an embassy for finland

washington, dc

emily hinton

0102030405

Premise

Project Background

Precedents

Site + Context Analysis

Schematic Design

Context

Physical

Political

Infrastructure

contents

Architectural issue

Method

Building Type Description

Client Description

Program Description

Myyrmaki Parish Church

Rauma Government Building

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Simmons Hall

US Embassy, Ontario

Context

Physical

Political

Infrastructure

Diagrams

Process

Fall Semester Final Schematic Design

07

08

09

10

Detailing

Sustainability

Final Design

Bibliography

06Development

contents

Structural

Connections

Shading

Program Placement

Atrium

Photovoltaics

Drawings

Model

Sources

Image Credits

Diagrams

01

premisepremise

Creating a sense of place is an integral part of any design. A relationship to the surrounding area and to the immediate site is important, as well as an understanding of the functional requirements of a project. The embassy as a building type raises an interesting set of issues regarding place making because the only connection to place cannot be to the physical site where the embassy is located. There also has to be ample representation of the guest country which it totally foreign to the embassy’s physical location. Therefore, in creating an embassy, a delicate balance has to exist between the importance of grounding the building in its site and incorporating influences of the foreign place.

Finland is a country whose society and culture have had a respect for nature. Finnish architecture reflects the ideology that the natural landscape and natural light should be considered important in a design. Methodologies for utilizing and manipulating natural light as well as maximizing the integration with the landscape are two Finnish principles that are incorporated into the design of this embassy as an abstracted representation of Finnish architecture. The characteristics of the site in Washington, DC couple well with these principles.

An in depth site analysis began the process of understanding the physical place. A series of precedent studies followed to facilitate an understanding of the foreign place. Preliminary diagrams and several iterations of plans and sections completed the schematic design and fall semester. An in-depth analysis of structural detailing, material connections and sustainable strategies brought the design to the current level of completion at the end of the spring semester. 01

02

project background02

The client for this project is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the nation of Finland. For the country’s embassy in the United States, Finland’s government wants to appear inviting and open. Therefore, only the minimum necessary security requirements are used in the embassy. The embassy is needed for basic political functions but does not provide the services of a consulate. It needs to cater to the everyday uses of the staff as well as the occasional large event.

An embassy is a government or civic building. It houses the offices of a country’s ambassador and the supporting staff needed to maintain relations between the host country and the guest country. Most embassies also provide temporary living quarters for the ambassador and some staff. Embassies also typically have public spaces available for events sponsored by the country.

Security is obviously an issue when designing any government building. Embassies in the United States are required at minimum to have an airlock entry, secure parking, and to be able to withstand a full-frontal assault.

Building Type Description

Client Description

02

Exterior

Public + Semi-public

Administrative

Parking [20 spaces]Loading Dock

Airlock Entry [100 sf]Lobby [500 sf]Receptionist/Guard [500 sf]Exhibit Hall [2,000 sf]Library [1,000 sf]Performance Space [4,000 sf]Banquet Room [2,000 sf]Catering Kitchen [1,000 sf]Public Toilets [occupancy based]

Ambassador’s Office [600 sf]Ambassador’s Conference [1,000 sf]Staff Offices [10 @ 150 sf]Staff Workstations [10 @ 100 sf]Work Room [400 sf]Large Conference [600 sf]Small Conference [3 @ 200 sf]Storage RoomsKitchen/Break [300 sf]

Program Description

Embassy ProgramApproximate total floor area: 30,000 sf

Private

Support

Airlock Entry [100 sf]Lobby [500 sf]Receptionist/Guard [500 sf]Exhibit Hall [2,000 sf]Library [1,000 sf]Performance Space [4,000 sf]Banquet Room [2,000 sf]Catering Kitchen [1,000 sf]Public Toilets [occupancy based]

Temporary Staff Quarters [4 @ 400 sf]Temporary Ambassador Quarters [1,200 sf]

Janitor’s ClosetElectrical Room/ClosetsFan RoomMechanical RoomsToilets

03

precedent03

The precedent studies served as a basis for the development of the design. An in-depth investigation of Finnish architecture was conducted, focusing on the Myyrmaki Parish Church by Leiviska and the Rauma Government Center by Jokela + Kareoja.

Because natural light is so important to the design, it seemed natural to look at examples of Steven Holl’s work because of his skill in using light to emphasize spaces. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and Simmons Hall dormitory were chosen because they exhibit various techniques of incorporating natural light into the design.

