- Trees/Trellis:
The opening to the Gallatin Building is the important first step into School of the Earth. A trellis of local trees, such as Black Oak and Basswood trees, frames the entrance. It is important to have green spaces in the entrance in order to create a hospitable and natural learning environment. The trellis is designed so that students will climb on the trees, incorporate them into their studies, and help to maintain them. - Water Fountain:
There are two water fountains located in the lobby of School of the Earth. The water is sourced from the freshly cleaned water from the Living Machine and the Living Marsh. There are two water fountains in the lobby, one of which is available to the public. Supplying fresh drinking water to students and the public is an important mission for School of the Earth to undertake, given changing environmental conditions and likely shortages of clean water. - Living Marsh:
The Living Marsh is a complex living ecosystem that helps to filter through wastewater from the building. The marsh is an endangered ecological system, and an incredibly important one that hosts many different types of life. The marsh will serve dually as a body of study for the school, and as a preserved wetland that maintains the ecological properties of wetlands for the area. This will further connect students with the natural world by bringing it into the very building of School of the Earth as well as maintaining a fragile ecosystem that will be affected by climate change at that point. - Living Machine:
The Living Machine is where the bulk of wastewater filtration occurs. The Living Marsh is a series of local plants potted in a greenhouse where wastewater is cycled through their rock and root systems. Combined with additional cleansing and filtering through the system, the wastewater is transformed into usable water for students, faculty and the public. http://www.livingmachines.com/Home.aspx - Green Wall:
Having living walls is another aspect of the lobby that incorporates School of the Earth’s dedication to the environment and study. The green walls contain local plants and herbs that are fed with water from the living machine. The living wall allows students to interact with nature on a very tactile and personal level. - Elevators:
The elevators in the building are located in the lobby/entrance area, and travel throughout the building. - Information Kiosk:
The Information Kiosk acts as a hub of graphic information about School of the Earth’s programming and energy usage. The hub has information about guest speakers, performances, and other important events. Additionally, the hub has a graphic and interactive map that shows where the energy comes from that powers the School of the Earth building, what parts use the most energy use, and where the water is coming from in the building. Through this, students can see and monitor their energy and water consumption throughout the day and within the building. - Pods:
These pods are multipurpose. Here, in the lobby, they can serve as individual study sections, group study sections, or serve as an amphitheater. The pods are constructed so that they can be connected to form group sections, according to the students’ needs. Additionally, when there is a guest speaker, the pods stack in order to create theatre seating, thereby utilizing space and resources most efficiently. - Retractable Doors:
The purple doors are walls that act like garage doors, and can be pulled open or closed, depending on the weather, events outside, and he amount of public access students want the lobby to have. The lobby is therefore allowed to be completely open, or they can become transparent. In this way the lobby is able to convert into any space that is needed by the students.