Architectural Design Firm: Montana State University - Studio 558

General Contractor: N/a, Unbuilt

Studio 558 was an ultimate graduate course. The studio challenged the Master candidates to formulate a business plan related to the emergent urban planning phenomenon: Aerotropolis. An aerotropolis is a term used to describe a metropolitan area where the airport is the center for economic development and infrastructure. The course asked the candidates to come up with a schematic design proposal for a building to house this theoretical program.

Because the aerotropolis is not bound my geographic location, like a sea-port, the planning concept can be introduced to a variety of different inland locations. As a result, Montana could be one of locations where the concept emerges.

Montana is a strategic location for a Boeing avionics assembly. Boeing’s subcontractors and sub-assembly factories are spread throughout the United States with a large portion being on the East Coast. The major assembly plant for their aircraft is in Seattle, Washington. Montana could serve as a central location where subcomponents could come to be assembled before heading to Seattle. Additionally, Montana’s real estate, at the time of conception, was relatively cheap.

The schematic design attempted to create a linear design to facilitate the assembly process. The components would start at one end of the building and would terminate at three “clean” assembly bays. These bays would extend to second floor into the engineering department. This penetration would allow the engineers to have a visual connection to the assemblages they are designing. This is a similar concept to Zaha Hadid’s BMW Central Building. Finally, the building integrates class room learning for a technology incubator which is on the basement level.

The building envelope was conceived as a concrete tilt-up structure with open web wood joists. The structural system allows for an open floor plan with larger spans. The tilt-up construction method serves two purposes: cost effectiveness and local expertise. Tilt-up construction was common in Montana and was a natural extension to the history heavy masonry buildings erected at the turn of the century. The site was large enough where the tilt-up panels could easily be poured. The choice of material and construction method was an attempt to juxtapose contemporary programming with traditional building methods used in a novel way. The building was meant to symbolize a new contemporary Montana that still relates to its history.