Integrating Services and Environmental Control

Richards Medical Research Laboratories – Louis I. Kahn, Architect. The brick shafts on the periphery of the Richards labs hold stairwells and HVAC ducts, providing an effect reminiscent of the ancient towers of San Gimignano, Italy that Kahn admired. (photo by Smallbones)

Consistent throughout Bill Kleinsasser’s many iterations of his self-published textbook SYNTHESIS are his reminders about how the architects’ work reveals what they have considered and whether they have accounted for everything necessary to create good places for people. Certainly, the successful integration of the technical systems that support a building’s purpose is essential to a thorough consideration of its design. 

Neglecting to adequately account for and integrate these systems can lead to inefficient and problematic buildings. This neglect can be a result of a misalignment of priorities, poor communication among the members of the design team (architects and their engineers too often work in separate silos), or simply a lack of knowledge and experience on the part of the architects.
 
In the following, somewhat wanting excerpt from SYNTHESIS, Bill strove to succinctly express the importance of considering the needs of a building’s technical systems. In my opinion, Bill could and should have written more to expand upon the necessity of aligning aesthetics, spatial design, and fundamentally the project’s organizational structure with the technical demands of a building’s service and environmental control systems. He certainly could have utilized a case study to illustrate how exemplary projects successfully integrated a myriad of technical systems. Nevertheless, his fundamental premise is clear: Design synthesis requires consideration of many essential concerns if a building’s design is to be unified, eloquent, and complete.
 
Technical Systems
Select and design environmental control and other systems that will appropriately serve required spaces without waste or confusion by:

• Determining spatial intent and the kind of services needed.
• Selecting appropriate systems.
• Diagramming the essential disciplines of each system; that is, diagramming their controlling characteristics vis-à-vis organization of spaces.
• Integrating the requirements of the spatial system with the essential disciplines of the service/environmental control systems. Service/environmental control systems may include those for heating, cooling, ventilating, lighting, water supply, waste disposal, drainage, electrical service, communication (television, radio, TV, computer), special circulation (elevator, escalator), fire protection (sprinklers, smoke detection), and special laboratory services.

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As I’ve mentioned previously, Bill never hesitated to use the words of others to illuminate the frames of reference he defined as essential to the creation of truly good architecture. He included the following quotations from Louis Kahn in his fifth edition of SYNTHESIS to better convey the necessity of respecting the technical systems as organizational decisions are made:
 
“I do not like ducts, I do not like pipes. I hate them really thoroughly, but because I hate them so thoroughly, I feel they have to be given their place. If I just hated them and took no care, I think they would invade the building and completely destroy it. I want to correct any notion you may have that I am in love with that kind of thing.”
 
“CLIENT:  Well, now that we have the general form, we have to put in all the guts and see if we can fit them in.
 
ARCHITECT:  If they don’t all fit in easily and properly, then we have the wrong form.”
 
“Engineering is not one thing and design another. They must be one and the same thing.” (Louis I. Kahn)

The Challenge of Budget Constraints

Cost limitations are an almost universal challenge in construction projects. Owners typically have a predetermined budget for their project, so the realities of construction costs force them to make difficult decisions about project scope, quality, or even whether the project can proceed. To address cost limitations, owners may need to work closely with their architects and contractors to identify effective solutions.
 
While architects like to boast that creativity thrives within constraints and need not be compromised, my experience has taught me that successful cost management usually demands more than the architect alone can deliver. Open communication and collaboration between the owner, architect, and contractor from the project’s inception are clearly effective strategies for maximizing the value of construction projects. Consequently, the choice of project delivery method may be the single most impactful consideration influencing the outcome of a building project, particularly in terms of cost.
 
There are various project delivery methods in common usage today, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The architect typically works closely with the owner to select the one that best aligns with the project budget and expectations.
 
Design-Bid-Build (DBB): In this traditional method, the architect completes the design before the project goes out for bid. While it provides a clear picture of the final design, it can be challenging to control costs once construction begins. The use of bid alternates—optional elements that can be added to or removed from the project—is a common practice for providing flexibility in the project pricing and decision-making processes. Including bid alternates means that some elements of the design are inherently uncertain until after bidding is complete.
 
Design-Build (DB): In the design-build approach, a single entity handles both design and construction, providing a “turnkey” service for the owner. This method can streamline the process but may limit the architect's control over the project's budget and design.
 
