CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS FACILITY

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS

by
Jeff S. Mangels
A THESIS
IN
ARCHITECTURE
Submitted to the Architecture Faculty
of the College of Architecture
of Texas Tech University in
Partial Fulfillment for
the Degree of
BACHELOR OF ARCHTIEdURE

Chairman of the Committej

Programming Instructor (ARCH 4395): Prof. David Driskill

Design Critic (ARCH 4631): Danny Nowak
Advisor: Robert Coombs
Consultant: Virginia Thompson
xcepted
,0
Dean, College of
May 1, 1
 •-•<••; I t - ' ' V*. * - ' J - ' '. ».'

•*^orporate Headquarters Facility • -.-..r'-ii.

Contents:
pagg

Introduction

Issues: ii
Thesis Statement 1
The Traditional Work Place 5
Social Needs g
Physical Context 15
Psychological Environment 36
The Work Place 47
Building Service 63

Case Studies: 71
Codex World Headquarters 72
Schlumberger Corporation 77
Frito-Lay Headquarters 81

Space Summary: 87

Cost Analysis: 101

Bibliography 103

Graphic Solution:
Introduction
The purpose of this program is to
express the physical and
psychological principles that will
formulate an architectural project. In
this particular case, the goal is to give
and evaluate information that will
determine the design
requirements[l]. The focus of this
program will address a company
headquarters for Central Power and
Light of Corpus Christi, Texas. The
main function is to generate a facility
that will adequately meet the social,
cultural, and physical needs of CP&L
and its employees.
Utilizing CP&L as a specific case
study in no means reflects the
company's opinions or views in this
program, but simply allows the
general functional requirements of
the company to be applied to an
architectural scenario.
Pena, William. Problem Seeking.
AIA Press Washington D.C. 1987
The goals of this project include:
• Establishing corporate architecture
as a key element in
society's effort toward building a
better environment.
• To respect the contextural issue of
the natural and built
enviroment.
• To improve the quality of the
working environment in order
to promote greater job satisfaction
and productivity.
• Design a facility that satisfies the
daily needs of the user.
• Establish a corporate facility that
will reflect CP&L's
character into the community.
• To design an environment that
surpasses the economic,
utilitarian, and functional
requirements of traditional
office buildings. ^
 11

Issues:

I. Thesis Statement 25. Psychological Environment

2. Philosophical Ideas 26. Aesthetics
3. Scope of the Project 27. Atmosphere
4. The Traditional Work Place 28. Comfort
5. Purpose of a Corporate 29. Security-Intimacy
Headquarters 30. Convenience
6. Social Needs 31. Daylight
7. Work 32. Hierarchy
8. Social Interaction 33. Behavioral Pattern
9. Recreation 34. The Work Place
10. Child Care 35. Entrance
II. Physical Context 36. Parking
12. Corpus Christi, Texas 37. Reception
13. History 38. Circulation
14. Population and Culture 39. Office
15. Economy 40. Conference
16. Land-Use 41. Cafeteria
17. Site 42. Personal Needs
18. Topography 43. Administration
19. Climate 44. Day Care Center
20. Views 45. Bulding Service
21. Vegetation 46. Security
22. Infrastructure 47. Systems
23. Soils 48. Efficiency
24. Environmental Impact 49. Building Materials
50. Outdoor Space
51. Lighting
1. Thesis Statement
Due to the shift in the economic base of Therefore:
the post-industrial age from manufacturing to The physical amenities of
service industries the physical environment in architecture can be used to
which people work has become a significant
part of our daily lives. create a work environment that
The attitudes of post-modern society will enhance the lives of the
have identified the social fragmentation people who work there. By
between the home and work environment as a addressing the physical as well
critical factor in the quaility of people's daily as the psychological needs of
lives. The modern corporartion has been geared
towards efficiency and productivity. The the post-modern worker, the
individual worker is focused on achieving a level of job satisfaction and
fragment of the corporate work load, causing productivity will be increased.
the worker to become isolated from the overall
whole of his environment. The feeling of
isolation within the work place is magnified by
the social displacement post-modern workers
expererience in their transition from the home
to the work environment. The physical and
psychological needs of the post-modern worker
have become of greater significance to the level
of personal job satisfaction and productivity
within the work place.
2. Philosophical Ideas Therefore:
Use architecture to create
a work place that will reduce the
There is a need to address an pyschological barriers between the
architectural project that is work and home environments.
focused on the physical and Allow workers the oportunity to
pyschological needs of post- express their individual tastes and
modern society. personalities within their work
environment.
Work is a significant part of people's
daily lives. Post-modern society has realized
that the relationship between work and the
home environment is often divided into
separate entities. The physical and
psychological displacement of workers has
become a realistic problem in society.
There is a need to create an environment
that reduces the social fragmentation of
workers. This issue can be addressed in terms
of using the physical characteristics of
architecture to create a work place that
acknowledges the needs of post-modern society
and goes beyond meeting the fuctional and
economical requirements of the typical office
facility.
3. Scope of the Project
Therefore:
In designing architecture, issues such as The physical
space, form, function, economy, and time are environment of the work place
critical to the success of a project. The users can be enhanced in order to
social, psychological,, and aesthetical needs reduce the personal
are also significant elements that should be fragmentation that occurs
taken into consideration during the evolution
of an architectural solution. between the home and work
The physical and cultural needs of environmnet. Using
corporations are changing within the business architecture, establish a
environment. Functional and productivity working environment that
goals are no longer the main focus of satisfies the needs of people
corporate facilities. The employer has
and surpasses the functional
recognized the benefit of personal satisfaction
amoung employees in terms of motivation needs of the traditional work
and efficiency levels. The issues of post- place.
modern society have generated a new
significance on the home/work relationship,
in which the quality of life becomes a
significant issue.
As true of many branches of the built
environment corporate facilities are changing
(in our society) to meet the needs of people.
Traditionally corporate facilities have played
a significant role in defining an image that
represents the business community. This
image has had a major role in the quality of
our environment. Improving the image of
corporate architecture would be an
advancement beneficial to the physical and
psychological needs of society.
4. The Traditional Work
Place
The economic base in the
United States has shifted from an
industrial nation to one of service
industries, generating a branch of
contexural elements based on post
industrial service components.
Traditionally the work place was often a
wholistic intergrated environment of work and
home. With the progression of the industrial
revolution the work place and the residence
became fragmented into seperate entities. In
post-modern society this fragmentation has led
to a need for greater self-satisfaction within
the work environment.
The main purpose of the traditional office
building , as it may be referred to, was a
funtional one, in which operations of business
could be carried out in an orderly manner.
Office buildings as we know them today have
had a relatively short history. Although offices
did exist in the 18th century, activities were
generally secondary to production and services.
With the growth of corporations within the past
hundred years, the need for office space
became more significant.
With the advancement of the office
building, both economically and technically,
came change in the environmental needs of
the physical space required to carry on the
operations of the business. Many factors
contributed to the complication of planning
and designing office space. With business
becoming more sophisticated, new duties and
activities were generated, and the
importance of economy influenced the means
in which environments were to fuction. In
addition, the element that has always
influenced the contexts of a facility, both
internally and externally, has been the
human factor.
Therefore:
Design a facility that
will address the social
challenges of today. By
addressing the technical and
philosophical advancements of
post-modern society, utilize
the physical requirements of a
corporate facility to illustrate
the significance of creating a
functional and aesthetical
work place.
5. Purpose of a Corporate
Headquarters:
Corporate facilities have
unusual psychological,
aestheical, and functional
criteria that set it apart from a
typical office building[l].
With the 1950's came the wave of
suburban expansion and office park
construction. Easy access to
transportation nodes, available labor
supply, cheap land, and adequate
infrastructure caused the surburban
office building to became a major element
in the built environment. Within the last
thirty years there has been another
advancement in office developments:
with greater sophistication in corporate
specialization, the architectural emphasis
for better environments has increased.
With the need for wholistic facilities,
office complexes have found a need for
unified architectural planning in order to
orchestrate all the on-site requirements
of a modern corporate headquarters[2].
As corporate facilities address the
physical requirements of greater
productivity and efficency the issue of
personal satisfaction has emerged as a
critical factor in resolving this issue. By
recognizing the significance of personal
satisfaction within the work place and its
relationship to productivity levels the
corporate environment can become a
specialized place that maximizes the level
of productivity by addressing the needs
of its workers.
Therefore:
Design towards achieving
an environment that satifies the
architectural needs of the present
and future. Addressing the
physical and psychological needs of
people will promote an enviroment
of community. Utilize the
functional amenities within the
facility to promote a sense of place
and belonging for the workers. For
example, maximize the asethe^^tical
quaility of common areas,
transitional spaces, and circulation
systems to enhance the quaility of
the work environment.
^. Gould, Bryant, Planning the New Corporate
Headquarters. John Wiley & Sons, New York. 1983
2. Ibid.
6. Social Needs:
In the society in which
we live the daily needs of
men and women have
changed from what they were
ten, twenty, and definitely
thrity years ago. With this
evolution the desire to satisfy
the needs of society is
becoming an important
element in the planning
process. The more successful
man is at achieving this
desire the greater the
probability is that society
will be able to function as
more productive individuals.
Within the daily functions of an
individual's life there exist particular needs
that most people confront. The social needs of
Post-Modern society commonly focus on the
immediate function of family, work, recreation
and social interactions (within the time limits
of an individual's schedule). In order to
maximize these activities towards their
greatest potential, architecture can be used to
satisfy some of the psychological, functional,
and asethetical needs. By enhanching the
environment in which society functions, the
level of personal satisfaction will increase.
Within the work environment particular
human needs exist, such as achievement,
responsibility, recognition, and the idea of work
itself that promotes job satisfaction.
Therefore:
In designing a
environment where people
live, work, and communicate,
realize the necessity to
address the social needs for
which the design is focused. In
order to utilize the physical
amenities of architecture to
enhance the work place one
must recgonize such issues as
personal comfort, identity,
intimacy, and social
interaction. Addressing such
needs will maximize the
worker's ability to relate to
his/her work environment.

