Sustainability has become a core principle of architecture and construction in North America. Winners of the Holcim Awards for Sustainable Construction presented in Chicago show how the leading edge of sustainable design means reaching far beyond “common sense”. Their approaches use proven instruments that are cleverly applied to improve the quality of life. So the world builds better.

The proposed building provides a new home for the Warner Graduate Art Studios at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) on the site of a former wallpaper factory in Culver City, Los Angeles County. The project’s basic objectives are twofold: to rehabilitate existing urban and architectural elements – through adaptive reuse and complementary additions; and to frame a discourse on the role of mundane construction as the generator of space and form. Under the motto “Adapting for a Flexible Future”, the new addition – an L-shaped building comprised of naturally ventilated spaces and a series of outdoor courtyards – is designed in such a way as to accommodate forthcoming changes. While stitching the new complex into the surrounding fabric, the project fuses together new and old structures to allow differentiated and yet unanticipated uses to unfold freely.

Strategic simplicity

The building integrates elemental construction methods in a new approach to spaces for exploratory studio production. Rather than adding layers of sustainable technology, the design distills the performance of each of its components. New 25cm thick concrete tilt-up walls obviate the need for waterproofing membranes and insulation, and minimize construction waste. The walls provide thermal mass on southwest zones, enclosing interior and exterior commingling workshops, classrooms, galleries and gardens. The lightweight roof minimizes opaque enclosure in favor of diffusing sunlight with polycarbonate panels which shade unconditioned work zones. The fluidity of interior and exterior space maximizes the benefits of passive ventilation through roof venting over conditioned air distribution.