Studio Arts Building (2008)

The $26.5 million, 51,000 S.F. Studio Arts Building (SAB) consolidates various programs and disciplines under the Department of Art, which were previously scattered across the campus in obsolete facilities. The building contains individual studios for undergraduates, graduates and faculty, along with dedicated instructional studios for digital media, drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, and ceramics. Other components include meeting and gathering space, shops for wood and metal working, space for art critique and exhibition, and administrative offices.

The SAB is designed to foster a multidisciplinary approach to art, which the department has embraced through its evolving curriculum. By housing both upper and lower-level studios, the building enhances student collaboration and fosters a strong sense of community amongst the Art Department. All spaces feature state-of-the-art equipment and safety systems to provide a healthy learning and working environment. The building was completed in the fall of 2008 and contains a variety of sustainable features.

Building Information

Address: 110 Thatcher Road, Amherst, MA 01003-9356
Completed: Fall 2008
Size: 51,000 GSF
Designer / Architect: GUND Partnership
Construction Manager: Daniel O'Connell's Sons, Inc.
UMass Project Manager: Burt Ewart
UMass Project Planners: Ludmilla Pavlova-Gillham

Sustainable Features

Indoor Air Quality

• Indoor Air Quality Management Plan during construction reduced dust and fume emission
• Operable windows throughout the building provide natural ventilation
  • Window openings strategically placed to enhance user comfort
• Ventilation panels, emergency showers, and flammable/toxic material storage compartments
• Grilles, grates, and walk-off mats at building main entrances reduce the influx of dirt and particulates
• Concrete floors are low-VOC emitting and coated with a clear protective finish for easy maintenance via non-toxic cleaning products
• CO2 sensors monitor room occupancy levels to regulate ventilation air flow rates

Materials & Resources

• During construction, waste materials were collected and recycled when possible
  • project team saved and reused existing pavers
• Building participates in the Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Reuse and Exchange Program
• Concrete floors contain fly ash, a recycled byproduct of coal and oil combustion

Sustainable Sites

• Three different sites were examined 
  • Existing parking lot at the intersection of North Pleasant Street and Infirmary Way was chosen
  • Together with the Design Building, and Fine Arts Center form the campus arts district
• Building is part of a broader master plan to ease student foot traffic across campus
• Park-like exterior design features a variety of outdoor studio and event spaces
• Light-colored roofing material with a high solar reflectance index (SRI) helps to reduce the heat island effect

Innovation In Design

• Building’s V-shaped plan is organized around central glass commons cube which serves as a flexible space
• Ground floor serves primary teaching and shop functions
• Workshops feature direct patio access for additional outdoor workspace, with designated trash and loading areas
• Building’s street level occupies a half floor of the west wing providing facilities for photography and printmaking
• Second floor houses a combination of single and double occupancy studio spaces for occupants
• Entire building designed to provide maximum flexibility for artists
• Classrooms and studios provide spatial freedom through sliding and rotating wall partitions, modern audiovisual (A/V) technologies, and ceiling track systems for large installations

Water Efficiency

• Landscaping with drought-tolerant, native plant species require minimal maintenance and no permanent irrigation
• 3,000-gallon underground cistern stores stormwater collected onsite via pavement and roofs
  • Regulates water flow into the drainage system
  • Reduces potential overflow at campus pond.
• Building reduces indoor potable water consumption using solar-powered, low gallon per flush (GPF) toilets and urinals with automatic flush sensors
• Utilizes hands-free lavatory faucets

Energy & Atmosphere

• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems monitored and controlled using the Johnson Controls Metasys™ Building Automation System (BAS)
• Room adjacencies were determined according to their ventilation and energy requirements
• Energy recovery units equipped with variable frequency drive and premium motors regain 75-85% of the heat from exhaust air to preheat incoming cold supply air
• Interior spaces provide natural daylight and views to the outdoors
• South-facing windows equipped with fixed exterior louvered shading devices to allow winter sun into the building, whilst protecting the building from glare and solar heat gain during the summer
• Occupancy sensors detect motion and automatically turn off lights when rooms are unoccupied

Photo Gallery 

 All images by Robert Benson Photography, courtesy of GUND Partnership. 

Media

Videos

Tour of the UMass Amherst Studio Arts Building
UMass Amherst - 4/3/2009

Articles

Building to Show True Colors of Student Art
Daily Collegian - 9/1/2008

UMass Amherst Studio Arts
GUND Partnership - n.d.