Category Archives: Architectural/Hammurabi

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George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum

The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, located on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, was designed by architect Robert A.M. Stern. The library was dedicated on April 25, 2013, and it serves as the official library and museum for the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush.

Robert A.M. Stern is a prominent American architect known for his work on various projects, including academic buildings, museums, and residential structures.  His design reflects a traditional and monumental architectural style that combines elements of classicism with contemporary design features. The library, located on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, was opened to the public in 2013.

Here are some features of the Stern design:

  1. Neo-Classical Style: Robert Stern’s design for the George W. Bush Library draws inspiration from classical architectural elements, particularly evident in the grandeur of its facade. The building features symmetrical lines, grand columns, and a sense of balance and proportion reminiscent of classical architecture.
  2. Materials: The exterior of the library is clad in Texas Cordova Cream limestone, which gives the building a timeless and elegant appearance. The use of this indigenous stone connects the library to its Texas roots while also conveying a sense of permanence and strength.
  3. Grand Entrance: The entrance to the library is marked by a grand portico supported by tall columns, evoking the imagery of ancient Greek and Roman temples. This creates a sense of importance and significance befitting a presidential library.
  4. Light-filled Interior: Inside the library, natural light floods the space through expansive windows and skylights, creating an inviting and uplifting atmosphere. The interior spaces are designed to be open and airy, with high ceilings and ample room for exhibits and displays.
  5. Landscape Design: Surrounding the library is a carefully landscaped campus that includes native Texas plantings, walking paths, and outdoor gathering spaces. The landscape design complements the architecture of the building and provides visitors with opportunities for reflection and relaxation.

We refer to him as American Vitruvius, given his influence on the architecture of so many educational settlements; reflecting classical elegance with contemporary functionality.

American Vitruvius

John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

2022 IRS 990 Filing: President And Fellows Of Harvard College

NACUBO-TIAA Study of Endowments

The University continues its  expansion in Allston, Massachusetts. The Harvard Business School and many of the university’s athletics facilities, including Harvard Stadium, are located on a 358-acre (145 ha) campus in Allston, a Boston neighborhood across the Charles River from the Cambridge campus. The John W. Weeks Bridge, a pedestrian bridge over the Charles River, connects the two campuses. Intending a major expansion, Harvard now owns more land in Allston than it does in Cambridge.

A ten-year plan calls for 1.4 million square feet (130,000 square meters) of new construction and 500,000 square feet (50,000 square meters) of renovations, including new and renovated buildings at Harvard Business School; a hotel and conference center; a multipurpose institutional building; renovations to graduate student housing and to Harvard Stadium; new athletic facilities; new laboratories and classrooms for the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; expansion of the Harvard Education Portal; and a district energy facility.

Allston Planning and Development

Harvard Research Summary 2023:

  • Alleviating depression with yoga
  • Using Machine Learning to Listen to Whales
  • Considering the genetics of musical ability

“Taking charge: Black electoral success and the redefinition of American politics”

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Myron Hunt Architect

Myron Hubbard Hunt (February 27, 1868 – May 26, 1952) was an American architect whose numerous projects include many noted landmarks in Southern California; most notably, the Rose Bowl Stadium, where the University of Michigan Football team appears routinely on New Year’s Day.  Hunt was elected a Fellow in the American Institute of Architects in 1908.

Michigan 27 | Alabama 20


How To Build A Football Stadium

Natural Light & Architecture

FYI: Consultation on IES RP-46 Recommended Practice: Supporting the Physiological and Behavioral Effects of Lighting in Interior Daytime Environments closes April 10: 

Designing Lighting for People and Buildings

Advantages of natural light in educational occupancies:

  1. Improved academic performance: Studies have shown that students exposed to natural light perform better academically compared to those in classrooms with artificial lighting.
  2. Energy efficiency: Natural light can help to reduce energy consumption and costs associated with artificial lighting.
  3. Positive impact on health and well-being: Exposure to natural light has been linked to improved mood, reduced stress levels, and better sleep quality.
  4. Reduced absenteeism: Natural light has been shown to reduce absenteeism in schools, which can have a positive impact on student learning outcomes.