As an example of the embassy as a building type, the United States Embassy in Ottawa, Ontario by Skidmore, Owings + Merrill was chosen.

section through sanctuary

the parish church is designed with the intention of directing views away from “visual pollution” and toward natural elements. the site is bordered by railroad tracks on one side and a park on another. leiviska uses a series of planes to mask the railroad tracks and frame views of the trees and open park areas. natural light is a main inspiration for the design as well. the section empha-sizes the height of the interior spaces to allow as much light as possible to enter. the planar wall elements are strategically placed to filter and direct the light. suspended fabric and varying opaci-ties of glass create different qualities of light within the sanctuary.

finnish design

myyrmaki parish churchvantaa, finland

juha leiviska

site plan

ground floor plan

reflected ceiling plan

the verticality of the spaces and walls are meant to mimic the tall, slender nature of trees on the site. the analogy to trees carries through to the interior of the sanctuary. as illustrated in the reflected ceiling plan, the light fixtures are placed in clusters. these are meant to represent clusters of foliage on tree branches.

03

this design incorporates the fundamental elements of finnish architecture. jokela and kareoja take natural elements of the site and use them as materials in the building. water, fire and wood are basic materials valued by finnish architects. this design utilizes two of the three. the site is along a canal, and the design serves as a sort of bridge over the water. the reflective quality as well as the serene nature of water was considered when designing the government building. wood is used as part of an extensive color palette and trees become a respected

part of the site. openings are placed in order to frame views of trees. a series of trees was planted in a linear order to mimic the line of the canal. this linear element was further incorporated into the design in the way the offices are arranged. they border a narrow, three-story

gallery space that spans the entire length of the building. the gallery space also serves to allow natural light to permeate the building.

03

finnish design

rauma government buildingrauma, finland

jokela + kareoja

site plan

steven holl

special care was taken in this design to create a building that is dynamic at night as well as during the day. different opacities of glass and polycarbonate make the building glow at night. the openings are strategically placed to allow light into the interior of the museum. special treatments of the surfaces inside direct and filter the light after it enters the space. several walls are illuminated from behind and curved surfaces diffuse light.

nelson-atkins museum of art

03

light

simmons hall, mitsteven holl

in this project, steven holl creates a grid of windows for viewing. this treatment makes for a dynamic facade, especially at night. the windows are set back in a deep facade to allow winter sun in but to shade the glass during the summer. the wells around the windows are colored to give each section of the building a separate identity. the different colors make an interesting pattern on interior surfaces when light shines through the windows. in stark contrast to the grid, cavern like volumes are carved through the floors to bring in natural light down through the building.

the united states embassy in ottawa is located in the governmental district of the city. it is surrounded by varying styles

of buildings, and each facade attempts to respond to the area’s context. it is a mixture of heavy, traditional construction

and airy modern form. for security reasons, the entrance is understated and part of the opaque piece of the building.

the public space in the form of an atrium is visible from every office surrounding it. in an effort to maximize natural light without sacrificing security, a smaller atrium crosses the main atrium. at their intersection is a tower primarily clad in tinted glass to allow in a large amount of natural light.

03

building type

united states embassyottawa, ontario

skidmore, owings + merrill

04

site analysis04

The site for the embassy is in Washington, DC. This section details the investigation into the immediate site as well as the surrounding context. Research into the location and context of the surrounding buildings as well as documentation of the site was conducted on location. Physical conditions of the site were documented and analyzed. The physical conditions include topography, tree cover, buildable area and views through the site. Political analysis includes zoning and code information. Finally, an investigation into the infrastructure of the surrounding area determined how visitors access the site.

04

Latitude: 38o, 54’ Longitude: -77o, 1’

Climate Zone: Temperate _mild spring and fall _hot/humid summers _avg. 17” winter snowfall

Wind speed: 90 mphMaximum Wind Load: 20 psf

Seismic Zone 1

location map

The site is located in Washington, DC. It is on the north-western side of the city. The area is less dense than downtown DC which is less than two miles away. The site is situated along Massachusetts Avenue in a section known as “Embassy Row”. Directly across Massachusetts Avenue is the Naval Observatory, the Vice President’s residence. This creates some security issues as well as a visual barrier since the site is in such close proximity to it. The north-eastern edge of the site borders a small road that cuts through a park. The eastern edge also looks toward the park. The western side of the site is adjacent to the Vatican Embassy.

site location

04

context

50’

The portion of Massachusetts Avenue where the site exists is known as Embassy Row. It is a residential street lined on both sides with embassies. The street’s character comes from the early 1900s when it was home to many affluent families. After World War II, the families left the area, but their mansions remained. The residences were bought and adapted to house the functions of embassies. The buildings along the street share a similar scale. Most of the embassies are three stories and range between 40 and 50 feet high. They generally are set back from the road and have a grand facade with carefully manicured lawns facing the street. The street is also lined by mature trees.

