This 29-acre facility, located in Palo Alto’s famed Stanford Research Park, was designed to increase people’s connection to each other and the outdoors. It features lovely landscapes, trees, and landscaping. Due in large part to the design’s attention to scale and sensitivity to the natural surroundings, William McDonough + Partners guided the design team through the rigorous entitlements process with unparalleled success [1]. The design succeeds in merging a world-class office environment capable of recruiting top talent with a campus by protecting existing trees, adhering to existing terrain, and retaining on-site runoff via the use of bioswales and a bioretention system. The complex is designed around interconnecting outdoor garden spaces and outside bridges connecting the top levels, with five two-story office buildings and a fitness facility. A central plaza, a playing field, outdoor eating, and a variety of meeting venues are all available on site. The use of glass top light monitors for natural daylight, moveable windows, energy-efficient lighting and mechanical systems, and safe and healthy materials prioritizes occupant well-being [1]. 

[1]. https://mcdonoughpartners.com/projects/vmware-corporate-campus/  

Method is a common household name, especially for those who shop in Target. William McDonough has revolutionized the concept of a factory by bringing in a paradigm shift in how factories are constructed. Factories, traditionally are considered to be gritty buildings with smokestacks—facilities that no families would want in or near their neighborhoods [1]. However, that no longer is the case with Method’s Manufacturing Plant. Method’s new production facility is a green building that creates revolutionary household items with clean energy, water, and materials. At this size, the manifestation of ‘industrial hygiene’ is helpful to communities; it creates jobs and is embodied by a facility that is a pleasant neighbor where your children may safely play. Entrepreneurial businesses like Method are paving the way for a new, environmentally friendly industrial paradigm in the United States. A bright, appealing overhang serves as a sun shelter and helps balance heating and cooling demands at the front. The 150,000-square-foot production plant was created to reflect Method’s dedication to the environment and the well-being of the neighborhood. What is even more interesting to me is that the building is equipped with refurbished wind turbines, solar photovoltaic panels. 

[1]. https://www.archdaily.com/484412/william-mcdonough-designs-ultra-clean-manufacturing-facility-for-method  

Apex Plaza’s architecture is based on the Cradle-to-Cradle DesignTM framework, which was developed by world-renowned and Charlottesville-based architect William McDonough and is guided by three principles: use repurposed materials, use clean and renewable energy, and promote diversity in nature and ideas. From the timber framework to the integrated renewable energy generation, these concepts are represented in every part of the building. On the cutting edge of sustainable building, the cross-laminated wood structure has transformed the continuous construction process, saving time, producing a safer work environment, and decreasing community impact. The timber itself, derived from 1.6 million board feet of black spruce trees, represents seven minutes of growth in North American forests and ties Apex’s goal to environmental preservation [1]. Being a clean energy company, Apex Plaza is setting a standard across the board for similar companies. In words of John Bahouth, Apex’s Senior Vice President of Administration, “The design of the building required an imaginative and creatively challenging process. Our direction was clear: to achieve financial efficiencies that met, or even reduced, our current obligations while setting a new benchmark in terms of sustainability [2].” 

[1].  https://www.apexcleanenergy.com/insight/apex-plaza-rises-in-charlottesville/   

[2]. https://mcdonoughpartners.com/projects/apex-clean-energy-headquarters/  

In 1997, Virginia-based William McDonough + Partners designed the $60 million Gap Headquarters at 901 Cherry Avenue in San Bruno, California, with curving greenroofs. This building is currently being used by YouTube as its headquarters. McDonough was named a Time Magazine “Hero for the Planet” for his ecological designs, and he received the Business Week/Architectural Record Award in 1998 for this ecologically sensitive and sound venture [1]. “When Gap Inc. decided to construct their first company-owned office building, they wanted the facility to embody the company’s environmental commitment.” The architects significantly improved the building’s energy efficiency and reduced the demand on local storm sewers by incorporating a green roof into the design of 901 Cherry. Furthermore, the presence of native grasses and wildflowers on the roof aids in the building’s integration with the surrounding landscape [2]. 

Looking at the pictures of the building, I feel that this would be an ideal office building where most humans spend 1/3^rd of their lifetime. Occupants have the impression that they are spending the day outside, taking use of the plentiful daylight, fresh air at their disposal, and varied glimpses of the outdoors. The loft-like openness and spacious common areas stimulate both intentional and unplanned contact, resulting in a strong feeling of community. 

