Ecological Design Advances Through Academic Partnership

Solving the problems caused by climate change demands new technologies that can be employed at mass scale. As part of their commitment to being a preeminent 21st century research university, ASU used the planning phase of ISTB-7 as a proof of concept, challenging their faculty and Studio Ma to develop realistic solutions to self-generate all the energy and water a research and technology building in the desert requires.

The central atrium serves as a social center and is crucial to the building’s environmental systems by tempering heat and providing humidity. Its network of indoor water gardens provides biophilic black- and grey-water treatment, producing drinking-quality water for the building. At the behest of the university president, Studio Ma designed the atrium to be so memorable that it could serve as a site for weddings and other ceremonies.

When existing technologies were not available, the Studio Ma team designed prototypes for photovoltaic façades and roofs, and a closed-loop system for turning wastewater into potable water. A light rail station connects the new building and surrounding research precinct to metropolitan Phoenix’s public transportation system, reducing reliance on private vehicles, one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.