View towards 'Cube Tube'

When first arriving on site at the end of a sweeping walk both a ramp and a lobby greet you. The 20-foot wide ramp ascends two stories from the ground level up to the residence hall and then continues to a green roof above the café. The administration and lobby welcomes guests and includes a full-height open-air atrium that enables unique circulation for building occupants, improves the flow of air and provides increased interior day lighting. Just through the lobby, the lateral circulation space is designed to encourage informal social, intellectual and creative exchange. This is the social heart of the building, providing a place for impromptu and planned meetings, student gatherings, lectures, and for the intellectual debate that defines the research environment

Networked circulation, both laterally and vertically, mimic the roots of a mangrove forest tying the program elements together. The long sweeping atrium between the two lab wings opens as it nears the shoreline. This frames the site’s most dramatic view while also providing large percent of the building’s regularly occupied spaces are lit by natural daylight. This open layout possible only in tropical climates allowing the prevailing northwest wind to reach the sanctuary. The winds passive cooling boosts the building’s energy efficiency and eliminate the need for HVAC systems in most spaces. A green roof insulates the building, reduces city “heat island” effect, storm water runoff and pollutants; harvested water is channeled to feed the forest below.

Section perspective

Ground floor with manipulated contours