mediaPOD for UVA
 
 
Design Build for Radiology Application
 
 
Since mid-January, 2008 the dialog between the Taylor design team and the UVA project manager, architects and engineers has been steady. the objective has been to discover how the configure the mediaPOD for this application and meet time-to-build and cost budgets. This application is a test environment reading Room where several different approaches and furniture products will be tried so that a future project will be informed of the best approach and solutions in the build out of a permanent facility.
 
Over this period I have gone through ten different configuration designs to get the shell of the pod to meet all of the criteria. the thinking about this application and its criteria changed throughout this process. The content below is the documentation of this process and also that of the subsequent fabrication and install work to follow. For background on this project go to:
mediaPOD - Schematic Concept
mediaPOD - Design Development
workPODs - A History
workPODs - IMAGES
This first application of the mediaPOD will not be totally enclosed as was first expected. It is designed, and will be built, so that it can be in the future - if desired. It was decided that the pod should be configured so that it is considered by the code as a piece of furniture and not a room. the “room-within-a-room” sensibility - a tradition which goes back to the frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Oak Park - will be preserved. How this openness will effect the natural air circulation of a dome and the acoustic signature of the POD is not totally clear. I have dealt with these issue as best I can. There are several after the install field adjustments which can be applied to attend any subsequent problems.
 
Configuration of Skin and Door Design
As of February 17, 2008, the following is the solution to be manufactured with perhaps a few changes in panels for ventilation and view in and out after the exact location in the space is determined this week. All panels are designed so that they can be altered in fabrication and later after the install is completed.
click on all graphics below for larger view
The top pentagon of the the dome has been cut off, is strut-less and open, and is reinforced with a collar. The 5 surrounding hexagons are framed with their triangles open with he exception of two solid panel triangle - on the right side of the pent point which located behind the Armature and equipment inside the POD - and three glazed panels in lower hex triangles by the door. See “Key Measurements” below. As can be seen, this opens the POD almost the entirety of the full width of its circumference.
 
 
This 3/4 view to the right shows the entry doors on the left (which is the front of the POD - see below) - note the vetilation space under the doors. This view shows the open hexagons - with the two triangular panes as the only exception - and the fixed glazing (the three lower triangles) and the solid panels on the skin of the dome. The pentagonal base can be seen at the bottom. The base runs the full circumference of the POD with the exception of under the doors. The dot above the center line of the dome is the 9' - 6" assumed ceiling height.
 
 
The front view of the POD is at a right angle to the tangent of the curved wall in the space. This shows the base stopping at the the double front doors which hinge on the upper portion of the solid triangles at their jambs. The doors are translucent fiberglass with a light frame embedded within. The frame matches the overall geodesic pattern of the dome. This makes the doors distinct while still comparable with the overall geometry. The doors are mounted on the front of the wood frame (see interior view below) which reinforces the opening. There is free space below the doors as part of the ventilation schema. The eye line of the figure is 5' - 5 1/2" above the floor so the view in and out of this configuration can be seen. the lower glazing will be 50% gray. people using the POD within, will be sitting therefore the right balance between privacy and openness can be achieved.
 
 
The left side view shows the two tones of glazing and the reduction of solid panels as the wall (which is on the left of the POD) is approached. there are other workstations in close proximity to both the left and right sides of the POD. People at these workstations will be predominately sitting although at a somewhat lower seat height as those in the POD.
 
 
This is the rear view of the POD although, in this setting, you will never be able to see it. The POD will be positioned close to a floor to ceiling solid wall. The POD is more open at the rear, in terms of no glazing and more lighter glazing, than the other exposures. The idea is to use the wall as a back drop. A couple of lights from within the POD will highlight this wall and it is suggested that some planting between the POD and the wall and 1/4 around the sides be provided. A strong graphic on the wall is also recommended. These will enhance the sense of space between the POD and the wall. Looking from this viewpoint the curved round wall will be a few feet in front of the POD and curving away from both sides of it. At the base, a wood cover will be provided to shield the wiring (electrical, computer, etc.) which will run from the wall to the POD base. The wiring will be then distributed as required from this base.
 
 
The right side view shows the area where the solid panels shield the interior Armature and the equipment. The two top solid triangles are the only penetration into the ring of 5 open hexagons as discuss above. The three glazed triangles to the left are the ones to the right of the doors as shown in the front view above the edge of the doors can also be seen. It is expect that there will be two panels at the base along the line of the pentagonal point that we be operable for ventilation behind the equipment.
 
