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of replacing outdated science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