Ross, CA, United States
Turnbull Griffin Haesloop Architects
Post By:Kitticoon Poopong
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| Photo © Courtesy of David Wakely Photography |
The Branson School is an independent
high school that occupies seventeen acres of hilly terrain in a residential community just north of
San Francisco. The new 7,550sf Student Commons building is located in a narrow glen in the center of the campus, along the pedestrian path between the upper and lower
campuses.
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| Photo © Courtesy of David Wakely Photography |
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| Photo © Courtesy of David Wakely Photography |
By providing spaces for gathering and socializing throughout the day, the student center serves as the heart of campus activity. Sited to take advantage of the sunny southern exposure, the new building features large overhead doors that open onto a generous plaza for dining, meeting and outdoor learning. The central gable and large window wall front onto an inviting terrace and lawn while the flanking support wings, sheltered under
green roofs, connect to the adjacent hillsides with board-form concrete walls.
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| Photo © Courtesy of David Wakely Photography |
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| Photo © Courtesy of David Wakely Photography |
The Branson School is currently seeking
LEED Platinum certification for multiple campus buildings including the Student Commons. This building highlights sustainable strategies and that are integrated into
school curriculum to help educate the students about the potential of sustainable design. Energy use is minimized by the
Student Center—an array of 136 photovoltaic panels will generate 31 kilowatts or approximately 60% of the energy needed to power the building.
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| Photo © Courtesy of David Wakely Photography |
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| Photo © Courtesy of David Wakely Photography |
The building is passively cooled through ceiling fans and operable clerestory windows while overhangs, sunshades, Solarban-60 low E-squared double-glazed windows minimize heat gain. Thermal mass in the concrete floors and a 2500sf living roof moderate temperature swings in the building. The building is heated with closed-loop hydronic radiant flooring. Ample daylighting is provided for interior spaces, reducing the need for electric lighting. When necessary, high-efficiency interior dimming fixtures with daylight sensors provide supplemental light. Indoor air quality is prioritized through the use of low-emitting and non-toxic materials as well as natural ventilation strategies, which were simulated and tested through Computer Fluid Design analysis.
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| Photo © Courtesy of David Wakely Photography |
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| Photo © Courtesy of David Wakely Photography |
The living roof, rain gardens, pervious surfaces and underground retention systems reduce storm-water runoff. Potable water use is minimized through native drought tolerant landscaping, ultra-low flow fixtures, and waterless urinals. Additionally, over 90% of construction waste was recycled and construction materials include recycled or rapidly-renewable products, cement with 30% fly ash, and FSC Certified wood.
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| master plan--drawing Courtesy of Turnbull Griffin Haesloop Architects |
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| floor plan--drawing Courtesy of Turnbull Griffin Haesloop Architects |
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| elevation--drawing Courtesy of Turnbull Griffin Haesloop Architects |
The people
Architects: Turnbull Griffin Haesloop
Location: Ross, CA, United States
Project Team: Mary Griffin, FAIA, Eric Haesloop, FAIA, John Kleman, Georgianna Salz, Evan Makiewicz, Tory Wolcott, Juliet Hsu
Landscape Architect: Christian Lemon, Sasaki
Engineer: Mike Forbes, Fratessa Forbes Wong
Contractor: Herrero Construction
Energy/LEED: Loisos and Ubbelohde
Project Area: 7,550 sq ft
Project Year: 2009
Photographer: David Wakely, David Wakely Photography
The products
Construction materials, Semi-finished materials: Icynene
Spray foam insulation by Icynene
Floor: Scofield
Color Cure concrete sealer by Scofield
Heating and Ventilation: Warmboard, Inc., Big Ass , Lochinvar
Radiant subfloors by Warmboard, Inc.
Fan: 10' Powerfoil by Big Ass
Boiler by Lochinvar
Joinery: Renlita Overhead Doors
Series 1000 Floatway by Renlita Overhead Doors
Kitchen Equipment: Environ Biocomposites, Plyboo
Biofiber wheat board by Environ Biocomposites
Amber Bamboo Ply by Plyboo
Lighting, Heating, Home/building automation: Lutron, Wattstopper Lighting Controls, Inc.
Dimming control system by Lutron
Daylighting control system: by Wattstopper Lighting Controls, Inc.
Roof: AEP Span, Hydrotech Garden Roofs, Inc.
Span standing seam metal roof by AEP Span
Living Roof System by Hydrotech Garden Roofs, Inc.
Walls: Novawall, Micore
