“Living Centered Design” is a term coined by CannonDesign. This global multidisciplinary Architectural design firm holds offices worldwide. If you look into its working style and resulting designs it will show you immense and meticulous efforts in all fronts. The building designed by CannonDesign will be sustainable and LEED certified. The structures are designed with the intent to give the user an overall holistic experience. CannonDesign has this art of conjugating tradition with Modern Architecture, which in turn responds to the surrounding and creates a fabulous visual of the structure and a satisfying experience to the user.
1. Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse, City and County of Denver
The Denver Justice Centre Campus, known as the landmark for the booming city of Denver, pieced its final structure, the iconic Lindsey-Flanigan courthouse in 2010.
The design intent right from the start was to make the structure in standards for a LEED Gold certification. The 5- storey tall structure with a B.U.A of 3, 17, 000 SQFT, houses 29 courtrooms with additional 6 for future development along with a dedicated space for several functions of the administration department. One major planning necessity was to bifurcate the courthouse according to user zones. That majorly meant, division of lobbies for Judges and Inmates. The Judges used separate Elevators to get to their Chambers while The Van Ciss-Simonet Detention Centre connected to the Courthouse via an underground tunnel was used to transfer the inmates to the Courthouse.
The design philosophy was to create a communication with the urban context and develop a transparency with the people of the city to maintain their trust in the City’s justice Authority. Keeping this in mind, the eastern façade of the structure was made of 92’ high folded curtain wall, which would light up during the dark, symbolsing a lantern inspiring trust and creating a celebrated Landmark. This Architecturally exposed curtain wall was supported using a hung wind Girt system made up of steel plates. This 4 deg tilted curtain wall was suspended over the public plaza.
Alabama Limestone & Granite coalesced with the curtain wall made up the façade of the structure. Environment friendly finishes, planning of avaibility of natural light through the structure, use of recycled and locally harvested materials, 2 green roofs, efficient lighting system and water use reduction techniques were all a part of active methods towards sustainability of the structure. Provision for bicycle storage and easy access to public transport were the passive methods of sustainability used for the structure.
2. Museum of Tolerance, Jerusalem
One amazing example of Civic work by CannonDesign is the Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem. Rabbi Marvin Heir conceptualized it. Many American and Israeli Jews opposed it because the project was planned to be built over the Mamilla cemetery, hurting the emotions of Jews. The construction work for the museum started in 2004 but continues to be under construction, to be finally opened to the public in 2021.
Talking about the structure, it is an educational arm of the Simon Weisenthal Center. The center is a special kind of exhibit space with an area of 185000 SQFT, which was conceptualized to increase the awareness amongst the people about the degree of impact created by racism and the prejudices attached to it. It promotes the belief that unity and civility are the integral components for healthy interaction between different races and religions. The museum is planned to accommodate a 500-seat banquet hall, 800-seat lecture hall, an outdoor Amphitheater to seat 1000 people, international conference centers and a theatre along with a separate Museum of Tolerance for children and adults.
The strong Geometric form of the structure is even reflected in the meticulously designed garden in front of it, that houses the amphitheater. The folds of the structure are reflected on the tilted walls of the garden, to maintain the language of the design. This garden, which lights up in the evening illuminates the heart of the campus and creates a mesmerizing walkway to the entrance of the structure, letting the public connect to the teachings of the museum. The glass sculpture at the entrance of the structure honors various Nobel laureates.
3. CJ Blossom Park, South Korea
CJ Corporation, Korea’s largest holding Company with business in different avenues like the food industry, Pharma industry and Biotechnology owns the CJ Blossom Park, created with the intent of accommodating all of its segregated businesses into one whole structure. A commercial center for top of the line talent working towards biological/ life science research is one lauded project of CannonDesign.
Designed around the Philosophy of the CJ Corporation I.e. ‘The Only One’. This 1,200,000 SQFT structure was made with an intent to form a culture of integrated innovation with increased efficiency and to accelerate the speed of the market.
Modeled after CJ Corporation’s 3-petal logo around a dynamic central atrium. The Centre with three high towering buildings houses 50 different types of spaces. The100,000 SQFT of space on 1st and mezzanine floors accommodates spaces like cafes, gyms, product showrooms and library for public interaction. The double height labs and office spaces are planned in such a way that they allow the intermingling and connection of the 3 towers internally. Architecture plays a major role in human life. The structure is designed keeping this idea in mind. Spaces like living forest, sleeping pod areas are planned for a holistic working experience. Day care centers for children of the staff helps out too.
The structure, a boundary less flow of curves is eye catching and reflects the curves on the inside too although structurally the building is geometrically on straight lines. An out perforated screen system wraps the building cutting out the monotony of the glass with centrally placed atrium and accurate punctures for naturally ventilated spaces defines the Architecture of this Centre.
4. Tata Consultancy Services, Software Development Campus, Kolkata, India
Set up in the upcoming business district of Kolkata called New Town, Tata has created the largest IT campus in Eastern India. On a site area of 40 acres, the structure of two 15- storey towers stands tall with a total area of 2.1 million SQFT.
