Senior Project Process Book

RESTORING MUTUALISM

reconnecting with our marine ecosystem

A marine research & ecotourism center in the Florida Keys Anthony Cotignola Advisor: Joanne Aitken

PROGRAM ABSTRACT

UNDERSTANDING THE PROJECT, GOALS, & USERS The dichotomy between man and nature (man vs nature) is a powerful division that will ultimately lead to the demise of man. The only solution is to restore a mutualistic symbiosis between man and the natural environment. Our marine ecosystems are the most fragile and neglected of all natural environments.

The Florida Keys’ marine ecosystems - coral barrier reef & mangrove forests - are in peril and facing major threats from the pending climate crisis. Humans have a parasitic relationship with nature -- we take and benefit from it but leave it in worse condition than we found it. My senior project aims to address these issues by reconnecting us back to this environment and restoring mutualistic symbiosis between man and nature.

Symbiotic Relationships

Mutualism

Commensalism

Parasitism

both species benefit

one species benefits, one is unharmed

one species benefits, one is harmed

coral

whales

zooxanthellae

barnacles

humans

the natural environment

STUDY: Determine solutions to rehabilitate & restore the decaying ecosystems

SHARE: Teach & explain the problems & solutions with everyone

ACT: Carry out efforts to restore the marine ecosystems

User: Marine Scientist / Researcher

User: Ecotourist / Visitor

User: Local Community

Visitors & tourists traveling to the Florida Keys come to the site to appreciate its fleeting beauty & fragility, learn about the major threats it’s facing, and understand whats being done to combat those threats. In 2018, 5.13 million people visited the Florida Keys, 72% of which were domestic leisure and 20% international. Visitors can make the issues of the coral reef & mangroves of global interest.

With careful collaboration with the marine scientists, the local community will be engaged to help carry out restoration efforts to the marine ecosystems. Monroe County (which encompasses all keys) has a total population of 74,200 people. Local populations driven to protect their homes, paired with skilled scientists, will yield success in rehabilitating the marine ecosystems.

Combination of microbiologists, geochemists, and geologists to understand how the chemistry & physics of the ocean are influenced by biological processes.

Work will consists of research, studying, and testing of the coral reef and mangrove ecosystems.

Continental Florida

THE SITE FLORIDA KEYS

The site is located in the Florida Keys, an archipelago of 1,700 islands off the southern tip of Florida.

Gulf of Mexico

The barrier reef spans 350 miles parallel to the Keys along the continental shelf on the Altantic side, from Key West to Miami.

Gulf of Mexico

Atlantic Ocean

Key West, Florida

Key Plan 1 oute US R

Selected Site

18

les

mi

ey oK

st We

t

Atlantic Ocean

(Coral Reef 3 miles away)

N

RESEARCH

Tropical Atlantic MER

Western Indo-Pacific MER

Central Indo-Pacific MER

CORAL REEFS

THE FLORIDA REEF IS THE THIRD LARGEST BARRIER ECOSYSTEM IN THE WORLD. It spans 350 miles along the Atlantic Ocean side of the Florida Keys and is home to 1,400 species of marine animals & plants.

6 million people in Florida are protected by the reef because it can absorb up to 97% of wave energy from hurricanes & tropical storms.

home to

25%

0.5%

Florida Reef Andros Coral Reef Red Sea Coral Reef

of all marine species

of the ocean floor is coral reef

Mesoamerican Barrier Reef

450

Great Barrier Reef

million people worldwide rely on coral reefs for livelihood (food, medicine, protection)

New Caledonia Reef

Six largest coral reef systems Severe Coral Bleaching

Minor Coral Bleaching

AS OF 2020, ONLY 2% OF THE FLORIDA REEF IS LIVE CORAL COVER (DOWN FROM 16% IN 1996).

To protect the decaying ecosystem, NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration) established the Florida Reef as a National Marine Sanctuary in 1990.

The ocean has already lost of 40% of its total documented coral cover.

