pittsburgh PENNSYLVANIA

Carnegie Mellon University
critic: jennifer GALLAGHER

suckerPUNCH: Describe your project.

alex FISCHER: The Frick Park Environmental Center began with the idea that environmental centers should be a fun and engaging place for kids and should stand out as a sustainable building. This is a place for children to come learn about their local park and some broader sustainable living ideas. The architecture is meant to provide an exciting learning environment while reinforcing good sustainable practices.

The environmental center is shaped by its environment. By laying out the program according each space’s need for factors such as sun and wind, and heating costs, its impact on the environment can be minimalized. Enveloping the Environmental Center with an Eco-Skin that is formed by overlaying layers of environmental information such as cold winter winds, cool summer breezes, maximizing sun exposure, and controlling water run-off will increase the efficiency of the building. Emerging technologies in solar and wind power are utilized to form the skin of the building which maximizes the center’s efficiency.

sP: What or who influenced this project?
aF: Parametrics, building skins, human skin.

sP: What were you reading/listening to/watching while developing this project?
aF: Conglo, The Daily Show, Air France.

sP: Whose work is currently on your radar?
aF: BIG, Morphosis.

Additional credits and links:
Wind panel was developed for this project: http://www.evolo.us/competition/eco-skin-for-the-70s-skyscrapers/