Aesthetics

[edit] Aesthetic Goals

An architecturally, artistically, and naturally beautiful building.

We should incorporate the use of recycled materials [local] and display them in a contemporary/innovative way in our design.

Shouldn't be too radical, but it should remind you more of nature than of traditional buildings

Natural
Cutting Edge
Comfortable, Like Home
Balance of private/public space
Utilizing indoor plants to improve air quality, -let's compare the water implications with other strategies, or develop new strategies.
Exhibition of the potential use of recycled materials, furniture etc. I hear that old wood makes great, long-lasting material for pieces. <-- But let's make it look new/futuristic.
Enhance the home-like atmosphere and avoid sterility through intentional 'wear' mismatched furniture, etc.
Create an aesthetic not dictated by Stanford standards (red and tan) but with a distinct home style like other row-houses.

Native landscaping
Water features (native pond?)
Landscaping should accommodate native species, possible research topic would be to address the question "How can we provide habitable space to promote species diversity for organisms that will be effected by climate change?"
A native pond would be an interesting feature, however, I think we should focus less on simulating native micro ecosystems and more on providing habitats for the immediate natives.
Minimize lawn space.
Perhaps a mini path/walkway through native planting setup.
Toro (company name) has this integrated irrigation system that takes an inventory of your plant species and links to the internet for weather to appropriately water plants and minimize water consumption. Let's definitely have that as part of our irrigation initiative, along with use of gray water (if that is part of the water cycle).
Onsite compost? If we wanted a gardening initiative I think we could go with a stacked hydroponics system either on the ground or roof.
Use yard space for crop growing, similar to the Carnegie Institute.

Does Stanford have any restraints on what the dorm can look like (like the red roofs in the quad regulation)?
- Answer: ????? (They will surely let us know during design)