Simons Center Bring in the Scientists to Get Gold

Simons Center for Geometry and Physics, by Dirtworks Landscape Architecture, in Stony Brook, New York. Stony Brook University is considered one of the greenest colleges in the United States, so it came as no surprise to designers when the university requested that the design for Simons Center for Geometry and Physics needed to not only meet its high standards for sustainability but to also exceed them. As part of the State University of New York system, the building needed to be at least 20 percent more energy efficient than a baseline comparison and needed to meet the standards to be LEED certified. Dirtworks Landscape Architecture, PC was up to the challenge. Meeting With The Scientists As the firm responsible for the planning, design, and all technical aspects, Dirtworks had a big order to fill. To start the daunting task, the designers met with scientists and faculty to ensure that their design not only met sustainability standards but also fulfilled certain educational goals. One of these was the state of the art technology used in the mechanical system of the building, which, along with the building itself, was designed by architects at Perkins Eastman.

Simons Center for Geometry and Physics

As a way to reduce the energy load of the building, architects placed several mechanical systems for cooling. These systems include air handlers that utilize ice storage and geothermal wells as heat-rejection methods; active chilled beams in the offices to provide low-humidity cooling; and the maximum use of outdoor air and ventilation. David Kamp and his team at Dirtworks created a water feature solely responsible for the cooling of these mechanical systems. The water feature also serves as the introduction to the center and was one of many aspects that helped the site receive LEED Gold Certification.

Dirtworks describes the system on its website as, “Framed by seasonally interesting native trees and grasses, a large water wall and cascading water feature creates a dramatic arrival space and is an integral element in cooling the building’s mechanical systems.” As a way to reinforce the purpose of the building, designers chose to incorporate geometric patterns often found in mathematics and physics wherever they could. For the paving, they used a Penrose paving pattern, named for Sir Roger Penrose’s theory of non-repeating patterns. They also created custom sine wave planters that serve to emphasize the action of the wind on grasses. Top Related Articles:

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The firm consulted with Hoberman Associates to design sculptural solar screens placed on the south side of the building. The screens are a horizontal, sunshade louver system designed to allow more sun to shine through during the winter months and less in the summer. The building also features a modular green roof and an outdoor rainwater-harvesting tank. The 4,000-gallon tank is designed to collect rainwater from roof drains, with an annual collection rate of 300,000 gallons. The collected water is used for the building’s toilets and for outdoor irrigation. Sustainable Both Inside and Out As a final nod to sustainability, Kamp included wave planters on a terrace off the Simons Center Café. These planters are used to grow organic herbs and vegetables that are then served inside the café. Keeping with the educational aspect of the site, designers created a series of both interior and exterior spaces that are meant to encourage discussion, quiet reflection, relaxation, collaboration, and socialization. They placed planters throughout to create private quiet areas, then placed slate walls with steel chalk ledges to encourage more active interactions. “The physical space in which our center inhabits has a deep impact into our academic, research, and social endeavors,” said John Morgan, director of the Simons Center for Geometry and Physics. Construction of the project was no easy task: Most of the project is located above structures that house sensitive equipment, so designers took care to coordinate all work with both the architectural and engineering teams also working on the project to ensure that nothing was damaged. An Award Winning Sustainable Design The project was completed in 2010. It has won numerous awards and recognitions, including the Society of Colleges & University Planners (SCUP) Honor Award for Excellence in Landscape Architecture in 2014. The project has proven to be a huge success in terms of sustainability. According to Perkins Eastman, on average, the building has seen a:

• 79% reduction in potable water
• 100% reduction in potable water use for sewage conveyance
• 34% reduction in energy use (based on ASHRAE 90.1-2004)
• 87% of on-site construction waste diverted from landfill
• 21% of total building materials have recycled content
• 27% of total value of building materials are located within 500 miles of the project

All of these combined are what led to the awarding of LEED Gold Certification, certainly a worthy goal that other projects should aspire to. How can this project serve as a model for other universities or public spaces?

Full Project Credits for Simons Center for Geometry and Physics:

Project Name: Simons Center for Geometry and Physics Institution: Stony Brook University/The State University of New York Location: Stony Brook, New York Size: 1 acre; 2 green roofs Date of Completion: 2010 LEED Certification: Gold Award: 2014 Excellence in Landscape Architecture-General Design, Honor Award: Society for College & University Planners Landscape Architect: David Kamp, FASLA, LF, NA Organization: Dirtworks Landscape Architecture, PC Architect: Perkins Eastman Architects, PC Photographer: Mark Weinberg and Bruce Buck Show on Google Maps

Recommended Reading:

• Landscape Architecture: An Introduction by Robert Holden
• Landscape Architecture, Fifth Edition: A Manual of Environmental Planning and Design by Barry Starke

Article by Erin Tharp

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