Equator>

Equatorial Student Commons

NetZero Energy, Super Low Carbon

+

The adaptive reuse and redesign of the EQUATORIAL STUDENT COMMONS (2025) transforms an existing structure into a net-zero energy building that engages both its embodied carbon and architectural heritage. Grounded in principles of sustainability and decarbonization, the project preserves and amplifies original features while introducing climate-responsive strategies tailored to its equatorial context.

Central to the redesign are six vaulted arches—remnants of the original building—recast as “climatic straws” that passively ventilate and cool the structure. Made of glass-reinforced concrete, these deep vaults draw in cool night air from adjacent vegetated landscapes, storing it in their thermal mass to moderate interior temperatures throughout the day. The straws define a large, flexible “campus room” and lead into a naturally ventilated atrium—both conceived as social commons. A porous clerestory, stack effect, HVLS fans, and perforated sunscreens generate a thermodynamic “air lung” at the heart of the building.

The exterior incorporates fluted precast panels and perforated vertical fins that reinterpret the original mosaic façade while managing solar gain and enhancing privacy. Formally and symbolically, the design references mid-century modernist precedents—such as Sert’s Fondation Maeght and Harrison & Abramovitz’s New York State Museum—reimagined through a tropical lens.

Ultimately, the Equatorial Student Commons affirms the value of large, shared spaces in dense university settings, demonstrating how architecture can elevate student life through climate-conscious design and spatial generosity.

+

Erik L’Heureux (PhD) FAIA

Design Architect

+

In collaboration with

AWP Architects, Architect Qualified Professional / Architect of Record