Page 27 - spaces4learning, Spring 2021

Designing for Life and Light
The design of Fellows Hall centers around student well-being, with special emphases on natural light, connection to nature, and balancing privacy with a sense of community. The dorm is organized into three volumes: a central commons and two asym- metric dormitory wings, which help give the building a more residential scale. The north-south-facing wings house paired single-occupancy rooms with a shared vestibule and bathroom, and are vertically offset to follow the sloping site. This config- uration capitalizes on daylight and minimizes heat gain while facilitating gender separation. Providing high-quality natural light was a critical element in the design. Daylight modeling was used to determine the optimal angle for each dorm wing and the sizes of window openings. Two operable windows in each room provide cross ventilation and offer views of the sur- rounding landscape, inviting students to step outdoors. Every room is equipped with LED lighting, occupancy sensors and efficient valence units. Shower stalls in bathrooms have a faucet positioned close to the floor for foot washing, a required ritual for prayers in certain religions.
Fostering a sense of community among students was also crucial to the design. In order to provide a range of opportuni- ties for social interaction, common areas in the new dorm in- tersect with circulation spaces. On their way to and from class, students pass through the open-plan lobby and central stair, traversing a series of multi-level interconnected lounges and amenities. Common areas are oriented to take advantage of sur- rounding views. The lounges overlook the new landscaped quad that students cross to attend classes in SAH, which now houses the academic and dining functions of the CDE.
The dorm sets up a dialogue with Saint Anthony Hall. Its wings mirror the angular geometry of the historic building and create an inviting outdoor space between the buildings that unifies them into a mini-campus. Featuring eco-conscious raingardens, native plants, ornamental trees and shrubs attrac- tive to birds and butterflies, this new “CDE-quad” is a shared asset for the entire Williams community to enjoy, encouraging interaction with CDE students and enhancing the campus ex- perience. A curved sitting wall extends
out into the landscape from the residence
hall entrance, promoting social interac-
tion and creating a deliberate, tangible
connection between the interior of the
dorm and the quad.
multi-unit housing. The rhythmical punctuation of the façade by narrow slot openings with deep reveals, as well as larger tri- ple-glazed windows gridded by mullions, are other details rein- terpreted from the older building. Earth-themed finishes are used throughout the interior and are visible from the outside, acting as an inviting beacon of warmth during chilly winters.
Net-Zero Energy
Besides responding to the unique needs of the international student body and the site’s historic context, the commitment to a carbon-neutral building was a for- mal determinant of the design. The new residence hall is the first net-zero energy dormitory on campus.
The dorm is fully electric, with 100% of the power required by the building generated on site. Heating and cooling
are provided via ground-source heat pumps supported by geo- thermal wells. The super-insulated envelope is designed to rig- orous Passive House standards. Two layers of insulation and two vapor barriers were used, interior and exterior. A thermally bro- ken green girt system, selected for its thermal properties, also
To maintain the architectural identity
of the CDE, Fellows Hall takes several de-
sign cues from SAH. Its restrained mate-
rials palette of variegated brick cladding,
light-colored metal panels, and dark wood
acetylated wood siding helps to harmonize
the two buildings. Large expanses of brick are punctuated with dark vertical control joints that demarcate the bedrooms within as a visible module. Together with an alternating rhythm of wide and narrow openings, the joints provide a more intimate residen- tial scale to help mitigate the anonymity that often characterizes
FOSTERING
A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AMONG STUDENTS WAS CRUCIAL TO THE DESIGN.
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