Construction Management (CM): Construction management involves hiring a construction manager to oversee the project. It can provide more control over costs and scheduling but requires architects to work closely with multiple parties. The CM often additionally functions as the General Contractor, in which instances the method is referred to as the CM/GC project delivery method.
 
Integrated Project Delivery (IPD): IPD promotes collaboration between all project stakeholders from the beginning and in its characteristic usage is applied on particularly large and complex projects with high sustainability goals. It can lead to better cost control and design outcomes but requires a high level of coordination.
 
According to a 2018 article in Construction Dive, design-bid-build remains the most widely used construction model; however, my anecdotal accounting suggests DB, CM, IPD and other alternative project delivery methods are since rapidly usurping the dominance of DBB.
 
The choice of which delivery method is best depends on a project’s specific needs and goals and requires a thorough understanding of the key attributes of the various methods. That said, design and construction are notoriously complex undertakings, more so with each passing year. Even seemingly modest projects can benefit from using DB, CM, or IPD instead of the conventional Design-Bid-Build process. This is particularly true when budget considerations are paramount.
 
Effective value engineering, risk assessment, regular cost monitoring, contingency planning, and transparency in financial matters and decisions likewise flourish when open communication and collaboration between owners, architects, and contractors exist. Regular and timely evaluation of a project’s scope and design help identify areas where cost savings can be achieved without compromising quality or safety. While not always effortless, such evaluations during the design process are far less painful than ones conducted only after a building’s plans are complete and the bid results are an unwelcome surprise.  
 
Value engineering is a systematic and creative approach to improving the value of a project by optimizing its design, materials, and construction methods. One of the challenges of value engineering is striking the right balance between cost savings and design integrity. Careful assessment of which elements of the design can be modified or substituted without compromising the project's overall vision is necessary. This can be a delicate and often frustrating process as it requires letting go of some design elements that may be personally meaningful or artistically important. Value engineering should not be a one-time event and it should allow for adjustments as new information becomes available or project circumstances change.
 
By working collaboratively, project teams mutually share their expertise. I have a tremendous amount of respect for what contractors bring to the table. Their knowledge and experience are invaluable to the design process, bolstering the argument in favor of one of the delivery methods that is inherently collaborative in nature. Architects (and many owners) tend to be dreamers and visionaries, so bringing contractors—as well as the owner’s facility manager and maintenance team—on board from the beginning injects an often sobering and necessary dose of reality into the design or value engineering processes.  

 

LCC Health Professions Building under construction (my photo)

A useful case study of a collaborative process is the new Lane Community College Health Professions Building, currently under construction. My firm, Robertson/Sherwood/Architects, is the executive architect, while Mahlum Architects is the lead design firm. Fortis Construction is the Construction Manager/General Contractor. From the outset, the 31,280 SF, 3-story project has been strapped by a tight budget. Addressing the cost limitation challenges has truly been a team effort. Fortis provided critical cost evaluation and constructability input throughout the design phase, which ultimately resulted in a solution that is necessarily lean yet fulfills all programmatic requirements. Once complete, the Health Professions Building will provide LCC with the facility it originally envisioned, a new campus gateway centered on equity and inclusion as core values for the college’s Medical Assistant, Dental Assisting, Dental Hygiene, and Emergency Medical Services programs.
 
The disappointments and design compromises that do result from budget constraints can be disheartening, but they are an inevitable part of the design and construction process. Ultimately, the goal is to strike a balance between creativity and fiscal responsibility. While cost limitations may necessitate concessions, they also present opportunities for innovative and collaborative problem-solving in the creation of designs that are both functional and budget friendly.   

Eugene/Architecture/Alphabet: O

Olive Plaza (my photo)

This is the next in my Eugene/Architecture/Alphabet series of blog posts, the focus of each being a landmark building here in Eugene. Many of these will be familiar to most who live here but there are likely to be a few buildings that are less so. My selection criteria for each will be threefold:

1. The building must be of architectural interest, local importance, or historically significant.
2. The building must be extant so you or I can visit it in person.
3. Each building’s name will begin with a particular letter of the alphabet, and I must select one (and only one) for each of the twenty-six letters. This is easier said than done for some letters, whereas for other characters there is a surfeit of worthy candidates (so I’ll be discriminating and explain my choice in those instances).