Since the scale of buildings along the street is so uniform, the new embassy should respond to the height and quality that is exhibited in the existing buildings. The site also has trees close to the street that will allow the proposed design to correlate with Embassy Row.

Norwegian Embassy Vatican Embassy

A

B

C

D

E F

G

H

This series of photographs shows the site and immediately surrounding area.

Pictures E,F,G and H highlight the thick growth of vegetation at the northeastern

side of the site as well as the steep slope looking back toward the street. Image A

shows the view looking down Massachusetts Avenue. Picture C is looking in the

direction of the Vatican Embassy that sits to the west of the site. The montage,

Image B, is a view of the site from the opposite side of Massachusetts Avenue.

A

C

F

04

B

D E

G H

context

The figure ground studies highlight the residential density and quality of the neighborhood surrounding the site. They show the buildings as detached structures that respond to the network of streets rather than shaping space themselves.

Highlighting the proximity of the Naval Observatory to the site is important because it creates a visual and physical barrier on the opposite side of the street. It is also necessary to delineate park space because it affects the site directly. The boundary of the park cuts through the site and the preservation of trees and landscape is particularly important in this case. It also means that there are no buildings east of the site to draw contextual conclusions from.

context04

72

54

section A

physical

The topography of the site is dramatic. The southern edge of the site bordering Massachusetts Avenue is at seventy-two feet above sea level. The northern portion of the site is at 54 feet above sea level. The substantial drop in elevation over a relatively short distance of a little more than 100 feet gives an opportunity to allow pieces of the building form to protrude from the hillside. It also creates a natural flow away from the building which will greatly help drainage on the site.

section A

04

There is dense vegetation and a large number of trees on the site. The northern area of the site is included in the park and therefore has the highest number of trees. It also has the thickest and highest canopy on the site. A smaller number of trees dot the edges and front of the site providing opportunities for filtering light and framing views. Because the site is in a tree protection zone, as much of the vegetation should be preserved as possible.

The abundance of trees on the site couples well with the concept of bringing Finnish methodologies and traditions to an existing site condition. Finnish architecture responds to natural elements and relies on them to supplement the design. The site also allows the possibility of using pieces of the landscape to filter light, which is another technique Finnish architects have mastered.

tree cover

tree location

04

physical

Because of the desire to preserve as many trees as possible, the buildable area on the site is limited. The significant slope occurring at the back of the site also inhibits the amount of area that can easily be built on. On the other hand, opportunities for cantilevers and protruding pieces to facilitate views become possible.

The most unobstructed views into the site are from Massachusetts Avenue. Views from the Vatican Embassy and Fulton Street are limited by trees and overgrowth. However, while views out of the site respond to the same conditions, there are numerous possibilities for framing views and vistas.

buildable area

views

The site is zoned R-1-A/TSP. The R-1-A zoning is the residential building guideline and dictates setbacks [ front: none, back: 20’, side: 8’] and the maximum building height at forty feet. It also gives other information including parking regulations. TSP is a tree and slope protection area. It stipulates that the trees on the site can not be removed and that the slope must be preserved.

zoning map

political

This diagram emphasizes the issue of density in the area surrounding the site. The lower right corner is the high-density downtown, and the site is in a low-density residential area. Since the site is in the residential area, there is a lower volume of traffic and lower speed traffic. There is less parking on the street as well. The surrounding buildings are all single family, free standing structures, making the context appear semi-urban.

density map

04

Access to the site is limited to pedestrian and vehicle access. There are no bus stops or metro stops in the vicinity of the site. A network of sidewalks allows pedestrians to get to the site easily. Vehicles can get to the site easily as well but parking will be difficult due to the steep slope at the back of the site. Also, the only on-street parking is along 34th Street, a few hundred feet from the site. This dictates that most of the parking will have to be under the structure.

sidewalks

04

infrastructure

major corridor l lprivate alley

The only feasible access is from Massachusetts Avenue at the south edge of the site. Fulton Street that runs along the north side does not give access to the site because of the thick trees and the slope and also because Fulton Street is not intended to be a main thoroughfare for traffic. This begins to suggest the more public programmatic elements be closer to Massachusetts Avenue and the more private and secure functions be further back on the site away from the street front.

parking areas

road hierarchy

05

schematic design05

The schematic design process began after the completion of precedent studies and site analysis. The preliminary diagrams and formal decisions are a result of the knowledge gained in the early analysis. A series of study models and drawings completed the first iteration of the design.

