HIDDEN FIGURES
VISION AND SUSTAINABILITY STATEMENT
This building is a dynamic intersection of collaboration, community, and discovery, designed to support astronaut training and mission development. By harmonizing public and private spaces with thoughtful materiality and light, it inspires connection and innovation while fostering well-being and purpose.
Sustainability Statement
The design prioritizes sustainability through the integration of passive and active strategies, aiming for LEED Gold certification. Vertical louvers and innovative systems reduce energy use by optimizing natural light and shading, while efficient HVAC systems minimize operational carbon emissions. The quad and balconies incorporate native landscaping to promote biodiversity and provide cooling microclimates, aligning with the site’s ecological context. By balancing durable materials like concrete and steel with energy-efficient systems and renewable energy readiness, the building achieves resilience while reducing its environmental footprint.
Streets, sidewalks, and pathways should be accessible to individuals of all abilities, with designs that ensure easy approach and maneuverability. Features like curb cuts should accommodate wheelchairs and strollers while providing tactile paving for the visually impaired. ADA routes should be simple, intuitive, and require minimal physical effort. Building entries and interior pathways should also support accessibility for those with hearing or visual impairments.
Multi-story, mixed-use buildings combine complementary functions, such as food services, retail, and exercise areas, to enhance workforce well-being and facility sustainability. They efficiently use limited land, reduce footprints, and lower costs by sharing roofs, utilities, and common spaces while requiring fewer materials. Consolidating mission and support spaces within multi-story facilities also improves operations and space utilization.
Conference and collaboration spaces should support various events and all-hands meetings with flexible, movable seating instead of traditional tiered arrangements.
These spaces should adapt to different needs, offer natural light with adjustable shades for presentations, and be fully accessible.
Courtyards, framed by buildings, provide views of nature and spaces for gathering, walking, and sitting. As part of a campus quad system, they often include grass, trees, and connected sidewalks, with sightlines aligning visible building entries for easy wayfinding. Building and landscape elements should define these central spaces, with wide walkways linking green areas to building entrances.
Narrow Wing Buildings
Narrow buildings, up to 60 feet wide with operable
windows, maximize natural light, ventilation, and views of nature, enhancing office spaciousness and quality of life. Multi-story designs allow light on both sides, boosting productivity and reducing reliance on electric lighting, which supports environmental sustainability.
Natural Light
Properly implemented daylighting provides sufficient
illumination while maintaining visual and thermal comfort.
Sidelighting, using vertical glazing, offers views, ventilation, and natural light, while toplighting is ideal for large buildings where exterior light is limited. Light from two sides can greatly reduce the need for electric lighting
Vision Statement
Accessible Campus
Collaboration Spaces
Courtyards and Quads
Multi Story Building
PRECEDENT STUDIES
BUILDING 4221
HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, celebrated the opening of its newest environmentally-friendly building, Building 4221, on Earth Day, April 22. The five-story glass-and-steel structure, designed with energy and water efficiency in mind, provides workspace for around 440 team members involved in NASA’s Human Exploration Development & Operations Office and other key projects. Equipped with solar panels, LED lighting, and low-emissivity glass, the building is expected to significantly reduce utility costs and is pursuing LEED certification. This facility is part of NASA’s ongoing efforts to modernize its campus while cutting operating costs by replacing older structures.
NASA RESEARCH SUPPORT BUILDING
The new Research Support Building at NASA Glenn Research Center is part of a long-term plan to modernize the campus and replace aging WWII-era buildings. Spanning 60,000 square feet, the building provides office space for 160 people, as well as a cafeteria, conference rooms, and social areas designed for collaboration. Features like low-partition workstations and breakout spaces promote teamwork. The building’s infrastructure includes modern electrical systems with room for future expansions, efficient heating and cooling from campus utility mains, and energy-efficient systems aimed at achieving LEED certification.
CLEVELAND, OHIO
NASA HEADQUARTERS
Florida
NASA is building a new state-of-the-art headquarters at Kennedy Space Center as part of its broader efforts to modernize and expand the spaceport’s capabilities. This new facility is designed to replace older infrastructure, enhancing energy efficiency and operational functionality. The building will serve as the central hub for administrative offices, including space center management and support services like security, photo processing, and the KSC Library. In line with NASA’s sustainability goals, the new headquarters integrates eco-friendly features like energy-efficient systems, which earned it a LEED Gold certification. This design ensures not only modern workspaces but also a commitment to reducing environmental impact. The building is also part of a larger 20-year master plan that aims to strengthen Kennedy Space Center’s role in both government and commercial space exploration efforts
NASA VEHICLE BUILDING
The new NASA Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) showcases modern engineering and design, combining advanced technology with practical features. It’s built to assemble the next generation of spacecraft and rockets, with a flexible interior that can be adjusted for different mission needs. The building is also environmentally friendly, using energy-efficient systems and meeting LEED certification standards. Made from strong, hurricane-resistant materials, it can withstand harsh weather. The building’s exterior has a sleek, modern look with durable materials like concrete and metal, honoring NASA’s past while looking toward the future of space exploration.