Coral reefs around the world are facing major threats due to ocean acidification via increased CO2 emissions, overfishing & malpractice in commericial fishing, and increased ocean temperatures from trapped greenhouse gases. without coral reefs...

100

countries susceptible to coastline damage (200 mill. people) Coral bleaching around the world

1 mill.

marine species extinct

1 billion

without main source of food

RESEARCH

MANGROVES LINE MORE THAN 1,800 MILES OF THE SHORELINE OF THE FLORIDA KEYS.

MANGROVES

Mangroves store 4x more planet heating carbon from greenhouse gases than rainforests.

Mangroves can reduce 66% of wave energy (per 100 m depth) from storm surge.s Mangroves filter up to 60% of nitrates and phosphates (runoff) flowing from estuaries into the oceans.

Mangroves prevent encroaching seas from reducing land footprint by reducing eosion.

Mangroves acocunt for 3% of Earth’s 30 MI billion 60 MI <300 MI forest cover, but0 MIstore 6.4 tons of carbon globally.

>300 M

Human-Driven (2000-16

0 MI

30 MI

Lower Keys, Florida Keys

60

Natural-Driven (2000-16

Global Mangrove Loss (Natural vs Human Driven)

25% OF THE WORLD’S MANGROVES HAVE BEEN LOST / DESTROYED SINCE 1975.

Mangrove forests around the world are facing major threats due to sea level rise, human neglect via coastal communities & developments, and ocean acidification.

If all mangroves were cut down, it would contribute to 10% of global carbon emissions.

0 MI

30 MI

60 MI <300 MI >300 MI

Human-Driven (2000-16) 0 MI

30 MI

60 MI

Natural-Driven (2000-16)

ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

new areas completely submerged underwater

SEA LEVEL RISE & HURRICANES Current Day - 2020

2060 Low Projection - 9” Sea Level Rise

2060 High Projection - 24” Sea Level Rise

2060 Sea Level Rise Projections (EPA.gov)

2060 Sea Level Rise Projections 24” (0.75”/yr)

25” 20” 15” 10” 5”

5” (0.14”/yr)

Global Average

Norfolk, VA

New York City

New Orleans, LA

Key West, FL

Select US Eastern Seaboard Cities

1 Sea level rise in the south of Florida is 5x higher than the global average largely due to the slowing of the gulf stream

seahas level riseelevation in 2 Much of South Florida a mean of 3’ above sea level south Florida is

5x

higher than the global average

much of south Florida has a mean elevation of

3’

above sea level

41% of all hurricanes that hit the USA make some sort of landfall in Florida.

8-12 hurricanes (on average) move through the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico each year

It’s estimated a 10’ storm surge for a Category 5 hurricane at the site location (SLOSH model) North Atlantic Ocean

North Atlantic Ocean

Gulf of Mexico Florida Keys

Gulf of Mexico Florida Keys

Pre

vai

ling

Tra c

ks

Caribbean Sea

P Prevailing Tracks

More Likely Possible NOAA SLOSH Model

Caribbean Sea

CASE STUDIES

DESIGN & CONCEPT INSPIRATION

MERC

GAYA ISLANDS, MALAYSIA

MERC (Marine Ecology Research Center) is a research and educational center about the coral reefs, mangroves, and sea grass beds in Malaysia. It works to improve the conditions of those ecosystems and teach the uninformed about the importance of them in hopes to increase support.

DUKE UNIV. MARINE LAB NORTH CAROLINA

A marine research laboratory for the marine biology program. It provides a window ‘into the sea’, providing experiential learning that combines the classroom with fieldwork, theory with practice, and local protection of natural resources. It helped informed the type of research lab spaces and different components that go into them.

REST STOPS

VARIOUS SITES IN NORWAY

Norwegian rest stops are a series of precedents that allows travelers to take a moment and appreciate the beauty and awe of the natural landscape. Appreciation of the fragility and beauty of the site was an important experiential aspect of the project - to want to protect the natural ecosystems, you first need a develop a deep connection and appreciation of it.

