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School Technology Wing

By kcastill3 | XL Design a new technology wing for your school

Overview Instructions

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When you think about High Tech High School, you may initially think of the many tools students have at their disposal to aid them in their learning. The fact of the matter is that most resources may be unavailable and I believe a new technology wing will be a nice addition to the school. This will help the presence reflect all the great things that go on inside the school. I also want to point out that there are problems that take place on the outside as well. We are currently in the fall season and rain is starting to become abundant on a weekly basis. 85th street, the street High Tech is on, is sloped, and when it rains, the base of it floods. Normally one might overlook this problem, but the fact that the bus parking lots and the APA building which contains the gym this should be taken care of somehow. Therefore, the new technology wing will have a system to deal with both the flooding problem and meet the needs of students as well as faculty.

Comments

The information you collected does a good job starting to tell the story of the site. The flooding issue is a big one. Consider looking at native landscaping and on-site water management can help solve this issue. Take a look at this portion of the website for more information:
http://www.tah2.org/think/site/vegetation

I look forward to seeing more from you in the future.

By bjohnson, Architect at 09:25 am, 19 October 2010

The city of Kodiak is in the early stage of designing a new high school. I'm curious about what tech programs you will include in your design. What programs do you currently have? Have you taken pictures that give a clearer idea of the water problem?

By baltenhof, Educator at 04:19 pm, 19 October 2010

I'll get pictures posted of the problem as soon as i can. As for the your questions about our programs, do you mean academic programs?

Also thanks for the on-site water management link i will definitely look into that for more information

By kcastill3, Student at 01:41 pm, 20 October 2010

I can't wait to see more on the brainstorm / analyse portion. How can man and nature work together for the benefit of both? Maybe there can be gardens that absorb the rainwater from the parking lot, and provide places for birds to live, which helps nature. Then people can also enjoy the outdoor space, which helps man. I look forward to seeing more soon.

By bjohnson, Architect at 08:27 am, 04 November 2010

Good Job so far Kevin. It seems as though factors identified in your site analysis and your concept go hand in hand. Please do not lose sight of your main idea. This concept can provide you with enough insight to begin the development of a proposal that addresses specific factors related to the conditions of our site. It could well lead you to an amazing and practical solution to this design problem.
At this stage in the process you should have most of the ingredients necessary to begin the design process: analysis of site, a preliminary concept, and a program outline. Jump right in by creating bubble diagrams showing relationships of spaces for the proposed addition, diagrams depicting the relationship of your addition to the existing school, and developing your concept in regard to its relationship to the context of the site and your pre-defined program. Don’t be concerned with the neatness of your sketches at this point. This phase of the design process is about allowing your ideas to flow freely from your mind to the paper. Enjoy!

By gsimon, Educator at 11:29 am, 04 November 2010

Yeah that was my intention, to include park/gardens so the water has somewhere to go and not to flood 85th street. However that is also my problem. I'm trying to brainstorm a few ideas where man and nature can work together where both can benefit and incorporate that into the design of the new addition, while also handling the flooding problem.

I also have a few bubble diagrams that I will post as well to show my program outline more clearly

By kcastill3, Student at 02:47 pm, 09 November 2010

Any other suggestions? I am thinking of an idea that relates to my concept where students can plant some vegetation where it grows through a wall to the outside instead of being confined inside. In the future my sketches, elevations, and site plans will be more detailed.

By kcastill3, Student at 02:40 pm, 29 November 2010

i am close to finishing my final design.

By kcastill3, Student at 02:32 pm, 17 January 2011

Collect Instructions

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Gather more information about your existing technology classrooms by taking photos, sketching, conducting interviews, or doing additional research.

Think About

  • In what ways do you use technology inside the classroom during a typical day at school?
  • In what ways do you use technology outside the classroom during a typical day at school?
  • In what ways and in what types of classes is technology currently taught at your school?
  • What types of room does technology learning take place in now?
  • Do you enjoy working in these rooms? Why or why not?
  • Are these rooms designed any different than a typical classroom? Should they be?
  • How do you collaborate around technology with other students? Where do you do this now?

