Permeus Maximus
Roosevelt Island, New York
This project was produced in collaboration with classmate, Angelina Laudato,
for the 2019 Integrated Design Studio at Kent State University.
Design Overview
The design intent on several scales, from massing to the details of the facade, is to communicate permeability that provokes engagement between the island’s residential community and the students of Cornell Tech Campus. In large, the design intent is reinforced by three key aspects of the project: program, site context, and systems integration.
Systems Integration
The building’s indoor environment aims to achieve holistic sustainability. Indoor vegetation is part of biophilic design, which incorporates nature into the spaces where we live, work, learn, and enjoy our leisure time. Building-integrated vegetation not only offers us a means of reconnecting with nature, but it can reduce occupant stress, improve productivity, and generally enhance an occupant’s experience and aesthetic satisfaction of a space. The building’s voronoi motif is continued in the living wall biofilter. Custom cut growing medium panels are placed in the negative space of the voronoi wall. The active filtration system utilizes the building’s stormwater collection system. Its automatic irrigation decreases the need for maintenance. The atrium space is a light well that cascades diffused sunlight onto the vegetation and the users. Natural ventilation is utilized in the envelope and through the multi-story atrium, and it is supplemental to the heating, cooling, and air supplied by the active chilled beams. The biofilter increases indoor air quality by reducing indoor air toxins. The living wall biofilter is an acoustic barrier and reduces indoor noise pollution.
Building Program
The program is made up of research, development, and public spaces for all members of the community. The community spaces will be free so that island residents may be involved on the campus and travelers will be encouraged to visit Roosevelt Island. The community component will feature work by students of Cornell Tech and fulfill the island’s need for amenities. The upper-level office spaces will be restricted to the public but still visually engaged with the rest of the building and campus.