7. Work:
When considering the
activities of the average person's
daily schedule, work makes up a
significant part of daily activities.
For most individuals work is an economic
necessity for survival. Post-modern families
are faced with dual income situations as an
economic reality. This trend creates issues
such as child care, social fragmentation, and
personal idenity as critical elements within the
work place. With the shift in the national
economy to service industries in recent years
more people are facing the dilemma of work
space versus home space. In order to improve
this situation the work community needs to
become more personal, intimate, and relaxing.
The single best predictor of long life
is wether a person smokes or how often
he visits the doctor, but the extent to
which he is satisfied with his job[l].
Although people may spend as many
waking hours at work as they do in their
homes, many people have a different attitude
towards their work environment than their
living room. The environment in which we
work should be as much of a community as our
home. The difference should lie in the
orientation of the rhythm of work instead of
family[2].
10
There is a desire among post-modern
workers to achieve greater satisfaction from
thier work environment. Although the
"successful" worker devotes the majority of
his/her life to his profession the environment
does not promote personal satisfaction.
Therefore:
Generate an environment
that promotes a sense of place
within the work space. Attempt to
meet the needs of the post-modern
worker by addressing issues such
as child care, personal idenitity,
and social fragmentation.
Address the significance of
creating an environment that
promotes a sense of place for the
workers. Increase the worker's
ability to feel secure and
comfortable withn the work
community. Allow for personal
representation and idenity within
the individual' s work space.
^. Urban Land Insititue, Work Environment Studv.
Washington, D.C. 1978
2. Alexander, Christopher. A Pattern Language.
Oxford Press, New York, 1977
 11

8. Social Interaction:
People need to be in contact •«••-,.••"•,•••'•••?•• V' '

\
with other people in order to if,.

communicate, grow, and share[l]. ; ' , : • * '

r - . l ••

With the growth of specialization in the

service industries, social segregation has
become a realistic concern. Our daily functions
are focused around the few individuals we
come in contact with, leading to an isolation
from other types of people. The humanistic
need to communicate on a social level is an
important element in one's intellectual and
emotional growth.
The natural human need to interact and
fulfill the psychological needs of giving and
receiving, friendships, belonging, and
association and love are issues often ignored in
the modern work place[2]. In order to address
• • • • ' • '• f ^''. : , , • • . ''• ."• i ^ •

the issues of post-modern workers, their

personal needs must be satisfied. Fig. 1
The modern approach to productivity as
meaning maximum efficiency, is now being
reconsidered in post-modern society. The issue
of personal satisfaction maximizing
productivity is a break from the traditional
"watch dog" environment of modern office
 12

design. The need to get a psychological break is

an important revitalizier for workers. ^im\m
Therefore:
Design adequate space for
mm4
social interaction among various Wmm
job types to promote inter-job m^ MiJ u
communication. Allow co-workers
to satisfy the need for a
psychological break from the
intensity of their work - .—'i^iir*^ Mill *«••;.-^ II-,'
environment. Utilize circulation
areas as "rooms", places to meet I'-U
and congregate with co-workers.
Promote daylighting and views
Fig. 2
within the work space to allow a
sense of release. 12

Alexander, Christopher. A Pattern Language,

Oxford Press, New York. 1977
Ibid.

9. Recreation:
The encouragement of physical
fitness promotes healthier, more
productive individuals.
Physical fitness has become an
important part of society's daily functions.
People of today are becoming more aware of
the significance of exercise. Due to this
increased awareness a larger number of
people are taking action to improve their
health.
The psychological release of stress,
tension, and anxiety through the physical
means of recreation is an important element in
the work place. Addressing the physical
structure of a recreation place as a transitional
space will allow negative aspects of the
working environment to be released through
recreation, allowing the worker to be
physically and psychologically revived.
Recreation also includes activities
focused towards promoting liesure. By
introducing environments that generate
relaxation and comfort people will be apt to be
more alert and psychologically fresh. In
helping individuals gain the ultimate benefit
from their liesure time productivity will be
enriched. Allowing flexibility in work
13
schedules will encourage workers to take
advantage of the recreational facilities.
Although this is often discouraged in the
modern work environment the corporate
structure should be geared towards
expecting individual responsibility to be an
efficient control of supervision.
Therefore:
Design a variety of
spaces that will provide a wide
range of recreational activites.
Encourage individuals to
fullfill their desire to be
exercise. Allow the
recreational facilitiy to
provide a transitional quaility
from the work place to the
home environment. Do so by
utilizing the bayfront
amenities to promote jogging
and outdoor relaxation. Plan
for support facilities that will
accomodate weight training,
aerobics, and personal needs.
 14

10. Child Care: Therefore:

Provide a Day-Care [44]
Parents are often distracted facility within the work
when they must provide a community in which children
can develop social and personal
subtitute environment for their
interaction skills and be
children.
educated towards healthy,
With the economic trends of Post-
physical, and intellectural
Modern society the average middle class development. Allow for
family has found a dual income situation an interaction between workers
economic necessity. As a result there is an and their children during the
increasing need for quality child care facilities. work day.
Due to the growing nature of this economic
situation, locating adequate child care often
becomes a time-consuming and emotional
process for parents and their children.
Due to the nature of the post-modern
worker being fragmented between the home
and work environment the quanity and quality
of time workers are able to spend with their
children becomes an important amenity.
Integrating the work environment with child
care facilities will offer the worker the
opportunity to utilize lunch hours and
commuting time with their childern.

Fig. 3
 15
; •> ~ ^ ,
 16

11. Physical Context: Therefore:

Design with the given
The environment in which we abilities of logic and reason,
live is made up of a series of respecting the needs of the
elements both natural and man physical environment.
made. Evaluate the site and utilize
the positive impacts and
In order for man to survive he minimize the negitive.
must coincide with nature. The ability of Capitalize on the natural
perception and deduction are unique beauty of the site and
characteristics of man. With these abilities man maximize the posibility for
is able to plan and reason[l]. A design that is in
harmony with the natural environment will
economic revitalization of the
best support the psychological and physical area.
needs of man. Beyond the basic need of
survival, human perceptions play a significant
role in our balance with nature.
Taking the physical context into
consideration during the design process the
architectural solution can be maximized as to
best fit the user's needs. Understanding the
atmosphere of the contextural environment
will guide the decision making process of
design.

Fig. 4
 17

12. Corpus Christi, Texas:

The proposed location of
the project is Corpus Chisti, Texas.

Corpus Christi is a dynamic city

made up of a wide range of economic and
cultural heritages. Located in southern Texas,
140 miles south of San Antonio, Corpus Cristi
has a desirable semi-tropical climate. As Texas'
only major city located adjacent to the Gulf
coast the city offers a unique atmosphere.
Economically the city is the commercial
center of an area dominated by a wide range
of industries including tourism, education, and
the newest asset including the announcement
of the military base HOMEPORT. The city is
culturally productive offering newly
constructed facilities such as a museum, civic Fig. 5
center, city hall, and library. Having a
population of almost 350,000, the area of
Corpus Christi is unique in the sense that it is
racially equally divided into a split ratio of
Anglo and Hispanic cultures. The city
goverment is of city-managerial form, with a
mayor and commission[l]. The tone of the
current administration is rather progressive ,
allowing a considerable commercial build-up
along the bay front in recent years.
 18

Tourism has become an important

element in the city's image. The progressive
tone of the desire to maximize the economic
advantages of tourism has had a physical and
psychological impact on the city. The increase
in the number and type of people visiting the
city has created issues of how to project the
city in terms of image and perception.

Therfore:
Within the decision
making process of design
respect the physical and
cultural amenities of the city.
Utilize the beauty of the
bayfront and the unique image
of the city's skyline. Recognize
the strong Hispanic culture
within the city's people. Design
a facility which will project an
image that of CP&L and
addresses the economic, Fig. 6
political, and social needs of
Uhe city of Corpus Christi.

Kingston, Mike. Texas Almanac.

Dallas Morning News Austin, Texas 1988
 19

13. History: had acquired new wealth developed fine homes

within the city.
Present day Corpus Christi has become a
The foundation of Corpus popular resort for tourism and living. The city
Christi lies within its history. offers a wide range of cultural and recreational
attractions which are enhanced by the
beneficial climate.
In 1519 the Spanish explorer
Alonso de Pineda discoverd a bay off the Texas Therefore:
Gulf coast. To commemorate the occasion de Design with respect to
Pineda named the bay Corpus Christi, meaning the natural and historical
body of Christ.
Founded by Col. Henery Lawemce Kinney environment in which the city
in 1839, Corpus Christi became the unofficial of Corpus Chiristi prides itself.
capital of South Texas. Remaining a small Enhance the city's desire to
outpost for its first hundred year history, the attract tourism, offer a special
settlement barely reached a population of ten place for the people of Corpus
thousand. Although heavily damaged by a
hurricane in 1919, the city was quickly rebuilt. Christi and their guest to
The announcement of a deep water port for the enjoy.
city in 1926 and the discovery of oil, helped
the small village become a striving city[l].
During the economic depression of the
1930's agriculture and the oil industries
revived the city's economy. Soon new
development brought about a need for a larger
labor force increasing the population of the
city. In order to keep up with the increasing
demand for new housing, developments were
constructed which led to futher expansion of
the city. Many of the farmers and ranchers who
Encyclopedia America: American Corporation,
Danbury, Connecticut. Vol. 8 1980
 20

14. Population and

culture:
People are the essence of the city.

Corpus Christi has become a city

dominated by new growth patterns and
cultural issues. Having a population of 258,067
within the city and a metropolition population
of 358,800 the city has experienced patterns of
steady growth during recent years. This growth
has sparked a considerable amount of
commercial build-up within the city[l].
A unique feature of Corpus Christi is the
cultural make up of its population. The city is
almost directly split in half between Anglo and
Hispanic cultures.
Therefore:
Address the issue of
continuous growth in the future,
and take advantage of the mixed
cultural environment. Design to
accomidate futher expansion of
tourism within the downtown
area.

^. Kingston, Mike. Texas Almanac.

Dallas Morning News. Austin, Texas 1988
 21

15. Economy:

The economic stability of a

community is the basis for
determining its growth.

Corpus Christi has become the most

economically diversified metropolitan area in
Texas[l]. In addition to becoming a major
attraction for tourism, due to its mild semi-
tropical climate and adjacency to the Gulf Coast,
Corpus Christi is a major port providing a
source of Petro Chemical production and oil and
gas industries. Agriculture and ranching remain
the traditional economic activities in the area
reinforcing the city's image as a regional
metropolitan city. In addition to the existing
naval air station which is located within tbe
city, the proposed Homeport will base the
battleship USS Wisconsin and three support
ships in the Corpus Christi Bay by 1990. The Fig. 7
announcement of the Homeport project
promises to generate an estimated ten-
thousand jobs with an annual payroll of $50
million[2]. Beyond the advantage of the city's
natural beauty, the economic stability of Corpus
Christi is greatly due to its low dependence on
manufacturing industries.
Unique from other major Texas coastal
cities Corpus Christi has not been greatly
 22

affected by the drastic drop in oil related

manufacturing between 1980 and 1987[3].
Although the city has been blessed with a
successful economy in recent years the downtown
area adjacent to the proposed site is in desparate
need of economic revitalization. Typical of many
downtown areas the retail facilities which were
once the heartbeat of the city have migrated
outward towards the suburban markets. The
recent development within the area has been
focused towards providing the physical amenities
necessary for a successful tourism market. The
proposed project offers the area a strong node of
economic stability as well as a public amenity that
will enhance the area.
Therefore:
Address the posibilities for
the downtown area and the
significance of CP&L's contribution in .:^*-r^?"^^*^s?Wi*j»5^i?)M "-^J?''.-*

creating an environment that will Fig. 8

promote tourism and economic
revitalization to the area by
providing a node of activity in the
depressed southern section of the
downtown. - -

Kingston, Mike. Texas Almanac.