Try This

  • Take photos of your school’s library, the media center, computer or technology lab, or any other classroom that includes technology used by students.
  • Take photos of how and where you typically use a computer or other types of technology at home.
  • Measure the size of this room. Is it crowded now or does it have empty space?
  • Make a list of all the features and items currently found in your school’s technology lab.
  • Make a list of all the things you like about these rooms. Ask several friends and your teachers their opinions.
  • Make a list of all the things you dislike about these rooms.  Ask several friends and your teachers their opinions.
  • Read about the CyberCafe in a University of Chicago library.
  • Read about how Emory University transformed their old computer lab into a new a digital learning space.

kcastill3's work for the Collect Information step:

Program Outline:

The location of the new wing will be at the base of the street, where the bus drop off area and the parking lot where most of the faculty park currently exists. Bus parking will be relocated across the street in a building that has parking for the buses, as well as the students and faculty. The new technology wing will be where the old bus drop off area was, which will be a two story building. The second floor however will extend over the old faculty parking lot, supported by columns. The ground level will be a park or garden like area with permeable surfaces where the water can go, which will help the flooding problem. This area will be a nice area to be outside on a sunny day.

Here are some essentials that will be a part of the new technology wing:
- Media Center
a. This will include state of the art technology as resources at the student’s disposal.
- Presentation Area
b. This area will allow the students to present and share their ideas and discuss new ways to expand their ideas
- Group/Individual Work Spaces
- Cafeteria and Kitchen
- Office Space
c. This will be where faculty can run the school properly
-Bathrooms

Ms. Krone
- High Tech High School Vice Principal

1. Do you think a new technology wing would enhance the function of school?

Yes, a new technology wing would absolutely enhance the function of the school. As a school of technology, we should constantly update our technology. A wing of just new technology would be wonderful.

2.What should this new tech wing include to help both students and faculty?

The new wing should to have all of the software and hardware that supports our majors that rely on technology, such as architecture, graphic arts, CADA, TV Video Pro, Broadcasting, Web Design, etc. I think it would be best to meet with these teachers and see what is needed for this new wing.

3.Is there a specific need you would like to access for high tech to go into this addition?

I think we need a MAC lab. Most of the kids in the arts programs use macs and I know each individual classrooms have their own macs but I think we need a mac lab that kids can access on free periods and after school.

4.Do you feel you are comfortable with the current technology in high tech?

I feel comfortable with it. I would like to learn a bit more about some of the programs we have that I don’t know how to use. I would love for kids to hold info sessions for teachers…something really hands on.

5.Do you think a new technology wing will affect the way people view the school and what it should represent?

Our school is called High Tech High School. Adding a tech wing to the school would send a message that we are committed to being a school of technology.

Brainstorm Instructions

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Develop sketches or models to help you puzzle through new ideas and solutions.

Think About

  • Most technology labs are just rows of computers or individual computers inside cubicles. But is this the best way to use and learn about technology today?
  • How does collaboration occur if each person is looking at their own screen? 
  • Think about the possibilities of using technology in more comfortable places, such as on lounging on a couch or sitting under a tree. How can you incorporate these more informal spaces into your design?
  • Where will this new technology wing / addition be located at your school so that all students can take advantage of it?

Try This

  • Make lots of sketches to get your early ideas down on paper. Learn from each different idea.
  • Based on the information you collected above, brainstorm the types of spaces you’d like your new technology wing at school to have. The space planning rules of thumb in the chart below may be helpful for comparison.
  • Walk around the exterior of your school building and take photos of possible locations for the new technology wing.
  • Use Google Maps to view and print out an aerial photo of your school. Identify a location for the new technology wing. Which side of your school should the addition be constructed on?
  • What other classrooms are currently near your proposed technology wing addition?
  • Contact your school’s building or maintenance department. They may already have a floor plan of your existing school building to use as a reference or base drawing.
  • Sketch bubble diagrams to figure out the spatial relationships between the different spaces. Which spaces will be adjacent to each other? Which spaces should not be next to each other?
  • Make lots of sketches, learn from each one, and figure out the best way to arrange the spaces in the technology wing.