Through the process of critique, discussion and analysis of the functionality of the design, a final schematic design was produced to conclude the first half of design process. The representation of the design includes a site plan, floor plans, sections, interior perspective renderings and basic diagrams.

Preliminary diagrams respond to site issues discovered during the site analysis. Topography, possible building placement to optimize views and natural light are considered during this phase. Configurations for the composition of the building are also thought of in a very basic sense.

05

diagrams

The 2-D diagrams led to a series of 3-D diagrams. These do not take program into consideration yet, but only deal with issues of views, relationship to the street and basic division of the site.

05

diagrams

diagrams

The series of diagrams was part of a process to begin placing the program on the site. Certain pieces like the performance space should be more solid due to the function, so several of these diagrams investigate ways to integrate a solid piece with the primarily transparent nature of other programmatic pieces. Others look at the best way to orient the building based on views to the back of the site which is very important to the concept of the project.

05

05

diagrams

A preliminary analysis of the program helped inform the arrangement of functions within the building. Public spaces should be easily accessible from the street as well as the parking area. Semi-public should have somewhat more restricted access, and private spaces should be difficult to access from a public entrance. After a series of adjacency diagrams and due to the buildable area on the site, it makes the most sense to arrange the program vertically based on public and private uses.

These early plans are a first attempt to incorporate all required programmatic elements into a working building. A core with utility spaces, restrooms and vertical circulation begins to develop in this version of the design. A central zone running vertically through the building is intended to allow bilateral daylight to penetrate the floors.

The parking level is one of two sub-grade levels. Cars enter from the street and ramp down under the building. All other program is arranged with the most public functions residing close to the street and shifting to the private functions as the building rises. From the street level, the most public spaces like the banquet hall, exhibit space and performance space can be accessed. The second level houses staff offices, conference rooms and library. The third and most private floor has the ambassador’s office and conference space as well as living quarters for the ambassador and staff.

These are clearly a first iteration. Attention needs to be given to the organization of the plans around the central zone as well as the development of detail.

early plans

parking level plan

05

basement plan

05

early plans

second level

third level

Section A

The sections begin to show the overlapping of spaces and the vertical open space through the building.

early sections

Section B

05

05

study models

Each of these study models begin to explore the building sectionally. The heights of all the spaces vary from ten feet to twenty feet, and a dense network of spaces exists in section as well as plan. The most developed of the models is also a first attempt at determining which parts of the facade will be transparent, translucent or solid.

05

The final schematic design represents a point of completion before the continuation of the project in the design development phase. The form of the embassy is dictated by the desire to preserve as much of the landscape as possible and maximize the relationship to the landscape. Optimizing natural light was also a major consideration in the design of the embassy.

The building is organized so that the most public functions can be accessed easily from the street. As the building rises, the program becomes more private. The second level houses the staff offices, conference rooms and library-all semi-public functions. The most private programmatic elements, the living quarters and the ambassador’s suite, are located on the top level.

The service spaces are housed in a datum that runs the length and height of the embassy. This datum is a solid bar that is distinct and massive in its articulation. Because program exists on both sides of the service bar, it serves as a threshold for circulation between the two sides of the building. Program on the east side of the bar is made up of spaces that require a more confined environment. The program on the west side can exist in more flexible spaces. This notion translates into the articulation of the facades. The facades on the east side appear more solid from the street since the performance space and library do not need views or light from the southern facade. The walls are fragmented to allow framed views of the trees at certain places in the building. The street-facing facade of the west side is primarily glass with an applied sun-shade to protect the embassy from southern exposure. The facade facing the back of the site is almost entirely glass along the entire width to maximize the connection to the landscape.