Dallas Moming News, Austin Texas 1988
2
Ibid.
3 Lewis & Partners. Economic Study for CP&L.
Houston, Texas. 1985

16. Land-Use
Corpus Christi like most
metropolitan areas has a central
focal point of a CBD. From this core
support facilities and residential
areas are formed.
Similar to most metropolitan cities in
Texas Corpus Christi has experienced a
considerable amount of growth within the CBD
in recent years. The CBD of Corpus Christi is
made up of business, govermental, and
cultural facilities.
The district is divided by a natural bluff
establishing an "Up-town" and a "Down-town".
Growth within the Up-town has been
concentrated around business and
govermental buildings, including the recently
constructed City Hall and Library. Down-town
development has been focused towards
tourism with the construction of major hotels
and support facilities. Both areas have
experienced the outward migration of
commercial establishments, leaving a number
of vacant and deteriorating buildings behind.
This is particularly true of the down-town area
where the majority of established retail
buildings have been left vacant.
23
Land-use adjacent to the CBD
consist of an industrial/port district to
the Northwest and commercial/
residential district to the
west. Development south along the
bayfront consists of historically
prominent homes and
high-rise condominiums. Inland west
from the bay lays the majority of
residential neighborhoods. Within these
neighborhoods nodes of commercial
development occurs at major
intersections.The general trend of
progressive south-western growth is
obvious with major transportation
expansions and commercial build-up
occurring in the area.
Therefore:
In relating the project
towards meeting the needs of
the downtown area, over all
growth patterns and future
development issues should
address the physical context of
the city.
 24

CORPUS CHRISTI

HWY 35 TO
ARANSAS PASS.
PORT ARANSAS
& ROCKPORT

Fig. 9

17. Site
The physical, social, and
aesthetical needs of Central Power
and Light Company and the city of
Corpus Christi are the main
criteria in the site selection
process.
Assuming the best alternative for the
validity of this project is to utilize the existing
site of CP&L's home office is to be accepted in
this process. The present facilities which
include an obsolete mid-rise structure will be
disregarded. The remaining exisiting
structures which include surface parking
facilities and delapidating warehouses will also
be assumed non-existent.
Due to the pattern of commercial/retail
facilities abandoning downtown for suburban
markets the adjacent retail area is plagued
with vacant delapidating buildings. The
growing tourism market has generated new
mix-use development within the area and
promises to offer the area a hope for economic
revitalization.
The significance of utilizing the existing
site is to strenghthen the southern downtown
area. The site's adjacency to the bayfront
raises the critical issues of views, public access,
25
and quality of the natural environment.
The issue of a public company occupying
valuable bayfront propery is one that
bears some significance in the validity of
this project. However the overriding
factor remains that CP&L provides an
important economic node for the
deteriorating downtown area.
Establishing a focal point of commercial
activity within this area will promote the
revitalization of support services that are
so critically needed in the district.
The specifics of the site encompass
two city blocks of urban land. The blocks
being bisected by Water St. which runs
parallel to Shoreline Drive (bayfront).
With the eastern site being adjacent to
Shoreline Drive and the second block
being located inland west. The limited
utilization of this portion of Water St. that
bisects the site opens the up the
consideration to close the street off to
vehicular traffic and utilize it as a public
plaza. This allows the facility to generate
an axis with the growing hotel
development on the north side of
downtown and provide CP&L the
opportunity to offer the city a public
amenity to enjoy while encouraging the
revitalization of the area.
The site is presently zoned within
the Major Business District (B-5).
 26

Fig. 10

PLOT PLAN - CENTRAL POWER 8 LIGHT

 27

There is no limitations in terms of height, area, of the city-scape. Maintain a

or bulk within the city's zoning ordinance. The low-rise structure in order to
surrounding land-use is typically warehouse
and retail facilities as well as several surface respect the scale of the area.
parking lots. Presume utilizing the portiton
Access to the site vehicularly is primarily of Water St. that bisects the
from the two sources- the Crosstown site as a physical axis with the
expressway which terminates on block west of northern downtown area.
the site and Shoreline Drive which is adjacent
to the east. Trafic comes primarily from the
expressway with specific traffic utilizing the
streets perpendicular to the bayfront.
The natural and physical beauty of the
bayfront as well as the city's growing skyline
provide a spectacular 360 degree view from
the site.

Therefore:
Respecting the
physical and natural
characteristics of the site,
utilize the beauty of the
bayfront and the semi-tropical
climate(19) to enhance the
project.
Take into consideration
factors influencing bayfront
development, such as views Fig. 11
from exisiting stuctures, public
access, and community pride of
 28

18. Topography:
Therefore:
Topography is the Design in consideration to
representation of the earths the deflection of the site's
surface, defined by the natural topography and protect against
elevation of the terrain[l]. flooding, particularly along the
ground level.
The nature of topography in the south
Texas region is typically flat, low-lying terrain
with few variations in contour. This
characteristic of the natural terrain has a
signifcant impact on the aesthetical perception
of the environment. The physical built
environment often has a greater impact on the
user's perception of approach, view, and
anticipation than the natural characteristics of
the topography.
The specific site topography is defined by
the urban development along the bayfront.
The bulk-head along the shoreline developes a
change in elevation of 15-20 feet from sea
level to the finish grade. The topography of the
eastern portion of the site that is adjacent to
the shoreline is established by this bulk-head
elevation. Inland from the bayfront towards
Water St., the elevation slopes downward to a
maximum low of 5-7 feet above sea level.
Fig. 12
1. Wood, Paul, H., AIA. Site Design.
Architectural Lincense Seminars, INC.
Los Angeles, Ca. 1984

19. Climate:
The particular climate of an
area is determined by the
elements of weather conditions.
By understanding the climate
the needs of physical human
comfort may be addressed.
The purpose of climate design is to
enhance human comfort while at the same
time minimizing the cost of maintaining an
acceptable level of comfort. By analyzing
weather data of a particular region a
building strategy can be established to
promote greater human comfort.
Temperture:
Located in the southern region of
Texas Corpus Christi has a warm
seasonable climate throughout most of the
year. The average annual tempature of 71
degrees varifies the desirable climate. The
highest tempertures are during August
with an average of 84 degrees., and the
lowest occur in January with an average of
55 degrees.
29
Humidity:
Located adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico,
Corpus Christi is subject to a high level of
humidity. The presence of continuous
moisture from the Gulf and the above average
temperatures produces a semi-tropical
climate. Average humidity is within the 80%
range eleven months of the year. Higher
humidity levels generally cause the heat
index to raise, thus the temperature readings
are often misleading.
Precipitation:
The annual amount of precipitation in the
city averages around 30 inches. With frequent
seasonable thunderstorms often occuring
during the summer months the winter
months are typically dry. Snow fall is very
rare, possibly occuring once every several
years. Heavy thunderstorms are common
often producing large amounts of rainfall
within a short amount of time. Being located
on the Gulf Coast Corpus Christi is open to the
threat of Hurricanes which are capable of
producing flooding and high winds.

Wind:
Corpus Christi has a relatively constant
prevailing southeastern wind during most of
the year. Northern winds occur during the
winter months with an occasional "cold-
front",Typically the average prevailing breeze
ranges from 11-15 mph. As metioned,
hurricanes are a realistic threat during the
summer and early fall months. These storm
characteristics are capable of devastating
winds over 200 mph.
Cooling Degree Days:
With the typically high humidity and
seasonable temperatures cooling becomes the
major element in meeting human comfort
levels. On the average there are 3,230 cooling
degree days annually. Generally relativly
partly cloudy days are common during most of
the summer months, therefore there is some
relief from direct heat gain[l]
Therefore:
Design to utiluize the
characteristics of the semi-tropical
climate of Corpus Christi.
In response to the climatic
data, maximize the advantages of
30
the semi-tropical climate of
South Texas in meeting the
aesthetical and functional
goals of the facility. The hot-
humid climate develops a
situation of cooling being the
major consideration in the
design
process. Utilize planning
strategies such as orientation
of
the building, hieararchy of
spaces, and shading techniques
to maximize the fuctional
efficiency of the building.
Address the maximimum
weather conditions within the
structural analysis. Allow for
the potential of hurricane
force winds, flooding, and a
10-12 foot sea surge.
 31

20. Views: and the visually impact of these buildings

must be taken into consideration.

The natural and built Therefore:

environment of the Corpus Christi Design to maximize
bayfront is a desirable the natural views of the site.
characteristic that is unquie from Take into careful consideration
any other Texas city. the obstruction of view that
can occur with bayfront
The proposed site is located adjacent to development. Design to
the Corpus Christi bayfront. The physical maintain low-rise structures
surroundings offer a magnificent view of the
bay and marina as well as the skyline of the
using maximum exterior
city. Due to the considerable amount of multi- exposure toward the south-
story construction in recent years the skyline eastern views. Utilize terraces
provides a dramatic contrast to the natural for physical exposure and
beauty of the bay. maximizing view.
Due to the low-rise development adjacent
to the site there are few physical restrictions
to the desirable views. It is important to
consider the issue of limiting obstruction of
view due to the intensity of development
inland from the bay. The natural bluff that
divides up-town from down-town consists of a
50 foot drop in the natural terrain allowing a
considerable factor in the danger of physical
obstruction to adjacent neighbors.
Surrounding structures adjacent to the
site are typically abandoned warehouses and
retail facilities. Although these structures are
low- rise in nature their physical delapidation

Fig. 13
 32

21. Vegetation:

Natural vegetation is a
fuctional as well as asethetical
element within a built
environment.

Although there is limited vegetation

within an urban site Corpus Christi's semi-
tropical climate provides the opportunity for a
wide range of plant life to be utilized. Tropical
plants such as palms, hybiscus, and many
plants typically considered to be utilized
indoors may be used within this climate.
Vegetation provides an aesthetical
quality that may be utilized to enhance the
atmosphere of a space. The use of planting Fig. 14
material can be used to integrate the transition
from indoor to outdoor spaces.

Therefore:
Utilize the advantages of
the climate and incorporate
vegetation within the design. Use
planting to minimize the transition
from outdoor to indoor spaces.
 33

22. Infrastructure:

Utilities provide the amenities

that allow the functional systems
to operate.

Due to the urban context of the site all

basic utilities are provided within the
proposed site boundries.

Therefore:
Locate all utilities
underground for asethetical
purposes.
 34

23. Soils:
The capabilities of the soil
conditions has a direct impact on
the selection of the structural
system of a building.

Downtown soil conditions are made up of

a Victoria Clay, which is characterized by four
to five feet of slowly permeable, poorly
drained, calcareous clay underlain by
clarareous clay and sandy clay. The shrink-
swell potential is characterized as being very
high. Victoria Clay is typically found on the
coastal terraces of the Rio Grande Plain[l].

Therefore:
Address the poor soil Fig. 15
conditions in the evaluation of
various structural systems
available. Typically a pier and
beam system is utilized to
accomodate the high flexibility in
the conditions of the soil in this
area, i

1. Nueces County Soil Conservation Service.

 35

24. Environmental Impact:

The development of a new

facility along the bayfront will
have a degree of impact on the
natural environment.

Safeguards agaisnt damaging

environmentally sensitive elements should
always be taken into consideration in the
design process of a project. Due to the density
of the area, the direct impact of a new facility
amoung the existing bayfront development
will be minimal.

