Building 550

As part of the Panama Mall Master Plan, Building 550, also known as Peterson Laboratory, was identified as the appropriate location to accommodate The Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford (known as the d.school) and the Design Group of the Mechanical Engineering Department. The goal of the Peterson Renovation project was to create an innovative collaborative space where d.school and Design Group faculty, students, and other design partners can work together on collaborative projects.

Building 550 is one of the original 1900 sandstone buildings on campus. Multiple additions were constructed over the years, transforming its original narrow rectangular shape from an “L” to a “U” with a courtyard between its wings. Eventually the courtyard was filled resulting in a building with a large footprint and very dark interiors. The renovation project removed the filled in courtyard space, replacing it with a two-story atrium. This space is the main interaction zone for the new programs and is shared by both groups. The original stone and stucco façades have been restored and are exposed in the building interior, and light penetrates right into the center through a rectangular clerestory.

The piecemeal modifications also resulted in a complex hybrid of structural systems, a patchwork of mechanical, engineering and plumbing systems and no clear internal organization. The renovation project included extensive seismic upgrades and replaced all existing building systems with modern, more efficient equipment. With a long term vision, the project team developed design strategies that delivered a flexible, durable, and sensible building which will perform well beyond the particular needs of the groups currently in residence.

Renderings below courtesty of MKThink. Photos courtesy of Vance Brown, Inc.