Since natural light is such an important part of the design, the solid bar has a light-filled counterpart in the form of an atrium. This allows light to penetrate to the lower levels of the embassy. The space is adjacent to the bar and only horizontal circulation runs through it.

final schematic

05

Parking level

final schematic

Basement level

Ground level

final schematic05

Second level

Third level

final schematic05

Site Plan

05

Section A

Section B

final schematic

Solid/Void Diagram

Circulation Diagram

Structural Diagram

05Office Corridor

View from lobby toward back of building

Entering performance space

final schematic

06

development06

After the conclusion of the schematic design phase, I started analyzing specific aspects of the design to develop them further. I chose the performance space to focus on first. I worked out circulation, wall articulation and structure. The structural system established in the performance hall then required that the plans of the floors above be modified. After that portion of the building was resolved, I moved to the other side and worked out the structural system and articulated the western and southern facades through shading and structural details.

06

Sketches: refining performance space

diagrams

06

diagrams

These diagrams show the investigation of facade articulation for the performance space. The overlapping of the planes allow for framed views out to the landscape. A skylight along the wall allows the wall to be washed with light.

Sketches: modifying floor plans affected by refined performance space structural system

diagrams06

06

diagrams

Sketches and diagrams: development of structural system and western facade

07

detailing

After the overall refinement of the design, I focused on detailing the connections between structural members as well as the envelope. The primary structural material is exposed glulam with steel connections, reminiscent of Finnish architecture. These details add a level of sophistication and articulation to the design as a whole.

Sketches: glulam and steel truss, truss/wall connection

sketches07

Sketches: parapet detail.

07

sketches

07

Virtual and physical models: investigation of truss, purlin and decking supporting upper floors and green roof

structural investigation

07

structural investigation

Virtual model: Articulation of western half of the building. Structural system and shading.

GLULAM TRUSS BEYOND

GLULAM TRUSS BEYOND

3-PLY PLYWOOD DECKING

GLULAM BEAM

MULLION

MULLION

STEEL ANGLE

Curtain wall connection to plywood decking

WOOD TRUSS

LOUVER

GLULAM COLUMN

STEEL PLATE

STEEL ANGLE

details07

Glulam truss and column detail with shading louvers

plan section

SITE CAST CONCRETE RETAINING WALL

STEEL ANGLE, TYP.

ANCHOR BOLTS

STEEL PLATE

STEEL SHOE

GLULAM COLUMN

LOUVER

GLULAM COLUMN, TYP.

STEEL TUBE

ANCHOR BOLT

STEEL PLATE

Section Plan

Detail at base of glulam column and connection to concrete wall

plan section

SITE CAST CONCRETE RETAINING WALL

STEEL ANGLE, TYP.

ANCHOR BOLTS

STEEL PLATE

STEEL SHOE

GLULAM COLUMN

LOUVER

GLULAM COLUMN, TYP.

STEEL TUBE

ANCHOR BOLT

STEEL PLATE

SITE-CAST CONCRETE RETAINING WALL

TONGUE AND GROOVE FLOORING

METAL DECKING WITH CONCRETE FILL

STEEL OPEN WEB BAR JOIST BEYOND

details07

Typical detail at bar joist/wall connection with metal decking

ROOF MEMBRANE

CAP

30# FELT PAPER

2" INSULATION

METAL DECK

STEEL BEAM BEYOND

ACOUSTIC TILE AND GRIDCEILING SYSTEM

METAL PANEL CLADDING

CANT STRIP

LIGHT GAUGE METAL STUD

STEEL TUBE

WIDE FLANGE STEEL BEAM

STEEL ANGLEHAT CHANNEL/GIRT

SPANDREL GLASS

MULLION

TRANSPARENT GLASS

MULLION

07

Detail of steel structure at cantilever

3-PLY WOOD DECKING

3"x6" GLULAM PURLIN

GLULAM TRUSS WITH STEEL TUBE WEB

1" BATT INSULATION

FELT PAPER

CONT. WATERPROOF PAN

ROOT BARRIER

DRAINAGE MAT

PEA GRAVEL

NONWOVEN SEPARATION FABRIC

SOIL/PLANTING MEDIUM

PLANT MATERIAL

CONTINUOUS FLASHING

PARAPET CLADDING

RAILING BEYOND

GREEN ROOF DETAIL/ TRUSS + WALL CONNECTION

1 1/2" = 1'-0"

details

Glulam/steel truss and green roof detail

08

sustainability

It is important that this design incorporate both passive and active sustainable systems. I used passive shading, responsive program placement, natural ventilation and building integrated photovoltaics. All of these strategies can be justified by the Bioclimatic Chart for Washington, DC or by the specific conditions of the site. One of the earliest and most important decisions made during the design process was to keep the building footprint as compact as possible to minimize site impact and to allow a maximum number of trees to remain undisturbed.

climate analysis08

I plotted the Bioclimatic chart for Washington, DC using the normals, means and extremes data on NOAA’s database. It illustrates the general climate information and suggests simple design strategies to expand the comfort zone without the aid of mechanical systems.

