The Nexus Center

These concepts inform our spatial ideas, which are applied to achieve educational concepts. The educational concepts are IMMERSION and OBSERVATION. These two concepts are the basis for the different programmatic typologies in terms of classrooms and research space. The Center has opportunities for hands-on, in-the-water experiences (immersion) through direct access to the river for boats as well as outdoor classrooms and workshops. Observation is achieved both conceptually and literally, with laboratories set up for scientific observation, and the lecture hall set up with a view of the river. Tanks of water embedded into both the existing river and the structure of the Center itself provide a constant connection to the landscape.

The building concepts continue the ideas of connectivity and variability, with this informing the controlled free form structure. This organizational logic creates an armature that allows for apertures within the space ideal for the people to experience a fluid moment in the labs, lecture halls, and student center 

The building concepts deal with variability by allowing for the components and armature of the structure to come down with their own dynamic logic to create connected moments to allow for unique experiences in each part of the site. 

The various layering of the structure’s skin strategy creates unique spaces for different programs in the institute.

The Nexus Center uses hydroelectricity to power and generate renewable energy through its structure. Hydropower electricity is produced from generators and turbines that run along with the mouth of the river through the stream flowing into the structure to convert the potential energy into mechanical energy, further into electricity. 

The housing is for visiting students and on-site faculty. Housing units exist within the same variable structure as is throughout the campus.