Therefore:
Utilize the techniques ,of
architecture to minimize the
environmental impact of the new
facility. Enhance the natural Fig. 16
characteristics of the site and
replace the natural vegitation that
is often lost in urban
developments.
Psychological Environment ^
-.-,._.. mm
 37

25. Psychological Therefore:

Design to enhance the
Environment: physical and psyshological
relationship between the user
As the Post-Modern work and the built environment.
place takes form in the business Allow the user to become
community, psychological concerns integrated with his work place.
begin to emerge as a significant
part of the physical design of the
corporatre headquarters.
M r'TiiTtfiBJiif/ • '* - If
In order for a building to acquire a sense - -•¥-; ,'•'S'--j..y'-1<s:' •— " ^ I ' t ^_ k ' • •• J

of place, the architecture must relate to the

people using the facility. The work place is an
extension of ones self into a foreign K:3
environment. The corporate environment is
^ i3
made up of a series of elements including
production, motivation, hierarchy, and self
discipline. There is a need for a structured
system of order to insure productivity and
inter-relationships amoung co-workers. The
draw back to this rigid system of 8-5 is that it
ignores self motivation periods.
»;. ,•.. VV" ^- • y . . r •!-.-. : .fl.
V:.- a. • • ; ••• • • - * •: • - . "
.;»^. l i M i 4 - - T i - \ i ' i i"-i.r-i ^-i\,i-[-(ia
•*.u—^^.^i . . . . . . . . . . iM>.>.

Fig. 17
 38

26. Aesthetics: Therefore:

Design towards an
The idea of Beauty: aesthetic quality through a
knowledge and understanding
Although individual customs, taste, of the needs of CP&L and it's
perceptions, and preference often determines employees. Intergrate the
the depth of how one perceives aesthetics, the significance of "quality" within
psychological desire to satisfy the emotion of the work environment by
beauty exists in present society. addressing various elements in
The pyschological resposes to an object or
place often relies on an individual interplay terms of function and
between the theoretical and the practical. aesthetics.
According to the philosopher Croce, aesthetics
is an intuitive process that exists within[l].
Architecturally the aesthetic quaility of a
project may be related to the wholeness one
feels the building achives. Again based on
personal perception and taste.
The asethetic quality within a corporate
environment is a significant contributor to the
projection of the company's image. The
psychological perception of a facility often has
a dramatic impact on the way in which people
perceive a company.
The physical perception of CP&L will be
an important factor in the community's
"opinion" of the new facility.

1. Berlyne D.E. Studies in the New Experimential

Asethetics. Hemisphere Publishing, Washington D.C.
1974
 39

27. Atmosphere: within a structured

community. Promote a variety
The pyschological sense of the of work spaces structured to
environment: meet the needs of hiearchy
within the corporate work
Typical of other building types, business place- but flexible enough to
facilities have a particular air that defines allow for variation among co-
work. Established by a highly professional workers. Utilize building
environment geared towards productivity and materials (49) to enhance the
efficency.
Through design, the fundamental quality of the work
activities of the traditional office may be environment.
achieived while at the same time eliminating
the atmosphere that promotes isolation and
alienation. By using architecture to create an
environment that promotes an atmosphere of
comfort (28) the work place can become a
community - a place to work. Building
materials can be used to enhance the
atmosphere of a space. The need for
humanizing the corporate environment can be
enriched with the articulation of materials.

Therefore:
Promote individualism
within the professional work
place. Allow for creativity and
self-motivation. Create an
atmoshere of people. Allow
workers to become individuals
 40

28. Comfort: psychological satisfaction within the work

space.

Individuals need to have a Therefore:

sense of being within their work Utilize the physical means
place. of architecture to improve the
level of comfort within the
In order to feel secure and at ease work place. Utilizing such
physically or psychologically, one must be techniques as daylighting and
comfortable with the surrounding
environment. Due to the fact that people spend
the promotion of small work
as much of their time at work as in their home communities to encourage social
environment ,work(7), the need to feel secure intimacy and social interaction
is essential to maximize productivity and the work place can become a
motivation. more enjoyable environment.
The relationship with co-workers is an
important element in feeling at ease with
ourselves. Within a large work environment
the intimate social relationships with co-
workers is often lost. Traditionally the work
place was relatively small allowing social
interaction to exist. By generating work spaces
that promote physical and psychological
interactions the user will feel a sense of
community.
The physical needs of thermal comfort
are commonly satisfied by mechcanical
systems. These systems can be integrated
within the design to enhance the psychological
needs of the user. Daylighting (31) design
methods are a valuable means of improving
human comfort while increasing the
 41

29. Security-Privacy: Therefore:

Design to promote
In every situation there is a transition and communication.
sense of distance-a psychological Allowing for the degree of
need for safety[l]. privacy and security needed to
maintain the working
The transition from public to private is environment. Promote spaces
very much apparent in the corporate that allow circulation to occur
environment. This relationship of public and without the physical barriers
private is critical to the degree of comfort (28) of obstruction due to the need
the user feels. Within the individual work
space the need for personal identity exists. By
for security. '
promoting individuality and respecting
personal privacy the degree of worker/home
displacement can be reduced.
In a corporate environment there exists a
degree of physical security and order that must
be maintained. The issue of visitor circulation
and security are commonly addressed with a
"Security Desk", The visitor's perception should
be one of spacial transition, not a cataloging
from space to space. The effectiveness of using
physical form to restrict or invite passage will
regulate the degree of privacy required in each
situation.

Alexander, Christopher. A Pattern Language.

Oxford Press, New York, 1977.
 42

accomodations within a fixed environment can

reduce "employee down time" within the
30. Convenience: working day.
In addition to providing service facilities
In the post-modern work for employees, an additional advantage to
providing the physical amenities of retail and
environment many of the basic commercial conveniences is to offer the public
conveniences are sacrificed in a place in which they feel welcome within a
order to maximize efficiency. corporate atmosphere.

The daily functional needs of people are

normally attended to during "free time". As the
work environment demands more personal Therefore:
dedication the need to maximize personal Design to provide the
effciency is becoming an important issue in public infrastructure that will
post-modern society. Personal responsibilities
and needs are a significant part of workers minimize the time required to
lives. By providing amenities that will increase meet personal responsibilities.
the efficiency of meeting these responsibilities Amenities such as child care,
the issue of social fragmentation and recreational, and service
displacement of the work/home environment facilities should be integrated
will be minimized.
By providing such amenities as child care,
into the design. Promote retail
banking, recreation, and retail facilities facilities at the ground level
workers can reduce the time required meeting and a space in which the
personal responsibilities, thus reducing general public will feel
additional stress and pressure associated with welcome.
such task.
The urban corporate headquarters is
often adjacent to such amenities as retail and
banking facilities, however the maximum
efficiency and convenience of such
 43

31. Daylighting:
• 7 l-i'V- -..13

Daylight is a powerful
aesthetical and functional vechicle
of architectural expression.
Daylighting can enhance the physical and
psychological quailities of a building. Due to its
ever changing character the sun can provide a
living quality within the built environment.
Thermal comfort levels, lighting quality, and
energy economics are enhanced when
daylighting is used as a design element.[l]
The asethetic and qualitative aspects of
the working environment are critical to
productivity and job-satisfaction levels.
Daylight can provide the psychological desire to
relate to nature. Often in the urban context ^^MMa
daylight is the only natural element remaining
in the environment. As an ever-changing . '••}

element daylight allows the user to relate to MUkU

the time of day, weather conditions and :re*-.'i-.; .I^»"J-' l-^ ,s^jiahi£.
seasons of the natural surroundings.
Fig. 18
Studies conducted have proven there is a
strong desire by office workers to have access
to view and sunshine[2]. The arrangement of
daylight in a room and the presence of
windows on two sides determines the
usefulness and quality of that room [3].
 44

Therefore:
Design to achieve the
benefits of daylighting. By
providing views and natural
light on two sides of the room,
when possible, the quality of
space and user satisfaction will
increase. Utilize courtyards and
exterior perimeters to maximize
daylight accessibility.

Fig. 19

^. Lam, William. Sunlighting: A Formgiver for

Architectnre Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. New York.
1986
2 . Ibid.
^ . Alexander, Christopher. A Pattern Language.
Oxford Press, New York. 1977
 45

environment of the worker allows a sense of

place or position to occur, a sense of belonging.
32. Hierarchy: However, hierarchy may be represented by
quanity as well as quality of space. Status to
A corporate facility has a some may be represented in various ways as
unique need for a sense of compared to their peers, individual taste and
self representation should be encouraged.
hierarchy within the working
environment.

The physical and psychological layering Therefore:

of public and private spaces allows a particular Within the physical
order to exist. The functional activities of a
corporate facility requires a system of relationships of activities
operations to occur in order to maximize establish a hierarchy of space.
productivity. Establishing a hierarchy of Using volumemetric scale and
physical space will improve the functional the variation of room sizes to
activites within the working environment. define public and private
The psychological need to feel
comfortable (28) within an environment and spaces.Allow for variation in
the need for security (29) are issues which can representation of hierarchy
be enhanced by using hierarchy. Using scale in within the work place. Provide
the relationships of space within the contextual an alternative of choices of
environment will regulate the degree of type of space in terms of
hierarchy.
The sense of hierarchy within the
quality as well as quanity to
corporate environment is a critical factor in the maximize individual
design process. The significance and preference.
representation of position and status is an ever
present element in the corporate environment.
The need to distinguish between various levels
of job status is a significant part of the physical
design of office space planning. The physical
 46

33. Behavioral Patterns: Therefore:

Design the work
community to enhance the
The atmosphere of the
satisfaction of the space and
corporate work place has a unique
encourage positive behavioral
effect on workers behavioral
patterns. Address circulation
patterns.
patterns and transitional
The traditional corporate environment is
spaces within the facility.
stereotyped as a rigid system of productivity Design to encourage
and efficiency between the hours of eight and supervision to be addressed in
five. The Old School belief that an ordered the level of individual
system will discourage workers from managing performance rather than the
their time has serious impacts on the way in
which people conduct themselves. physical environment.
The atmosphere (27) of the work place
should be one that promotes personal comfort
(28) and self-motivation rather than one of
intimidation due to the "watch dog"
environment. Although workers have a natural
tendency to "watch the clock", this may be due
to dissatisfaction of the work environment
rather than work itself.
 48

34. The Work Place: Therefore:

Using the physical
elements of architecture
The indivdual identity of encourage the work place to
people within the work become a beneficial experience
environment depends on their within the daily chores of
ability to identify with the essence providing economic support.
of the whole.
Design to promote the
work community as an
The level of job statisfaction within the
work place is largely influenced by the quality enjoyable experience of
of environment and the degree of comfort (28) transition from private to
the worker feels. As a fragment of the whole, public. Allow the workers to
post-modern workers need a sense of self- express individuality within
identity within the corporate environment. their space. Allow for
Although some believe the corporate
environment is a place which allows people to personal identity.
fulfill their need for status and a sense of
importance with their world there is the issue
of social fragmentation that divides people
from their true environment for eight hours a
day.
The goal is to address the need of option
of reducing the displacement and encourage
people to encompass their lives in order to
maximize the quality of life.
 49
35. Entrance:
As the user approaches a
building the entrance should
be clearly defined, for the
path of approach is
established by the location of
the entrance.

