The Living Lab
The Living Lab is a higher education research facility for robotics, focusing on the first two levels which house the indoor agriculture facilities. This facility deals with issues related to rapid university growth in the United States, the change in education design to meet the current pace of technology advancement, and energy and industry issues related to the agriculture industry in the South Eastern region of the United States. The Living Lab Includes an indoor agriculture lab, classrooms, offices, and a healthy eating and market component. The clients include: Iron Ox, a start up robotics farming company, and The Center for Disease Control.
PROJECT INFORMATION
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Project Size: 140,000 SqFt.
Project Type: University, Education, Business
Client:
Iron Ox - a company that focuses on solving issues in the farming industry through the development of farming robotics The Living Lab will provide an east coast location for IronOx product development to take place as well as create student business connections and co working opportunities. After all collaborative environments produce the most diverse solutions!
Center For Disease Control (CDC) - focused on advancing medical research through technology and devoted to keeping the American public healthy and safe through research and disease prevention. The CDC will use The Living Lab as a student research collaboration facility. The Living Lab includes a secured CDC only lab for the growth of plant species that are free from all contamination to aide in medical research for disease prevention and cures.
EVIDENCE BASED DESIGN
Problem:
Why Robotics Engineering?
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Robotics and intelligence machining are the future of engineering.
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Robotics is not a degree it is a "focus" added to a different degree such as Electrical, Mechanical, or Civil engineering.
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Mechanical, Civil, and Electrical Engineering programs are expanding at very fast rates. The buildings cannot keep up and students are using outdated spaces without specific needs to their studies or space for increasing students.
Why Indoor Agriculture?
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Elimination of pesticides and other toxic run offs.Can end large issues like algae blooms from run off.
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Allows for the growth of specific plants that can benefit in disease research such as cures for cancer. These areas can be highly controlled, which makes them highly useful in the medical industry.
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Deal with issues in the agriculture industry like climate change, decreasing numbers of employees showing interest in the agriculture industry, and energy and food waste.
Statistics:
CONCEPT + BRANDING
Concept Statement:
Connectivity is focused on finding the balance between ever changing and constantly adapting aspects of life and co-dependency. Connectivity looks to constantly changing things such as nature, culture, arts, and technology to drive its sense of adaptability. Connectivity looks to inter-dependency and collaboration in things like plant species, gears, animals, and geometric shapes.
Branding+ Logos:
Color Direction:
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
Floor Plans:
The floor plans are organized by function and concept. The first level program is organized by spaces that meet public and mixed user needs. The second level floor plan contains spaces that create connections. These spaces create connections between levels, within rooms, and between primary function. The third level program contains more privatized and specific spaces. This floor contains robotics labs and robotic specific classrooms.
Level One
Level Two
Level Three
Sections:
The most public spaces in the facility are organized in the central region of the building. The section reflects that volumetric experience that takes the user from more closed and privatized secured entries to the open and highly public central spaces.
South to North
West to East
Flexible Design Theory:
The Living Lab features multiple flexible spaces and furniture systems to create a multi functional environment that can successfully serve students, teachers researchers, industry professionals, and community. Flexible Design Theory is executed through a series of spaces including an event and student dining space, adaptable classrooms, and breakaway spaces that include modular furnishings. Vertical retracting walls by SKYFOLD and modular bleacher seating systems by System180 are utilized throughout The Living Lab.
Biophilic Design Theory:
Biophilic Design is implemented in The Living Lab through living elements, materials inspired from nature, a natural color pallete, areas of refuge, and clean air improvements. The Living Lab's agriculture lab is located in the center of the building and can be viewed from almost all areas on the first floor. This acts as a centralized hub for expression of function and concept as well as informs the user of the importance of the integration of nature and technology. There are accoustic mosses located throughout the facility as a means of functional decoration. There are many breakaway spaces for users throughout the entire facility, including custom designed hive tunnels. Finally, a walk in room was added to the original structure to improve air quality.
PRESENTATION
Process Book:
Presentation Boards:
