CALPOLYS A N L U I S O B I S P O
WARREN J. BAKER CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS
COMPLETION
August 2013
OWNER
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
ARCHITECT
ZGF Architects LLP
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Gilbane, Inc.
CONSULTANT TEAM
Research Facilities DesignLABORATORY PLANNER
Integral Group / Peter RumseyMEP ENGINEERS
David Nelson & Associates, LLCLIGHTING DESIGNER
John A. Martin & Associates, Inc.STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Designed to transform science education at Cal Poly and revitalize the campus core, the Warren J. Baker Center for Science and Mathematics provides innovative instructional spaces, leading-edge research facilities, and a social hub for students across the university. At 192,000 square feet and six levels, the building is the second largest on the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo campus.
Rising from a sloped site, the Baker Center consists of two classroom and laboratory wings flanking a centralized atrium. The building houses the administrative and support functions for the Chemistry, Physics, and Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences departments, and three research institutes: the Kenneth N. Edwards Western Coatings Technology Center (WCTC), the Center for Applications in Biotechnology (CAB), and the Institute for Advanced Technology and Public Policy.
Ten percent of the university’s curriculum is offered in the building’s seven studio classrooms and eight general classrooms—with a total capacity for 466 students—and its 44 teaching and research laboratories with a total occupancy for 700 students. In addition, study areas contain seating for up to 600 students, and four terraces present spectacular views of the surrounding hills. The LEED-Gold certified facility serves as a role model for flexibility and sustainability, while also inspiring respect for the environment, energy, and natural resources. Soon after opening in 2013, it became Cal Poly’s flagship building.
CannonCIVIL ENGINEER
Katherine Spitz Associates, Inc.LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Davis Langdon, An AECOM CompanyCOST ESTIMATOR
VISION: TRANSFORMATION, INNOVATION, COMMUNITY
Students, faculty and staff collaborated
to create the vision for this welcoming,
state-of-the-art building. In need
of replacing outdated science
facilities, the College of Science and
Mathematics saw an opportunity to
do much more than simply update
technology. They envisioned a
building that would transform the
college and make an impact on the
entire university.
Science and mathematics form the
core of a polytechnic curriculum,
and the building site is located at
the center of campus. The college
capitalized on the symbolism of the
location to design a building where
all students would take classes and
feel at home.
If the building were to become
the heart of campus, it needed to
be student-centered both inside
and outside the classroom. Studio
classrooms enhance student
learning by integrating lecture and
lab and facilitating student-faculty
engagement. Instead of students
sitting in hallways waiting to speak
with faculty members, faculty
offices are surrounded by study
areas designed for student-faculty
collaboration. Students from all
colleges no longer have to walk across
campus to the library to study but can
spend the time between classes in this
building with comfortable couches,
natural light, and works of art chosen
to stimulate curiosity and embrace
diversity and inclusivity.
The successful implementation of
the vision can be seen in the almost
1,800 students studying general
chemistry in the studio classrooms
every quarter, the full study areas
year-round, and the results of a student
newspaper poll naming the Baker
Center as the second best place to
study after the library.
“THIS BUILDING WAS DESIGNED WITH THE NEEDS OF OUR
STUDENTS IN MIND, WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO OUR CORE
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY— LEARN BY DOING.” Jeffrey D. Armstrong, President, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
ABOVE The Baker Center sits at the heart of campus and serves students from all majors. RIGHT The distinctive and welcoming main entrance to the Baker Center takes visitors directly into the central, glass-enclosed atrium.
INNOVATIVE TEACHING AND RESEARCH
Cal Poly’s core educational
philosophy of Learn by Doing thrives
in the Baker Center. The studio
classrooms were designed for active
learning. Instead of classroom
instruction one day and laboratory
experimentation a day or more later,
students perform an experiment and
immediately explore the meaning of
the data with their professors.
Cutting-edge research programs
located in the Baker Center provide a
home for interdisciplinary collaboration.
In the research centers, students work
with industry partners. In laboratories
dedicated to undergraduate research,
students actively discover science
by investigating complex, real-world
research questions with faculty mentors.
The diversity of programs housed in
the Baker Center also encourages
interdisciplinary collaboration.
“I LIKE [THE STUDIO CLASSROOMS] BETTER BECAUSE YOU
LEARN ABOUT IT AND DO IT ON THE SAME DAY. IT’S EASIER TO
UNDERSTAND WHEN THEY’RE TOGETHER.” Julihanna Mandeville, Civil Engineering Student
ABOVE Studio classrooms combine lecture and lab to promote active learning and student-faculty engagement.
RIGHT Geology labs are designed to promote student interaction.
LEFT In the studio classrooms, more than 60 students work and perform experiments at octagonal tables with computers that are linked directly to their professor’s computer to share content around the room. TOP RIGHT Lectures are immediately followed by corresponding laboratory instruction in the same teaching space. BOTTOM RIGHT A computer model illustrates the studio classroom with octagonal table layout.
“IT MAKES A CLASSROOM
MORE OF A GROUP THING
THAN A BUNCH OF PEOPLE
SITTING IN ROWS TRYING
TO SEE THE BOARD. IT MAKES
THE CLASS EXPERIENCE
MORE INTIMATE.” Nikhitha Byragani, Mechanical Engineering Student
WELCOMING AND COMFORTABLE
ENVIRONMENTThe building’s design encourages
interaction between faculty and
students. Throughout the Baker
Center, large areas and small alcoves
accommodate more than 600 students
who study, collaborate with faculty and
other students, and interact socially.
Faculty offices are organized around
the atrium, which serves as the heart
of the building and offers vertical
circulation. Tables and a study bar
accommodating up to 30 students are
located directly outside the offices.
Faculty members hold office hours in
these areas, which students constantly
use to study. At the center of each
floor, adjacent to the atrium, a large
“living room” with comfortable couches
and chairs provides space for another
30 students.
“IT’S REALLY STYLISH. I LIKE THE
ARCHITECTURE. I HAD A LAB
ON THE FOURTH FLOOR. IT WAS
REALLY NICE, A LOT OF HOODS
AND COOL TECHNOLOGY. I
LOVE THIS PLACE.” Mary Giordano, Nutrition Student
“THE SPACE AVAILABLE
THROUGHOUT THE BAKER
CENTER HAS HELPED
STUDENTS AND FACULTY
CONNECT IN NEW WAYS. IT’S
INVITING; PERMITS STUDENTS
AND FACULTY TO MINGLE;
AND HAS CREATED MANY
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACADEMIC,
RESEARCH, AND CAREER
CONVERSATIONS THAT WOULD
NOT OTHERWISE OCCUR TO
SUCH A HIGH DEGREE.” Eric Kantorowski, Chemistry Professor
LEFT Outside the Baker Center’s theater-style lecture hall, students study in a lobby filled with photographic prints.
ABOVE Students work together in one of the group study areas surrounding faculty offices. RIGHT The building’s multiple “living rooms” are furnished with comfortable couches and decorated with science-based art forming an ideal studying environment.
STIMULATING CURIOSITY AND IMAGINATION
From the beginning, the vision for
the Baker Center included installing
artwork throughout the building to
attract the attention of students and
stimulate their curiosity. Entering the
lobby from the south side, students
see a 22 by 14 foot picture of the
Victoria Crater on Mars taken from
the Opportunity rover. The main
floor also displays images from the
Hubble Space Telescope and large
panoramas of Crater Lake and the
Trona Pinnacles near the geology labs.
The biochemistry and biotechnology
areas contain award-winning electron
microscope images of bacteria. Other
images include magnified snowflakes,
exotic sea organisms, artistic aerial
views of California landscapes, and a
display of local landmark Bishop Peak
composed of one picture per day over
the course of a year collected in a
calendar display.
“IF YOU CAN CAPTURE
STUDENTS’ IMAGINATIONS,
THEY’LL BE SELF-MOTIVATED
AND SEEK OUT THEIR OWN
LEARNING. THAT’S THE
ENVIRONMENT WE’RE
TRYING TO CREATE IN THE
BAKER CENTER.” Phil Bailey, Dean, College of Science and Mathematics
FAR LEFT Photographs highlighting scientific phenomena in the natural world fill the fourth floor living room, where students socialize and study. LEFT Students study between classes amid photographs from the Hubble Space Telescope in the main lobby.
ABOVE A student looks at examples of real-world products that use each element in the shadow-box style periodic table of elements display in the third floor living room.
ENCOURAGING CULTURAL AWARENESS AND INCLUSIVITY
LEFT Aluminum plaques throughout the building introduce students to a diverse array of scientists and mathematicians, including Albert Baez, the first Mexican American to earn a doctorate in physics. RIGHT Students can read about scientists such as Edward Bouchet, the first African American to earn a doctorate in physics, in multiple hallways.
A unique local project pursued by
our faculty and students introduces
famous and “not-so-famous” scientists
and mathematicians on aluminum
plaques throughout the building.
Representative examples include
the first African American to earn a
doctorate in physics in the U.S., the
Mexican American co-inventor of
the X-ray reflection microscope, and
the woman who developed Kevlar.
Recently, the college installed an
original mural by David Ocelotl
Garcia titled “Integrated Visionaries.”
Commissioned after a nationwide
search and placed in the main lobby,
the mural represents the study and
research of science and mathematics
while considering the themes of
inclusivity, diversity and community.
It integrates a stylized approach that
allows viewers to see themselves in
the mural.
“WHEN I FIRST WALKED DOWN THE HALLS OF THE BAKER CENTER,
WHAT STRUCK ME THE MOST WAS THE DIVERSITY OF FACES —
SOME WELL-KNOWN OTHERS THAT SHOULD BE WELL KNOWN —
OF SCIENTISTS OVER THE WORLD AND THROUGHOUT THE
MILLENNIA. I WAS SURPRISED AND SO PLEASED TO SEE THAT THE
SCIENTISTS REPRESENTED HIGHLIGHT THE FACT THAT WE CAN ALL
BE SCIENTISTS. I HOPE THE EFFECT, TO CONSIDER INCLUSION IN
OUR FIELDS, IS THE SAME FOR ALL THOSE WHO WALK THE HALLS.” Louise Edwards, Physics Professor
VIA C
ARTA
NORTH POLYVIEW DRIVE
SOUTH POLYVIEW DRIVE
WARREN J. BAKER CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS
LEFT Pedestrian pathways from the residence halls, public transportation, the University Union, campus dining facilities, and the bookstore all lead to the Baker Center, where they branch symbolically into walkways leading to the professional colleges. In the future, an original classroom / laboratory building that currently sits across a grassy quadrangle to the south of the Baker Center will be removed. This will allow for the addition of one more building and the enlargement of the quadrangle for the planned Centennial Park.
BUILDING AND SITE
The Baker Center’s identity as the
new heart of the campus, along with
the building’s program, drove the
architectural design. A five-story,
glass-clad atrium is positioned at the
building’s midpoint, and provides a
clear and welcoming entrance to the
building, whether one is entering from
the north or the south. The wings that
flank the atrium house the laboratories
and classrooms. These wings are
primarily clad in brick and use glass
punctuated with vertical fins to tie
back to other buildings on the campus.
Secondary entrances are located at
the west (ground level) and east (third
level) ends of the building. Durable
Rheinzink metal cladding, featured
in elements at the north and south
sides of the building, is newer to the
campus—primarily found on buildings
to the west. Not only do the building
materials relate to other structures
on campus, but the exterior massing
is a direct response to the laboratory
programs housed within; depending
on each laboratory’s function and
need for natural daylight, windows
of varying widths were strategically
placed. A stepping pattern on the east
wing façade is reminiscent of nearby
mountains, and allowed for outdoor
terraces to be placed near indoor
interaction spaces.
“THE BAKER CENTER’S CURRENT LOCATION IN THE CAMPUS
CORE SYMBOLIZES THE FOUNDATIONAL ROLE OF SCIENCE AND
MATHEMATICS IN A POLYTECHNIC EDUCATION.”Phil Bailey, Dean, College of Science and Mathematics, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
BUILDING SECTIONS
A
CB
A
B C
LEVEL 6 LEVEL 6
LEVEL 6
LEVEL 5 LEVEL 5
LEVEL 5
LEVEL 4 LEVEL 4
LEVEL 4
LEVEL 3 LEVEL 3
LEVEL 3
LEVEL 2 LEVEL 2
LEVEL 2
LEVEL 1
SUSTAINABILITY
Academic science buildings can
provide excellent opportunities
to expose the science behind
sustainability. The Baker Center is not
only student-friendly, but exemplifies
environmental stewardship as well.
The LEED-Gold certified building
features radiant heating / cooling
panels in the faculty offices and
conference rooms, while the
laboratories utilize a hydronic or
chilled beam heating and cooling
system—which uses water instead of
air to condition the laboratories. These
features will reduce the building’s
overall energy consumption. In fact,
the laboratories will consume 30% less
energy than a conventional laboratory
building. Other sustainable features
include a green roof garden and
monitoring systems for the building
and the air quality in laboratories that
allow facilities management personnel
to fine-tune the performance of the
building to achieve peak performance
and efficiency.
“THE BAKER CENTER
EXEMPLIFIES FLEXIBILITY AND
EFFICIENCY IN ITS DESIGN. IT
IS DESIGNED TO BE A WORKING
MODEL OF SUSTAINABILITY
AND BUILDING PERFORMANCE
FOR TOMORROW’S SCIENTISTS
AND ENGINEERS.”Phil Bailey, Dean, College of Science and Mathematics, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
ABOVE The green roof helps to mitigate the building temperature and manage the volume of stormwater runoff. LEFT As planned, the protective plantings on the green roof continue to grow and change.
