DESIGN SITUATE P.1 CALEB MOHNIKE
UNDERLAND: PLEISTOCENE RESEARCH CENTER LYCEUM FELLOWSHIP 2022
FRIESENHAHN CAVE SITE INTRODUCTION
DEEP TIME is the, “the time of the underworld, the ancient time of the earth measured in millions and billions of years, and eons, and epochs, and eras, not just minutes and hours”. -Robert MacFarlane, “Underland”, 2019
This project explores the architectural relationship between the Anthropocene and the ancient Pleistocene Epoch. The Friesenhahn Cave, located in San Antonio, Texas, is considered one of the most important paleontology sites in the United States. Many fossils from the Pleistocene Epoch have been discovered in this cave including Homotherium serum (Saber-toothed cat), Geochelone wilsoni, and sixteen
other species. As of now, thi hosts one a one-room cave, there is evidence to believe t other possible subterranean exist nearby. To protect the s subterranean preservation z was created to prohibit build or excavating around the cav This creates a physical boun between the construction an the cave, but also a concept boundary between present d
is site but that n caverns site, a zone ding ves. ndary nd tual day life,
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INTENTIONS: SITE Design a layout that responds specifically to its site and uses the topography to its advantage.
SEPARATION Create a separation between the historical preservation site and the new construction.
PARALLELS Provide similar experiential qualities one would experience in the cave within the new construction
ENVIRONMENT or Anthropocene, and the preserved cavern, or Pleistocene. My goal for this project is to create a research center that utilizes strategies, such as, modified topography, elevation changes, and scripted moment views to explore the boundary, both physical and conceptual, between modern life and deep time.
Script views to the surrounding vegetation to enhance the connection with the site
PRIVACY Explore the connection between the public and private spaces of the different functions
FRIESENHAHN CAVE SITE
SITE
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FRIESENHAHN CAVE SITE BUILDING FORMATION DIAGRAMS
BUILDING AXIS
PUBLIC VS PRIVATE
CIRCULATION
LIGHT
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PROGRAM
MODIFIED TOPOGRAPHY
FRIESENHAHN CAVE SITE AXONOMETRIC
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FRIESENHAHN CAVE SITE CONCEPT AND ELEVATIONS
JUXTAPOSITIONS
LIGHT STRUCTURE
While exploring the architectectural relationship between the Anthropocene and Pleistocene, a series of themes developed throughout the design of the project: -a light structures against the heaviness of the cave -natural topography vs manmade terraforming -physical and psycological boundary conditions -perspective changes based on elevation CONCEPTUAL COLLAGE
VIEW FROM SPZ
MODIFIED TOPOGRAPHY
CAVE PARALLELS
BOUNDARY
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NORTH ELEVATION
EAST ELEVATION
SOUTH ELEVATION
WEST ELEVATION
0’
10’
25’
50’
FRIESENHAHN CAVE SITE PLANS
0’
UPPER LEVEL
ENTRY THRESHOLD
LOWER LOUNGE
10’
25’
50’
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LOWER LEVEL
FIELD HOUSE
0’
10’
LOWER LEVEL
25’
50’
FRIESENHAHN CAVE SITE SECTION
SOUTH SECTION
0’
5’
10’
25’
MOMENT VIEWS Walking to the main entrance, one can see directly through the building and toward the cave site. This major circulation piece cuts at an angle through the structure which emphasizes the importance of the cave. This is one major moment view within the project, but there are many smaller examples following a similar technique. A majority of the windows in the research center are tall and narrow to script a specific moment for the person that is looking through them. This is representational of the Anthropocene and how many moments can happen and pass quickly as one walks by. This is contrasted by a few long, horizontal windows on the lower level which represents more of the permanence and longevity of deep time. The hopper ventilation on these windows provides natural air circulation to the building.
BOUNDARY In order to preserve the area inside of the SPZ, it is important to demarcate where this area lies within the site. Around the majority of the zone, a path was cut into the ground with a short retaining wall. A gentle slope leads up to this indentation to give the appearance of a naturally occuring divot. This technique creates a clear boundary while avoiding to restrict views into the untouched zone. At times the topography rises up so only the limestone cap of the stone border is visible while other times it’s depth creates a unique elevation for one to look into the protected area.
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FRIESENHAHN CAVE SITE SECTION
EAST SECTION
0’
5’
10’
25’
LIGHT STUDIES
Clerestory windows were created for the private archive space. It’s low profile keeps with the theme of hiding the bulk of the buildng from the West. The raised roof allows light to enter the space below while serving as a lookout point with site information on it above.
Even while the building is embedded into the ground, care was taken to ensure all of the important functions have access to natural light. Overhangs are provided at certain locations to give protection from the harsh summer sun while still allowing winter sunlight to enter the spaces. The major circulation paths throughout the building have access to the largest amount of natural light helping guide users through the space and provide views of the surrounding vegetation.
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“We are living in the Anthropocene ... We are leaving a mark in our actions that is legible and will be legible in the strata record for million of years to come” -Robert MacFarlane, “Underland”, 2019