R003.01

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Project Description/Project Title and Data
Slide Temporary portable or semi-permanent
modular units are common on Florida school
campuses as fluctuations in district populations
require classroom designs that can be
pre-manufactured, delivered to a school site and
set up within weeks. Such units, however, have a
utilitarian focus and do not afford the quality
of space necessary to inspire teaching and
learning. The ePod is a take on the portable,
tech-savvy iPod its design is based on
principals such as ergonomical value, efficiency,
contemporary aesthetics, modern technology and
lifestyle.  The ePod offers an alternative to the
one-size-fits-all classroom while maintaining
the cost-efficiency and quality control inherent
within the mass production process. Their final
appearances vary based on the combination of
sub-assemblies or accessories chosen by the
customer, allowing the flexible creation of
environments appropriate for a specific subject,
age group, teaching style or geographic location.
By perceiving the portable classroom as a series
of smaller, pre-manufactured sub-assemblies, the
ePod can be easily customized to better educate
the next generation of scientists, doctors and
architects.
Building Area (sf) 1000 sf Location of
Project various communities throughout the state
of Florida Type of Project Competition Entry
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ePods are not site specific. They can be
combined and configured in a multitude of ways to
create forms that nestle into one of many of
Floridas diverse communities. Pictured is a
possible ePod configuration for a small
beachfront community. Elevated, the building
safely sits over the tidal surge zone. The
structure is reinforced to withstand
hurricane-force winds. Operable windows inhale
sea breezes. Accessories can be layered into
the skin such as corrugated heat shields,
insulated glazing systems, roll-down shading
devices, green screens and overhangs to control
the intense sunshine. Customers decide to what
extent they would like to accessorize their ePods
and virtually configure them through a
3-dimensional interface by visiting the
manufacturers website. (a 4-box unit is
pictured)
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• Building Components
• Photovoltaic array with battery storage system
• Pre-engineered stackable steel chassis
• Modular ceiling system with centralized delivery
  spine lighting system has photometric sensors
  and automated dimming controls
• Corrosion-resistant, all-weather fiberglass shell
• Exterior cladding system insulated heat shield
  on the south and west facades. Green screen wire
  mesh system on the north and east facades.
• Compact Environmental Control Unit (plug-and-play
  interface and interchangeable). Unit manages
  primary and back-up power, HVAC, wireless
  internet, audio/visual systems and fire
  suppression. CECUs are monitored remotely via
  wireless management systems.
• Poured-in-place concrete footings with integral
  metal strapping system
• Insulated glass door operable window assembly
  (hurricane rated where applicable).
• Accessible aluminum ramp and guardrail

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• Interior Components
• Service delivery spine HVAC, lighting with
  photometric sensors and automated dimming,
  sprinklers, HD projector.
• Operable clerestory windows provide natural
  ventilation on cooler days and daylight without
  distracting views.
• Ceiling fans create additional air movement and
  reduce cooling loads on the HVAC unit.
• Mobile work surfaces can be arranged to create a
  variety of layouts.
• Shaded exterior space underneath the building
  encourages impromptu places to learn about the
  environment.
• Covered exterior circulation protects students
  and teachers from direct sun exposure and rain.
• The modular furniture wall is customizable . Via
  the manufacturers interactive website, teachers
  can choose amongst shelving, cabinetry, cubby and
  countertop/tack board components and arrange them
  in a variety of layouts.
• Sliding white erase or chalk boards / projection
  surface

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An elevated 2-box ePod (1000sf classroom) with a
skeletal box frame and photovoltaic array is
illustrated in section.
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An ePod consists of a minimum of 2 boxes and 1
Compact Environmental Control Unit but can be
expanded incrementally by adding additional boxes
to create larger classrooms and/or daisy chaining
together more plug-and-play CECUs for extended
battery storage or for additional
subject-specific hardware.
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A 2-box ePod accessorized with a frame-only kit
creates a south-facing pergola. Wire mesh panels
provide support for plant growth that shades the
porch and allows nature to embed the learning
environment into the landscape giving these
portables a sense of permanence.
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Frames are engineered to withstand the stresses
of stacking. Here, a 2-box unit is stacked on top
of another 2-box unit. In the future this
configuration could be mirrored to create
double-loaded upper and lower center spines for
circulation.
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High-rise configurations are ideal for urban
communities with limited amounts of land but
require a large amount of classroom space. Larger
public spaces occur within vertical gaps,
openings and rooftops. A structural matrix with
vertical circulation systems hosts the ePods.
The size of a school can expand and contract
with the general population. Individual pods can
be absorbed from or distributed to other schools
within a city, county or even state. The diverse
colors and accessories from pods coming and
going create ever-changing facades on the skyline.
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• Scalable system
• Smart growth
• Pre-fab cost-efficiency
• Carbon neutral footprint
• Interchangeable technology
• Rapidly deployable
• Customizable

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From a teachers perspective Modular casework,
furniture and wall panels can be arranged in many
combinations to create unique learning
environments. Bluetooth technology allows for
things like projectors to be controlled with cell
phones. The ePod gives teachers the power to fine
tune their classrooms in a way that best works
with their curriculum and teaching style.
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• A modular seating system gives the ePod the
  freedom to be configured in a variety of ways.
  These are just a few
• traditional layout (top)
• clustered stations (top center)
• round table (bottom center)
• lecture seating (bottom)