This specific chart shows the relatively high humidity in DC. January and July are the most extreme months temperature wise, and April and October are similar in temperature. Very little of the year falls within the comfort zone, therefore strategies must be utilized to make the comfort zone larger. During July, natural ventilation in combination with high thermal mass would be sufficient. Most of the year, however, requires some kind of heating strategy. Spring and fall can be taken care of through the use of passive solar heating, but January will probably require mechanical heating.

The overhangs have been sized to allow for:

_Maximum solar gain in the winter months

_Minimal solar gain in the summer months

This particular example is on the southeastern side of the building. It is one of the only glazed walls on the southern facade without applied shading. Therefore it is important that the overhang provide as much shade as possible in the summer to prevent heat gain. But it is also important that it is short enough that the lower winter sun can permeate to warm the space.

Winter, Early Afternoon

Summer, Early Afternoon

shading08

Winter, Early Afternoon

Summer, Early Afternoon

The west and part of the south facades are shaded by horizontal louvers. These louvers were added originally to block views to/from the Vatican Embassy and the Naval Observatory rather than for shading. They do also assist in shading from direct solar gain, but most of the sun shading occurs as a result of the trees on that edge of the site.

Shading of the office curtain wall (west facade) is also taken care of by the overhang that covers the outdoor terrace. The pergola-type louvers continue the language established by the louvers on the vertical wall.

08

Space planning should respond directly to the solar conditions of the site to maximize functionality and reduce unnecessary mechanical load. The program is arranged vertically from public to private functions. On each floor, a combination of factors determined the placement of spaces. One factor is the view to the back of the site and the second is the need for certain spaces to be more opaque than others.

_ The library and performance space (blue) require a darker space by nature and are located along the south facade which already has more opaque walls to minimize solar heat gain.

_ Banquet and exhibit spaces (green) are located closer to the northern facade and atrium (red) so they will be filled with indirect light rather than being subjected to direct sun and make them more enjoyable for inhabitants and to minimize cooling loads when the spaces are fully occupied.

program placement

Space planning should respond directly to the solar conditions of the site to maximize functionality and reduce unnecessary mechanical load. The program is arranged vertically from public to private functions. On each floor, a combination of factors determined the placement of spaces. One factor is the view to the back of the site and the second is the need for certain spaces to be more opaque than others.

_ The library and performance space (blue) require a darker space by nature and are located along the south facade which already has more opaque walls to minimize solar heat gain.

_ Banquet and exhibit spaces (green) are located closer to the northern facade and atrium (red) so they will be filled with indirect light rather than being subjected to direct sun and make them more enjoyable for inhabitants and to minimize cooling loads when the spaces are fully occupied.

08

All of the services are located in a massive concrete bar which creates a datum through all floors of the building. It’s counterpart is a bar-shaped glazed atrium space with three primary functions:

_ Balance compositionally the heavy nature of the services bar

_ Capture bi-lateral light and allow it to filter horizontally and vertically through the building

_ Allow vertical air movement and ventilation

The atrium has been central conceptually to the design since the beginning.

atrium strategy

The bar and atrium divide the building into two halves. This allows for better cross-ventilation through the floors. Each room’s exterior wall will have operable windows near the ceiling and at the floor. There will also be operable openings in the interior partition walls to allow for a circular air flow throughout the floors. Since a large portion of each floor is open to the atrium, the air will move vertically through the atrium as well. In the warmer months, operable clerestory windows at the top of the atrium/3rd level will allow warm air to exhaust out. This will create a convective cycle of air movement.

The glazing on the southern facade would be made up of Building Integrated PhotoVoltaics. This system is not quite as efficient as typical PV panels ( 8-10% efficiency vs. 14-16%) but have other valuable qualities. The laser etching on the glass that makes up the PV allows increases shading in the summer and has insulative properties in the winter.

photovoltaics08

Based on a generic calculation using these factors:

Internal load : 15 btu/h/sf Square footage: 35, 450

Facade sees sun ~75% of the year

the Building Integrated PV’s will be able to offset approximately 5% of the annual electrical load.

