Maier Hall

Maier Hall provides a center for Peninsula College’s arts, humanities, and instructional support programs, creating a place for students and faculty to engage in the college’s academic community. The new facility will serve the college’s mission to provide the central point for higher education on the Olympic Peninsula. Maier Hall is sited harmoniously within the complex landscape of its site, which includes virgin forests, wetlands, and a sensitive ravine. The building creates a gateway to the wetlands to the south, allowing people to pass through the building and proceed onto a viewing platform at the wetland edge. A system of student study spaces views out over the wetland, creating a sense of community within the building and fostering interaction between users. Design commenced with an Eco-Charette that included the entire design team and members of the college. Sustainable highlights include: Storm-water runoff is directed to the wetland for on-site infiltration and wetland rehabilitation. Daylight harvesting (dimmed by sensor) is used throughout the building to reduce energy use. Geo-exchange energy source is used for radiant heating and cooling. Natural ventilation via manual and automatic operable windows, stair towers used for stack effect. Epiphytic Living (Moss) Roof reduces afternoon glare for third story faculty offices and reduce heat-island effect. Exterior solar shading devices block direct sunlight to reduce glare in critical task areas and reduce solar heat gain.