People have the natural tendency to take

the shortest path available. Therefore, the
entrance is generally the first element the
user is trying to visually locate. If the entrance
is ambiguous, the user's mind is automatically
focused on finding his way rather than
enjoying the surroundings.
The need to visually connect and orient
ourselves to the entrance as one approaches
the building establishes the need to create a
transitional space, a sequence to lead the user
into the building from public to private
domains. This transition may occur within the
building context to improve security and
intimacy (29). Providing a transitional space Fig. 20
will distinguish the atmosphere of the working
environment from the public environment.
The location of the entrance must relate
to the functional qualities of the building, for

the entrance defines the form of the
building.As people enter a building they
establish a goal as to their destination. In a
corporate facility this goal is usually the work
place. In order to improve circulation (38) and
user satisfaction a series of entrances may be
utilized. Although there may be a number of
entrances, a hierarchy and similarity should
exist to insure clarity and order.
The issue of parking(36) should be a
significant consideration in the location and
hierarchy of entrances. The majority of the
facilities users will utilize the parking
entrance. Therefore, the need to create a
"quality" entrance from the parking facilities
should be addressed in the design.
50
Therefore:
Establish entrance
locations to maximize
circulation efficiency and user
satisfaction. Clearly define the
main entrance in order for
visitors to establish a
psychological goal as they
approach the building. Utilize
a sense of hierarchy among
enterances and ignoledge the
fact that the parking entrance
is a significant element.
 51
the parking area needs to be accessible to and
from main transportation routes in order to
36. Parking: increase vechicular circulation.

Western society has become Therfore:

dependent on vechicular means of Locate parking
transportation. facilities to maximize access
and minimize the negative
Due to the dominance on individual visual impacts.Address the
vechicular transportation parking is a major multi-parking structure
consideration in the design of a building. Large
open parking facilities are proportionally out beyond the physical functions
of scale with their surroundings[l]. Parking of a garage. Use a path to
lots are "dead space" people rarely interact direct circulation and separate
when using them due to their dangerous pedestrian and vechicular
nature. The need to incorporate human scale traffic. Utilize daylighting
and capability is an issue that is often
unresolved. Visually shielding parking
(31) to establish circulation
facilities from pedestrian and vehicular views goals.-
can minimize the negative impacts. Providing
shafts of light is an effective means allowing
ventilation and a psychological connection to
the nature environment. Separating pedestrian
and vechicular circulation within the parking
facility reduces the natural conflict between
man and car, as well as creates a path.
The parking facility is critical to the
approach and entrance(35) of a building
because this is generally how the user gets to
and from the facility. The circulation within Alexander, Christopher. A Pattern Language.
Oxford Press, New York. 1977
 52

37. Reception: Therefore:

Using architectural
The main reception devices such as daylighting,
establishes the atmosphere of the hierarchy, and sequence of
building. space create an environment
that will adequately welcome
First impressions are often lasting ones. and guide the visitor without
The psychological mood a visitor develops creating psychological
about a space generally sets the mood for the barriers. This space should
entire architectural experience. Main reception adequately represent the
areas are critical to a successful corporate significance of Cp&L's
facility for they reflect the company's image to
the visitor. contributions to the
The functional requirement of a community as well as its
reception area is to greet arriving visitors[l] dedication to serving the
and direct them towards achieving their people of the community.
individual goals. This should not become a
processing procedure in which a security
guard gives impersonal directions. The
architectural quality of the space may simply
achieve this fuction. By utilizing sequence of
space and hierarchy (32) as psychological
elements privacy and intimacy (30) can still
be maintained without the visitor feeling as
though he is an intruder.

Alexander, Christopher. A Pattern Language.

Oxford Press, New York. 1977
 53
38. Circulation: reduce psychological barriers of multi-story
spaces.
The physical means of moving
Therefore:
from one space to another should
Address the issue of
be a memorable, enjoyable
circulation in the perspective
experience rather than a domain
of usable, productive space.
chore.
Utilize daylighting (31) and
the idea of circulation spaces
Within the functional requirements of a
corporate facility there is a need for various as "rooms" to enhance the
departments to communicate with one quality of space. Avoid
another. Whether the department is located corridor type spaces by
adjacent to the particular work space or across limiting length.
the building the physical act of movement
offers a psychological release from individual
task of the work space. By treating circulation
areas as rooms themselves the experience of
moving through a building can become a
source for psychological rejuvination and
social interaction.
Vertical circulation is commonly
resolved with elevators, which are often an
undesirable experience. The physical and
psychological advantages of staircases is a
functional and aesthetical pleasing element.
Within the corporate facility, multi-story
relationships may be maximized by utilizing
vertical volumes. Spatial relationships can

Fig. 21
 54
39. Office:
The work space of the
individual user should promote a
solution to the physical and
psychological needs of the post-
modern worker.

The social implications that post-modern

workers are becoming displaced and
fragmented illustrates the need for a better
work environment. The traditional attitudes
towards the work environment have been the
better the function the greater the
productivity. As the needs of post-modern
society develops the regconition of users needs •.••^ •'i- • - - I I

such as social interaction (8), job-statisfaction,

and personal individuality begin to become
significant to both the employee and the
employer. .1
The physical quality of the work place
has a positive or negative impact on the user. i^'lR *»1BW ' • f ' * ' .
gs,:;.fcs.::>i .«.-t;-.a*m;ari6a..-i3'' :ri• • M
By using the design techniques of architecture
the work place can become a personally Fig.22
satisfying environment. Utilizing such physical
issues as daylight, views, and quaility of space,
the psychological needs of individuality,
comfort, and job satisfaction can be
enhanched. Addressing these issues can
 55
reduce the degree of personal fragmentation.
Social interaction is critical to the
successfulness of a work place. The need for
people to communicate is a natural function.
Interaction between co-workers increases the
sense of community and identity within the
work place.

Therefore:
Ultimize the physical
means of architecture to meet the
needs of a post-modern work
place. Reduce the impact of social
Fig. 23
fragmentation by creating a sense
of place for the functions of work.
Promote social interaction and
personal satisfaction within the
user's individual space. Avoid
isolation and displacement of
individuals by integrating public
and private spaces.

Fig. 24

40. Conference:
Within the functions of the
corporate work place there is a
need for gathering spaces. The
degree of formality and privacy
determines the type of space
required.
The location and size of a meeting place
depends upon the participants. Whether the
space is for inter-department, multi-
department, or visitor/worker use will
determine the formality of the meeting place
required. Inter-department meetings may be
informal with workers gathering around a
participant's desk. In the case of formal
meetings a specific space is required. Inter-
department conference areas need to be
located adjacent to or within the department
in order to maximize usefulness.
Multi-department meetings are typically
semi-formal. The degree in which adjacency
determines usefulness is minimized because
the participant's attendance is focused a
general representation. The multi-department
56
conference rooms may also be utilized for
visitor/worker meetings.
Administration conference areas are
focused towards a formal environment, often
with graphic equipment required for meeting
presentations, etc. The board room will
accomodate significant meetings requiring a
special space.
The size of conference rooms will
typically influence the degree of participation
among the members of the meeting. Personal
security will be improved, influencing
individual input, if meeting rooms are
designed in small groups accomidating 10-12
participants[l].
Therefore:
Provide ample
meeting facilities for various
uses, both formal and
informal. Locate these areas
adjacent to or within the
particular department in
order to maximize efficiency.
Minimize the size of the space
to insure positive interaction.
1. Alexander, Christopher. A Pattern Language.
Oxford Press, New York. 1977
 57

41. Cafeteria:
Beyond the physical
requirement of providing a place
for dining, the cafeteria should be
an environment that promotes a
psychological relief from the work
place and encourage social
interaction.

The psychological intensity of the work

place often leads to stress and anxiety.
Creating an environment that provides a relief
from this atmosphere will allow the worker to
psychologically revive himself. The ability to
satisfy the need for people to have a sense of
belonging and community within their work
environment will enhance personal job
satisfaction levels. The dining facility can
provide a place for social interaction amoung
co-workers.
The atmosphere created is an important
element for the success of positive social
interaction. Physical connection to the natural Fig. 25
environment and personal intimacy will allow
the workers to feel physically and
 58

psychologically secure. Outdoor spaces will

provide a physical connection to the natural
surroundings and allow a release from the
physical work environment. Promoting
individual groups will encourage maximum
social interaction.

Therefore:
Provide a dining facility
to accomodate 100-150 people.
Design to promote social
interaction among co-workers
and a psychological break from
the work environment. Utilize Fig. 26
outdoor spaces and daylighting to
achieve a benificial atmosphere.
Physical accomodations for
kitchen facilities shall also be
provided. This includes storage,
office space, dishwashing, and
food preparation areas.
 59

42. Personal Needs: Therefore:

Provide adequate
Within any facility there is a facilities for the physical
need to accomodate the functional functions of people. Allow for
activities of the users. an atmosphere that will
promote a temporary release
People have a need to satisfy personal from the intensity of the work
functions physically and psychologically. Many environment. Design generous
times this is simply satisfied by inter-acting lavatory space and promote
with a co-worker or getting a cup of coffee. social interaction within the
Personal satisfaction allows the worker to feel circulation spaces (39).
comfortable within his environment, and have
a sense of belonging. Some of the psychological
needs allow people to regain their perspective
of themselves in relation to the work
environment.
Restrooms serve more than the physical
function for which they are structured. People
often use restrooms as a psychological release
from the intensity of their work environment.
Within the corporate atmosphere the focused
intensity of productivity and efficiency often
leads to stress and anxiety. As a periodical
release, workers often use the excuse of "going
to the restroom" in order to acquire a
psychological break, even if their goal is
simply to get away from their focused
responsibilities.
 60
43. Administration:
Therefore:
The executive facilities of a Address the issue of
corporate headquarters houses the significance of space and the
top executives who are directly need for the executive branch
responsible for the success of the to project the image of the
company. company. Promote an
asetheically pleasing
The atmosphere of the executive suite is environment that contains the
a reflection of the personalities and work significance of detail and
styles of the company's top executives, (1) The quality expected by
tone of the company is reflected through the distinguished visitors.
executive atmosphere. Formality, quality, and
convenience are design issues that should be
addressed in order to adequately meet the
needs of the executives and their visitors.
Beyond the psychological impression the
physical environment has on distinguished
visitors, the amount of personal dedication
executives make in order to adequately fulfill
their job duties is reason enough to justify the
quality environment in which they work.
Privacy and security are issues that
often require separate circulation
accomodations for the executive branch. Time
is of the essence in designing for executives: to
maximize productivity while providing an
aestheically pleasing environment is the
^. Gould, Bryant. Planning the new Corporate
optimum goal. Headquaters. John Wiley & Sons, New York. 1983.
 61
44. Day Care Center:
Within post-modern society a
greater number of families are
faced with the problem of child
care due tO the necessity for dual
incomes.

If a child's home environment must be

subsituted then it should be replaced with a
positive environment structured towards
meeting the needs of learning, play, and social
interaction. Having a sense of security with the
environment to which your children are
exposed is an important factor in the level of
worker's self-satisfaction and personal Fig. 27
happiness. Providing day care facilities within
the corporate environment will promote
greater parent/child inter-action during lunch
hours and commuting time. Offering such an
amenity will increase job-satisfaction levels
and the quality of the worker's daily life.
The day care facility shall provide the
physical environment capable of satisfying the
needs of children. Issues such as learning,
playing, and interaction with peers require
specific activities to occur in order for a
successful environment to be generated.
Student to teacher ratios must be in
 62
proportion to insure proper supervision and to
allow the children to feel secure within their
group.

