VALLEY FORWARD | A NEW LOCAL MOTORS RESEARCH + DESIGN CENTER

[in collaboration with Paige Lincoln]

SITE // Hardin Valley- Knoxville, Tennessee
PROGRAM // research + design center
SEMESTER // spring 2020
- STUDIO ADVISOR // James Rose

valley forward sustainable systems integrations

PROJECT STATEMENT

Local Motors, a vehicular mobility company with headquarters in Arizona, possesses one of the largest 3-D printers in the world. The spring 2020 integrations studio focuses on the study and proposal of a new research and design center located in Hardin Valley, Tennessee. Upon receiving the project, duos were created within the studio for a total of seven proposals, each confronting a variety of different topics and issues.

The goals of our project were at first consistent with learning about the context of Local Motors as a company and the site of Hardin Valley on a variety of scales. As our knowledge about Local Motors and their brand grew, so did our knowledge about the site and the integration of a proposed research and design center for the company. The scheme focuses on the reinterpretation of the traditional courtyard (see Additive Applications). That is, how is created, what is it composed of, and who has a right to it. These questions became a driving force for our team as we began to derive wants and desires for the proposal coupled with the fact that the studio is working with a real client on a speculative design addition to an existing microfactory. In addition to this study on the courtyard, we are tasked with the integration of building systems within our proposal. This includes mechanical, electrical, sprinkler, fire, water, and more. Valley Forward takes a sustainability first approach, looking to maximize sustainable systems including but not limited to extensive use of heavy timber CLT and glue laminated beams, geothermal HVAC, passive heating and cooling, LED lighting, photovoltaics, rainwater collection, and more.