Nevin welcome Center POE

NEVIN WELCOME CENTER post occupancy evaluation

DEA 2020 Intro to Sustainable Design Sonia Jaidka, Dina Kaganer, Mariah Neknez, Jeanette Petti

Introduction Nevin Welcome Center

Vision

Background

“A world in which the interdependence of biological and cultural diversity is respected, sustained, and celebrated.”

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Mission

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“Inspiring people – through cultivation, conservation, and education – to understand, appreciate, and nurture plants and the cultures they sustain.”

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Post Occupancy Evaluation

Behavioral Mapping

Built in 2010 by Canadian architects Baird Sampson Neuert as part of the Cornell Plantations “Plantations Transformations.”

Named after Brian C. Nevin who loved attending the botanic gardens.

Located in the heart of the botanical garden.

Provides visitor amenities such as a gift shop, restrooms, and classrooms.

North Campus

NEVIN WELCOME CENTER

Forest Home

Botanic Gardens

Central Campus

Vet School

Research Methods

Our goal is to conduct a post occupancy evaluation for the Nevin Welcome Center in order to better understand how the space fits the needs and wants of its users. By gathering qualitative and quantitative data, we can identify what works well in the space as well as issues that should be addressed. We conclude with recommendations that are intended to enhance the experience of the building for all stakeholders.

Introduction

Location

Site

Interviews

Behavior Mapping

Conducted in-depth interviews with staff members, as well as semi-structured interviews with staff members and visitors.

Mapped out the different movement patterns of users through the space in order to understand the overall circulation of the building.

Observations

Surveys

Observed how the space works, who uses it, and how it meets the user’s needs at different times throughout the day and week.

Distributed a paper survey to visitors and online surveys to staff members and students. Received over 55 responses.

Materials

IEQ

Water and Energy

Operations

Recommendations

Introduction

Sustainable Design Assessment Skylights:

Green Roof:

Automatically open and close in concert with ground floor window to facilitate passive cross-ventilation via stack effect and reduce energy load.

Vegetation serves as a permeable surface to absorb water, reduce runoff, and lower heating/cooling costs. Water is returned via ducts directly into the groundwater table.

Solar Tube Water Heaters + Radiant Floor Heating:

Provide about 40% of the building’s heating demand through a renewable source.

Wooden External Louvers:

Provide passive shading on southern facade and reduce cooling costs; ipe wood is sustainably sourced from Brazil and is very durable.

Glass Curtain Wall:

Double-paned glass provides natural daylighting throughout the space and minimizes electric lighting demand.

Minimal Light Pollution:

Human Dimension:

Since the building relies primarily on natural lighting and uses light sensors throughout the interior, little light is visible at night. Path and parking lot light fixtures are directed downwards to reduce exterior light pollution.

High ceilings make building users feel diminutive and awed, creating a perception of an open, airy space that is an extension of nature.

Exhibit cases contain engaging, interactive pieces at eye-level.

Single Use Land:

Bioswale:

The site is relatively isolated from other academic, residential, and commercial uses, making it feel like an “escape” from the surroundings but also limiting accessibility.

Introduction

Behavioral Mapping

Site

Materials

Holds and filters stormwater runoff to minimize risk of floods. Water is returned to Beebe Lake.

IEQ

Water and Energy

Operations

Recommendations

Introduction Functions

The restrooms include sustainable elements like water-saving toilets and hand dryers.

The lobby, with its plants, floor-to-ceiling windows, and natural materials, extends the garden into the Welcome Center.

The gift shop doubles as a visitor information center, where the only full-time staff in the building work.

The event room hosts classes and other large gatherings, and can be partitioned into two smaller spaces.

Introduction

Behavioral Mapping

Site

Materials

IEQ

Water and Energy

The balcony overlooks the first floor lobby, creating an open feel throughout the entire space.

Operations

The conference room is a small meeting space normally used by Botanic Gardens staff.

Recommendations

Introduction

Staff Experience vs. Visitor Experience After speaking with users, it became apparent that staff and visitors have very different experiences in the Nevin Welcome Center based on the transient or more long-term nature of their interaction with the space. Initially, the space is experienced as beautiful, pleasant, and calming as users notice the modern design, nature-based materials, and natural lighting. However, upon spending more time in the space, users become cognizant of inconsistencies in thermal comfort and begin to notice a lack of control over certain aspects of indoor environmental quality. This disconnect is explored in more detail throughout this post occupancy evaluation.

“It’s supposed to be a smart building, but it can be stupid.”

Introduction

Behavioral Mapping

Site

“I would love to live in the space.”

Materials

IEQ

Water and Energy

Operations

Recommendations

Behavioral Mapping The Wanderer ● ● ●

Is interested in learning Looks at the exhibits on the display walls Lingers in the lobby area

The Shopper ● ●

Spends a lot of time browsing in the gift shop Has some interest in the display walls

The Reliever ● ●

Only enters the building to use the restroom Can find the restroom almost immediately

The Professional ● ●

Those who work in other buildings use the back door since it is closer to their office, and spend most of their time in meetings or conferences on the second floor Those who work full-time in the building mainly stay in the gift shop

Summary ● ● ● ●

Visitors normally stay on the first floor, unless they are attending an event.