PRELIMINARY DESIGN REVIEW

Fall term was spent on the majority of the research, selecting a site, understanding the site and its cultural and vernacular architecture, and developing the program and users.

FALL TERM - DECEMBER 2021

RED, WHITE, & BUTTONWOOD MANGROVES

SEA GRASS & SHALLOW BANKS

OUTER RIDGE REEFS

PATCH REEFS

HAWK CHANNEL

ATLANTIC OCEAN

OCEAN TOPOGRAPHICAL SECTION

SITE DEPTH: 1033’ - 0” PROGRAM & USERS USERS

705’ - 0” BUILDING ZONE VISITORS / ECO-TOURISTS

RESEARCHERS

Ecotourists, visitors, & non-residents of the Keys

25 marine researchers

328’ - 0” / 100 METERS WAVE HEIGHT BY 1/2”

REDUCE LOCALS Residents of the Lower Keys & Key West

SU DIST

PRELIMINARY PROGRAM

SITE SECTION (N/S)

PROGRAM & USERS

OCEANIC RESEARCH 35,000 sf 25 USERS

USERS

VISITORS / ECO-TOURISTS

RESEARCHERS

LOCALS

Research on coral reef, artifical reefs, mangroves, & sustainment of marine ecosystem

- Wet & Dry Labs

Ecotourists, visitors, & non-residents of the Keys

PRELIMINARY PROGRAM

25 marine researchers

Residents of the Lower Keys & Key West

- Offices - Conference & Meeting Spaces

HOUSING +/- 30 units

Individual housing units for scientists & shared housing for eco-toursits

VISITORS CENTER / EXHIBIT 15,000 sf

Gateway for eco-tourists and visitors into the research and studies happening on site

- 25 individual units for scientists

- Lobby / Reception

- Common units for ecotourists (10-12 max)

-Coral reef observatory (both natural & artifical)

NATURE / RECREATION TRAIL

Outdoor curated trail to connect with nature & beauty of the fragile site

CH

-Cultural Workshop / Planning rooms

- Boat Maintenance & Operations

- Small theater for educational SUSTAINABLE lectures & seminars TOURISM

- Boat docks for expeditions to coral reef

- Nurseries and Estuaries for endangered species of marine and plant life

= PROFIT FOR RESEARCH DISTRIBUTE EDUCATION / KNOWLEDGE WORLDWIDE

AH

TECHNICAL DESIGN REVIEW WINTER TERM - MARCH 2022

Winter Term was the technical design portion of the year. This term I began to develop the site resiliency strategy, structural systems and wall sections, HVAC system, and sustainable strategies for the site and buildings. I met with a structural engineer to develop a realistic and efficient structural system that fit in with the architectural intent. I additionally met with a landscape architect to understand the key site resiliency strategies. I additionally refined the program and scale of the various buildings and began to think of how they should be arranged on the site.

Program Inventory Space / Room Type

Quantity

Total Area (sf)

Operation / Imaging 1,750 sf

Individual Area (sf)

Research Lab Facility Commons/Collab

4

3,000 SF

(750 EA)

Toilet Rooms

2

320 SF

(350 SF EA)

Mechanical

4

500 SF

(125 SF EA)

Operation / Imaging

2

1,750 SF

(875 SF EA) (1500 SF EA)

Research Laboratory Space

4

4,600 SF

Laboratory Support

4

700 SF

(175 SF EA)

Private Offices

4

400 SF

(100 SF EA)

Total Net SF (Usable)

11,270 SF

30% utilization factor

3381 SF

Total Gross SF

Research Lab Facility 14,650 sf

Mechanical 500 sf Research Laboratories 4,600 sf

Private Offices 400 sf

Toilets 320 sf Lab Support 700 sf

Commons/Collab 3,000 sf

14651 SF

Housing Individual Living Units Commons

25 1

10,000 SF

(400 SF EA)

Commons 1,000 sf

1000 SF

Total Net SF (Usable)

