Zero Net Energy: Community Education & Visitor's Center in San Francisco

Abstract

This project is based on the "Zero" competition challenge and the goal is to create a zero net energy bayside community education and visitor's center to aid the mission of the Romberg Tiburon Center for Environmental Studies (RTC). I chose this project as my final studio challenge because the subject opens new perspectives about the integration of green building design, high performance building and design to improve occupant's health. Moreover, these are my interest areas that I want to focus on my Ph.D. study as my next education step next year. Therefore, this project was an introduction for me about zero energy building, high-performance building, and biophilia. San Francisco State University as client asks to design a Zero Net Energy Community Center where the general public, school groups, and teachers can visit and learn about the ecology, biology, restoration, and oceanography of the San Francisco Estuary and other nearby coastal ecosystems, as well as the environmental and naval history of the property itself. This new facility will be added to the whole 53 acres site plan and works as community education and visitor's center.