by Suzie + Caroline

Our studio began this project exploring and developing the concept of Open Source Learning (OSL) in January. By the end winter quarter, we each had our interpretation of OSL. Since inheriting someone else’s project, we have done our best to explore what OSL looks like spatially. Our site is located along highway 101 across from Pismo Beach.

coast aerial view with building

The problem of learning today is that it mass produces students for a future that doesn’t exist. Open Source Learning is a way for students to learn by engaging in physical and mental connections and through networking. By providing a variety of spaces, flexibility of where to work, they have the choice to engage that space to make these connections.

Program:
– 4 interest groups (organizational design, media design, product design, and culinary design)
– 3 clusters (5 classrooms, a teacher hub and a lab)
– Open Source Learning (OSL) Foundation and administration

Concept: Our interpretation of Open Source Learning consists of these guiding words:

updated word cloud THIS ONE

Movement

Movement is an integral word in the project because it is how students experience the spaces. Upon entering the OSL Academy, students interface with a glass facade and terracotta solar screen. Their first view is the staircase that looks into the product design, and to their left, get a glimpse of the red ribbon stairs.

entry this one!03

Entry (see A in Day in the life)

view into product design

Stairs across fro entry (See B in Day in the life)

interior render 02

Ribbon Stair Case that is injected into an open space. (See C in Day in the life)

Day in the life of a student in Open Source Learning Academy (click on the picture for a close up)

day in life

Interstitial + Connecting

The spaces in between the programming become interstitial spaces that guide and connect students to their interest areas. The entry area is a public entrance for students, teachers and the community alike. It serves as a lobby space so that students can direct themselves where they need to go. To the right of the entrance is the black box theater which is a public more area. This place has a gallery (see picture on lower right corner of day in the life) which has the potential to connect the community to OSL. To the left of the entrance are the rest of programming which houses the rest of the OSL identity.

commons spacecirculation

commons/flex space                                              circulation (cores are for circulation + egress)

cluster  osl + admin

clusters                                                             osl foundation + administrationprogramming relaxation space

organizational design (yellow)

product design (blue)

culinary design (green)

media design + black box theater (purple)

relaxation + wellness (orange)

Mass Customization

These diagrams are an exploration of clusters. Because of the great weather in San Luis Obispo, we knew we needed to incorporate rooms that open to the outdoor. (see picture from day in life bottom left corner). These open classrooms face west, and have terracotta solar screens to block the sun’s rays. These open classes don’t have solid walls; rather they have moveable glass walls for learning to be shared in an open environment. For students who need enclosed environments while learning, there are “closed classrooms” (see upper left picture from day in the life). Students can still see what is going in the giant atrium space while focusing on what they are learning.

cluster01 cluster02

Open classrooms open to the outdoor, on the first floor it connects to the outdoors where there is a communal garden.

floor plans sheet03

These open classrooms face west, and have terracotta solar screens to block the sun’s rays. The outdoor deck allows students to have an indoor/outdoor learning environment while learning.

arc342final02

Connecting Physical + Mental

The relaxation space rests between the cluster and wellness center, meant to be an interstitial space where students can relax from their mental and physical exercises. It includes a “play” aspect on the bottom floor, which opens to a staircase and zen space on the second floor, and is then open on the third floor for students to have an indoor outdoor relationship with the wonderful weather in San Luis Obispo.

relxation diagram