This entry’s selection begins with the letter O, for which my choice is Olive Plaza.
 
Olive Plaza
Olive Plaza is located at 1133 Olive Street, at the intersection of Olive and 11^th Avenue in downtown Eugene. The twelve-story tall building accommodates very low-income seniors and persons with physical disabilities in its 150 one-bedroom, self-contained apartments. The National Benevolent Association constructed Olive Plaza during the late 1970s as a HUD Section 202 project. It has provided eligible individuals ever since with the opportunity to live independently, but in an environment that provides support activities such as cleaning, cooking, and transportation. Christian Church Homes of Oregon is the building’s current owner, and Viridian Management is its operator. The Portland firm of Broome, Oringdulph, O’Toole, Rudolf & Associates (BOORA) was the architect.
 
Because it was an unreservedly plain and straightforward design strapped by a miserly budget, BOORA chose to rely upon the superficial application of a distinctive exterior color scheme to provide Olive Plaza with visual interest. Originally sporting a decidedly Seventies palette comprised of ochers, pinks, and reds, the current range of colors and outwardly random patterning (developed by my firm, Robertson/Sherwood/Architects) are meant to fragment one’s perception of the building’s considerable bulk. Inspired by the “dazzle” camouflage used on ships during World War I, the various areas of color seemingly recede or advance even though they may occupy the same wall plane. Dazzle camouflage disrupted an adversary's perception of a ship's size, shape, and speed. The intent was not to hide the ship but to make it more challenging for enemy submarines to accurately estimate its course and range. Olive Plaza’s “camouflage” likewise isn’t intended to hide the building, but rather to disrupt the reading of its size.
 

Olive Plaza's "camouflage."

Olive Plaza, Google Street view.

USS West Mahomet in "dazzle" camouflage, circa 1918 (photo from the Naval History & Heritage Command, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

 
Olive Plaza is otherwise most notable as an example of a multistory building that utilizes the lift-slab type of structural system. Popular at the time of its construction, the lift slab technique has since fallen from favor. The method involved casting and curing concrete floor slabs at ground level that were then lifted into position using hydraulic jacks. The method was particularly suitable for large, repetitive floor plates, which Olive Plaza possesses. The repetitive nature of lift-slab construction made it especially efficient and economical for constructing buildings with multiple floors.
 
Lift slab construction has faced safety concerns, some of which stemmed from design flaws, inadequate construction practices, or unforeseen complications during the lifting process. One of the most notorious lift-slab construction failures occurred in London in 1968 when a partial collapse of the Ronan Point apartment building took place. The building's lift-slab system was partially blamed for the severity of the collapse. Consequently, use of lift-slab construction had already waned considerably in the years following the Ronan Point incident when Olive Plaza was designed.

 

Diagram by Amanda044, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Due to concerns for the structural integrity of Olive Plaza, especially as experts increasingly understood the risks posed by deformation of the Cascadia Subduction Zone, HUD mandated seismic provisions for existing buildings in accordance with ASCE 41 (a nationally recognized standard for seismic analysis and rehabilitation). Christian Church Homes again called upon Robertson/Sherwood/Architects for design assistance to improve the building’s ability to withstand a massive seismic event. Working with Miyamoto International for structural engineering services, our team’s solution employed a cost-effective and reliable system of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) strips added at critical locations to assist in the transference of lateral forces. The 2014-2016 project also involved retrofitting of steel angles at the building’s columns to help resist uplift caused by vertical acceleration in an earthquake.

 

Column reinforcement installed as part of the 2014-2016 seismic upgrade project (my photo).

While not an architectural standout, Olive Plaza is a valuable community asset, as it provides a substantial number of subsidized apartments for low-income residents in a downtown location. Such buildings are far too uncommon during a time when affordable housing options are desperately needed in Eugene.

Architecture and the Human Condition

 
The Sagrada Familia, Barcelona; Antoni Guadi, architect (photo by Garry Nishimura)

From the moment I first became fascinated with architecture as a child, I have believed the buildings and places we respond to most deeply are founded upon bases that are truly profound. My dilemma was and remains my inability to articulate how we know them. Why is this? Even as a youngster I recognized something distinguishes an inspired work of architecture from designs that merely fulfill a pragmatic need. I still know a great building or place when I see it, but entirely why this is so continues to elude me.
 
