To achieve a sustainable economy and environment demands greater cross pollination of resources and ideas. An innovation center at OMSI would connect people to opportunities to generation new ideas in a green economy. The center could play an integral role between educational institutions and manufacturing districts. This project investigates the form, function and environmental needs that will accommodate synergies between education and practice. The new facility will deploy effective green technologies to give local builders the needed experience and showcase developing technologies.
The museum attracts 1 million visitors annually and is a highly visibility institution in the region. Its educational mission, which currently focuses on students has inspired entire generations with the marvels of science and engineering.
My most memorable exhibit as a child was the earthquake simulation where you build up blocks and the come crashing down. It planted the seed of being an architect before I even knew there was such an occupation. This project is my way of giving back. The main design goal is to continue the legacy of inspiration in older generations by creating a living laboratory.
A city should be a place where a little boy walking through its streets can sense what he someday would like to be. – Louis I. Kahn December 1973
Design Goals: A living laboratory designed for scientist and inspires scientist to be.
- Expresses OMSI’s educational mission and values
- Meets Cascadia Living Building Challenge
- Be the petri dish for “green” ideas to be tested and grown
Further Investigation: (not limited to)
What kind of environment fosters innovation in technology and attracts sustained investment in scientific endeavors?
How does nature test design?
How does the OMSI Campus (urban design scale), a research facility (building scale), and the laboratories (room scale) express a cohesiveness in it expression?
What will be the new relationship between the research facility and the museum?
Method: Approaching Program
- Meetings with Paul Carlson from OMSI
- Readings of Laboratory Design handbooks
- Interviews with researchers
- Precedents
Questions (not limited to)
What do researchers need to do their job?
Are there opportunities for non-human habit?
How can spaces connect people to science?
How can the facility attract the attention from businesses and investors?
Site Analysis
The site is currently under construction and there is minimal access therefore, the site will be analyzed as if it is 2015 after the construction of the Eastside CSO tunnel project, streetcar loop and Tri-met light rail stations are built and operating.
Questions (not limited to)
How can the site maximize natural forces that flow to and through the site?
How will people arrive to OMSI?
What role can the river play?
How will City codes effects the design of a campus?
What will the effects of development be on its neighbors and community?
How does the Big Pipe and other infrastructural projects on site impact design?
Materials (not limited to)
What materials are available in the local region that complies with Living Building Challenge?
Are there new materials emerging that could be implemented and be effective in this climate?
How will the waste streams of construction and operation affect the building?
Contextual Problem
This section will explains the relevant issues and opportunities in our global, regional, and neighborhood context that support significance and potential impact innovation center. I hope to further develop these arguments and graphically represent them similar to MVRDV's Metacity Datatown. I am continuing to gather information.
From here I'd like to develop some more key question to ask Paul in our next meeting.
I'll interview some friends that are researchers about their needs and read articles to identify the needs of a laboratory facility.
Hi Kent, a few comments:
ReplyDeleteThe program of an innovation center for new technologies is a good one. I myself am often left wondering where they come up with some of the stuff out there. Often enough, it's in a place you don't know about or unaware of.
Locating the site/program near OMSI makes sense, and may perhaps provide a stronger link between the public and how stuff is thought of. Definitely a lot of great possibilities. While the spaces made in this thesis will help the scientists foster ideas, I'd also consider the public's role. Creating a connection with them may strengthen the cycle of thought -> production -> implementation, and make the public more aware of how science and technology are advancing.