Therefore:
Provide the physical
amenities to properly assure a
quality environment for
learning, playing, and social
interaction for children. Do so
by relating the scale of the
facility to childrens proportions,
allow adequate space and
facilities to maintain desirable
student/ teacher ratios (1: 8-
10), and design to accomidate
student/ parent (worker)
relationship during the work
day.
Fig.28
 63

Building Service
 64
45. Building Service: Therefore:
Adequately allow for
The daily activities within the the utilitarian fuctions of
building require a support system building services. Proximity
that will adequately maintain the and convenience are essential
facility. to the efficiency and
productivity of the service
The physical fuctions of maintaining a workers.
corporate facility require a number of
activities and spaces to properly accomodate
the utilitarian means of the facility. Due to the
fuctional quality of the service facilities, the
significance of convenience and productivity
are of greater importance to the activities of
service than the aesthetical quality of the
spaces.
Service accomodations should include
adequate space for janitorial services , storage,
and inter-building services such as mail,
reproduction, and exterior maintenance.
Although building service facilities are of
utilitarian nature their existence is essential to
the continuing operations of the corporate
facility.
 65
46. Security:
Therefore:
The issue of security and its Utilize physical
impacts on the physical and devices within the design of
psychological environment often the facility to minimize the
has a direct impact on the visitors psychological effects of
perception of the facility. insuring the safeguards of
property.
The need for security is an unavoidable
safeguard for corporate facilities. The standard Consider the use of
resolution to this issue is to install a security lighting, landscaping, and
guard who files visitors to their particular placement of entries within
destinations. Although security is a necessity the design to maximize
for the safeguard of life and property [1] the physical security elements.
asethetical impacts should be reduced to
minimize the negative atmosphere that is Utilize security devices such
often created. as locking devices and
By including the company's security television surveillance in the
needs within the physical design of the facility observation of critical areas.
architectural devices can be used to maximize
the efficiency of the system while at the same
time reducing the physical impacts on the
users.

^. Gould, Bryant. Planning the new Corporate

Headquarters. John Wiley & Sons, New York. 1983
 66

can maximize the efficiency of the facility.

47. Systems: Although characteristics of climate, site
location, topography, and orientation will
The living organism of a influence the outcome, architecture can
building is it's mechanical system. promote an energy-smart building that will
take advantage of its given surroundings.
The efficieny of mechanical systems
within office buildings has become an Therefore:
important issue in the design process of Promote a general
corporate facilities. No longer is the glass box design that will address the
of modern architecture acceptable within the physical characteristics of the
economic reality of post-moden society. climate (19). Utilize
Within the post-modern work place
corporate facilities are becoming more aware
techniques such as optimal
of the significance architectural design has on building shape, orientation,
the overall energy cost of a facility, Basic daylighting techniques, and
techniques of daylighting can maximize the shading devices to maximize
free resources of the natural environment to the efficiency of the facility.
enhance the overall efficiency of the building.
Sophisticated mechanical systems and
zoning techniques are physical tools commonly
being utilized to increase the efficiency of
corporate environments. Communication
elements and computer compatibilities are
increasing the complexity of systems. Often
large equipment and exchange panels are
required to maintain their efficiency.
By utilizing a design criteria of energy
conservation the elements of architecture
 67
48. Efficiency:
Therefore:
The issue of efficiency can be Address efficiency
applied to many of the functional within the various issues of
characteristics of a corporate the facility. Utilize the
facility. physical elements of
architecture as well as
In addressing the design of a corporate
facility the specific needs and desires of the technological advancements to
company should be evaluated in order for the maximize the efficiency of the
facility to maximize efficiency whenever facility. Utilize systems
possible. Within this consideration issues such performance(47).
as circulation, mechanical systems, and space
relationships can be addressed in the
schematic design phase to take full advantage
of their physical potential of maximizing
efficiency.
Central Power and Light Company faces
a unique dilemma in that as a public utility
company they are subject to public opinion.
The more efficient the company is with their
resources the more acceptable the public will
be to change. This directly relates to the value
of maximizing worker satisfaction within the
work place.
 68

49. Building Materials: Therefore:

Utilize materials that
The reflection of building will adequately represent the
character of CP&L and project
materials has a strong asethetical
an approiate image. Stately
impact on the appreance of a
materials such as stone,
building. marble, and brick maybe used
to achieve such an image.
The physical quality of materials reflects
**Refer to case study on Frito-Lay
a projection of the corporate image. Materials
used should be an approiate reflection of the Headquarters.
architectural design and character of the
facility. The significance of CP&L reflecting an
image into the community has a direct in the 11' '

selection process. The materials should reflect

a sense of stability in there character. 1^ •aeaBait»B9.> ^.MHmiMiKi M M M M
The architectural body of a building •f'?'^Bj^mm^^^^m,&mm§m-> pi^mm
includes a base, body, and crown, A physical
distinction of these elements gives a building a
L
stronger established image.
Interior finishes create the
atmosphere(27) of the environment. Issues of SB JD
warmth and character should be considered
within the selection process in order to
enhance the comfort(28) of the workers.

Fig. 29
 69
Therefore:
50. Outdoor Space: Provide a transitional
outdoor space form the
The transition between surrounding natural
exterior and interior environment into the corporate
environments is often a atmosphere. Utilize this space as
fragmentated process of using a a public amenity that will
door. enhance the downtown area.
Utilize natural plantings and the
The natural and psychological characters advantages of the site's climate.
of the physical environment surrounding the
facility have a direct impact on the way in
which most of the community will perceive
the company. The issue of a public utility
company occupying valuable bayfront
property is one that must be addressed. The
company's presence in the downtown area is
an important asset to the economic success of
the city. In this alone the project can be
justified. However, the social impacts of the
facility will play an important role in the
company's public image.
By providing a space that allows public
participation the facility will be able to
address the transitional issue of public to
private environments as well as offer the
community a public asset that will enhance
the overall image of the surrounding area.
Fig. 30
 70

51. Lighting Therefore:

Maximize the benefits
The atmosphere of a space is of daylighting and promote
greatly determined by the quality task lighting as an individual
of lighting. light source in order to
enhance the quality of the
Within a space a minimum level of work space.
lighting is required. However, the quality of
light may have a positive or negative impact
on the worker.
Traditional modern office lighting
requirements are achieved by overhead
flourescent fixtures which meet the required
footcandle level but add little aesthetical
quality to the space.
Utilizing daylight as a basic source of
light will not only add to the functional
requirement of number of footcandle required
but will add an ever-changing quality to the
space. Introducing indirect task lighting as an
alternative will allow workers to control the
quantity and quality of light within their space
but will also allow personal expression to
occur. Fig. 31
Case Studies
 72
Case Study #1

Codex World Headquarters

Canton, Massachusetts
Koetter, Kim, and Associates

Located just outside of Boston in Canton,

Mass., the site is made up of fifty-five acres
overlooked by the historical Great Blue Hill,
Although located adjacent to Route 128, the
site, formally known as the Maresfield Farm,
remains strictly rural.
The basic plan is square, arranged about
a centralized garden in which open offices are
located around on three sides. Interior offices
and laboratories are equally lighted by multi-
story arcaded corridors, and no desk is more
than twenty feet away from natural daylight.
Although the garden acts as the
centralizing force in the main building, there
are several other areas which seem to act as
nodes of activity, such as the circular
employees' entrance and the linear dining
areas that overlook the "race track," (Public
access to auditorium,)
Circulation patterns are well defined by
the double-loaded corridors which also reflect
the centralized garden. These "well" lighted
arcades become spaces within themselves
that act functionally by providing natural
A1U-|IIT|:(TIIR1-.JANUARY I'lr Fig.32
 73
light to interior office spaces.
Vertical circulation appears to be tucked
away within the corners of the rectangular
plan; both physical and mechanical means are
provided. The dominating feature of the
vertical movement in the building lies within
the garden and arcaded corridors which not
only permits natural light to drench the office
spaces but more importantly provides some
aesthetic connection to the exterior from the
three-story structure.
Although floor to floor height appears to
be narrow, (7'6" - 8'0"), there is enough play
with vertical spaces in relation to the open
office plan that the architect provides other
interesting volumes besides the garden and
three-story corridors. The overall form of the
interior spaces has been described as "simple
and clear", and this appears to be true.
The building's exterior reflects the
charm of its New England surroundings with
the building mass stepping down around the
perimeter relating to the scale of the
surrounding farm buildings. The overall form
of the mass seems to be a large shape made
up of "several overlays of small inspirations,
lacking an overall shape or idea" [1].
Outline of the major issues of the design
program include:
- How to involve the building with Fig. 33
the site so as to enhance the lives
 74
of the people who work there
- How to replace the rich public
world of streets, shops,
restaurants, clubs, and services
that surround the typical urban
office building
- Allowed to develop only eleven
of the farm's, fifty-five
acres, and build no more than two
hundred fifty
thousand square feet under 125
thousand square feet of
roof,
- Create a "lasting" work of
architecture
- Create a different way of life for
Codex employees
Reflecting its New England
surroundings, the complex utilizes building
materials such as red sand-struck brick,
granite, lead-coated copper, white window
panes, gray slate roof, and glass. The details
appear to be clean and straight forward
giving the overall complex an elegant form.
Interior materials are rich, and solid
cherry floors. Mahogany trim, and marble Fig. 34
flooring express the mood of the complex,
Gridded beams, which reflect the trellis
pattern of the garden, help tie together the
interior and exterior.
Mission statement: The workplace
 becomes a kind of substitute public location, 75
one of the only places where appreciable
numbers of people actually come face to face
on a regular basis, where the better part of
their waking hours is spent in close proximity
to one another.
Within the program Codex called for an
open office plan for one thousand employees,
thirty conference rooms, dining facilities, a
300-seat auditorium, a 2500 square foot
library, 25 thousand square feet of laboratory
space, and 400 square feet of quiet rooms
where employees could work in an
environment away from their desk.
Aesthetic goals included creating some
sense of the public world in both the building
itself and in the surrounding landscape, thus
enhancing the lives of the people who work at
Codex.
Besides meeting the basic requirements Fig. 35
of the program, major issues that had to be
addressed were based around the question of
how to replace the public infrastructure that
surrounds the typical urban office building,
(restaurants, shops, clubs, department stores,
service facilities), and relating this "structure"
to the rural environment. Another issue
which faces any project is the question of
where and how to handle the treatment of the
parking. By replacing the parking garage
tightly between the building and the major

Fig. 36
 highway that is tangent to the edge of the
site, and placing the structure half-
underground the mass ot the garage is
hidden from the user in perspective from
ground level. By placing large trees between
the parking bays, the view is again broken
into smaller, less severe images.
The mechanical HVAC system used is
unique in that the reflecting ponds are used
as holding ponds for the heat pump system.
Although the cost of the system is roughly
equal to a conventional system, operating
costs are 40% lower.
The lighting system is made up of a
mixture of natural and task lighting, Koetter's
design enables any desk in the 300 square
foot structure to be within 20 feet of natural
light.
 77
CASE STUDY #2
Schlumberger Corporation
Austin, Texas
Barnstone and Jackson, Architects (joint
venture)

