Arts and Social Sciences Complex – SFU
Perkins+Will Canada
OVERVIEW
The Arts & Social Sciences Complex (ASSC) is comprised of two phases that represent the first elements in a new, multi-faculty precinct at Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Burnaby, BC. Phase 1 (Saywell Hall) creates a consolidated home for five existing faculties – the Schools of Archaeology, Criminology, Clinical Psychology, First Nations Studies, and the Centre for Forensics Research – and provides a link to the campus’s existing Academic Quadrangle, which was designed by Erickson Massey as part of the original plan for the campus. Phase 2 (Blusson Hall) incorporates a new entry to the campus from the adjacent bus loop and houses the new Faculty of Health Sciences, which required a setting that would quickly integrate the new faculty into the existing university program. These phases total 200,000 square feet of classroom, office, social, and laboratory space.
Saywell Hall and Blusson Hall are both C-shaped buildings that bookend one another, forming a large, landscaped courtyard that fosters interaction. ASSC creates a strong public identity by way of a wooden canopy and green wall that welcomes visitors to the building. The project also serves as a natural gateway into the campus through an east-west pedestrian concourse that runs the length of the complex. Areas of social interaction were of paramount importance in the design and help nurture interconnectivity between faculties, students, and staff.
The design of the complex focuses on occupant comfort, which resulted in the provision of daylighting to interior spaces, including wet laboratories, which are traditionally closed environments. Program elements provide views to and from academic spaces as well as natural light penetration into all areas including laboratory space, allowing transparency and encouraging interest. Throughout the complex, occupants are no more than a few feet from a view to the outdoors or the grand courtyard. The design also allows for natural ventilation wherever possible. Even spaces without operable windows due to safety reasons, such as the wet labs, enjoy visual connection to the courtyard through the north-south pedestrian concourse.
Energy Conservation Features |
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Other Sustainability Features |
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MEASURED
REDUCTION IN
ENERGY USE |
National Average Energy Use
Intensity (EUI):
2,210 MJ/m2 (614 ekWh/m2) |
Saywell Hall's EUI:
1,008 MJ/m2 (280 ekWh/m2) |
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SOLAR SHADING
Each building elevation was extensively studied with Ecotech modeling software in order to develop the most effective solar strategy for each orientation, resulting in the use of horizontal, vertical, and angled sunshades depending upon the sun’s path.
[ CLICK FOR SOLAR SHADING, DAYLIGHT & LIGHTING ] |
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Green wall
An expansive green wall is located at the south entry of Blusson Hall. These plants and soils absorb rainfall and release it slowly back into the environment.
[ CLICK FOR WATER CONSERVATION] |
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PRODUCTS & MATERIALS
The exposed architectural concrete substitutes fly ash for 30-50% of the cement, thereby reducing the energy needed to make concrete and diverting a waste product from landfills.
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WATER CONSERVATION
Water for non-potable uses is drawn from nearby ponds further reducing use of potable city water.
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WATER CONSERVATION
Water for non-potable uses is drawn from nearby ponds further reducing use of potable city water.
[ CLICK FOR DETAILS ] |
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WATER CONSERVATION
Water for non-potable uses is drawn from nearby ponds further reducing use of potable city water.
[ CLICK FOR DETAILS ] |
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