Disadvantages of natural light in educational occupancies:

  1. Glare and heat gain: Natural light can create glare and heat gain, which can be uncomfortable and distracting for students and teachers.
  2. Inconsistent lighting levels: Natural light levels can vary throughout the day and seasonally, which can make it difficult to maintain consistent lighting levels in a classroom.
  3. Limited control: Unlike artificial lighting, natural light cannot be easily controlled or adjusted to meet the needs of a specific classroom.
  4. Exposure to harmful UV rays: Prolonged exposure to natural light can also lead to harmful UV exposure, which can increase the risk of skin cancer and other health problems.

Overall, natural light has many advantages in educational occupancies, but it is important to carefully consider the potential disadvantages and to design spaces that optimize the benefits of natural light while minimizing the drawbacks.

Architecture and Aesthetic Education

“The most enduring architectural works  are those

that speak to the timeless principles of beauty and order.”

— Roger Scruton

 


Form v. Function | Function v. Form

“We shape our buildings;
thereafter they shape us.”

— Winston Churchill

“The Architect’s Dream” 1840 Thomas Cole

Occupancy classification is “first principal concept”; the essential factor in architectural design because it helps determine the appropriate use of a building and the associated requirements for fire protection and life safety. Occupancy classification refers to the categorization of buildings or portions of buildings based on their intended use and the activities that will occur within them.  The International Building Code provides a set of standards for occupancy classifications that are used by architects and building officials to ensure that buildings are designed and constructed to meet the necessary safety requirements. These standards help ensure that the building’s design and construction comply with fire and life safety codes and regulations.

A building that is classified as a business occupancy — as many classrooms and offices are in education communities — will have different requirements for fire protection and life safety compared to a building that is classified as a residential occupancy. Business occupancies may require fire suppression systems, while residential occupancies may require smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.  Additionally, occupancy classification affects the number of occupants allowed within a building, the type and size of exits required, the need for fire-resistant construction materials, and the placement and quantity of fire extinguishers and other fire protection equipment.*

International Building Code | Chapter 2 Definitions

International Building Code | Chapter 3 Occupancy Classification and Uses

International Green Construction Code | Chapter 3 Definitions, Abbreviations and Acronyms

University of Toronto

2024/2025/2026 ICC CODE DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE

NFPA 101 Life Safety Code 

Chapter 3 Definitions

Chapter 6 Classification of Occupancy and Hazard of Contents

Chapters 12 & 13 Assembly Occupancies

Chapters 14 & 15 Educational Occupancies

Chapters 18 & 19 Health Care Occupancies

Chapters 29 & 30 Hotels & Dormitories

Chapter 40 Industrial Occupancies

NFPA 70 National Electrical Code

National Electrical Definitions

ASHRAE International

62.1 Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality Occupancy Categories

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers

IEEE Recommended Practice for Electric Power Systems in Commercial Buildings

IEEE Recommended Practice for Electric Systems in Health Care Facilities


* The European Union (EU) does not have an equivalent to the International Code Council (ICC) occupancy classification system. Instead, the EU has its own set of regulations and standards for building safety and design, which vary by country.

The main regulatory framework for building safety in the EU is the Construction Products Regulation (CPR), which sets out requirements for construction products and materials that are placed on the market within the EU. The CPR is supported by national building codes and standards, which are developed and enforced by each member state.

In addition to the CPR, the EU has several directives and regulations related to building safety, such as the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the Fire Safety of Buildings Directive (FSBD). These directives and regulations set out requirements for energy efficiency, fire safety, and other aspects of building design and construction.

Overall, while the EU does not have an occupancy classification system equivalent to the ICC, it has its own set of regulations and standards that aim to ensure building safety and design across its member states.

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