Project Overview
The Stanford Law School is currently well under construction, having reached appoximately 50% completion in June 2010. This much anticipated project entails the construction of a new 63,000 square foot building that will provide valuable academic space for faculty, fellows, and researchers. The new building includes faculty offices, Law School clinics, administrative support, seminar rooms and support spaces on three floors, bringing students and faculty back together in one building.

Seminar rooms, clinics, and support staff areas are located on the ground floor to provide easy access for visitors. The second and third floors are organized around an elevated, open-air faculty courtyard and contain the faculty offices and the Dean’s office suite. Conference rooms and open meeting areas are distributed throughout the facility to foster both formal and informal interaction among the faculty.

One of the main design criteria was to create synergy between the new building and the existing buildings, remaining consistent with the Stanford University master plan, which uses a main axis to connect various academic centers. To achieve this synergy, a three story architectural rotunda with an inner wood cylinder will act as the hinge of an axis that links the new Law School to the existing Munger Residences and campus. This will be a defining and prominent focal point serving as the primary entry to the Law School.

Designed and constructed for longevity, the new building will echo the existing surroundings as well as reflect the law school's vision for the future. The new building will not only be efficient, smart, flexible, welcoming, and designed to reduce its overall environmental impact, but also be a beautiful addition to the campus with its inviting trellised entryway, sweeping floor to ceiling glass walls, see-through rotunda and open air spaces.

For a virtual tour and first hand look at the design concept, please visit the Stanford Law School website at: https://www.stanford.edu/dept/law/academic_building/

Project Challenges & Outcomes
This project required Dome Construction to mitigate several challenges. These included:

Innovative Moment Frame System:  The structural steel frame is an innovative moment frame called ConXL.  This isone of the first projects to use this new system of structural framing.  Incorporating this new concept of structural framing into a unique building layout required a significant effort to make sure the system is well coordinated will all the trades and the design engineers. These intensive efforts resulted in a smooth installation and seamless coordination with the surrounding trades.

Building Information Modeling (BIM):  The project was delivered using Design-Build mechanical and electrical, plumbing & fire protection contractors so the entire building was modeled in 3D to ensure proper coordination between the trades as well as with the architectural and structural systems. The end result will provide for a well coordinated and maximum efficiency installation. In addition, the BIM effort will aid in facilities management in the long term service and maintenance of the MEP systems since service access areas were well planned for in the coordination effort and designed into project.   

Non-Local Architect:  The renowned, award winning lead architect, Ennead Architects (formerly Polshek Partnership Architects), is headquartered in New York City. Using advances in video conferencing and online collaboration, we were able to successfully complete the Design-Build effort as though the architect were a local firm.  An occasional cross country trip with the entire team, including the subcontractors, provided for tight teamwork and a cohesive design. 

Sustainable Design
While maintaining the architect’s design intent, the stringent coordination effort also allows for the new building to meet Stanford University’s Sustainable Requirements, equivalent to LEED Gold Certification. Some of the key requirements are in the areas of site planning; water management; energy use; materials, resources, and waste; indoor environmental quality; and innovation and design. For example, the new building will use 30 percent less energy than code requires through sophisticated control systems, ceiling fans, efficient glass, and ventilation, as well as an exterior trellis designed to maximize shade.

The new facility is located at the corner of Nathan Abbott Lane and Lane A, on the site of the former Kresge Auditorium, adjacent to Crown Quadrangle. Construction of the Law School is due to be completed by December 2010.