BSU / CERES - Educational Program

CERES Educational Program:
Vital Signs: CERES Student Scholars

Funding: Internal
Year: 1995 to present
Contact: R. Koester

This university-wide program is designed for students with outstanding academic records, capable of bridging disciplinary interests and with a commitment to learning about the emerging field of environmental assessment. Using the nationally-developed Vital Signs curriculum materials, CERES Student Scholars develop environmental assessments of internationally recognized architecture, drawing on works in Columbus, Indianapolis, Muncie and the surrounding region. These case studies serve as prototypes for faculty and students employing the Vital Signs techniques throughout North American schools of architecture.

The Vital Signs materials are a compilation of modular resource packages that address physical building performance issues. These issues cover first order principles, field investigation and evaluation techniques and the relationship of gathered information to building design decision-making. The focus for the program is learning the analytical and critical thinking methodology of the scientific method applied to environmental assessment. Informational content varies, ranging from interior illumination, daylight control and occupant response to indoor air quality.

The interdisciplinary teams of students participating in this program work under the direction of faculty staffed through CERES. In addition, nationally recognized experts from around the country provide lectures and consultation to the student teams. The program adds to the technical and experiential credentials of participating students. As environmental issues continue to be of concern and as technical means for environmental assessment increase, substantial experience in this area can augment mainstream degree pursuits. An important lesson in this program is learning to work collaboratively across disciplinary lines. Whether students are pursuing a degree in life sciences, physical science, humanities, the arts, applied technology, business or the design professions, each has a role to play in the field of environmental assessment.

To date BSU Vital Signs classes have studied the following buildings/topics:

Spring 1996
Lighting Study
Cleo Rogers Memorial Library, Columbus, Indiana.

Executive Summary: cleoexec2.pdf (1.0 meg)

Summer 1996
Lighting Study
Four Elementary School Libraries (Clifty Creek, Fodrea, Lincoln, Parkside), Columbus, Indiana

Research Report: 4schools.pdf (3.0 meg)

Fall 1997
Indoor Air Quality Study
Four Elementary Schools (Clifty Creek, Fodrea, Lincoln, Parkside), Columbus, Indiana

Spring 1998
Lighting Study
Ball State University Alumni Center, Muncie Indiana

Student Report: alumni2.pdf (1.4 meg)

Fall 1998
Lighting Study
Ball State University Alumni Center, Muncie Indiana

Student Reports:

Team 1	2nd Level Exhibit	vsf98_1.pdf	(1.0 meg)
Team 2	Library	vsf98_2.pdf	(1.2 meg)
Team 3	Restrooms	vsf98_3.pdf	(1.8 meg)
Team 4	Assembly Hall	vsf98_4.pdf	(1.1 meg)
Team 5	Library	vsf98_5.pdf	(0.9 meg)
Team 6/7	Transitions	vsf98_67.pdf	(2.5 meg)
Team 8	Offices	vsf98_8.pdf	(3.0 meg)
Team 9	Conference Room	vsf98_9.pdf	(1.6 meg)

Spring 1999
Lighting Study
Individual spaces representing possible future work environment for student's career.

Fall 2001
Lighting Study
NCAA Headquarters / Hall of Champions, Indianapolis, Indiana

Student Reports:

Team 1	HoC Exhibit Gallery	vsf01_1.pdf	(4.1 meg)
Team 2	HQ Auditorium	vsf01_2.pdf	(2.3 meg)
Team 3	HQ/HoC South Fenestration	vsf01_3.pdf	(4.2 meg)
Team 4	HQ 4th Floor Offices	vsf01_4.pdf	(1.2 meg)
Team 5	HQ Atrium	vsf01_5.pdf	(1.4 meg)
Team 6	HQ 2nd & 4th Floor Offices	vsf01_6.pdf	(0.5 meg)

Fall 2002
Lighting Study
Van Nuys Medical Science Building, IUPUI Campus, Indianapolis, Indiana

Student Reports:

Team 1	Office Spaces	vsf02_1.pdf	(5.2 meg)
Team 2	Research Labs	vsf02_2.pdf	(8.3 meg)

Spring 2003
Thermal Study
Double Wall System, College of Architecture and Planning Building, Muncie, Indiana
This report was the result of an ARCH 497 Independant Study Project
It was performed by two students with an interest in double-wall construction as it related to their Architectural Thesis projects.
The report is listed here as this study involved BSU Vital Signs faculty
and was conducted within the structure and spirit of the Vital Signs course and program.

Student Report:

Team 1

Thermal Chimney

2skin2003.pdf

(8.7 meg)

Fall 2003
Lighting Study
W.D. Richards Elementary School, Columbus, Indiana

Student Reports:

Team 1	Music Instruction	vsf03_1.pdf	(6.5 meg)
Team 2	Corridors	vsf03_2.pdf	(9.7 meg)
Team 3	Art Classroom	vsf03_3.pdf	(10.0 meg)
Team 4	Computer Lab	vsf03_4.pdf	(5.6 meg)

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CERES Home

Author | Last Modification: February, 2005 | Technical comments to the Webmaster

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