I do think it boils down in part to how effectively a given example tells us something about the people for whom it was designed. Essentially, architecture provided these people with a means to frame their being in the world—a form of art and spatial thinking for exploring and expressing the human condition.
 
The “human condition” refers to the fundamental aspects of human existence, experience, and the challenges, emotions, and questions that are inherent to being human. It encompasses the complexities of life, society, morality, identity, and the search for meaning in the human experience. These universal themes recur throughout art, literature, music, and architecture, resonating across different cultures, time periods, and backgrounds. Architects have engaged with these themes to create spaces that not only address practical requirements, but also elevate our experiences and help us understand the complexities of our existence.
 
Buildings shape our perceptions and interactions with the environment, providing a tangible and sensory experience of the world. They possess the power to convey shared experiences and memories. Just as a poem, tale, or religious text may speak of the particular while touching upon the universal, great architecture meaningfully defines the spaces we inhabit while underscoring the relationship between us and our surroundings. Great architecture reminds us of our capacity to shape the world, our societies, and our experiences. In doing so, it helps us explore the complex and universal aspects of the human condition, providing spaces that inspire, connect, and reflect our humanity.
 

Hannah Arendt

Citing the human condition prompts a discussion about the book bearing that as its title (The Human Condition) by the German American philosopher Hannah Arendt (1906-1975). Arendt explored the idea that human existence is deeply intertwined with the realms of labor, work, and action, and that these distinct activities shape our understanding of the human condition and our engagement with the world. She regarded spatial thinking as “political” thinking, as it is concerned about the world and its inhabitants. We certainly can understand spatial thinking here as architectural thinking: the “world” for Arendt meant the ways in which we make the globe habitable for people: how we build houses and cities, infrastructures, and other networks, and furnish spaces with tables, chairs, paintings, and photographs.
 
Hannah Arendt's insights on spatial thinking as political thinking illuminate the significance of architecture in the human condition. Architecture is not isolated from the world it inhabits; rather, it plays a crucial role in making the world habitable. It shapes our sense of place, connects people, and influences the dynamics of society. The built environment, from houses and cities to infrastructure and furnishings, contributes to the durability of the common world, providing a relative permanence to human affairs.
 
Architects thus have a responsibility to consider the greater good in their designs, just as artists engage with the human condition to offer life-affirming narratives. While there is value in art that critiques, shocks, or perplexes, architecture's enduring impact on daily life calls for spaces that aspire to be pleasing and meaningful. Buildings should heighten our awareness of our existence in a particular time and place, offering rewards with each visit and turn. As Hannah Arendt indirectly implied, architecture is intrinsically tied to societal, cultural, and environmental factors. Architecture should engage with these external considerations while remaining true to its fundamental duty of helping us understand our place in the world.

 

Cloud Gate ("The Bean"), by Anish Kapoor (my photo)

Identity and belonging are integral aspects of the human condition. By incorporating cultural elements, materials, and motifs that embrace a specific identity, architecture fosters a sense of connection to one's heritage and community. Community and isolation are themes deeply embedded in architectural choices. Well-designed public buildings, communal spaces, and mixed-use developments encourage social interaction and the formation of bonds between individuals. In contrast, poorly conceived environments lead to isolation and disconnection.
 
Architecture can also address themes of conflict and harmony. In regions marked by historical strife, buildings can serve as beacons of reconciliation and unity. Conversely, the urban environment itself may reveal tensions and contrasts, echoing the complex interplay of diverse societies coexisting in shared spaces.
 
Mortality and legacy are constants of the human condition. Enduring structures stand across time as monuments to human achievement and culture. Museums, libraries, and iconic landmarks become tangible representations of our collective history and aspirations. Sacred architecture, found in temples, churches, mosques, and other religious structures evoke feelings of awe, reverence, and a profound connection to the divine.
 
Architecture often serves as a canvas for the spirit of innovation and progress. New designs embody optimism and the potential for advancement in technology, culture, and society. Through its materials, spatial organization, symbolism, and sustainability features, contemporary architecture increasingly engages with and reflects the multifaceted aspects of today’s human condition, offering us spaces that not only satisfy practical needs but also elevate our experiences.
 