11,000 SF

Total Gross SF

11000 SF

Housing 11,000 sf (25 units)

Visitor's Center Lobby / Reception

1

Toilet Rooms

4

2,000 SF 600 SF

Cafe / Kitchen

1

600 SF

Theater (15 people)

1

1,000 SF

Observatory / Coral Reef Nursery

1

1,000 SF

Exhibit Space / Simulation Space

1

3,000 SF

Total Net SF (Usable)

8,200 SF

30% utilization factor

2460 SF

Total Gross SF

10660 SF

Total Area

36311 SF

(150 SF EA)

Living Unit 400 sf each

Visitor Center

Coral Reef Immersive Nursery 1,000 sf

Theater 1,000 sf

Cafe 600 sf

Lobby / Reception 2,000 sf

Toilet Rooms 600 sf

10,600 sf

Exhibit Spaces 3,000 sf

STRUCTURAL STRATEGY | PRELIMINARY BUILDING SECTIONS STRUCTURAL STRATEGY | PRELIMINARY BUILDING SECTIONS 40' - 11"

GLULAM STRUCTURAL MEMBER GLULAM STRUCTURAL MEMBER

40' - 11"

32' - 10"

16" DEEP GLULAM ROOF TRUSS / COLUMN,16" DEEP GLULAM ROOF TRUSS / COLUMN, MIRRORED AT EACH COL. MIRRORED AT EACH COL. LINE LINE

32' - 10"

B.O. TRUSS - LOW

VISITOR OUTPOST

12" CONCRETE FLAT PLATE

VISITOR OUTPOST

12" CONCRETE FLAT PLATE

12' - 0"

12' - 0"

DOUBLE -LAYER

DOUBLE -LAYER GLAZING, SEE WALL SECTION GLAZING, SEE WALL SECTION

LEVEL 01

EXTERIOR IMMERSION NATURE TRAIL

5' - 0"

B.O. TRUSS - LOW

TRUSS - HIGH

5' - 0"

B.O. B.O. TRUSS - HIGH

12' - 0"

COLUMN, TYP.

IMMERSION TRAIL

GROUND VARIES

TRUSS BRACED AT 14" x 14" CONCRETE COLUMN, TYP. MICROPILE

GROUND VARIES

CONCRETE MICROPILE, TYP.

3" RIGID INSULATION

TUBE STEEL LINTEL W/ BASE PLATE

TUBE STEEL LINTEL W/ BASE PLATE

AWNING WINDOWS ON TRACK SYSTEM

INSULATED ACCORDIAN STYLE INTERIOR GLAZING

12' - 0"

IMMERSION TRAIL

3" RIGID INSULATION

AWNING WINDOWS ON TRACK SYSTEM

LEVEL 01

EXTERIOR IMMERSION NATURE TRAIL 14" x 14" CONCRETE

EXTERIOR CLADDING OVER FRAMING SYSTEM MATERIAL TBD

EXTERIOR CLADDING OVER FRAMING SYSTEM MATERIAL TBD

CONCRETE FLOOR SLAB

INSULATED ACCORDIAN STYLE INTERIOR GLAZING

SOFFIT FOR MECHANICAL SYSTEM

CONCRETE FLOOR SLAB

CONCRETE COLUMN

SOFFIT FOR MECHANICAL SYSTEM

TRUSS BRACED AT MICROPILE 80' - 0"

MECHANICAL STRATEGY | RADIANT COOLING & DOAS CONCRETE MICROPILE,

36' - 0"

36' - 0"

CONCRETE COLUMN

30" DEEP GLULAM ROOF TRUSS / COLUMN, MIRRORED AT EACH COL. LINE

80' - 0"

OCCUPIED ZONE: COOLED AND DEHUMIDIFIED

BUILDING SKIN, TBD

RESEARCH OUTPOST

WALL SECTION

RESEARCH & OPERATION

LAB SUPPORT

CIRCULATION / OFFICE / COLLABORATION

T.O. TRUSS -SYSTEM HIGH BUILDING STRATEGIES 5' - 0"