[1]. https://www.greenroofs.com/projects/gap-headquarters-901-cherry/  

[2]. https://www.hydrotechusa.com/projects/901-cherry-avenue-gap  

Hamad International Airport the sole international airport in the state of Qatar. More than 38.8 million passengers arrived at the airport in 2019. In 2016, the airport was named the 50th busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic. It is the home of Qatar’s flag carrier airline, Qatar Airways. Hamad Airport was the first international airport I had ever been to. The airport is so close to the sea that as the plane was ready for arrival, it felt like the plane was about to land in the sea. I had read somewhere that it was a busy airport but did not realize it until I witnessed numerous other planes hovering around preparing for landing. As I looked out the window, I could see numerous other planes hovering around the airport-it was that busy. The runway in this airport is one of the longest in the world. As soon as I got inside the airport, I was taken back by its magnificent architecture, the blend of western as well as middle eastern taste, the shiny floors and everything in between. The six-hour layover felt like it was just a few minutes as I really enjoyed being there and was not tired at all. My connecting flight was far away but the airport was easily navigable which made me realize the importance of the need of airports that need to be simpler. Although I spent very few hours in this magnificent structure, I really enjoyed my time there.

Image Source:
[1], [2]. https://www.hok.com/projects/view/hamad-international-airport-passenger-terminal-complex/

Bizzell Memorial Library was the first building that I ever got inside in campus. It was December 2019 when I just arrived from Tulsa for a job interview to work at the library’s IT department. I was impressed by the Cherokee Gothic architecture. I could hear a campus tour guide saying that it is the second most photographed building in the state of Oklahoma. It was first built in 1928 and numerous additions were made throughout the 20^th century for expansion as well as reconstruction after being destroyed by fire. Other than the times I went for work, I mostly felt good going inside the building, mostly because of the vibrant vibe it has because of the collective energy of the students that are inside to study. From the reading room that has impressive historic architecture to the lower level 2 where the graduate lounge built a few years ago with a modern touch, I was able to explore most of the building while I worked there for 18 months. Even though I don’t work there anymore, the building has a positive place in my heart.

Image Source:
[1]. https://www.google.com/maps/uv?pb=!1s0x87b2427f936763bf%3A0xa983e2b20632dcec!3m1!7e115!4shttps%3A%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipP0KtrN7DZhf3bR2TkkRvQtrr-fvrHZf4-7hcuU%3Dw213-h160-k-no!5sbizzell%20library%20ou%20-%20Google%20Search!15sCgIgAQ&imagekey=!1e10!2sAF1QipP0KtrN7DZhf3bR2TkkRvQtrr-fvrHZf4-7hcuU&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj_vJ2_gq3zAhUPkWoFHR_bAysQoip6BAhgEAM

Dharahara is tower at the center of Sundhara, Kathmandu, Nepal. The original form was constructed in 1824 during the time when Bhimsen Thapa was the prime minister. The architecture is influenced Mughal and European architecture and looks like Minarets popular in India. It was impacted by the earthquakes in 1834, 1934, and most recently in 2015 which resulted in multiple reconstructions. In 2015, the structure collapsed and only its base survived killing 9 people on the tower that day. I was in Nepal when this 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Kathmandu. I had been to Dharahara with my father just a few months and I recollect the time I had climbed the inside of it counting each of the 213 steps. It was nice to watch most of Kathmandu from 203 ft up high. The 2015 earthquake was tragic as more than 9,000 were killed. It was just as disheartening to me that my memory of climbing the Dharahara with my father could not be recreated any time soon.             

Image Source:
[1]. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharahara#/media/File:KATHMANDU_NEPAL_FEB_2013_(8581665041).jpg
[2]. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharahara#/media/File:Dharahara11.jpg

Devon Energy Hall is a building within the Gallogly College of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma and is located at the SW corner of Boyd Street and Jenkins Avenue, a part of the region famously known as the Engineering Quad. It is home to the School of Computer Science and the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. My first ever engineering class at OU, Engineering Dynamics was at this building and I have very clear fond memories of this place. I love how this building is so different than the other ones on campus. It has ample light, the elevators are huge, and the air feels cleaner as it does not have any odor as you walk into the building. The fact that its construction was finished just a few years ago likely is the reason for it. Along with great classroom sizes, the building also has ample collaboration spaces across all 5 stories. I have spent countless hours with my friends on homework problems, and class projects. Thankfully, the results of them all have been good, and the experience has been fun to recollect, although at that time I may not have felt that way. I have always felt a sense of accomplishment coming out of Devon at midnight meeting those sweet 11:59 PM deadlines.

Image Source
[1]: https://www.ou.edu/coe/about/facilities