Visitors generally spend less than half an hour in the Welcome Center.

Staff that work in other buildings use the rooms on the second floor as meeting spaces.

Few staff work in the building full-time.

Introduction

Behavioral Mapping

Site

Materials

IEQ

Water and Energy

Operations

Recommendations

Site Accessibility Visitors

Staff

81%

ADA spaces located near the building.

13% 6%

walk

Future bus stop.

car

56%

bus

44%

walk

car

“I tell people to park on the grass when the parking lot gets full.”

“Google Maps made it easy to find this place.”

No dedicated spaces for facilities staff.

Bike rack.

Long walk from parking lot to building.

9 10 out of

Limited signage that does not highlight Welcome Center.

3 10 out of

Behavioral Mapping

Summary people visited the Botanic Gardens

Site

Materials

people visited the Welcome Center

IEQ

● ● ● ●

while only

Secondary parking lot is very far from the building.

Introduction

“We have to pay to park here.”

“We got a little lost with the lack of signs.”

Water and Energy

Staff are frustrated by limited, expensive parking People do not visit the Welcome Center every time they visit the Botanic Gardens Most people drive or walk to the space New bus stop located nearby is meant to encourage more visitors

Recommendations Improved signage could decrease visitors’ confusion and increase number of people that visit the Nevin Welcome Center

Operations

Recommendations

Materials Second floor has modular carpeting, which can be replaced if stained, but does not provide enough acoustical privacy.

Stone is locally sourced llenroc.

Introduction

Concrete and floor to ceiling glass create a modern aesthetic.

Behavioral Mapping

Glass may maximize natural daylight but it is a poor insulator and can cause glare issues.

Concrete has poor acoustic qualities.

Site

Materials

Wooden louvers help with shading and their natural materials reflect the site.

Plants not only help purify the air but also help the users connect to nature.

IEQ

Water and Energy

Abundant use of natural materials, including wood, stone, and plants, makes the user feel as though they are still in the garden.

Operations

Recommendations

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Atmosphere

Staff and visitors were asked to describe the space as a plant and explain why. Below are the most frequent answers.

Users feel that the Nevin Welcome Center is....

Open Bright Relaxing Modern Fragrant

Contemporary

Green

blissful

Natural Clean

Introduction

Small

Inviting

warm

Behavioral Mapping

Site

Daisy: Basic, down to earth, light and bright

Bamboo: Hollow in the middle

Oak Tree: Sturdy, strong, tall, welcoming, and a bit nutty

Miscanthus: Used in lots of modern landscapes; hearty, looks like it will last a long time

Everyone describes the space as very clean.

They find it open and airy which makes them feel relaxed and comfortable.

Overall, the space is well maintained; it is clean and free of clutter, including the gift shop The grating in the airlock entrance allows less dirt to be tracked into the interior space.

Good ventilation within the space. Outside smells are kept out of the building

Fresh

Airy

Aloe: For its design statement and being cool on the inside

Summary

Light

Noisy

Confusing

Fern: Sheltered, Filtered Light, Relaxed, Moveable

Materials

IEQ

Water and Energy

Operations

Recommendations

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Thermal Comfort

Visitors ● ●

Based on the visitor survey distributed out, Visitors reported that the temperature feels just right.

Visitors spend a very short period of time inside the center, which doesn’t allow them to adjust to the temperature inside and notice how it feels.

Staff ●

1st Floor

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“Terrible climate controls that keep the classrooms WAY too cold during events/meetings”

“We have to tell people to bring extra clothing because adjustments can’t be made in the building.”

Staff members noted that it tends to get really hot in the gift shop area and really cold in the conference rooms.

The ac units that were installed after the building was built make the second floor a lot colder than the first.

In addition, users cannot control the temperature.

Since staff members can’t control the temperature of the space they bring in small portable items, such as space heaters or fans, that will enhance their thermal comfort.

“The temperature is a constant battle.”

Summary Lack of internal temperature regulation Really hot on warm summer days and sunny winter days due to glass Disparity between how the visitors feel and how staff members feel Installed AC in conference room retroactively but now it is too cold Use space heaters and fans throughout the building

Recommendations

2nd Floor Hottest Area

Coldest Area

Introduction

Space heater hidden behind the gift shop counter

AC system

Behavioral Mapping

Site

Materials

Small fan in the corner of small conference room

IEQ

Water and Energy

Allow users to manually control the temperature for each specific room

Operations

Recommendations

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Lighting ● ● ● ●

31%

Visitors and staff reported that the lighting in the space is just right. Everyone enjoys the natural lighting of the space.

Less than half of the surveyed staff members want lighting control which indicates that a majority of the surveyed staff are satisfied with the lighting in the space The floor to ceiling glass promotes daylight which makes the space notably very open and sometimes calming.

Staff used to get migraines from all the natural light coming in so they put in shading but it’s still not enough.

