OPEN_2: Unity College President's Cottage

Unity House

Design Concepts

Timeless architecture capable of adapting to centuries of change

The OPEN_2 Prototype will be designed and fabricated to accommodate centuries of change in technologies, occupancy and use. This will be expressed in the architecture and detailing, creating a new model for design, fabrication, and assembly that could establish a system for a series of affordable, high performance houses. Special attention will be given to the separation of shell and infill, easily accessible services and flexible space. Of great importance is the relationship between public and private space, allowing for flexibility within a relatively short time. The need to change these spaces could be as often as on a biweekly basis.

Reflect Unity's commitment to environmental issues

The house will reflect the college's environmental commitments and their rural, New England nature: modest, frugal, solid, high quality, appropriate in scale, and in touch with the local climate.

Encourage pedestrian connection to town and campus

The president's house will be located on the north side of the campus, connecting to the future pedestrian path into the town and to the campus. It is important that this house has a presence, but that it is not central to campus activity. The chosen location allows for a visual connection both to the campus above and cars arriving in either direction.

Connection to the outdoors

In Mitch's words "The house should be designed so that a person knows where they are." The building will be an integral part of the landscape rather than an object in it. Materials and spaces will be designed with "biophilic" features, continually reminding people of the natural world around them.

Architecture as pedagogy

Opportunities for experiential learning will be integrated into the design. As a laboratory for learning about environmental issues, the building will create opportunities to enrich the curriculum at Unity College.

Structurally honest

Celebration of structural elements will help to facilitate learning and connect people to local resources. Structural elements will include the use of local woods to New England.

Powered by renewable energy

Design to meet the goals of Net-Zero energy and Carbon Neutral initiatives as defined in the Living Building Challenge. On-site renewable energy generation will also provide ample opportunity for experiential curriculum.

Environmentally responsible water use

The building will use water in a frugal and environmentally responsible manner. Any fixture or activity that does not require potable water will use either grey water or water from captured precipitation. On-site wastewater treatment is a goal, but may fall under the jurisdiction of Unity's master planning which is beyond the scope of this building.

Maintain a high level of indoor environmental quality

Sources of indoor air pollution will be eliminated by incorporating the appropriate amount of air exchanges as defined in California Title 24 requirements and by not permitting toxic, high VOC materials into the space.

Minimize construction waste

Designing within increments of standardized construction practice, modeling this structure in its entirety and prefabricating it in a controlled environment will lend itself to the optimal use of materials, thereby minimizing construction waste to the highest degree possible.

Design Specifications

Total Square Feet: 1930

Site: North side of Unity Campus, on the edge of an existing parking lot. This is an area that has been disturbed in the past, exhibiting early successional growth and a gravel pile. Infrastructure is within 200' of the proposed site including:

The site offers good southern exposure, no wetlands, and appears to be above 100-yr floodplain. There is a high probability that ledge exists at this location. The exact location will be determined after a Bensonwood team site visit on 24Jan07. Contours indicate their may be potential for a walkout.

Space

The original patrons of this house will be two adults with no children, both of whom will need office space to work. This couple is very accustomed to living in a limited amount of space, possibly allowing for the original configuration of the house to have more space dedicated to the public realm than the private.

Public

Private