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2011 – 2018
Serge Drouin as Associate Architect at Renzo Piano Building Workshop
Status: Completed
Location: Manhattanville, New York, USA
Client: Columbia University
Program: Educational
Design: Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Antoine Chaaya Partner in Charge, Serge Drouin Associate in Charge, in collaboration with Dattner Architects and Caples Jefferson Architects
Consultants: AECOM ; WSP Group; Arup; Cerami; Tillotson Design Associates; Jenkins & Huntington; Front, Inc.; Stantec; Simpson Gumpertz Hegel, e4; James Corner Field Operations; Mueser Rutledge; VJ Associates; Pentagram
Design Concept and Organization
The Forum is the gateway to the new Columbia University Manhattanville Campus. The three-story structure is open to the entire University as well as the local New York City Community.
“The Forum hosts academic lectures, conferences, performances and cultural events designed to spark conversation and civic engagement. The Forum provides an important new space where scholars and thought leaders from diverse fields can come together to share ideas, and where Columbia and the local community can engage with New York City and beyond” (Columbia University).
The Forum serves as a multi-function building with a 438-seat state-of-the-art auditorium, with adjoining foyer, meeting rooms, event spaces and offices.
The highly transparent ground floor Atrium is a gathering place for students, faculty and community. It can be used as a quiet place to work, meet, or have a coffee. It hosts Community Days, which fill the campus and The Forum with a diverse selection of family-oriented programs for Columbia’s neighbors.
The glass, steel and precast concrete façades, mirroring the functions of the building, and material selections maximize the natural light and air flow throughout The Forum, resulting in an efficient sustainable design. The building interiors are bright, warm and joyful. The Forum earned LEED Gold Certification.
Role in Project
Serge Drouin was the Associate-in-Charge at Renzo Piano Building Workshop for the Forum, working on the project from beginning to completion. He focused on the exterior envelope, interiors, public and event spaces, as well as the furniture selection and coordination.
The design was modeled in BIM (Revit) and fully coordinated with not only the architects but all the engineers and consultants. We participated in the establishment of BIM guidelines and standards for Columbia University.
We provided 3D models to Columbia and SKANSKA (General Contractor), at each project milestone. The modelization had to demonstrate clash-free coordination between trades. After the design model was fully coordinated, each subcontractor would provide 3D models of their scope of work, which was first compared to the design models, and coordinated in Navisworks with the other trades until all clashes and conflicts were resolved. Only then would the contractor issue shop drawings for validation and execution. The process achieved a highly efficient construction process.
Awards
Municipal Art Society of New York: Best New Building Award, 2019
Design Concept and Organization
The Forum is the gateway to the new Columbia University Manhattanville Campus. The three-story structure is open to the entire University as well as the local New York City Community.
“The Forum hosts academic lectures, conferences, performances and cultural events designed to spark conversation and civic engagement. The Forum provides an important new space where scholars and thought leaders from diverse fields can come together to share ideas, and where Columbia and the local community can engage with New York City and beyond” (Columbia University).
The Forum serves as a multi-function building with a 438-seat state-of-the-art auditorium, with adjoining foyer, meeting rooms, event spaces and offices.
The highly transparent ground floor Atrium is a gathering place for students, faculty and community. It can be used as a quiet place to work, meet, or have a coffee. It hosts Community Days, which fill the campus and The Forum with a diverse selection of family-oriented programs for Columbia’s neighbors.
The glass, steel and precast concrete façades, mirroring the functions of the building, and material selections maximize the natural light and air flow throughout The Forum, resulting in an efficient sustainable design. The building interiors are bright, warm and joyful. The Forum earned LEED Gold Certification.
Role in Project
Serge Drouin was the Associate-in-Charge of the design of the Forum, working on the project from beginning to completion. He focused on the exterior envelope, interiors, public and event spaces, as well as the furniture selection and coordination.
The design was modeled in BIM (Revit) and fully coordinated with not only the architects but all the engineers and consultants. We participated in the establishment of BIM guidelines and standards for Columbia University.
We provided 3D models to Columbia and SKANSKA (General Contractor), at each project milestone. The modelization had to demonstrate clash-free coordination between trades. After the design model was fully coordinated, each subcontractor would provide 3D models of their scope of work, which was first compared to the design models, and coordinated in Navisworks with the other trades until all clashes and conflicts were resolved. Only then would the contractor issue shop drawings for validation and execution. The process achieved a highly efficient construction process.
Awards
Municipal Art Society of New York: Best New Building Award, 2019
