ABSTRACT
Summary
The Langford Architecture Center at Texas A&M housed approximately 1,700 students and 210 faculty and staff in three buildings—A, B, and C. In 1999, the College formulated a proposal to expand and remodel the existing complex. We did a POE to inform that process. The POE had an exterior and two interior evaluations. The exterior survey paralleled the protocol established by the multi-university POE study and involved 30 participants. One part of the interior evaluation surveyed 145 users about the best liked and the least liked physical properties of Langford Architecture Center. The other part used Sanoffs Six Factor Architecture Building Assessment tool (see Part III, Chapter 1 to have 43 users evaluate the technical, functional, and behavioral elements of the newest addition, Building A (completed in 1977).
The results indicated the importance of creating unifying exterior spaces, more comfortable and energy-efficient buildings, and more sensitive fit with context. The assessments also revealed a need for nature focused, naturally lit, and socially supportive space. Some spaces and attributes (e.g., atrium and façade recession) received both high and low ratings, perhaps due to the boldness of their design expression.
