The Beehive
ABOUT THIS SECTION This section shows a range of technical work completed throughout graduate school for both construction management and architecture:
THE BEEHIVE The Beehive is an in-depth exploration of how facade design, climate analysis, and mechanical systems can enhance a building’s performance.
KLIMASYMMETRY This research grant driven project uses radiant glass fiberglass reinforced gypsum (GFRG) panels to create a sculptural thermal mass.
Situated in London, an active exterior ‘honeycomb’ facade was designed with operable glass and opaque panels. An expanded catwalk acts as a fixed shade or thermal mass depending on the time of year.
Named for its shifting surface, it uses plastic tubing, pumps, and a disassembled air conditioning unit to create both hot and cold panels with the affect of asymmetrically heating and cooling the body as one interacts with the sculpture. South and East Elevations
Cold Operation
Temperate Operation
Hot Operation
Section Perspective Displaying Solar Exposure During Summer
EXCAVATION V.E. In a construction estimation class exercise, the assignment was to find the total excavation required given a site plan with bore samples. Using architectural tools, a value engineering proposal was generated to avoid excavating rock, and to limit the haul away of soil. Savings were estimated at nearly $200,000.
During colder months, the closed facade creates a greenhouse effect, reheating air before it is redistributed. To gain as much solar radiation as possible, slabs function as thermal masses between facades. A vent in the interior facade stays open to assist air movement. During temperate months, comfort mode opens both facades to allow the passage of fresh air from the exterior through the interior of the building. In cooling mode, the building takes advantage again of the stacking effect. As air at the top of the building heats, it exits the roof and is replaced by fresh, cooler air pulled from lower levels.
miscellaneous technical work
practically focused work ///
MISCELLANEOUS TECHNICAL WORK ///
Through value engineering, the excavation cost can be reduced from nearly $356,000 down to $90,000. Avoiding the removal of any rock is advantageous, in addition to balancing the amount of earth that needs to be hauled away, creating a more sustainable model for construction. Because of the increased height at the edges of the site, a retaining wall has been estimated at $70,000, bringing the total reduction in cost to about $200,000.
Sculpture on display at the Creative Exchange Lab
ORIGINAL TOTALS
in bcy
VALUE ENGINEERED TOTALS
in bcy
removed, under building removed, on site loose rock removed solid rock removed
5370 4600 350 90
removed, under building removed, on site loose rock removed solid rock removed
1450 4100 0 0
Basement Slab at 95 feet (original) removed earth - 12,375 LCY added earth - 770 LCY
Hot panels and formwork
Cold panels and formwork
at 103 feet (v.e.) removed earth - 6,938 LCY added earth - 4000 LCY
miscellaneous technical work
practically focused work ///
Excavation Value Engineering
Klimasymmetry