DISCOVERY HALL, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON BOTHELL Bothell, Washington 78,200 sf Discovery Hall reflects its dynamic program and dramatic site, as well as the collaborative and student-centered spirit of University of Washington s Bothell campus. Perched on a wooded hillside above the wetlands of North Creek and with views toward the Cascade Mountains, the project incorporates principal elements of a new campus master plan, including a stair climb along the north side of the building, the Crescent Path and West Campus Lane, and a new plaza at the heart of the campus. As the academic hub for the campus s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs, Discovery Hall houses classlabs for chemistry, life sciences, physics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, software development, motion capture, and geographic information systems. The building also houses a 200-seat lecture hall, classrooms, and faculty offices. The facility is designed to foster interdisciplinary learning and collaboration throughout culminating in the Collaboratory, a flexible learning space dedicated to group work and located prominently over the plaza. The building climbs the hill with four levels connecting directly to grade. Two paths one internal and one external connect the plaza to the west side of the campus. The exterior path travels along a runnel which carries the building s stormwater to a water feature in the plaza. The interior path created by a series of offset stairs and double-height spaces within the building connects to student gathering spaces, provides views into the classlabs, and gives the study of science a visible and approachable presence on campus. In keeping with the theme of science on display, the articulation of building systems is conceived as the building s anatomy. Boardform concrete walls carve into the landscape at grade. The concrete structural frame rests on this base, with a skin of brick, terracotta, and glass wrapping the exterior. The brick is clearly non load-bearing, never touching the ground and shifting to reflect the building program inside. It is held by steel horizontals and bracketed by steel plates. At openings, the brick transitions to terracotta planks and baguettes that overlap the glazing, providing shading from the sun and pronouncing the layering of systems. The building is oriented east-west for optimal solar control with the use of daylight, sunshades, and flexible lighting controls. Additionally, operable windows in classrooms and offices increase occupants control. Chilled beams, displacement ventilation, and heat recovery will further decrease energy use. The project is expected to achieve LEED Gold certification.
E PLAN W FROM Site context, THE NORTH pre-construction: view to south. VIEW Site context, TO EAST pre-construction: view to east.
North (main entry) facade and Plaza of Discovery Hall (photo looking west). [Though the building to the south shares connections, it is part of the original campus architecture, not Discovery Hall.]
Plan Diagram Exterior skin wraps structure Structural frame sits atop concrete site walls Concrete site walls form building base on three levels Interior and exterior paths active the building and connect to the site Stair connecting lower level lobby to level one.
East and north facade (photo looking southwest). The Collaboratory on the second floor overlooks the plaza. The north stair up the hill celebrates the stormwater on-site, and creates a powerful auditory and visual experience as water flows down the runnel. The plaza s expressive seating formations are reminiscent of basalt landscapes.
East (main entry) facade and plaza. [Though the building to the south shares connections, it is part of the original campus architecture, not Discovery Hall.]
West entry at level three. The terracotta detailing was inspired by the Fibonacci sequence, and is part of the building s theme of Science on Display. Cedars removed from the site were used to craft interior and exterior benches.
Southwest corner. This entrance connects with the upper campus, where the master plan calls for continued development. As part of the Science on Display theme, rooftop mechanical equipment remains visible behind a perforated metal screen.
Science labs are located to the south, with ample light and good daylight control to enhance connections to the beautiful surrounding landscape. The senior project lab (lower right photo) provides a flexible space for individual and group work. The Collaboratory (upper right photo) looks out to the Plaza from the second floor. Interior benches were crafted from trees removed from the site.
Collaborative area located on the west side of the fourth floor. Prominent spaces for collaboration and interdisciplinary learning are dispersed throughout the building.
View toward lower level entry and plaza
Second Floor Collaboratory Third Floor
RECYCLED MATERIALS 88% of construction waste recycled 15% materials contain recycled content ENERGY REDUCTION Light colored roofing reduces heat island effect and energy needed for cooling RENEWABLE ENERGY Electrical infrastructure provided and roof area reserved for future photovoltaic array NATURAL VENTILATION Operable windows in the classrooms and offices provide increased ventilation and occupant comfort ENERGY REDUCTION High performing envelope construction (rainscreen technology, continuous insulation, 25% window to wall ratio, high-performance glazing) BIKE PARKING On-site bike parking, showers, and changing rooms to promote alternative transportation SOLAR EXPOSURE Building oriented to optimize solar energy efficiency WATER USE REDUCTION Projected water use reduction of 30% better than code ENERGY REDUCTION Heat recovery from lab exhaust ENERGY REDUCTION Highly efficient mechanical systems help to reduce building energy by 34% RESOURCES 17% of materials are extracted, processed, & manufactured within 500 miles LANDSCAPING Native or adopted species reduce irrigation demand by 50% STORMWATER MANAGMENT Stormwater is daylight in a cascading runnel along the stair climb, culminating in a water feature in the plaza PUBLIC TRANSIT Proximity to eight bus routes encourages alternate modes of transportation