 
The bottom view shows the base (open at the doors) and the open framework at the top of the POD. The base at the top of the drawing is parallel to the solid wall and column. The four triangular pieces at the pent point of the base are removable access panels and vents. These will be detailed with the interior POD drawings. At the front of the POD (bottom of diagram) the frame around the doorway can be seen. In the erection process, the base will go down first and will be wired. The Interior elements (Armature, seat, shelves and panels) will then be installed and wired. Then the dome will be erected in prefabricated, pre -skinned, hexagons and pentagons. Last, the doors will be attached.
 
 
This view shows the double doors in the maximum open position. To create greater compactness the bottom triangle of each door folds up when the doors are open for an extended period of time. For illustration purposes, the triangle on the right is folded, the one on the left is not. The structural frame around the dome opening can also be seen from this viewpoint.
 
 
Front view with doors open. The net opening is 4' - 4" at mid point and 3' - 4" at the base. The bottom triangles operate on a spring hinge for easy operation. As the doors are skinned with translucent fiberglass over a lightweight frame and mounted over the structural frame of the dome, the doors are distinct from both the interior and exterior of the POD thus eliminating any user confusion regarding entry or exit.
 
Key Dimensions
 

Note

Key dimensions will be posted throughout 02/19/08
Large scale drawings of the measurements will also be posted

 
 
A 10'-6" circle imposed on the widest plane of the dome. This leaves a reveal of 3 & 3/16 inches at the points of the struts and a 4 & 21/24 inches at the horizontal struts.
 
 
A 9'-6 " (assumed) ceiling is shown. The top of the dome reinforcing collar is 5 & 1/16" below this line.
 
 
The highest point of any solid surface is the points of the two panels behind the Armature and the equipment. This point measures 1'-5 & 27/32" below the 9'-6" (assume) ceiling line. This is five triangles of 30 (see below).
 
 
The 5 open hexagons bottom horizontal struts are 2'-7 & 29/64" below the (assume) 9'-6" ceiling line. This produces a diameter of 8'-8 &1/2" (with the exception of the point of the two solid panel triangles and three glazed triangles) of openness to overhead sprinkler (see below).
 
 
The blue circle imposed over the drawing is at 6'-10 & 7/64" above the floor and shown as an 8'-8 &1/2 circle. The top pentagon is totally open. The five surrounding hexagons have 2 x 2 inch struts and are open except for two triangles (shown on the right) and three by the door (bottom).
 
 
The door swing dimensions are critical for fitting the UVA POD into the the space allocated. Both the views provided - above and below, are necessary for understanding the clearances provided. The large graphics provide greater clarity for reading the dimensions. The width of the door opening at the floor is 3 feet 2 & 1/2 inches. The witdh of the door opening at the jamb 5 feet 3 & 3/32 off of the floor is 4 feet & 17/64 inches. When open, the base of the door (with the bottom triangle folded up) is 6 feet zero & 5/32 inches radius from the center point of the POD. If the bottom triangle of the door is left down (not folded up) the radius is feet 6 7 & 11/64 inches. Subtract the the radius of the doom at its widest point to get the net distance of the door swing from the outer shell of the POD - see below.
 
 
These dimensions indicate the distances from various points of the door to various point on the dome. the distance of the lower out face of the open door (with bottom triangle folded up) from the widest point of the dome in close proximity is 1 foot 1 & 27/32 of an This same point from the door jamb is 1 foot 2 & 31/32 of an inch. this point on the door jamb is at a radius from the POD center point of 4 feet 11 & 59/64 inches. From the next point of the dome downward it it 1 foot 10 &23/32 of an inch. With these dimensions, and those below, it is possible to understand people walking and working clearance at the front and sides of the POD when the doors are open. One reason for the doors being translucent s that a degree of privacy in maintained yet it is possible to know, when opening the doors, if there is a person present within the range of the swing.
 
 
These dimensions provide critical walk-around information for the open doors. It is important to combine this information with the height of the doors as documented above. The clearance is very good. The issue will be the tenancy of people to cut “corners” as the dome slope inward from the 5 foot line. It is recommended, for aesthetic and safety reasons, that good sized potted “rees” be provided at the triangular areas between the doors when open and the dome.
 
Return To Index
mediaPOD Design Development
 
Matt Taylor
Nashville VCBH Studio
February 16, 2008
 
 

SolutionBox voice of this document:
ENGINEERING • LOGISTICS • CONSTRUCTION

 
click on graphic for explanation of SolutionBox

February 16, 2008

revised: February 20, 2008
• 20080216.566302.mt • 20080218.761091.mt •
• 20080219.000112.mt • 20080220.411871.mt •

(note: this document is about 60% finished)

Copyright© 2008 Matt Taylor
Certain aspects of the system described are patented and in patent pending

 
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