Architectural Studio.” ArchDaily. ArchDaily, January 16, 2015. https:// www.archdaily.com/587732/sport-and-fitness-center-for-disabled-people-baldinger-architectural-studio. Atwood, Emily. “Adaptive Recreation and Fitness Facilities Set an Example for All.” Athletic Business, June 2013. https://www.athleticbusiness. com/fitness-training/adaptive-recreation-and-fitness-facilities-set-an-example-for-all.html. Baldinger Architectural Studio | Arizona Architect. https://www.baldinger-studio.com/. “Baldinger Architectural Studio Has Completed the Virginia G. Piper Spo.” PRWeb, January 7, 2012. https://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/1/ prweb9083189.htm. Breeders, Bee. “Accessibility Architecture.” Architecture Competitions and Awards // Organised by Bee Breeders. Accessed December 9, 2019. https://beebreeders.com/accessibility-architecture. “Disability Empowerment Center.” Boston Valley Terra Cotta. https://bostonvalley.com/portfolio-item/disability-empowerment-center/. “Environmental Benefits of Zinc.” RHEINZINK. https://www.rheinzink.us/technical-info/benefits-of-zinc-cladding/. “Sports - Ability360: Phoenix, AZ.” Ability360, December 9, 1970. https://ability360.org/sports/. “Sports and Fitness Center for Persons with Disabilities.” Universal Design Style, October 1, 1970. http://www.universaldesignstyle.com/sportsfitness-center-for-persons-with-disabilities/. Thornton, Jay. “A National Model for ADA Design and Accessibility Opens in Phoenix.” Civil Structural Engineer magazine, February 5, 2009. https://csengineermag.com/a-national-model-for-ada-design-and-accessibility-opens-in-phoenix/. “Virginia G. Piper Sports and Fitness Center for Persons with Disabilities.” SpazioMondo. https://www.mondoworldwide.com/emea/en/ spaziomondo/projects/project-virginia-g-piper-sports-and-fitness-center-for-persons-with-disabilities/.
NOTES 1. Baldinger Architectural Studio | Arizona Architect. Accessed November 11, 2019. https://www.baldinger-studio.com/. 2. “Water Supply Q & A.” City of Phoenix. https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservices/resourcesconservation/drought-information/climatechange/ water-supply-q-a. 3. Seiter, Courtney. “14 Quotes That Celebrate a More Accessible World.” Open, May 25, 2016. https://open.buffer.com/accessibility-quotes/. 4. Breeders, Bee. “Accessibility Architecture.” Architecture Competitions and Awards // Organised by Bee Breeders. Accessed December 9, 2019. https://beebreeders.com/accessibility-architecture. 5. “Environmental Benefits of Zinc.” RHEINZINK. https://www.rheinzink.us/technical-info/benefits-of-zinc-cladding/. 6. Disability Empowerment Center.” Boston Valley Terra Cotta. https://bostonvalley.com/portfolio-item/disability-empowerment-center/.
“Virginia G. Piper Sport and Fitness Center for Persons with Disabilities: Baldinger Architectural Studio.” Archello. https://archello.com/project/ virginia-g-piper-sport-and-fitness-center-for-persons-with-disabilities. “Water Supply Q & A.” City of Phoenix. https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservices/resourcesconservation/drought-information/climatechange/ water-supply-q-a.
IMAGE CREDITS Cover image: photograph © Raul J. Garcia “Sport and Fitness Center for Disabled People / Baldinger Architectural Studio.” January16, 2015. ArchDaily. Accessed October 17, 2019. https://www.archdaily.com/587732/sport-and-fitness-center-for-disabled-people-baldinger-architectural-studio/ 1.1: photograph © Raul J. Garcia “Sport and Fitness Center for Disabled People / Baldinger Architectural Studio.” January16, 2015. ArchDaily. Accessed October 17, 2019. https://www.archdaily.com/587732/sport-and-fitness-center-for-disabled-people-baldinger-architectural-studio/ 1.2: photograph © Baldinger Architectural Studio “Facilitec Showroom.” Baldinger Architectural Studio. Accessed November 11, 2019. https://www.baldinger-studio.com/portfolio/facilitec-showroom/ 1.3: photograph © Baldinger Architectural Studio “Disability Empowerment Center.” Baldinger Architectural Studio. Accessed November 11, 2019. https://www.baldinger-studio.com/portfolio/disability-empowerment-center/ 1.4: photograph © Baldinger Architectural Studio “Drawert Residence.” Baldinger Architectural Studio. Accessed November 11, 2019. https://www.baldinger-studio.com/portfolio/drawert-residence/ 1.5: site plan © Baldinger Architectural Studio “Sport and Fitness Center for Disabled People / Baldinger Architectural Studio.” January16, 2015. ArchDaily. Accessed October 17, 2019. https://www.archdaily.com/587732/sport-and-fitness-center-for-disabled-people-baldinger-architectural-studio/ 1.6: project elevation and section © Baldinger Architectural Studio “Sport and Fitness Center for Disabled People / Baldinger Architectural Studio.” January16, 2015. ArchDaily. Accessed October 17, 2019. https://www.archdaily.com/587732/sport-and-fitness-center-for-disabled-people-baldinger-architectural-studio/ 1.7: design render © Universal Design Style “Sports and Fitness Center for Persons with Disabilities / Baldinger Architectural Studio.” February 27, 2012. Uniersal Design Style. Accessed December 07, 2019. http://www.universaldesignstyle.com/sports-fitness-center-for-persons-with-disabilities/ 2.1 site map © Google Maps Google Maps. 2019. Accessed September 23, 2019. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ability360+Sports+%26+Fitness+Center/@33.4455712,-111.9739977,17.77z/data=!4m8!1m2!2m1!1svirgi nia+g+piper+sports+and+fitness+center+floor+plan!3m4!1s0x0:0x107e912447e362d!8m2!3d33.446541!4d-111.9728997?hl=en&authuser=0 3.1 - 3.8: photograph © Raul J. Garcia “Sport and Fitness Center for Disabled People / Baldinger Architectural Studio.” January16, 2015. ArchDaily. Accessed October 17, 2019. https://www.archdaily.com/587732/sport-and-fitness-center-for-disabled-people-baldinger-architectural-studio/ 4.1 - 4.3: photograph © Raul J. Garcia “Sport and Fitness Center for Disabled People / Baldinger Architectural Studio.” January16, 2015. ArchDaily. Accessed October 17, 2019. https://www.archdaily.com/587732/sport-and-fitness-center-for-disabled-people-baldinger-architectural-studio/ Back Cover: photograph © Raul J. Garcia “Sport and Fitness Center for Disabled People / Baldinger Architectural Studio.” January16, 2015. ArchDaily. Accessed October 17, 2019. https://www.archdaily.com/587732/sport-and-fitness-center-for-disabled-people-baldinger-architectural-studio/ All other images were created by the authors