RIGHT Detail of chilled beam system in laboratories.
TOP RIGHT Faculty offices are naturally daylit and ventilated to help reduce energy loads.
BOTTOM RIGHT In 2016, building energy use performed at approximately 10% below the ASHRAE 90.1 energy standard.
SUSTAINABLE FEATURES
ENERGY USE INTENSITY
The laboratory casework is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. This ensures the sustainable logging of trees and use of plantation grown wood.
High-efficiency plumbing fixtures are used throughout the building.
Operable windows improve the occupant comfort, and radiant ceiling panels cool and heat office spaces efficiently without unnecessary fan power.
Data from the sustainable features of the building is collected and analyzed regularly by facilities management personnel.
The local microclimate and views are honored by using filtered direct sunlight in public spaces with strategic glass placement.
Intensive and extensive roof gardens mitigate the building temperature, increase the lifespan of the roof, create a new wildlife habitat, and mitigate stormwater runoff volume.
Recycled steel is used for structural framing. Fly ash is used in the concrete.
The concrete contains local aggregates.
A palette of local plant species minimizes the need for maintenance, irrigation, or mowing, and creates a natural habitat for local wildlife.
Laboratories are actively monitored for pollutants to maximize both safety and efficiency. Chilled beams provide efficient wet laboratory cooling.
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
-
Electric Cooling Heating
BaselineASHRAE 90.1
123
112
Measured2016
Designed Estimated
74
kBtu
/ft2
The atrium was designed to use minimal energy, relying on transfer air and heat from adjacent spaces and natural ventilation for cooling. This approach eliminated the need for full systems, reducing the overall embodied and operational carbon of the project. To showcase aggressive energy efficiency, the atrium’s natural ventilation systems and smoke relief use an innovative design consisting of air intake doors with openers controlled by the fire alarm system and ventilators installed atop the atrium. During an alarm event, the doors automatically open to provide intake air, and smoke in the atrium is exhausted through the ventilators. As designed, the atrium reduces the need for lighting by 80% and the need for heating and cooling by over 14%, resulting in a collective energy reduction of 70%.
ATRIUM PASSIVE VENTILATION
LEED SCORECARD
L6
L5
L4
L3
L2East Stair Accent Wall
Project ID 1000009097
Rating system & version LEED-NC v2009
Project registration date 09/02/2010
LEED FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION & MAJOR RENOVATIONS (V2009)ATTEMPTED: 69, DENIED: 2, PENDING: 0, AWARDED: 69 OF 110 POINTS
SUSTAINABLE SITES 24 OF 26
SSp1 Construction Activity Pollution Prevention Y
SSc1 Site Selection 1 / 1
SSc2 Development Density and Community Connectivity 5 / 5
SSc3 Brownfield Redevelopment 1 / 1
SSc4.1Alternative Transportation-Public Transportation Access 6 / 6
SSc4.2Alternative Transportation-Bicycle Storage and Changing Room 1 / 1
SSc4.3Alternative Transportation-Low-Emitting and Fuel-Effic ient V 3 / 3
SSc4.4Alternative Transportation-Parking Capacity 2 / 2
SSc5.1Site Development-Protect or Restore Habitat 1 / 1
SSc5.2Site Development-Maximize Open Space 1 / 1
SSc6.1Stormwater Design-Quantity Control 0 / 1
SSc6.2Stormwater Design-Quality Control 1 / 1
SSc7.1Heat Island Effect-Non-Roof 1 / 1
SSc7.2Heat Island Effect, Roof 1 / 1
SSc8 Light Pollution Reduction 0 / 1
WATER EFFICIENCY 5 OF 10
WEp1 Water Use Reduction, 20% Reduction Y
WEc1 Water Effic ient Landscaping 2 / 4
WEc2 Innovative Wastewater Technologies 0 / 2
WEc3 Water Use Reduction 3 / 4