T.O. TRUSS - HIGH T.O. TRUSS - LOW

POWER T.O. TRUSS - LOWHARVESTING

1

LEVEL 01

RESEARCH & OPERATION

RESEARCH & OPERATION

CIRCULATION / OFFICE / OUTPOST COLLABORATION

LAB SUPPORT

8' - 0"

LAB SUPPORT RESEARCH

CIRCULATION / OFFICE / COLLABORATIONGROUND VARIES

TRUSS BRACED AT 12"DEDICATED CONCRETE OUTDOOR FLAT MICROPILE AIR

PLATE SYSTEM (DOAS): CONCRETE MICROPILE, ADDRESSES LATENT HEAT TYP. LOAD ONLY MECH. SOFFIT FOR LOW VELOCITY COOLED & DEDICATED OUTDOOR DEHUMIDIFIED SUPPLYAIR AIR SYSTEM (DOAS)

Smallscale wind turbines for plug loads and equipment.

WALL SECTION PV panels to take advantage of the high amounts of sunlight.

LEVEL 01

2

16' - 0"

12" CONCRETE FLAT PLATE IN COOLING

RADIANT CONC. SLAB: BUILDING SKIN, TBD ADDRESSES SENSIBLE MECH. SOFFIT FOR DEDICATED OUTDOOR AIR HEAT LOAD ONLY SYSTEM (DOAS) COOLS INTERIOR & DOUBLE -LAYER LOWERS TEMPERATURE GLAZING, SEE WALL 18" x 18" CONCRETE COLUMN, TYP. SECTION

T.O. TRUSS - LOW

36' - 0"

WATER HARVESTING Rainwater collection via roof catchment and raingardens that direct water to a cistern for reuse in the building. scale reverse osmosis units for potable drinking water.

LEVEL Small 01 GROUND

3

EFFICIENT AND SUSTAINABLE COOLING 12' - 0"

30" DEEP GLULAMDOUBLE ROOF-LAYER GLAZING, SEE WALL TRUSS / COLUMN,SECTION MIRRORED AT EACH COL. LINE

36' - 0"

16' - 0"

EXHAUST VENTS AT ROOF

5' - 0"

T.O. TRUSS - HIGH

12' - 0"

TYP.

Combination of radiant cooling in the slab (sensisble heat load) paired with a dedicated outdoor air system (latent heat load) is a sustainable system that reduces energy use while still achieving thermal comfort.

GROUND

18" x 18" CONCRETE COLUMN, TYP.

VARIES

TRUSS BRACED AT MICROPILE

BUILDING INTERIOR: COOLED & DEHUMIDIFIED AIR

CROSS -LINKED POLYETHYLENE PIPES (RADIANT COOLING)

LOW VELOCITY SUPPLY AIR

RETURN AIR

+/-

1' - 0"

EXT. WALL CONSTRUCTION

OUTDOOR AIR

CONC. FLOOR SLAB

1' - 6"

CONCRETE MICROPILE, TYP. EXTERIOR: HOT & HUMID AIR

OUTSIDE AIR DAMPER

COOLING & DEHUMIDIFYING COILS

WATERTIGHT SOFFIT

RADIANT FLOOR COOLING

DEDICATED OUTDOOR AIR SYSTEM

FINAL REVIEW MAY 2022

The final term was spent refining the program arrangement on site, breaking down larger masses on site, finalizing the form and shapes, and creating the experience of moving through the site.

The 4 visitor’s outposts are located to the left of the site to create a private visitor’s realm separated from the back of house & services side and for close proximity to the main access into the site from US Route 1. The research laboratories are the heart of the site - placed centrally for close access to both visitor’s program and the housing quad where marine researcher’s lodge during their stay on the site. Because the laboratory work must continue even after the site is cut-off from the rest of the world, the research labs are placed at the highest point of the site and most protected by the landscape berm.

