The Central Utility Plant provides a gathering space and infrastructure system for a tech company. I worked with a small team designing how the CUP can draw in employees as a public park, conference center, and a place to learn about building systems. This work involved having a deep understanding of their brand and culture, and designing our spaces to enhance that culture.
The CUP project is a great example of the variety of this work experience, including building concept design, employee services design, wayfinding, furniture design, and energy modeling.
Initial Concept Studies
Billboard Concept - The CUP displays its systems through the facade, teaching people from a distance while staying efficient and compact.
Zoo Concept - Mechanical units are housed separately based on their structural, visibility, and foundation needs. People observe mechanical units from a walkway over wetlands.
Podium Concept - The CUP becomes part of the surrounding built landscapes. A berm brings people to a covered open space above mechanical units. People look down at the systems from above.
Program Massing Studies
Zoo Concept
Equipment on display.
Containers specialized for equipment needs.
Visitors tour over the wetlands landscape.
Visitor views and experience through the CUP
Site Plan
Solar Panel System
At the Cooling and Heating Buildings, a vertically clad shingled bronze glass PV system helps offset carbon emissions by providing peak power at early morning and late afternoon hours. The site’s water tanks display graphic art of the local wetlands fauna and flora.
Construction progress of the solar panel system.
Boardwalk Experience
An elevated boardwalk and organic benches create opportunities for gathering before or after events at the ancillary building. I developed a grasshopper script that generates the details of the benches from a couple drawn lines, allowing for rapid iteration.
Construction progress at the boardwalk.
Conference Center Experience
Employees peer into the control room to read performance data and learn about the building energy systems.
A conference room overhanging the landscape draws employees to the central utility plant.