Located on twenty of the four hundred

thirty-eight-acre site in the hills northwest of
Austin, the Schlumberger project is in an
environmentally sensitive area just outside of
the state capital. Characteristics of the area
include rolling hills, limestone canyons, and
low cedar and live oaks typical of the Texas
hill country.
The Schlumberger project is a linear
configuration of five office buildings located
beyond a central entry pavilion which
introduces the user to the complex. The free-
form design of the office buildings follows the
twists of the narrow limestone canyon in
which the complex lies. The overall plan
"responds to the site instead of shaping it." It
has been referred to as the "most
environmentally sensitive corporate project m
the United States." The complex is tied
together by a central walkway that is
constructed of heavy fir timbers which merge
into a central axial corridor. The "broadway",
Fig. 37
as the skylit corridor is referred to, is the
 78
"central part of the design." As a circulation
corridor, it creates interactions between the
employees due to the fact that there is no
other way in or out of the complex.
The individual offices, which are
designed to emphasize individuality,possibly
lost in the idea of togetherness in other parts
of the complex, are accented by the
inconsistency of their shapes which are
defined by the canyon walls. All of the
offices have pleasant views of the
surrounding hills. Beyond the office wings
the labs and cafeteria are located among the
hills, all connected by the covered walkway
which provides an interesting stroll among
the trees.
The centralizing element of the
"buildings", besides the interlocking corridors,
are the meeting areas which are designed to
encourage interaction among employees.
Schlumberger wanted conference to be an
informal get-together rather than a formal
meeting in a static office space. These
Fig. 38
meeting areas define nodes of activities
between departments and gives individuality
to each building.
Vertical circulation seems to be tucked
away for mechanical means, but is centrally
located in the "Broadway" with stair towers
connecting the two-story structure. Natural
light pours into the buildings by the skylit
 79
corridors.
The basic building materials are made
up of a soft-colored igneous stone called
adquin from Mexico, heavy fir timbers, and
steel and glass enclosures. The peach stone
and natural timbers blend well with the
landscape of the north-west hills of Austin.
The primary objective of the new
campus was to stimulate interaction among
employees from all levels of the facility and
from all parts of the operation. The main
focus of the project, says Howard Barnstone,
was for the new facility "not to be in any way
stratified." They wanted the space arranged
so that the newest engineers right out of
college and the top managers would be
bumping into each other day after day to
share ideas and solutions to common
problems.
The project is made up of five office Fig. 39
buildings containing offices, laboratories, a
cafeteria, and other common areas serving
one hundred sixty-five employees, totaling
about one hundred seventy-five thousand
square feet.
The fundamental ideas of the architects
were to serve two main goals - increasing
communication among employees and giving
them a place to work where they feel special.
The basic structural system is steel
framed with a unique stone veneer. The roof
 80
is a standing seam metal roof with the glass
corridors extruding through the sturcture.
The lighting system is a mixture of natural
and task. Each individual office has its own
window providing a view, natural light, and
fresh air.
The Schlumberger center addresses
some interesting concepts in corporate
planning. Using the ideas of creating a new
type of cultural center, Barnstone effectively
creates an environment in which
communication is increased among employees
and effectively gives them a place to work
where they feel special. The complex
demonstrated its sensitivity to its site by
using the contours of the canyon to give form
to the buildings. The idea of separate
buildings seems to be a positive alternative to
large building masses, although I question the
efficiency of exterior connectors in times of
bad weather. A few negative elements within
the complex include the attached feeling of
the exterior walkway and the bulkiness of the Fig. 40
building forms. Overall, I think the
theoretical ideas deserve more merit than the
product.
 81

CASE STUDY #3
Frito-Lay Headquarters
Piano, Texas
Architect: Lohan Associates

The natural surroundings of the site

provide unusual views for its southwest
region. Located in Piano, Texas, just twenty
miles north of Dallas, the Frito-Lay rkai«f»^) b) NMi fckm(i.lkilJHl>'«;«»••(

Corporation is settled within the rolling hills

and waterways of the former farm lands. The Fig. 41
site is a two hundred eighteen acre location
with an 8.3 acre lake. The lake provides an
interesting landscape and has a beneficial 1^ i--..i IN
impact on the design of the facility.
The basic configuration of the complex
is based on the intersection of three
rectangular office buildings forming a
triangular courtyard around the lake. By
choosing to locate the building at the end of ^v^^'^
the lake the architect established a concept of
/
user particitpation with the site's
surroundings. The low-lying structure blends
with the site to create various ground levels
Fig.42
 82
thus making the second level flush with the
parking ground level, allowing the reduction
of vertical circulation with the four-story
structure.
The defined courtyard is the major focal
point of the project. All the major interior
spaces are adjacent to the court allowing
natural light to flood the space. This gives
Frito-Lay employees the opportunity to enjoy
the "freshness" of the outdoors. Frito-Lay
resolved any inconveniences to their
/ J .r-/ '•> \. -I ' • / , ' - f rr!!i;:'il
employees by providing retail spaces due to
the rural location. The complex includes a
complete fitness center, a dry cleaners, and
automated bank tellers.
In developing the program the architect
utilizes circulation to overcome past
communication problems among the h
employees. All circulation, including hallways
and staircases relate to the courtyard thus
making walking from one point to another a
pleasant sequence of events. • ; ; " ' ' " '-•'! ' _ . • r F •«' (S '•••> o < s « Li [ r
Vertical circulation is one of the unique
features of the Frito-Lay complex. By using i'..rJi
W'
the site's topography to its advantage the •:;Sffi::;U.,:.:. . - r x i a i x . l a o j : - - . - . p . , ; , ,.. ;-iVj >n'cn L-1J_

building steps up and down thus allowing

Lohan to locate the employee entrances from
the parking lot at the second level. This gives
the advantage of utilizing stairs as the major
vertical mover, reducing the number of flights
the employee has to climb making the system Fig.43
 83
more efficient. Structurally the building is a
post and beam system with steel as the
primary structural element and a polished
granite and light aluminum panel used as a
non-structural veneer.
The Frito-Lay project sets up an order
of business with the layout of spaces.
Establishing a specific sequence, the function
of the interiors appears to work very well.
The location of the offices and support
functions defines a particular node, and the
conference center and foyer set up the public
and private domains. The cafeteria acts as a
link between the two spaces.
The materials according to Lohan were
chosen to provide a sense of warmth, which
appears to be very successful. Basic materials
include a steel post and beam structural
system. Exterior finishes include a split-face
stone built up in horizontal slabs which form
the base allowing the uneven texture to tie
the building to the ground plane. The facade
is a combination of glass, polished red granite
floor, English brown oak, and brass finishes.
The attention to detail is apparent in finishes.
For example, the triangular footprint of the
courtyard becomes a motif which appears in Fig.44
the area rug and brass handles within the
main floor.
The spatial relationships among the
various parts of the complex have unique
 84
features that justify their form and give order
to the building as a whole. The relationship
between the conference center and the offices
is one that defines space and activities. By
concentrating all the conference/meeting
rooms in one location the system is
established. The employees are able to
schedule meetings and meet on common
grounds within the complex. The adjacency to
the main foyer allows visitors or clients to
feel secure within the large complex and
allows for flexibility in activities. The narrow
width of the office wings allows natural light
to penetrate interior spaces making the work
environment more enjoyable.
Frito-Lay required a national
headquarters that would attract and maintain
a staff of highly motivated professionals and
consolidate top management personnel in a
single expandable location. Architect Dick
Lohan believes that corporations, contrary to
myths, are quite different from one another.
They are not just big anonymous
organizations - the good ones have both
leadership and character.
The physical goal of the project was to
establish an environment for one thousand Fig. 45
five hundred employees within five hundred
thousand square feet. Psychologically the
goal was to encourage communication among
employees and a stronger sense of identity
 85
within the larger company.
The Frito-Lay complex by Lohan and
Associates is an interesting example of
corporate planning. The humanistic ideas of
J
Lohan are encouraging to my personal beliefs
of architecture and I think these ideas are
apparent in the design of the complex. The
emphasis on site considerations and the use of
natural materials enhance the project as a
whole. The attention to details and the carry-
over of motifs of various elements works very
well in giving a sense of wholeness to the
project.
The building's form relates well to the
site; the idea of layering the edges of the
building to meet the existing grade is
effective in both form and function. The idea
of placing the building over the lake was a
risky one but it works well in creating a focus
for the office environment.
The ideas of circulation and
communication are justified in the concepts of
the design. I think the effectiveness of the
office wing could have been enhanced to
improve and promote more communication.
Although the narrow form of the office
wing allows natural light into the space, the
individual is restricted in direct views and
light. Possibly the concepts in other spaces
I
could have been used to open this space to
the exterior. The grid system of the
 86
individual offices may become a bit rigid.
This appears to be an efficient system but
could possibly change, creating different
environments.
Overall, the complex creates some
interesting ideas in modern corporate
facilities. By focusing the architecture to meet
the needs of the individual as one and as a
whole the project becomes more successful
for everyone.
 87

Space Summary
 88
Space Summary
Corporate Headquarters
Space Number of Type of Space* Net
occuoant.s Sq. Ft.
Administration

Chairman/CEO 1 a-a 600

Executive VP. 1 a-a 400
Senior VP, 1 a-a 400
Vice-President 4 a (4@300) 1200
Executive staff 12 a (12@200) 2400
Reception variable a-a 400
Board Room 10 a-a 500
Conference 5-10 a (3@200) 600
Storage - c 150

Engineering

Vice-President 1 a-a 300

Executive Director 2 a (2@200) 400
Director 10 b (10@150) 1500
STP 16 b (16@150) 2400
Fuels 9 b (9@150) 1350
Generation &
Construction 10 b (10@150) 1500
Energy Control 20 b (20(0)150) 3000
Environmental
Protection 8 b (8@150) 1200
 89
Space Number of Type of Space* Net
Occuoants So. Ft.

System Engineering 4 b (4@150) 600

Transmission &
Substation Design 20 b (20@150) 3000
Systems Engineers 15 b (15@150) 2250
Distribution 12 b (12@150) 1800
Transmission
Operations 4 b (4@150) 600
Telecommunications 7 b (7@150) 1650
Secretary 15 b (15@100) 1500
Storage/Files - d 6000
Conference 5-10 b (10@225) 2250
Reception variable a-a 300
Printing and Storage - d 300

Finance:

Vice-President 1 a-a 300

Executive Director 1 a 300
Director 5 b (5@200) 1000
Treasurer 1 b (1@150) 150
-Planning 4 b (4@150) 600
Rates 12 b (12@150) 1800
Reg. Affairs 24 b (24@150) 3600
Controller:
-Programming 12 b (12@150) 3600
-Aduit 6 b (6@150) 900
 90
Space Number of Type of Space* Net
Occupants Sq. Ft.

Payable/Recievable 6 b (6@150) 900

Payroll 6 b (6(2)150) 900
Tax 24 b (24@150) 3600
Secretary 10 b (10(2)100) 1000
Conference 5-10 a (10(^225) 2225
Storage d 400
Reception variable a 300

Corporate Services:

Vice-President 1 a 300
Directors 3 b (3@200) 600
Manager 2 b (2@200) 400
Employee Relations 15 b (15@150) 2250
Purch. & Storage 13 b (13(2)150) 1950
Management
Services 8 b (8(2)150) 1200
Legal Affairs 8 b (8@200) 1600
Training Room 20 a (2(S400) 800
Safety 4 b (4@150) 600
Personnel 4 b (4@150) 600
Transportation 7 b (7@150) 1050
Reception - a 300
Storage - d 2000
 91

Space Number of Type of Space* Net

occuoants So. Ft.

