From interior designers to architects and urban planners, designers at all scales need to address how this shift in work patterns could alter our environment. Urban vitality may be threatened by the dilution of density unless new types of magnets emerge. In contrast, rural and scenic areas may experience new economic viability with the promise of new televillages. One emerging building type is the neighborhood telework center; a place which workers can skip the long commute to the head office, yet find space, equipment and sociability which might be lacking at home.
For this design project, the Whiteaker Telecenter will act as both a prototype neighborhood telework center and as a city-wide telecommunications resource center. For people already on a flexible schedule, the neighborhood center offers part-time or full-time access to workspaces and conference rooms complete with phone, fax, copy, high-speed data links and support staff. Project materials and personal belongings can be stored at the center. For those curious about the Internet and telecommunications, the center will provide exhibits, instruction and assisted self-access to online resources.
This program imagines a scenario of a public/private partnership, in which the City of Eugene subsidizes a lease of public land and a high-technology consortium sponsors the center in order to promote their products. Room for expansion should be planned with the original design.
| SPACE | QTY | UNIT NET | NET AREA | SUBTOTAL | |
| EDUCATIONAL | 4250 | ||||
| New Equipment Display/Demo area (secure after hours) | 1 | 1000 | 1000 | ||
| Electronic Classroom (w/ video projection, workstations) | 2 | 800 | 1600 | ||
| Lecture room (w/ projection, stage) | 1 | 1200 | 1200 | ||
| Educational Offices | 3 | 150 | 450 | ||
| | |||||
| WORKSETTINGS | | 3700 | |||
| Area for individual work (hot desks w/ enhanced online resources) | 1 | 2000 | 2000 | can break down | |
| Special peripheral room (copiers, printers, scanners) | 1 | 300 | 300 | ||
| Video-conference room | 1 | 400 | 400 | ||
| Small conference room | 3 | 200 | 600 | ||
| New media connections w/ IO devices such as VR | 1 | 400 | 400 | ||
| Reference Help Area | 1 | 300 | 300 | ||
| RELAXATION | 4000 | ||||
| Meeting place/cybercafe | 1 | 1500 | 1500 | ||
| Cybercafe Kitchen | 1 | 500 | 500 | ||
| Exercise / recreation area : can be exterior | 2000 | ||||
| Garden, Nature viewing areas | exterior | | |||
| ADMIN | 1200 | ||||
| Building Reception/Waiting area | 1 | 200 | 200 | ||
| Director's Office | 1 | 200 | 200 | ||
| Tech Support Offices | 4 | 150 | 600 | ||
| Staff room | 1 | 200 | 200 | ||
| SUPPORT | 3000 | ||||
| Entrance Vestibule | 1 | 100 | 100 | ||
| Restrooms | 2 | 300 | 600 | ||
| Locker Area | 2 | 300 | 600 | ||
| Storage | 1 | 500 | 500 | ||
| Locker Area | 2 | 300 | 600 | ||
| Janitor's Closet (1 per floor) | 1 | 60 | 60 | ||
| Main Mechanical room | 1 | 400 | 400 | ||
| Electrical room | 1 | 60 | 60 | ||
| Mechanical/elect room 1 per upper floor | 1 | 80 | 80 | ||
| | |||||
| TOTAL NET AREA | 11,900 | ||||
| net to gross ratio | 0.65 | ||||
| GROSS AREA | 18,308 | ||||
| | |||||
| EXTERIOR | |||||
| Covered Bicycle Parking | 1 | 500 | 500 | | |
| Car Parking for 20 cars | | | |
Site
For this prototype, a site in Eugene, Oregon's Whiteaker area along the
Willamette River has been chosen. It sits in between the Outdoor Program's
River House and the Owens Rose Garden, just north of the 4J School Districts'
Administration Building. The site has major exposure to bicycle commuters on
the riverside paths and has car access from Madison Street and Sycamore Street.
It is centrally located in the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area, just north
of central downtown Eugene.
The Whiteaker neighborhood is characterized by heterogeneity. It has a mix of residential, public, commercial and industrial land use types. Its residents come from a range of economic backgrounds, and properties reflect different levels of maintenance. While generally medium density single family residences predominate, some low-rise high density rental areas are near the site. Most structures in the area are one and two story with the exception of a grain processing plant with tall silos.
As the site is publically owned parkland, the building should be sited to maintain the natural beauty of the area while providing the center with adequate presence. The site design should changes for vehicular access and landscape amendments. Additional information can be found in the Whiteaker Development Plan.