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Project Description/Project Title and Data Slide: Temporary portable or semi-permanent modular units are common on Florida school campuses as fluctuations in district populations require classroom designs that can be pre-manufactured, delivered to a school site and set up within weeks. Such units, however, have a utilitarian focus and do not afford the quality of space necessary to inspire teaching and learning. The ePod is a take on the portable, tech-savvy iPod – its design is based on principals such as ergonomical value, efficiency, contemporary aesthetics, modern technology and lifestyle. The ePod offers an alternative to the “one-size-fits-all” classroom while maintaining the cost-efficiency and quality control inherent within the mass production process. Their final appearances vary based on the combination of sub-assemblies or “accessories” chosen by the customer, allowing the flexible creation of environments appropriate for a specific subject, age group, teaching style or geographic location. By perceiving the portable classroom as a series of smaller, pre-manufactured sub-assemblies, the ePod can be easily customized to better educate the next generation of scientists, doctors and architects. R003.01 Building Area: (sf) 1000 sf + Location of Project: various communities throughout the state of Florida Type of Project: Competition Entry
R003.02 ePods are not site specific. They can be combined and configured in a multitude of ways to create forms that nestle into one of many of Florida’s diverse communities. Pictured is a possible ePod configuration for a small beachfront community. Elevated, the building safely sits over the tidal surge zone. The structure is reinforced to withstand hurricane-force winds. Operable windows inhale sea breezes. “Accessories” can be layered into the skin such as corrugated heat shields, insulated glazing systems, roll-down shading devices, green screens and overhangs to control the intense sunshine. Customers decide to what extent they would like to accessorize their ePods and virtually configure them through a 3-dimensional interface by visiting the manufacturer’s website. (a 4-box unit is pictured)
R003.03 • Building Components: • Photovoltaic array with battery storage system • Pre-engineered stackable steel chassis • Modular ceiling system with centralized delivery spine – lighting system has photometric sensors and automated dimming controls • Corrosion-resistant, all-weather fiberglass shell • Exterior cladding system – insulated heat shield on the south and west facades. Green screen wire mesh system on the north and east facades. • Compact Environmental Control Unit (plug-and-play interface and interchangeable). Unit manages primary and back-up power, HVAC, wireless internet, audio/visual systems and fire suppression. CECU’s are monitored remotely via wireless management systems. • Poured-in-place concrete footings with integral metal strapping system • Insulated glass door & operable window assembly (hurricane rated where applicable). • Accessible aluminum ramp and guardrail • Pressure treated modular deck system (certified wood)
R003.04 Interior Components: Service delivery spine : HVAC, lighting with photometric sensors and automated dimming, sprinklers, HD projector. Operable clerestory windows provide natural ventilation on cooler days and daylight without distracting views. Ceiling fans create additional air movement and reduce cooling loads on the HVAC unit. Mobile work surfaces can be arranged to create a variety of layouts. Shaded exterior space underneath the building encourages impromptu places to learn about the environment. Covered exterior circulation protects students and teachers from direct sun exposure and rain. The modular furniture wall is customizable . Via the manufacturer’s interactive website, teachers can choose amongst shelving, cabinetry, cubby and countertop/tack board components and arrange them in a variety of layouts. Sliding white erase or chalk boards / projection surface
R003.05 An elevated 2-box ePod (1000sf classroom) with a skeletal box frame and photovoltaic array is illustrated in section.
R003.06 An ePod consists of a minimum of 2 “boxes” and 1 Compact Environmental Control Unit but can be expanded incrementally by adding additional boxes to create larger classrooms and/or daisy chaining together more plug-and-play CECU’s for extended battery storage or for additional subject-specific hardware.
R003.07 A 2-box ePod accessorized with a “frame-only” kit creates a south-facing pergola. Wire mesh panels provide support for plant growth that shades the porch and allows nature to embed the learning environment into the landscape giving these “portables” a sense of permanence.
R003.08 Frames are engineered to withstand the stresses of stacking. Here, a 2-box unit is stacked on top of another 2-box unit. In the future this configuration could be mirrored to create double-loaded upper and lower center spines for circulation.
R003.09 High-rise configurations are ideal for urban communities with limited amounts of land but require a large amount of classroom space. Larger public spaces occur within vertical gaps, openings and rooftops. A structural matrix with vertical circulation systems hosts the ePods. The size of a school can expand and contract with the general population. Individual pods can be absorbed from or distributed to other schools within a city, county or even state. The diverse colors and accessories from pods coming and going create ever-changing facades on the skyline.
R003.10 • Scalable system • Smart growth • Pre-fab cost-efficiency • Carbon neutral footprint • Interchangeable technology • Rapidly deployable • Customizable
R003.11 From a teacher’s perspective… Modular casework, furniture and wall panels can be arranged in many combinations to create unique learning environments. Bluetooth technology allows for things like projectors to be controlled with cell phones. The ePod gives teachers the power to fine tune their classrooms in a way that best works with their curriculum and teaching style.
R003.12 • A modular seating system gives the ePod the freedom to be configured in a variety of ways. These are just a few: • traditional layout (top) • clustered stations (top center) • round table (bottom center) • lecture seating (bottom)