Even in the winter the snow can be blinding.

“The lighting reflects what is outside.”

of surveyed staff members want window shades control

“I like the no curtains and that you are more connected to the outside”

38%

of surveyed staff members want lighting control

Summary The characteristics of airiness, openness, and natural lighting have very positive impacts on the users.

Second floor however lacks shading devices which can disrupt presentations and make the staff members feel uncomfortable.

When the lights go out the facilities manager usually waits for several other lights to go out because it’s hard to change one at a time. This can make the space more dark for the users. (Source: Lisa Trust, Interview)

Recommendations No shading in the conference rooms can create glare issues

Introduction

Shading installed after construction because it was too bright but still gets bright sometimes

Behavioral Mapping

Site

Materials

IEQ

Providing more shading on the second floor in the large conference room and the small meeting room will minimize glare and will make users feel more at ease.

Water and Energy

Operations

Recommendations

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Acoustics 1st Floor ● ● ● ●

2nd Floor

Visitors reported that the noise levels are just right.

On a regular day, the exhibition hall and gift shop area are fairly quiet. Everyone talks in a low voice.

When there are events on the first floor it gets really loud.

The restrooms can get very loud due to the hand dryers

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The main issue reported by staff is that the multipurpose room can get very loud when there are meetings and events happening.

The AC in the balcony is pretty loud as well and can annoy some staff members The main material is wood which mediocre acoustical characteristics

“When there are events it becomes really loud. At some point I have to leave because it’s too overwhelming.”

“The Ten Eyck Room can be very loud when there are many people talking at once”

Recommendations

Summary Noise level depends on occupancy & location Poor acoustics in the multipurpose room ● Can’t always hear the person speaking if sitting in the back Can hear the restroom hand dryers all the way from the gift shop

Introduction

Behavioral Mapping

HVAC creates white noise which some staff members find very irritating Visitors find the noise levels to be just right Not enough acoustic installation to support large occupant noise levels

Site

Materials

IEQ

Water and Energy

Acoustic panels should be placed in the lobby and conference rooms. This will reduce the amount of unwanted sound transferred throughout the space.

Operations

Recommendations

Passive Lighting & Ventilation + Passive strategies yield high energy savings due to reduced dependence on mechanical systems

Dual-Flush Toilets

68%,

Can reduce water use by unfortunately users get confused and don’t always use this water-saving feature properly

Energy-efficient Hand Dryers

An instructional sign was posted to educate users and increase water savings

80%,

+ Eliminate paper waste and reduce energy use by compared to conventional hand dryers - Users report they are noisy and can be heard from the lobby, disrupting the peaceful ambiance of the space

Personal Space Heaters & Fans - Temperature fluctuates greatly depending on specific location within building, so users have adapted by installing additional decentralized space heaters or fans that increase energy load

Unfiltered Water Fountain Users reported that the water had a bad taste, and were more likely to buy disposable water bottles than fill up a reusable bottle

Light Sensors/Timers Most lights are controlled by sensors or timers which saves energy by default, but users find them inconvenient and unsafe at times

vs.

Recommendations Install water filter to encourage the use of reusable bottles Implement greywater recycling system to reuse captured rain and stormwater

Introduction

Behavioral Mapping

Site

Materials

IEQ

Water and Energy

Operations

Recommendations

Operations Maintenance Concerns ● ● ● ● ●

Waste Concerns

The building’s automatic responses aren’t responsive to changes in outdoor conditions Adjustments cannot be made to the building without facilities workers who need to be called in Local electricians don’t understand the technology and can’t assist when facilities is hard to reach Lights on ceiling must be changed using a crane No user control for heat, light, ventilation → the space is uncomfortable during extreme weather

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No dumpsters on site Lack of coordination with Cornell → no waste collection; employees handle waste separately Lack of storage space causes clutter

88%

of surveyed staff members want temperature control

63% of surveyed staff members want window control

“Office” space used as storage

Mechanical room in hallway by bathrooms

Recommendations:

Introduction

Behavioral Mapping

Site

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The Nevin Welcome Center needs a dedicated trash, recycling, and composting plan in cooperation with Cornell Waste Management

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Must implement user control, use technology that can be more easily understood,, or have a stronger connection with Cornell

Materials

IEQ

Water and Energy

Operations

Recommendations

Recommendations | Exterior Plan

Introduction

Behavioral Mapping

Site

Materials

IEQ

Water and Energy

Operations

Recommendations

Recommendations | Exterior Plan direct path from parking lot to building

one-way traffic circle for drop-offs

dedicated welcome sign

Introduction

Behavioral Mapping

Site

Materials

IEQ

Water and Energy

Operations

Recommendations

Recommendations | Interior Plan

Introduction

Behavioral Mapping

Site

Materials

IEQ

Water and Energy

Operations

Recommendations

Recommendations | Interior Plan acoustic panels in lobby

filtered water bottle filling station

building diagnostics + control panel

Introduction

Behavioral Mapping

Site

Materials

IEQ

Water and Energy

Operations

Recommendations