Your design for a new technology education wing might include the following types and sizes of new rooms and furniture. These are just suggestions. Feel free to revise this and incorporate other spaces you think may be needed.

Technology wing space planning rules of thumb:

space 800 students in your school 1200 students in your school 1600 students in your school 2400 students in your school

Informal gathering spaces with computers

 1,800 square feet 2,400 square feet 3,000 square feet 4,000 square feet

Classrooms / Studios / Labs

 3 rooms at 1,200 square feet each 4 rooms at 1,200 square feet each 5 rooms at 1,200 square feet each 7 rooms at 1,200 square feet each

Media Lab for Audio and Visual Production

 1 lab at 1,600 square feet 1 lab at 1,600 square feet 1 lab at 1,600 square feet 2 labs at 1,600 square feet each
Storage Room 1 room at 200 square feet 2 rooms at 200 square feet each 2 rooms at 200 square feet each

3 rooms at 200 square feet each

Computer Server Room

 1 room at 200 square feet 1 room at 200 square feet 1 room at 200 square feet 1 room at 200 square feet
TOTAL 7,400 square feet 9,400 square feet 11,200 square feet 16,400 square feet

 

kcastill3's work for the Brainstorm Ideas step:

Man Vs. Nature

These are the proposed sites for the addition in a site plan

Looking at the proposed site

Perspective Sketch

The concept here is man versus nature. No matter what man might do to cover it up, nature prevails. We fail to realize nature wants to occur and we shouldn’t stop it. In this case, man has a paved street where the bus parking lot is. At one point it was smooth, but after several years, small portions of grass start growing through the cracks. Man tried to cover that up, but nature prevailed over its opposition, us. Likewise, water naturally flows along with the slope and goes downward, but in the case of high tech, it has nowhere else to go, so it floods. If we make a place for the water to go instead of trying to stop it from going there, it would work much better for both man and nature.

Develop Instructions

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Now's the time to take what you've learned from the steps above and develop your own solution for a new technology wing.

Try This

  • If possible, build a rough physical study model of your technology wing. You can't really understand the building's shape until you make a quick study model. Don’t worry about making a fancy finished model at this time. Instead, use cardstock, scissors, and tape to quickly create the large 3D form. See how it looks. Break off different sections, add new pieces, and try new ideas.
  • Take a photo of your model and upload it to your student account.
  • Sketch or use software such as Google SketchUp, AutoCAD, or Revit to put your ideas on paper.

kcastill3's work for the Develop Solutions step:

First Ideas: Site Plan. This is located in the back of the main school building.

First Ideas: Elevation relating to my Site Plan

Second Ideas: My Site Plan

Second Ideas: First Floor Plan. There is a road there because it is ground level. It's for emergency vehicles

Second Ideas: Second Floor Plan

Second Ideas: My Section

Inspiration: Falling Water

A few details in my design include the green roof; it’s slightly slanted so that water that comes from rain flows throughout the roof and down to the back part of the park, which is flat. Also, the area that has the driveway that was intended to be a road where fire trucks can get through, is high enough so that they can comfortably drive passed in case of emergency.

My Site Plan is of the entire site and some things that already exist in the surrounding area.

My First Floor Plan has a space in between, representing the road that is supposed to be meant for emergency vehicles

My Second Floor Plan is just of the second floor of the addition

The Section is viewed as if you were standing on 85th Street. Arrows in my site plans and floor plans represent where it is being cut through.

As labeled, the Concept Wall relates to overall concept. I want to either make it with brick with some voids in between, or some wiring with metal so that the plants can make their way through. It relates to my concept because nature is going against what man has put up, except that we are setting it up to happen.

The Falling Water by Frank Lloyd Wright is a building that closest relates to my concept and it serves as my inspiration

I am still editting my design so i have a final product.

Final Instructions

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kcastill3's work for the Final Design step:

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First Floor Plan

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Second Floor Plan

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Site Plan