Ohio State University | Student Academic Services | Acock Associates Architects

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A main gateway to The Ohio State University campus in Columbus, Ohio, the once 400-car surface parking lot has been transformed into the Student Academic Services building with a connected nine deck parking garage. The new Student Academic Services building houses the following: Student Financial Aid, Testing Center, Office of Minority Affairs, Registrar’s Office, Bursar’s Office and other admission services.

The design suggested a shared common wall that could eliminate significant solar heat gain at the south wall of the occupied building; the garage decks shading the entire wall surface. Energy use modeling illustrated significant percentage savings in energy consumption with this design. 60% of the building fenestration orients to the north, eliminating unwanted glare and solar heat gain. Windows that orient to the west, framing views of Ohio Stadium and longer views of the Olentangy River, are deeply recessed to provide maximum shading.

The building is 300 ft long but only 70 ft deep allowing all open workspaces to be adjacent to the perimeter. Private offices are located inboard, with glass walls paralleling the exterior north glazing. The organization provides day lighting and views to the exterior from all occupied work locations.

The square configuration of the Lane Avenue Parking Garage maximizes its capacity and minimizes its footprint, by matching the building height to the Student Academic Services building. By this efficient and thoughtful design there was enough space to provide an adjacent playing field for students.

A cantilevered “porch” (40 ft deep) protects the main pedestrian entry to the SAS building. The cantilever protrudes to the west past the limits of the parking garage providing interest to the building while creating a functional covered entrance that is very visible at this gateway to campus. This 14 ft high space creates a scale that is pedestrian friendly and allows for protected outside events.

Fenestration patterns were designed to give texture to a large, simple building that would otherwise be overwhelming to pedestrians. LED lighting at the garage stainless steel fabric articulates this texture at night. Brick that matches the Fisher College was used, maintaining a consistent color pallet. However, the detailing of the brick creates a unique contemporary design at this important entrance to campus.

Fonte: Archdaily