Project Type - Things to think about!!

Alright team.  So it is time to choose your project for the year......  But before you make your decision we have compiled a list of questions you should consider.  These are not things you need to answer now but they are the types of questions you should ask before making your decision.  This is short list and is intended to get you thinking.

  

A performing arts center 

• accessibility to parking for theatre-goers? is there adequate parking on adjacent sites? will we need to build parking?
• accessibility to restaurants/bars for before and after the event
• site accessibility for theatre loading into a loading dock
• provide adequate space on site for back of house areas, rehearsal hall, scene dock, etc... 
• Accessibility to transit
• How does the project interact with the community?  Programs for the community as a whole.  
• How does it go above and beyond its program to enrich the community.
• If in Seattle, what relationship does it have with Benaroya and halls at the Universities?

Indoor skiing/spa

• thermal separation - how to keep one place cool while keeping the other warm
• consider putting the ski slope above the spa building--i.e. use the roof of the spa as the ski slope--will have to work on acoustic and vibration separation of the spaces.
• need a long enough stretch of land for the ski slope
• what is the source of the water for the spa/ski area
• how will we produce the snow for the ski slope?     
• how will we build the slope? will we need to bring in soil? consider excavation and earthwork.
• What kind of slope (moguls, half pipe, terrain park, downhill, ski jump).  Think about space needs and restrictions.
• Green Factor – how do you deal with cooling load.  (Amount of energy needed to keep an indoor snow park viable all year)
• Seasonality,  Is it a snow park all year or does it have a different function for different seasons as most ski resorts do.
• How does the project interact with the community?  Programs for the community as a whole.  How does it go above and beyond its program to enrich the community
• How do you make this building iconic?  or...... Should it be iconic?

Aquarium  

• where will we get the water?
• will the structure be below grade? beware of where the water table is? it is expensive to build in a water table, but we also need access to sea water for the aquarium--there is a cost/benefit analysis
• what is soil type? the aquariums are heavy and consequently we will have heavy structural loads? are the soils on the site good?
• consider site access for future loading as new exhibits come into the aquarium
• how big of animals, does it specialize.
• If in Seattle or near by Seattle,  What will distinguish it from the Seattle Aquarium?
• How does the project interact with the community?  Programs for the community as a whole.  How does it go above and beyond its program to enrich the community

So what are you thinking????? Lets see some discussion.

Make sure to bring up links, post pics, sketches, etc.