The buildings are generally arranged linearly along water’s edge to respond to the form of the site, allow unobstructed views to the water or mangroves from key buildings, and create defined program areas.

ENGAGE WITH WATER ENGAGE WITH WATER

3 VISITOR 13,000 GSF

360'

PLAZA 65'

DY STU

E IAT REC APP

SERVICES / ENERGY HARVESTING

60'

210'

60'

HOUSING 20,000 GSF

VISITOR PLAZA

6

80'

Y TR

R

TO SI

VI

EN

RESEARCH FACILITY 32,000 GSF

R

R

TO

I IS

FF

160 '

EN

E ACCESS ICE ACCESS SERVIC SERV

195 '

PLA

5' 19

ZA

80'

' 65

6 SERVICES / ENERGY HARVESTING

RAISED BERM - 10’ EL.

V

RY

TO SI

STA

6

Y TR

6

3

VIEW TO WATER

STU DY

RAISED BERM - 10’ EL.

RESEARCH FACILITY 32,000 GSF

HOUSING 20,000 GSF

80'

3

VIEW TO WATER

TEA CH

CH TEA

' 160

10'

' 220

RN LEA PLAZA

APP REC IAT E 2

VISITOR 13,000 GSF

220 '

80'

VIEW TO WATER

LEA RN -

3

T EN

R

TO SI

VI

RY NT

A

E

VI

B

IMMERSION ZONE

IMMERSION ZONE

VISTOR’S:

VISTOR’S:

IMMERSION OUTPOST

IMMERSION OUTPOST

CULTURAL OUTPOST

MANGROVE EXHIBIT CULTURAL OUTPOST LOBBY / CAFE

VISITOR CORE

RESEARCH LABS

RESEARCH CORE

HOUSING

RESEARCH CORE

ITO R

UTILITIES / POWER HARVESTING

VIS

RESEARCH LABS

AC C

ES

S

HOUSING

UTILITIES / POWER HARVESTING

RAISED BERM - 10’ RAISED BERM - 10’

CESS

ER AC

ARCH

RESE

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNO-

N Sugarloaf Bay O

Visitor Vehicular Arrival Immersion Foot Trail Visitor Outpost: Coral Reef Visitor Outpost: Mangrove Visitor Outpost: Lobby Visitor Outpost: Culture & History Research Outpost / Laboratory Housing Quad Delivery & Service Pad Vehicle Garage Service Road & Staff Access Road to Expedition Outpost Raised Landscape Berm Relocated Sombrero Reef Lighthouse Coral Reef Dive / Study Zone

C

D E

F

G G

M

I K J

L

H

FORM & EXPRESSION BIOMIMICRY

Biomimicry is a practice that learns from and mimics the strategies found in nature & used by species alive today - learning from nature’s wisdom to heal ourselves & the planet.

“Biomimicry encourages conservation for ecosystems and its inhabitants, because they hold the knolwedge we need to survive and thrive”

Emulate learning from and then replicating nature’s forms, processes, and ecosystems

Ethos understanding how life works and creating designs that cont. support & create conditions conducive to life

Re(Connect) we are nature and find value in connecting to our place on Earth as part of life’s interconnected system

Initial Sectional Form

Iterated Sectional Form

Final Visitor’s Parti

Final Research Lab Parti

Single, arched structural hoop Mimics form and ecosystem of mangroves Building supports a below & above ecosystem

Organic Form & Undulation in Roof

Mirrored, streamlined structural hoop Undulation in roof from mirroring hoops at each column line Organic form for wind deflection & resiliency

RESEARCH OUTPOST

PLANS, SECTIONS, ELEVATIONS, & CONSTRUCTABILITY

Locally-Sourced Timber (Structure)

Concrete (Structure & Slab)

Native species to South Florida: Mahogany, Bald Cypress, Southern Red Cedar, Live Oak, Silver Buttonwood

Has a high thermal mass, holds well in warm temperatures and with exposure to direct sunlight

160' - 0" 20' - 0"

20' - 0"

20' - 0"

20' - 0"

20' - 0"

20' - 0"

20' - 0"

20' - 0"

Fiberglass Plastic (Skin)

1150 SF (5 STAFF)

COLLAB./ BREAK

37' - 4"

OFFICE 115 SF

WC

WC

(EXTERIOR) 750 SF

OFFICE 115 SF

COLLAB./ BREAK (EXTERIOR) 750 SF

ELEC.