The main design inspiration for CannonDesign Architects for this structure was the traditional Bengali courtyards (a common Architectural feature in India). The courtyards and landscape spread across the site hold the structure at the base. The north side of the structure is cladded with high efficiency clear glazing with distinct ceramic frit patterns and sun shading devices. Whereas the south side integrates metal paneling into the façade along with no. of framed terraces and a 5-storey courtyard. The structure houses a 700- seat convention center, amphitheater, auditorium, café, library & large open green spaces along with tennis court, basketball court and a gym. The structure has been given Indian Green Building Council Gold Rating for new construction.
5. Sparkling Hill Resort & Wellness Hotel, Canada
Perched on a hill above Lake Okanagan in Canada, is the Sparkling Hill Resort and Wellness Hotel by CannonDesign. The hotel has won many awards and is responsible for taking Canada’s tourism business up a notch. This 2,40,000 SQFT property is chiseled from a granite bedrock and has a fluidic style of Architecture which fuses with the surrounding but still manages to stand out due to its alluring geometry.
The majestic topography and landscape around just adds to the beauty of the structure. This structure is not only luxurious, facility wise but also design wise. The owner Mr. Garnot Langes- Swarovski specially procured Swarovski crystals to be used in the top of the line lighting fixtures used in the lighting design of the structure creating a grand atmosphere throughout the structure.
The hotel is equipped with 150 guest rooms along with meeting rooms for corporate clients, restaurant and a 20,000 SQFT well-equipped spa. The planning and design of the structure made sure that there was a lot of natural light travelling through the entire hotel due to the huge floor to ceiling windows. This also gave a view of the enigmatic topography around. The spa here is designed in such a manner that the corridors and spaces leading to the treatment rooms, let the inside of the structure communicate with the outside, just enhancing the total spa experience.
6. State University of New York at Albany. Emerging tech and entrepreneurship complex (ETEC)
This is one of kind project by CannonDesign. It’s an educational cum commercial building planned with an intent to work toward the complex global issues. The building is an extended arm of the UAlbany University.
The university will house programs related to weather, emergencies, resilience and disasters faced by the Country. This structure brings about the union of University with the Industry helping each other with providing skilled workmanship and jobs, inculcating a spirit of entrepreneurship amongst the students and researchers eventually leading to a boost in the economic growth of the region. The structure was designed keeping these ideas in mind.
The 2,18,500 GSQFT area of this building included office spaces and state of the art research spaces. Making the space usable for both the users, creating common spaces for their smooth interaction was the base of the design. The 2 atriums at the center of the building coalesced in an interesting manner to accommodate team rooms and conference rooms. Other noteworthy aspects of this building was the design with zero carbon emission, green roof systems, multiple uses of solar panels and a Geothermal well field to reduce heating and cooling costs thus reducing the reliance on fossil fuels.
Concluding, this is a feather in the hat project for both the Architect as well as the State.
7. Morgridge Family exploration Centre (Part of Denver museum of Nature & science)
An extension to the Denver Museum, the Morgridge family exploration center strengthens the reputation of the museum as the premiere institute of Nature and science in the region.
The Museum has undergone 11 extensions in all till date to accommodate the various changing needs of the community. The latest extension done by Cannon design was awarded a LEED platinum certification. This 126000 SQFT of space was designed with an intent to keep the community intrigued in the field of Science. Serving as an extension to the southern side of the museum, the center has its own grand entrance and is connected to the park on the outside via the outdoor plaza, thus interlocking the museum to the park and creating an outdoor workspace to be used when needed.
Made up of 3 floors, one above ground and two below: the upper floor houses The exploration center, Labs, Educational spaces, Exhibit gallery and a Discovery zone for young visitors along with Collection center on the two floors below which showcases the varied Collection of the Museum over the years.
8. Blair Int. Baccalaureate Middle school (Situated in Pasadena Unified school district)
A LEED Silver certified school design by CannonDesign. This school is situated in the Pasadena Unified school district and shares its Gym and support services with the Blair High school. The most interesting part of this design is the juxtaposition of modern facilities and techniques with the openness created in the Architectural plan reviving the traditional Architectural character of the surrounding community.
If you look at the plan, it reflects the openness that the Architect wanted to convey. This technique paved path to more daylight travelling through the school. The courtyard in the center inculcates and retains a sense of social community among the children harboring a ‘home away from home’ vibe. This helps in the overall growth of the children. The courtyard in the center also allows single loaded passageways, thus using maximum floor plate for habitable spaces. Concluding on the planning aspect of the structure, the habitable spaces are designed geometrically perpendicular to one another but the common spaces between them are of asymmetric pattern due to the radial geometry of the courtyard.
The 2-storey, 42000 SQFT area of school houses 26 Universal classrooms along with labs, multipurpose spaces, canteen and admin spaces. The Universal classrooms with a modern interior approach allowing a lot of student teacher interaction holds large floor to ceiling windows to allow maximum daylight inside, thus elevating the whole learning experience. Speaking about the elevation of the structure, sea green concrete panels wrap the walls of the school and silver concrete panels curve around the entrance, creating a rich visual along with the terra cotta tiles.