Architects and designers continually explore these universal themes, adapting them to modern-day contexts and challenges. The built environment has the power to influence and shape human experiences, making architecture a powerful medium for expressing and addressing the complex and universal aspects of the human condition.

 

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York; Frank Lloyd Wright, architect (my photo)

By defining architecture in part as an expression of the human condition, am I closer to breaking the code? Is the extent to which architects consciously design buildings as representations of ourselves a key to understanding architecture? Beyond our perceptions of their utility, construction, and beauty (associated with such qualities as proportion, harmony, elegance, and more) is how buildings express the human condition an equal prerequisite for qualification as great or simply good architecture? I think so.   

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One reason I blog is because doing so provides me with a record of some of my more pretentious musings. I get these thoughts in my head and feel compelled to write them down before I lose them. I’ve consequently gone down more rabbit holes than I care to admit in pursuit of architectural truths. Such was the case for me today, a rewarding and satisfying way to spend a lazy, rainy September afternoon. Happy Sunday everyone.  

Kaarin Knudson for Mayor!

 

Kaarin Knudson, AIA

As someone who is invested in the future of our city, I am excited to endorse Kaarin Knudson for mayor of Eugene. Kaarin announced her candidacy during a press conference last week in advance of next May’s primary election. As a principal with Larco Knudson Sustainable Urban Design, she brings a fresh perspective to local politics, one that combines her experience as an architect, urban designer, university educator, and community leader. Kaarin’s unique skill set and vision are exactly what our community needs as Eugene faces a host of critical challenges.
 
What sets Kaarin apart is precisely her background as an architect and urban designer. Architects are trained to see the bigger picture, think analytically in three dimensions, and work toward integration and synthesis. The best architects are creative and collaborative problem-solvers, while possessing an outstanding talent for communication and teamwork. In these and other respects, architects are well suited for political leadership, particularly at the municipal level where their skills can help move communities toward tangible and effective policy changes across a broad front. Alas, too few architects have stepped up to the plate.(1)
 
A key reason why I wholeheartedly support Kaarin is her unwavering pledge to address the housing crisis in Eugene. Housing is not just a matter of shelter; it is the foundation of health and opportunity for everyone. Presently, many local households struggle to simply meet basic needs, and this struggle is compounded by the high cost of available shelter. That said, the absence of quality housing options that serve diverse needs and lifestyles is not solely an affordability issue; it is additionally tied to matters of policy that have for too long been at odds with the realities of Eugene’s shifting demographics and aspirations toward becoming a sustainable and inclusive community. As a founding director and board member of Better Housing Together, Kaarin has led efforts to see policies enacted that would diversify the available housing stock. As mayor, she would assume a new platform upon which she would be empowered to help move the rhetoric beyond advocacy toward effective policy.
 
Kaarin’s firsthand expertise as an architect and urban designer further includes her understanding of the importance and complexity of planning goals. Aligning support for the business community, housing choice, mobility, and equity is crucial to ensuring Eugene’s future development is sustainable and benefits all residents. It’s that big picture perspective again: By training, Kaarin would bring a holistic view, contextual understanding, strategic thinking, and the ability to synthesize information from a variety of sources and disciplines to her role as mayor. These are traits I want to see in our leaders, especially when we expect them to navigate a complex and dynamic political environment in pursuit of long-term goals and objectives.
 
I admire Kaarin’s dedication to Eugene, her desire to make a difference, and her willingness to assume a role of leadership and responsibility. The hard work and the sheer number of hours both the mayor and all council members commit to in the service of our community are far too often underappreciated by the public. I have no doubt Kaarin would extend that outstanding legacy of commitment, while moving Eugene forward in strategic pursuit of her clearly stated objectives. Let’s rally behind Kaarin, support her candidacy, and work together to create the Eugene we all envision.(2)
 
 
(1) Maurice Cox, FAIA, the former mayor of Charlottesville, VA is a notable exception. Cox achieved success during his tenure overseeing significant changes in his city’s comprehensive plan to favor dense, mixed-use urban development over mindless sprawl.
 
(2) As a permanent U.S. resident but not a citizen I am ineligible to cast a vote in any election here. Regardless of this inconvenient fact and while I typically steer clear of expressing my political views or discussing politics in general, I do find Kaarin’s vision worthy of my support and promotion on this blog.