innovation
18
waTEr rEsOUrCEs CENTrE, waTsONvIllE
BUIldINg UsE: laboratory, interpretive centre
wOrK: new construction
sIzE: 1840 sqm
COmplETEd: November 2009
The new Watsonville Area Water Operations Centre supports a
large water recycling project. Its purpose is to provide recycled
water to farmers throughout a large coastal area.
By treating wastewater and making it available to the $400
million local agricultural industry, the Water Recycling Project
protects groundwater that is being consumed more quickly than
it is replenished, resulting in saltwater intrusion into coastal
wells. In addition, the plant significantly reduces wastewater
discharges into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
The facility includes offices, a water quality lab, educational
space and a design that tells the story of water in California
and educates the public through exhibitions and guided tours.
KINg aBdUllaH UNIvErsITY OF sCIENCE & TECHNOlOg Y
BUIldINg UsE: campus
wOrK: new construction
sIzE: 496,000 sqm
COmplETEd: September 2009
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is
a new university established to drive innovation and to support
world-class research in energy and the environment.
The design team had to create a low-energy, highly
sustainable project in an extremely hot, humid climate. The
challenge was also to create a work of architecture that would
resonate with the global scientific community while being
firmly rooted in local Saudi culture. Finally, it all had to be
done, from concept to completion, in just three years.
By integrating sustainable measures into the design, the
university found new ways to build in the region and promote
responsible stewardship of the environment.
Environmental gains
The focus on water as a finite, invaluable resource drove every
aspect of design, from material selection to site development.
Sustainable measures throughout the project design work in
harmony with this idea, leveraging all potential opportunities
for free cooling and natural ventilation. The HVAC system
delivers thermal comfort and ventilation separately, heating is
provided only when required, and a nighttime purge reduces
energy consumption due to cooling. Radiant tubes in the
floor use reclaimed water to provide heating and cooling for
occupied spaces, and the plumbing design reduces water use
with low-flow plumbing fixtures, dual-flush toilets that use
reclaimed water for flushing, and solar-powered taps.
Environmental gains
Multiple design teams worldwide chose to borrow from local
culture and traditions to solve environmental issues.
Structured like traditional Arabian cities, the campus is
compressed as much as possible to minimise the amount
of exterior envelope exposed to the sun and reduce outdoor
walking distances.
As found in a traditional souk, or Arabian market, shaded
and passively cooled circulation thoroughfares utilise dramatic
light and social spaces.
Traditional Arabian houses influenced the design of iconic,
solar-powered wind towers that harness energy from the sun
and wind to passively create airflow in pedestrian walkways.
External screening, like Arabian “mashrabiya”, shades
windows and skylights with an integral shading system that
reduces heat loads while providing dramatic dappled light.
One big idea
Rainwater flows from eaves and rain chains into swales, then
is carried to retention basins to be treated prior to infiltrating
the groundwater system. Native and drought-tolerant
plantings, requiring less than 70 per cent of typical water
usage, are watered only when recycled water is available.
This saudi university includes the
best of the new while drawing
inspiration from traditional
arabian building ideas.
The need to manage water resources is as urgent a task in California as it is in many parts of australia.
The Bedouin tent inspired designers to create a monumental
roof system that spans building masses to block sun on
building façades and into the pedestrian spine, to facilitate
natural ventilation and to filter light. Solar panels covering the
surface capture the sun’s energy.