9. Neamours Alfred I. Dupont Hospital for children, Delaware
The hospital with an area of 548000 SQFT extended its area with 2 new Inpatient departments attached to the main hospital by the 5-storey atrium and the glass wall on the southwestern side. The 140-bedded hospital got new 192 rooms. This new addition even features gyms and pools for the Therapy department of the hospital along with a Discovery zone for the kids. All these additions were ideas taken from the patients and working staff, giving a completely holistic experience while designing.
Suggestions reflected in every minute details of the new design such as low height nurse station for easy approach of the kids, non-reflective materials to be used on the ceilings to refrain children from visuals of any traumatic scenes etc. .
Special efforts were put in the landscape designing as well, creating a healing garden, which further inspired the elevation of the structure. The arbor patterned façade skin had multi colored glazing imbibed in it. The breaks in this façade and the skylight allowed daylight to seer through the entire hospital and that volumised the space even more.
10. IU Health Neuroscience center for excellence, Indianapolis
With an area of 2, 70,000 SQFT the IU Health Neuroscience center is one of the best hospitals in the region. Combining the forces of Indiana University Health and Indiana University School of medicine, IU Health Neuroscience center was established. The whole design concept was inspired from the Hospital only. The planning was largely inspired by bicameral organization of the Human Brain. The north zone of the hospital was equipped with more rational duties like clinical and support functions, the south zone was dedicated to more emotional element like patient care and the west zone housed the more collaborative functions of the hospital.
The planning was made sure to be adaptable for future contraction or expansion of spaces thus not affecting the environmental impact and the cost of renovation. Even the façade was inspired by the working of the hospital. The North façade was designed to mimic the brain waves while the west façade acting as a sculpture to reflect the shape of Neurons.
11. Richmond Olympic Oval, Canada
The Richmond Olympic Oval, one of the most famous speed skating rinks in the world hosted the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter games. The attractive element of this structure is the waterfront. With a LEED silver certification, this space is designed in such a manner that it could withstand all the issues faced by any speed skating rinks around the world. A harmony is created by the space, which lets different sports to co-exist along with space usage for community gatherings to public fitness center. The Architect drew the inspiration for the design from a Heron, which is the official symbol of Richmond. The USP of this design is the ceiling, which is made up of salvaged pine beetle kill wood and is believed to be the largest surface ever to be covered in this once discarded wood.
12. Jack Nicklaus Golf Club of South Korea
The Jack Nicklaus golf club in South Korea is a visual to the eyes. The golf club has enhanced and uplifted the entire character of Golf and allied lifestyle across Asia. Right in the center of this Golf course sits the 50, 000 SQFT Clubhouse designed by
CannonDesign. The design is inspired by nature. The whole waterfront is a game changer to the landscape around. The design of the clubhouse is such that it connects the inside with the outside and creates eye-pleasing visuals to the user. The undulating roof is clearly the showstopper of this design. Various plinths have been spread connecting the structure to the golf course, thus creating an alluring experience for the user.
13. University of Missouri- St. Louis Wellness/ Recreation Center
Another successful LEED certified project by CannonDesign is the UMSL Recreation center, right in the middle of the campus. It has been reviewed by the users to an overall superb experience in the whole of the campus. The design responds to the natural topography around creating interesting levels. The design is not function conscious only for the structure but even for the landscape. The bridge connecting the Student center to the Recreational center is made for a bicycle track as well. The three lane-jogging track elevates at certain levels, thus working on the function of the wellness center.
This 10000 SQFT structure houses 3- court gym, indoor pool, fitness space, dance studio, exercise studio, a martial arts studio along with a 2- storey climbing wall and juice bar. The circular columns balancing the jogging track create an unobstructed view.
14. Erie County Public safety Campus, Buffalo, New York
Following the 9/11 incident a call was taken on structuring a building in the prominent location in downtown Buffalo, which will address all issues, related to safeguarding of the Country. The 106000 SQFT structure housed forensic labs, consolidated call/ dispatch center, unified city & County emergency operations center, a training Academy with classroom space for all 20 public safety agencies in the building. Being a building of such great importance the latest technology in the Market is used for this building in regards to operations and communication.
The city has inspired the overall façade design of the structure symbolizing the city’s ongoing renaissance.
15. Maryland Heights Community Recreation Center
Maryland Heights is a rich and bubbling neighborhood community catering to a large no. of families. A recreation center for this neighborhood was planned and designed by
CannonDesign. This 92000 SQFT Center replacing the old center retained the activities and programs but enhancing the overall experience with additional floor space. Spaces like multipurpose halls, multipurpose courts, exercise rooms, cycling studios, indoor family pool, a pre- school, police sub-station, babysitting area were all housed in this structure for the recreation of this neighborhood. Having closer proximity to the highway the façade shape was influenced by this and so the curvilinear polycarbonate facade was used to significantly reduce the noise decibel and the high glare. It was conceptualized as an element showing protection to the harboring community inside.