MECH.

LAB SUPPORT

OPERATION / IMAGING 880 SF

Floor Plan

| 1/16” = 1’ - 0”

Longitudinal Elevation | 1/16” = 1’ - 0”

Cross Section

| 1/16” = 1’ - 0”

28' - 6"

11' - 0"

5' - 0"

Conditioned, Interior Space

12' - 6"

43' - 1"

1150 SF (5 STAFF)

LAB SUPPORT

Has a low thermal conductivity, is non-corroding, easily assembled and pre-fabricated, and can molded into any organic form.

RESEARCH LABORATORY

RESEARCH LABORATORY

Constructability Diagram End wall Glulam primary structural hoop Concrete flat plate slab Concrete micropile Slanted glazing system Molded fiberglass wall panels & framing Unconditioned exterior space Insulated exterior glazing system Conditioned interior space Glulam roof joists Molded fiberglass roof panels & framing

Molded fiberglass shell

Insulation at conditioned space

3"

3"

Plywood sheathing

1"

1' - 4"

3/4"

Fiberglass support framing system

11 Glulam Hoop

12345678910 11 -

Interior wood finish at conditioned space Glulam Roof Joist

C - Roof / Wall Construction Detail

10

9 8

7

2 6 1

3

5

4

A - Exploded Axonometric

B - Combined Axonometric

The construction aspect of the Research Outpost was thoroughly studied to ensure construction respected the land, was economical, and resilient to hurricanes & wind.

Prefabrication - To respect the land and limit construction, most components are prefabricated off-site and shipped to the site via car or boat, where once on site, final connections can be made. Prefabrication allows construction waste and site disturbance to be limited as much as possible.

Few kit of parts - For economy & ease of construction, the building is constructed of only a few different parts with the same shape - primary glulam girders (“hoops”) and curved glulam purlines. To undulate the roof, each structural hoop is mirrored at every other column line to provide additional lateral load & wind deflection.

Sustainable Materials - Locally-sourced South Florida wood is used for the glulam members and sheathing. Recycled concrete from structures destroyed from hurricanes are used for the micro-pile foundations / columns and concrete flat plate slab. Fiberglass plastic is used for the shell to protect again sun exposure and allow the undulated roof form. The skin is molded in small pieces off-site in a controlled environment and then shipped to the site.

VISITOR’S OUTPOST

PLANS, SECTIONS, ELEVATIONS, & CONSTRUCTABILITY

Locally-Sourced Timber (Structure & Skin)

Concrete (Structure & Slab)

Native species to South Florida: Mahogany, Bald Cypress, Southern Red Cedar, Live Oak, Silver Buttonwood

Has a high thermal mass, holds well in warm temperatures and with exposure to direct sunlight

60' - 0"

20' - 0"

CONNECTOR BRIDGE

20' - 0"

20' - 0"

| 1/10” = 1’ - 0”

12' - 6"

15' - 0"

Floor Plan

39' - 4"

32' - 6"

CONNECTOR BRIDGE

Longitudinal Elevation | 1/10” = 1’ - 0”

Cross Section

| 1/10” = 1’ - 0”

Constructability Diagram

1' - 2" Glulam Hoop

14

1 1/2"

2" 1"

6" 3/4"

Exterior Side 6” wood purlin 2” wood cladding between purlins, fasted to sheathing 3/4” plywood sheathing