Merritt Island, Florida
Merritt Island,
The sun study map shows that the building will get the most sunlight on its south and east sides, which is useful for planning shading and daylighting strategies. To reduce energy use, we can add overhangs or louvers on the south side to block summer sun but let in winter light, while vertical fins on the east side can reduce morning heat. Large windows on the north side can bring in soft, natural light without too much heat. Using energy-efficient glass and sensors to adjust lighting based on daylight will cut down on artificial light use and cooling costs, making the building more energy-efficient year-round.
In this street access analysis, the map highlights key entry and exit points with directional arrows, indicating primary traffic flow to and from the building. The north-south road provides direct access to the building, with the adjacent parking area likely feeding into this road. Given the site’s proximity to a flood zone, careful consideration must be given to ensuring road infrastructure is designed with proper drainage to avoid potential water accumulation during heavy rains. Traffic flow should be optimized to avoid congestion and provide safe, accessible routes for vehicles and pedestrians, especially during adverse weather conditions. Additionally, landscaping along the street can help absorb excess water and reduce runoff toward the building and parking areas.
FLOODZONE TREES
Site Analysis
My site analysis highlights our building is located near a flood zone, which requires special design considerations to mitigate flooding risks. Given the proximity to a flood zone, floodresistant measures like elevated foundations and reinforced materials should be prioritized. The site layout maintains a buffer between the structure and the flood zone, reducing vulnerability. Incorporating stormwater management systems and water-tolerant landscaping will further minimize runoff and enhance protection against heavy rainfall in the buffer zone north of the building. The design should focus on resilience and sustainability to ensure the building is well-protected from potential flooding.
FUTURE PARKING
Site Analysis
=The future parking area is highlighted in yellow and positioned adjacent to the building near a flood zone. Given the site’s proximity to water, careful consideration should be given to the design and drainage of the parking lot to avoid potential flooding issues. Utilizing permeable materials for the parking surface can help manage stormwater runoff, preventing excessive water accumulation. Future parking will be added directly east of the building and connect down to the southern parkign lot behind building 26. Considerations will have to be made in how many spots fit in the northern parking zone, and making sure the remaining spots are found in the souther parking zone. Additionally, the parking layout maintains a distance from the flood zone, which helps reduce the risk of water damage to vehicles. Incorporating proper landscaping and drainage systems will be essential to ensure that the parking area remains functional even during heavy rainfall.
STRENGTHS
• Front corner by the entrance
• Signage
• Quad access
• Street access
• public access
• Flat site
• Lack of trees
WEAKNESSES
OPPORTUNITIES
THREATS
• 100 year flood plain • Lack of Trees
Security (public placement)
SITE ONE
SITE TWO
SITE THREE
Anchoring the building on three sides addresses the neighboring structure, site access, and the quad e ectively.
Designing long, narrow wings allows natural light to penetrate from both sides of the structure. Adjusting the building's height creates a more dynamic facade. Integrating collaboration spaces along the building's long wings helps break up the facades, add depth, and provide areas where people can feel comfortable and at ease.
The circulation strategy separates visitor and employee/astronaut pathways to ensure privacy and e iciency. Visitors enter through a designated lobby and ascend to the second-floor observation level, where clerestory windows o er views into key spaces below. They then exit via stairs that guide them back to public areas without disrupting operations. Meanwhile, employees and astronauts use secure, private entries and dedicated pathways connecting mission-critical areas, ensuring seamless workflow. This dual-pathway design balances operational needs with an engaging and controlled visitor experience.
WALL SECTION
LAP RETARDER
INTERIOR FURRING
5/8 GYPSUM BOARD R-24 BATT INSULATION
METAL STUD FRAMING
WATER REPELENT
WEATHER RESISTIVE BARRIER AND AIR CONTROL LAYER
R-10 RIGID INSULATION
SHIM AT GYPSUM BOARD
EXTEND WRB TO S F
DRIP
EXTEND WATER REPELLENT TO S F
CONT BACKER ROD AND SEALANT EACH SIDE
STOREFRONT WINDOW SYSTEM SHIM AS REQ D
5/8 GYPSUM BOARD CAST IN PLACE CONCRETE PANEL
COUNTERSUNK SCREW AND BACK ANGLE METAL STUD FRAMING
WINDOW SYSTEM SHIM AS REQ D
SHIM @ GYPSUM BOARD LAP SAM OVER WRB AIR VAPOR BARRIER
WALL EXTEND WRB TO S F
R-10 RIGID INSULATION 5 8" GYPSUM BOARD R-24 BATT INSULATION
RENDERING - EXTERIOR VIEW
RENDERING - VISITOR LOBBY
INTERIOR RENDERING - TRAINING ROOM
INTERIOR RENDERING - LABORATORY
INTERIOR RENDERING - POOL
INTERIOR RENDERING - COLLABORATION SPACES
ASTRONAUT SOCIAL ROOM
LEED ASSESSMENT LID STRATEGIES
This Revit energy model highlights the building’s current energy performance, measuring 144 kWh/m²/year, and identifies opportunities to improve efficiency through sustainable strategies. Key enhancements include adding louvres and shading devices on the south facade to minimize solar heat gain while optimizing natural light. Upgrading to highperformance glazing and improving the building envelope with better insulation can further reduce energy loss. Additionally, integrating natural ventilation systems and renewable solutions like photovoltaic panels can significantly lower energy demand. These improvements aim to reduce energy consumption, enhancing both sustainability and occupant comfort.
