Stanford’s Neukom Building Is a Stunning Low-Carbon Campus Centerpiece

With one of the most beautiful campuses in the United States, there are big shoes to fill when it comes to designing a new building for <a href="http://inhabitat.com/rafael-vinolys-new-stanford-hospital-design-features-modular-daylight-filled-cubes/">Stanford University</a>. <a href="http://inhabitat.com/enneads-gateway-center-sustainably-enhances-westchester-community-college/">Ennead Architects</a> took the challenge in stride when they were asked to design the William H Neukom Building, the new focal point for the university's <a href="http://www.law.stanford.edu/">law school</a>. The architects implemented a number of strategies into the design, including measures to reduce the building's <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/carbon-footprint">carbon footprint</a> and to lower energy use to one-third of what a typical California building would use. Organized around a central landscaped courtyard, the Neukom Building is stoic enough for the quintessential law experience, but remains open and welcoming to students and visitors.

Opening just in time for law school commencement in May, the Neukom Building will serve as the new focal point for the law students and faculty.

A large rotunda marks the main entrance of the building.

The outdoor rotunda also references the historic entry gates on the main quad.

Positioned so that the building lines up with the surrounding circulation routes, wide walkways and palm trees line the way to the building.

Ample bike parking is provided around the building.

The Neukom Building is both classically Stanford, but also a slightly more sophisticated version of the typical architecture found on campus.

The 65,000 sq ft building is composed of four three-story wings surrounding a central landscaped courtyard called the Faculty Garden, a shadedoutdoor "living room" that accommodated social events, chance meetings, and private study.

Inside, the student and faculty center holds seminar rooms, a law clinic, faculty offices, the Dean's suite, and meeting and lounge rooms.

Shading devices cover the indoor living room ensuring that there is always a quiet shady spot to sit and talk.

Stunning landscaping accents the courtyard.

The indoor living room is quite formal and even resembles the interior of a courtroom.

Rainwater slides off the roof into collection basins and daylighting enters through the windows.

Hot air moves up and out through operable windows near the roof.