Calculations:300 watts (typ. PV panel size) x 75% (annual sun) = 225 watts

35, 450 sf (building square footage) x 15 btu/h/sf (internal load) = 531,750 btu/h (electric load for entire building per hour assuming fully active)

531,750 btu/h x .2931 (conversion coefficient) = 155,856 watts (wattage needed to offset entire electric load)

155,856 watts / 225 watts(efficiency for one PV panel) = 693 panels (number of panels necessary to offset entire electric load)

693 x 18 sf (sf of one panel) = 12, 474 sf (sf of glazing panels fully exposed to direct solar gain in order to offset entire electric load)

Since this project has approximately 1000 sf of glazing available for PVs on the south facade, potentially 8% of the annual electric load for the building could be offset by the PV panels.

09

final design

The final design is the culmination of two semesters of designing, critiquing, refining and detailing. This proposal for the Finnish embassy in Washington, DC marries Finnish architectural tradition with the site. I have focused on bringing natural light into the building while establishing a relationship between the building and its landscape. The structural and sustainable systems have been resolved, and the detailing brings life to the design. This section includes final drawings, renderings and photographs of the final physical model.

09 Site plan

drawingsSite plan Parking level

09

Basement level

drawings

Ground level

Second level

drawings09

Second level Third level

09

Section A

drawings

Section A Section B

09

East Elevation

West Elevation

drawings

East Elevation

West Elevation South Elevation

North Elevation

renderings09

09

renderings

09

Office corridor

renderings

Office corridor Performance space

09

Entrance [south] facade

model

Entrance [south] facade West facade

09

Performance space

East facade

View of third level from north

model

Performance space

East facade

Banquet hall and upper levels from north

View of third level from north

09

Northern facade

model

10

sources

10

Gill Lui, Elizabeth. Building Diplomacy: the Architecture of American Embassies. Ithaca, NY:Cornell UP, 2004.

“Leiviska at Myyrmaki: church and parish center Myyrmaki, Finland.” Architectural Review 18 (1987): 63-67.

Loeer, Jane C. The Architecture of Diplomacy: Building America's Embassies. New York:Princeton Architectural Press, 1998.

MacKeith, Peter. “Instrument of Light.” Architectural Review June (1994).

Morgan, William. Hiekkinen and Komonen. New York, NY: Monacelli Press, 2000.

Murdock, James. "Government Buildings: Open and Shut." Architectural Record 195 (2007):129-148.

“Myyrmaki Church.” Corkscrew Balloon. <http://www.corkscrew-balloon.com>.

Pearson, Cliord A. "Diplomatic Maneuvers: Embassy of Finland, Washington DC." ArchitecturalRecord 182 (1994): 60-67.

Poole, Scott. The New Finnish Architecture. New York, NY: Rizzoli Press, 2000.

Quantrill, Malcolm. Juha Leiviska and the Continuity of Finnish Modern Architecture. New York,NY, 2001.

Santamouris, Mat. Environmental Design of Urban Buildings: an Integrated Approach. Sterling,VA: Earthscan, 2006.

“The Public Finnish.” Architectural Review 18 (1987): 61-62.

www.stevenholl.com

Herb SprottDavid ThaddeusDale BrentrupKevin TurnerUlrich DengelJose GamezDee BlackburnMohammad GharipourZhongjie Lin

John NelsonTripp BullaGustavo MibelliDavid HillBryan ShieldsFellow students + Colleagues

Research + Precedent Sources

Reviewers

Image Credits

Myyrmaki Parish Church [images]: Juha Leiviska and the Continuity of Finnish Modern Architecture [drawings]: Juha Leiviska and the Continuity of Finnish Modern Architecture

Rauma Government Building [images]: The New Finnish Architecture [drawings]: The New Finnish Architecture

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art [images]: www.stevenholl.com

Simmons Hall [images]: www.stevenholl.com

US Embassy, Ontario [images]: The Architecture of Diplomacy: Building America’s Embassies

All photographs: Emily Hinton

All diagrams: Emily Hinton

Maps: www.maps.google.com with overlaid diagrams by Emily Hinton

All drawings: Emily Hinton

All images: Emily Hinton

All diagrams: Emily Hinton

03

04

05-09sources

Start: August 2008 Studio professor: Herb SprottEnd: May 2009 Studio professor: David Thaddeus

it is “finnished”.