The following report was prepared by the Architect and will be assumed to be correct unless written exceptions are received within two weeks of publication date.

                                                      

     Meeting                                                                                            

          Date:                  17 May 2001                                                     Report Date: 22 May 2001  

   Location:        320 Macmillan Hall       

      Project:       Wells College Master Planning        

Project No:       00068

     Subject:        Science Building Schematic Design Meeting  

 

Attendees:        Wells College                            Candace Collmer

                                                                        Harriet Barone

Tom Vawtner

Niamh O’Leary

                                                                                                Chris Bailey

                                                                        Christina Wahl

                                                                        Ann Rollo                                            

 

                        HOLT Architects, P.C.                                     Grace Chiang

                                                                                                Graham Gillespie

                                                                                                Tina Lacey

 

 

Discussion:

1.       G. Chiang reviewed the latest revisions to the proposed Science Building and noted the plan continues to evolve.  A massing model of the proposed building showed the building orientation on the proposed site and first thoughts about roof lines.  Preliminary elevations of the south and west facades were as presented for discussion.

 

2.       Proposed First Floor:

a.       As discussed during last week’s charrette the technician’s office has been relocated to second floor location in the southwest corner formerly shown as a lounge.

b.       An area was created for building maintenance.  Materials, equipment and cleaning supplies for maintaining the atrium and entrance area can be stored in this area.

c.       Faculty noted that distilled water is necessary.  G. Chiang noted there is ample space in proposed mechanical rooms to accommodate necessary equipment.   

d.       Lecture Hall:

i.         Faculty determined that the horseshoe shaped lecture as shown on page ?? of the revised program is the desired layout.   This layout allows for more interactive discussions.  HOLT will revise plans to accommodate.

ii.       Faculty noted some desirable for the large lecture space:

(1)    Carpet, at least in the aisles, provide an acoustical benefit.  Issues of maintenance and cleanliness can be addressed by having a cleanable surface under the seats.

(2)    A poster ledge around the perimeter of the room like that seen at Phillips Hall 101, Cornell is highly desirable.

e.       The Shop space will be reoriented so that its door is directly opposite and door in the southeast corner of Lab Type ????.

 

3.       Proposed Second Level:

a.       Faculty Offices

i.         The faculty offices on the second and third floors in the east wing have been repositioned relative to the exterior wall to reduce the length of the walls of the adjacent research lab and stair protruding from the building to the north perpendicular to the windows of these offices.  A small gathering space has been created at the entry area outside of these offices.  This solution was deemed better than before but perhaps still not ideal.

ii.       Discussed separating the doors to these offices as far from each other as possible.

b.       Greenhouse

i.         The wall between the greenhouses and the atrium could be glazed to bring more light into the atrium.

c.       The instrument room will be reoriented so that its door is directly opposite and door in the southeast corner of Lab Type B.

d.       The lab bench arrangement of the Lab Type D in the southeast corner of the east wing has been changed to be in conformance with the idealized layout of the revised program to address concerns raised in the last meeting.

 

4.       Proposed Third Level:

a.       Faculty noted that the Cold Room should have direct access from the corridor as well as from the Greenhouse area.  HOLT will adjust the layout. 

b.       The Collections space will be reoriented to stack on top of the Instrument room on the second floor.

c.       The lab bench arrangement of the Lab Type D in the southeast corner of the east wing has been changed to be in conformance with the idealized layout of the revised program to address concerns raised in the last meeting.

 

5.       General Comments:

a.       The number of toilet room fixtures has been reduced to a total of 10 toilet fixtures.  It has been determined that this is the minimum permitted by code. 

b.       Faulty will confirm that the current proposed location and size of the Instrument room, 10’x20’, is adequate.

c.       Storage and Prep space doors:

i.         Provide doors between the prep space and teaching or research labs on either side. 

ii.       Provide a door between the prep space and the corridor.

iii.      Provide doors between prep and storage spaces.

d.       Currently 2 elevators are proposed.  After some discussion about the necessity of tow elevators it was agreed that it would be ideal to have a passenger elevator located near the main entrances of the building.  It was noted that those coming into a handicap parking space would likely be entering the building from the east.  It was also noted that it would be desirable to have an elevator near the loading dock which can handle the dirty and messy materials coming into and going out of the building.  However, it was also agreed that should there be budget problems the elimination of a second elevator could be considered.

e.       Concern was expressed again about the adequacy of storage for labs, both in storage spaces and within the albs themselves.  For example microscopes need to be stored in or immediately adjacent to the labs where they will be used.  There may be at least one Biology lab that needs to accommodate three different types of microscopes, one for each student.  G. Chiang noted that the next series of meeting will be to discuss in detail the layout and detailed space accommodations of each of the lab spaces.  Quantities and sizes of equipment that needs to be accommodated from the faculty will be crucial information for these sessions.

f.        C. Wahl asked whether the sloped roofs will have overhanging eaves.  G. Chiang noted that this has yet to be decided.

g.       Attending faculty noted that they ran a mock schedule and believe that the number of classrooms and labs will be adequate. 

h.       Hooks immediately inside the door at each lab, or lockers and a coatroom were discussed as possible means to provide storage for student belongings while in lab.  Faculty noted that the current conditions where students throw backpacks and coats in the floor of the lab is extremely hazardous.

i.         Transitional strips between flooring materials must not impede the movement of arts and other equipment on wheels.

j.         It was determined a field trip(s) to other campuses to visit lecture halls, labs, and other teaching spaces could be informative and desirable.  It was agreed that everyone would bring suggestions of places to visit to the next meeting.

 

The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for 9:00AM Wednesday May 23.  This will be coordinated and finalized through Erna Coon  The next series of meetings will be to discuss the lab spaces in detail.  It was agreed that it would be to everyone's benefit for all to participate in as many of these charrettes as much as possible, even when the discussion is not specifically about that individual's area, since there are likely to be things learned and ideas shared from one lab to the next.  HOLT will propose a schedule and agenda for these next meetings.

 

 

Prepared by,

HOLT ARCHITECTS, P.C.

 

 

Tina Lacey

 

Cc: Attendees, L. Ryerson, D. Hutchinson, M. Flowers, S. Heinekamp, E. Hall, J. Woolford