BAY AREA

Educational And Research Facility

BROADWAY + I-80 OAKLAND

The Earth and Water research and educational center is linked with Jack London Square through a series of urban wetlands, which allow for a controlled way of flooding when sea level rises over the years. As well, these serve for a research opportunity for the building, been able to interact and study firsthand the climate change impact in Oakland. The pedestrian-only zones of Jack London Square are expanded until the building, creating a pleasant space for residents and visitors to be around the wetlands.

The building touches with the ground at five different areas through ramps. These connect the city streets with the interior of the building, which has an open entrance for the public. One of the ramps is transformed into a public roof garden through a smooth transition from street to roof.

The building is divided by two wings, the water one overlooks the wetlands and the estuary at the end. The earth wing is visually connected to the Oakalnd hills and downtown. The closer tot he center of the building, the most private the area is.

The center of the building is an interior courtyard-style terrace that overlooks the freeway underneath without obstructing the flow of cars.

The building itself is a mass timber construction composed by several elements that form the structure. A series of four long wooden beams are tied at the two ends, pinned and under compression. The compression allows the beams to be bent, forming a bridge-type of structure that connects both sides of the freeway and create a long spam, forming the space that would be inhabitable.