13

1 1/2” cont. rigid insulation 1” interior wood veneer 2” interior wood slat

12

11

C - Wall Construction Detail

10 12345678910 11 12 13 14 -

Entry portal Glass end wall Glulam primary structural hoop Concrete micropile Concrete flat plate slab Slanted glazing system Hurricane shutter / shading device (open) Hurricane shutter / shading device (closed) Glulam roof joist Interior wood slats Cont. insulation / sheathing layer Wood purlins Exterior wood cladding / skin Skylight

9

3 5

2

8

1

7 4

6 A - Exploded Axonometric

B - Combined Axonometric

The construction aspect of the Visitor’s Outpost was thoroughly studied to ensure construction respected the land, was economical, and resilient to hurricanes & wind.

Prefabrication - To respect the land and limit construction, most components are prefabricated off-site and shipped to the site via car or boat, where once on site, final connections can be made. Prefabrication allows construction waste and site disturbance to be limited as much as possible.

Few kit of parts - For economy & ease of construction, the building is constructed of only a few different parts with the same shape - primary glulam girders (“hoops”) and curved glulam purlines.

Sustainable Materials - Locally-sourced South Florida wood is used for the glulam members, wood cladding, sheathing, and interior. Recycled concrete from structures destroyed from hurricanes are used for the micro-pile foundations / columns and concrete flat plate slab.

RENDERINGS

EXPERIENTIALS THROUGH THE SITE

Visitor’s Outpost - Mangrove Exhibit

Immersion Foot Trail

Welcome Center

Immersion Foot Trail

Exterior Connector Bridge

Exterior Connector Bridge

Research Laboratory

Research Laboratory

Entrance to Welcome Center

Final physical model - Research Outpost | 1/8” =1’-0”

REFLECTIONS

JURY FEEDBACK & OBSERVATIONS AT FINAL CRITIQUE

I felt that the final presentation was received very well and brought up great discussion. The returning jurors commended the changes and updates from previous terms and appreciated the time and effort to develop the major concepts of the project. There were a few good points brought up from jurors that could have been incorporated into the project and developed a bit further -- the points are as follows below:

The project should have shown the experiential of the site after sea level rise has cut it off from the rest of the world in 2100.

I agree that the urgency of the project and effects of climate change would have been effectively communicated with renderings of the site with four feet of sea level rise. The project is designed to continue research and teaching even after the site is flooded from sea level rise or in the event a hurricane wipes out power and access back to the mainland.

In light of the site continuing research even after its cut off from the rest of the world, the logistics of how that happens should have been much more developed for the final.

It was imperative that the research continues after climate change grasps its hold over the site - understanding how the building can harvest its own energy, collect its own rainwater for reuse (potable and gray-water), and efficiently cool the interior spaces would have given the project the additional level of realism it needs to actually exist successfully. I developed and touched on the ventilation and cooling strategies, but didn’t talk much about the rainwater or power harvesting.

Site resiliency was a big aspect of the project - the site provides the first line of defense to protect against the environmental factors. The landscape berm and strategies were briefly discussed and could have used more clarification.

I agree that these concepts were glossed over - they needed additional refinement. Site resiliency (“using what the site already has in place) to protect the building was an important programming component from the beginning. Additional sections and diagrams would have been helpful to fully explain the concept and goal.

THE BEACON OF HOPE FOR OUR MARINE ECOSYSTEMS STUDY - LEARN - SHARE - ACT - RECONNECT

Summer ‘08

Growing up in Florida and spending my summers in the Florida Keys, I built a really deep connection and appreciation to the natural marine environment around me. My home, and its natural ecosystems, are fragile and facing near irreversible change, something I’ve witnessed firsthand in my lifetime. I’m extremely grateful to have been able to further educate myself and my peers regarding these serious issues the coral reefs and mangroves are facing.

We are not the only living beings on Earth. We have a duty to protect what cannot protect itself and reconnect back to our natural environment. We should ask ourselves not what we can domestic, take, or extract from nature, but what we can learn from it and how we can live in mutualistic symbiosis with it.

Pictured: Sombrero Reef, Florida Keys