ENERGY AND ATMOSPHERE 14 OF 35
EAp1 Fundamental Commissioning of the Building Energy Systems Y
EAp2 Minimum Energy Performance Y
EAp3 Fundamental Refrigerant Mgmt Y
EAc1 Optimize Energy Performance 10 / 19
EAc2 On-Site Renewable Energy 0 / 7
EAc3 Enhanced Commissioning 2 / 2
EAc4 Enhanced Refrigerant Mgmt 0 / 2
EAc5 Measurement and Verification 0 / 3
EAc6 Green Power 2 / 2
MATERIALS AND RESOURCES 6 OF 14
MRp1 Storage and Collection of Recyclables Y
MRc1.1Building Reuse-Maintain Existing Walls, Floors and Roof 0 / 3
MRc1.2Building Reuse, Maintain 50% of Interior 0 / 1
MRc2 Construction Waste Mgmt 2 / 2
MRc3 Materials Reuse 0 / 2
MRc4 Recycled Content 2 / 2
MATERIALS AND RESOURCES CONTINUED
MRc5 Regional Materials 1 / 2
MRc6 Rapidly Renewable Materials 0 / 1
MRc7 Certified Wood 1 / 1
INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 12 OF 15
IEQp1 Minimum IAQ Performance Y
IEQp2 Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) Control Y
IEQc1 Outdoor Air Delivery Monitoring 1 / 1
IEQc2 Increased Ventilation 1 / 1
IEQc3.1Construction IAQ Mgmt Plan-During Construction 1 / 1
IEQc3.2Construction IAQ Mgmt Plan-Before Occupancy 1 / 1
IEQc4.1Low-Emitting Materials-Adhesives and Sealants 1 / 1
IEQc4.2Low-Emitting Materials-Paints and Coatings 1 / 1
IEQc4.3Low-Emitting Materials-Flooring Systems 1 / 1
IEQc4.4Low-Emitting Materials-Composite Wood and Agrifiber Products 1 / 1
IEQc5 Indoor Chemical and Pollutant Source Control 0 / 1
IEQc6.1Controllabil ity of Systems-Lighting 1 / 1
IEQc6.2Controllabil ity of Systems-Thermal Comfort 1 / 1
IEQc7.1Thermal Comfort-Design 1 / 1
IEQc7.2Thermal Comfort-Verification 1 / 1
IEQc8.1Daylight and Views-Daylight 0 / 1
IEQc8.2Daylight and Views-Views 0 / 1
INNOVATION IN DESIGN 4 OF 6
IDc1.1 Innovation in Design 0 / 1
IDc1.1 Green Cleaning 1 / 1
IDc1.2 Innovation in Design 0 / 1
IDc1.2 Exemplary Performance EA 6: Double Green Power Purchase 1 / 1
IDc1.3 Innovation in Design 0 / 1
IDc1.3 Innovation in Design 0 / 1
IDc1.4 Innovation in Design 0 / 1
IDc1.4 Atrium Smoke Control 0 / 1
IDc1.5 Exemplary Performance in SSc4.1 1 / 1
IDc1.5 Innovation in Design 0 / 1
IDc2 LEED® Accredited Professional 1 / 1
REGIONAL PRIORITY CREDITS 4 OF 4
SSc1 Site Selection 1 / 1
SSc4.3 Alternative Transportation-Low-Emitting and Fuel-Effic ient V 1 / 1
SSc5.2 Site Development-Maximize Open Space 1 / 1
WEc1 Water Effic ient Landscaping 1 / 1
WEc2 Innovative Wastewater Technologies 0 / 1
WEc3 Water Use Reduction 0 / 1
EAc2 On-Site Renewable Energy 0 / 1
MRc1.1 Building Reuse-Maintain Existing Walls, Floors and Roof 0 / 1
IEQc8.1Daylight and Views-Daylight 0 / 1
TOTAL 69 OF 110
LEED Certification Review Report
This report contains the results of the technical review of an application for LEED® certification submitted for the specified project. LEED
certification is an official recognition that a project complies with the requirements prescribed within the LEED rating systems as created
and maintained by the U.S. Green Building Council® (USGBC®). The LEED certifcation program is administered by the Green Building
Certification Institute (GBCI®).
CAL POLY CENTER FOR SCIENCE
Construction Application Decision
CERTIFIED: 40-49, SILVER: 50-59, GOLD: 60-79,PLATINUM: 80+
OCCUPANT SURVEY RESULTS
General Satisfaction – Building
General Satisfaction – Workplace
Office Layout
Office Furnishings
Thermal Comfort
Air Quality
Lighting
Acoustic Quality
Cleanliness & Maintenance
-3
NEGATIVE POSITIVE
-2 -1 0 1 2 3
Benchmark Warren J. Baker Center for Science and Mathematics
ABOVE The Physics Club room, located on the sixth floor, has its own private terrace and offers views of the surrounding hills.
“GREAT PLACE TO WORK,
A REFUGE TO MANY
STUDENTS SEEKING BETTER
CONDITIONS THAN OUTDOORS
OR OTHER BUILDINGS.”Survey Respondent