District Operations:

Vice-President 1 a 300
Executive Director 1 a 300
Director 3 a (3(2)200) 600
Manager 6 a (6@200) 1200
Marketing 8 b (8@150) 1200
Public Relation 20 b (20@150) 3000
Industrial
Power 15 b (15(ffil50) 2250
Secretary 10 b (10@100) 1000
Reception variable a 300
Conference 5-10 a (10@225) 2225
Projection Room 30 a 300
Storage - d 600

Strategic Planning:

Vice- President 1 a 300

Manager 2 b (2@200) 400
Forecasting 5 b (5(2)150) 750
Secretary 2 b (2(2)100) 200
Conference 5-10 a (2@225) 450
Storage - d 300
 92

Space Number of Type of Space^ Net

OccMpants Sfl. Ft.
Office Services

Mail Room 1 d 300

Reproduction d (3@150)450
Supplies d (3@ 150)450

Support Space Facilities

Main Reception variable a-a 2500

Employee Lounges 3-5 b (6@ 200) 1200
Cafeteria 150 a 3750
Kitchen 10 d 1500
Exercise Room 5-10 a 1000
Changing Facilities 5-10 a (2(2)300)600
Auditorium 100 a 3500

Child Care Facilities:

Director 1 a 300
Staff Office 5 b (5@150)750
Lounge 8 b 300
Reception variable a 300
Classrooms 15-20 c (6(3500)3000
Indoor Play Space c 3290
Kitchen c 300

TOTAL NET SQ. FT.. 112,515,

 93
Tertiary Space

Mechanical Area Net SF, X 0,15 16,877

Ckculation Net SF, X 0,23 25,878
Toilets & Utilities Net SF, X 0.06 6,750
Walls Net. SF X 0.06 6.750

Total Gross USE. 168,770

Gross Sq. Ft Gross USF X L2 2 02,524

Parking 400 cars @ 292,5 SF./ Car 117,000

* Type of Space:

A-A. High quality, executive space.

B. Quality space, private office.
C. Typical work space, production
D. Utilitarian space, storage,etc. ^

Corporate Facilities Program for Central Power & Light Co.

McCord & Lorenzo Arcitects & Engineers.
Administration 94

Chairman/CEO
Executive VP.
Senior VP.
Vice-President
Executive staff
Reception
Board Room
Conference
Storage
 95
Engineering

Vice-President
Executive Director
Director
STP
Fuels
Generation & Con
Energy Control
Environ Protection
System Engineering
Substation Design
Systems Engineers
Transmission
Distribution
Telecommunications
Secretary
Storage/Files
Conference
Reception
Printing
 96

Finance:
Vice-President
Executive Director
Director
Treasurer
-Planning
Rates
Controller:
Reg. Affairs
-Programming
-Aduit
Payable/Recievable
Payroll
Tax
Secretary
Conference
Reception
Storage
 97

Corporate Services:
Vice-President
Directors
Manager
Employee Relations
Purch. & Storage
Management
Legal Affairs
Training Room
Safety
Personnel
Transportation
Reception
Storage
 98

District Operations:
Vice-President
Executive Director
Director
Manager
Marketing
Public Relation
Industrial Power
Secretary
Reception
Conference
Projection Room
Storage
 99
Strategic Planning-
Vice- President
Manager
Forecasting
Secretary
Conference
Storage
 101

Cost Analysis
 102

Project Cost Analysis

Front Door Approach

Building Area Cost/Sq. Ft. $72,95

Cost/Cubic Ft. $5.95

Gross Building Area 202,524 SF.

Building Budget $14,774,126

Project Building Ratio 1.6

Total Project Budget $23,638,601

Gross Income Muiltiplier 6.67

Potential Gross Income $3,544,018

Gross Leaseable Area 172,145 SF.

Market Rent/Sq. Ft./Year $20.59^

Dodge Cost Analysis. 1988

 103

Bibliography
 104
Bibliography
8. Campbell, Robert, "Intimations of
Urbanity in a Bucolic Setting,"
1. "A Corporate Villa," Architectural
Architecture. October 1986
Record. November 1987.
9. "Cincinnati Centerpeice," Progressive
2. Alexander, Christopher. Pattern
Architecture. October 1985.
Language. Oxford Press, New York,
1978.
10. Cohen, Elains and Aaron. Planning
the Electronic Office. McGraw-Hill,
3. Balderston, Jack, Improving Office
New York, 1983,
Operations: A Prime for Professionals.
Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York,
11. Corporate Architect: Eric Devaris:
1985.
ph; p. 225, September 1986, int.
4. Barna, Joel Warren. "Bridgelike
12. Dean, Andrea. "Corporate Contrast
Walkway System Links a Set of Five in the Suburbs," Architecture.
Office Pavilions, " Architecture. February 1985.
January 1988.
13. "Designing for the Princes of Our
5. Barna, Joel Warren. "Company Day," Architecture. February 1985,
Headquarters in the Second Age,"
Texas Architect. June 1987, 14. Gould, Bryant. Planning the New
Corporate Headquarters. John Wiley
6. Bateman, Michael. Office and Sons, New York, 1983.
Development: A Geographical Analysis,
St. Martin's Press, New York, 1985. 15. Houseman, Willian. Everybody's
Business. Herman Miller Corp., Zeeland
7. Black, Thomas. The Changing Office Mich., 1985.
Workplace. Urban Land Institute,
Washington, D.C, 1986.
16. "Human Nature," Interiors.
November 1986.

17. Mara, Paul. Office Development

Handbook. Urban Land Institute,
Washington, D.C, 1982.

18. Pile, John. Open Office Planning.

Watson-Guptill Publications, New York,
1978.

19. Pile, John. Interiors 3rd Book of

Offices. Watson-Guptill Publications,
New York, 1978.

20. "Recollection and Invention,"

Architectural Record. January 1988,

21. Saphier, Michael. Office Planning

and Design. McGraw-Hill, New York,
1978.

22. Saphier, Michael. Planning the New

Office. McGraw-Hill. New York. 1978.

23. "The Corporate Habitat,"

Architectural Record. October 1983.
 CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS THESIS SPRING 1989
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS JEFF S. MANGELS

^ ' ^ r j H i C ^I
- 1 - ! Jrr - -~ •i
T1,.. *.-• //
-.>—
" " • ' • / " > - - . i - . /

--^''"-.-.V'' /

Location Map

Lobby View

. • * . • "o".

tiV:'-^ >
,
prrsMF
•;:{••:.•.••-.vV- 1^ iff Iff TSi^'
•v\ • * -^^
* • • ' . • " * • • ' . . : • - '

U.lJi
Street Level ^

.<E3

North Elevation

Bii. I.T11,, m^ai Second Level Plan

T -1 -1 nBffli
n nn n
n -i 1 T $ • •

n -1 -I 1

. ^
^ ^ a
West Elevation Ground Level Plan Plaza Level Plan So4ith Etevalion
^

U-ntmirttiltliiiililHI
~,-.Tll-.-:tiTTi.-.;.

l7,r?.tilT7::-~i.;."
tri". • H J t i M m . i j t

Section bb
"44 '^^
r 3 •* Nmth Lev^ Han
V . v

\mr^
Seventh Level Plan
 CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS

J V,
r ORPUS I Httl^tl

:^ r

Location Map
tOKPU% tHKISK,

Site Plan Street Level

^S so KJI)
 THESIS SPRING 1989
JEFF S. MANGELS

Lobby View

Plaza View
Plaza Level Plan South Elevation
 North Elevation stAiE 1. It r 0

1
in

1one: 1
1
IQD

Ii ST -ttfU r-^-BBp'HHHHHB
MMM
liilliLilliiiiliiiiilil
1 n a n n MM
1 nn• I- ' inHHrinB
1
f
'^'"^
\
Second Level Plan

ml U i l Dli n n n L 1 "iqrinn'-ilB [
n n n 1 1 iHHHHHH
f

T L-l nnnnnnB

IriilililliHililiililf 1 r c r '- ' n h n h n h S ai

[ n ,1
1 rmr
! I! i;
liu!
nnr
nnr
nnr
inr • int

inr • inr
: • F BE BBnnnnB
bn4^ Dn- _ innrii
- innnsggBsam
^ ' ;
™ .
B3] - ^.J

West Elevation Ground Level Plan

 i ^
Section

Fifth Level Plan

Seventh Level Plan
Conclusion:

In review of the issues outlining this

program most became influencial in the
design development stage of this project. The
emphasis of the thesis focused on a corporate
image that would represent Central Power &
Light Company. The social implications of
reducing the fragmentation that occurs
between the home and work environment
were addressed in terms of the resolution of
the issues which influenced the design.

The contextural issues of the site

became a critical influence on the design
development of this project. Addressing the
needs of the surrounding area and recognizing
the need to generate a sense of place for the
community determined the initial design
concept. Due to the conditions of the bayfront,
the city grid of,the downtown district is
shifted from the original up-town grid. By
imposing the up-town grid onto the site
reinforced the significance of the relationship
of the project to the business district of the
up-town area.

In expressing a corporate image several

issues influenced the design solution. As
mentioned, the importance of generating a
sense of place for the community was a
critical factor, as important was developing a
sense of community within the work place. In
order to illustrate the concern for a quality
work environment for the workers, the design
solution addressed several critical issues
discussed in the program: Issues such as view,
natural light, ventalation, and arrival
influenced the form and orientation of the
building. Having the advantage of the
bayfront site it was important to orient the
building to maximize the greatest amount of
view.

The need for natural light in the work

space is critical, as discussed within the
program. As a result of maximizing the
amount of natural light into the work space
the building form resulted in being rather
narrow, allowing most of the building to have
natural light from both sides.

As true of many Texas cities. Corpus

Christi is prodominatly a vechicular city.
Therefore, the majority of the buildings users
will enter from the parking facility. Deciding
to eliminate a parking structure as an
acceptable solution, the decision was to cover
the site with parking and introduce a raised
plaza as the main level. Utilizing the concept
of the shifted grid allowed the edges to
terrace down to the street, reinforcing the
street-building relationship and pedestrian
scale. As true of the parking structure as in
other parts of the building, natural light was
an important design issue. Therefore, by
punching holes in the plaza light was allowed
to flood the space as well as establish a
physical connection between the building and
the ground plane. The transition of entry from
the garage to the building occurs within
atriums of space that bring the user up into
the building through a significant space,
reinforcing the importance or arrival for the
user.

The arragement of office/departments

are broken down into smaller areas or
clusters defined by the vertical circulation
cores, reinforcing the idea of community
within the work environment. Intermediate
vertical circulation elements allow workers
achive inter-department communications
more efficiently. These elements are defined
by open stairwells that celebrate vertical
movement.

The exterior facade was influenced by

the semi-tropical climate, which dictated the
need for shading. The expression of the grid
and the layered characteristics of the plan
expressed a textured quality to the elevation
producing an interesting play of shade and
shadow.

In relating the project to the bayfront

and marinia became a critical link in
establishing a sense of place for the
community. The half block portion of the site,
adjacent to the bayfront acted as the
transition point in which the idea of the park
was extended, expressing the transition from
the natural environment, being the park, to
the controlled or man made condition of the
plaza.

Revisions in the programmed data often

resulted from the discovery of additional
information or the awareness that an
alternative solution would be more
appropiate. Many issues surfaced during the
design stage that often had a significant
influence on the design. This could only be
expected due to' the difficulty in invisioning
the design solution within the program. Being
aware of the influence of unknown variables
reinforces the usefulness of a "general" format
in which issues are discussed and outlined,
but specific design reccomindations are not
expressed as solutions.