Amanda Cohen

Protection & Preservation : Sustainable Architecture for Endangered Wildlife Amanda Cohen Bachelor of Architecture Final Design Thesis Thesis Advisor: Bob Nalls Spring 2022

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.”

– Charles Darwin

THESIS INTRODUCTION THE WHERE & THE WHAT? Galapagos Giant Land Tortoise Critically Endangered

Known for their immense bio-diversity and density of endemic species, the Galapagos islands were largely unexplored until Charles Darwin arrived in 1835. Located 60 miles off the west coast of Ecuador, the UNESCO World Heritage site can be difficult to get to and requires thorough bio-security screening measures before entry is permitted. These 13 islands are a living microcosm of evolution and adaptation and have become a hub for scientists and tourists alike. Unfortunately, human occupation of the islands has had widespread repercussions on plant and animal-life, which now demand human intervention for a chance to fight extinction. Thoughtful design strategies that consider their delicate contexts could help save the Galapagos, a live laboratory of evolution, from destruction. These islands, the place where we discovered evolution of the natural environment, could set a global precedent for how the built environment can rebuild and support the natural environment and be equally as adaptable to change as nature itself.

Direct Human Impacts

Galapagos Sea Lion Endangered

Direct Human Impacts

car accidents

boating / propeller accidents

fishing accidents

car accidents

anchor accidents

tortoise crossing accidents PHILADELPHIA

Direct Human Impacts

Direct Human Impacts

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, ECUADOR waste pollution

stray animals

rats GALAPAGOS ANIMAL HOSPITAL & REHABILITATION CENTER | AMANDA COHEN

ECUADOR

BIO-SECURITY SCREENING

waste pollution

el nino events

decreased marine life prey

THESIS INTRODUCTION THE WHO?

“The long-term goal of The Giant Tortoise Restoration Initiative (GTRI) is to restore tortoise populations to their historical distribution and numbers across the Galapagos:

Tortoise Research & Conservation Centers

1. Research & conservation of tortoises, vegetation, etc. on targeted islands 2. Breeding & rearing tortoises of threatened species 3. Repopulation of islands where tortoises went extinct

4. Research and management of tortoise-human interaction and conflicts This initiative is carried out by the Charles Darwin Research Station, the Galapagos National Park Directive (GNPD), and numerous visiting scientists & volunteers.”

-The Galapagos Conservancy

Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Center Est. 1995

Puerto Chino, San Cristobal Island The Tortoise Center Est. 2004

Icon Legend

pinta

extinct species (tortoises) living species (tortoises)

5

reintroduced species (tortoises) marchena

living sea lions & relative population by icon scale breeding centers present

years

human occupied islands isabela Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island Charles Darwin Research Station Est. 1965

santiago

Protect tortoises for 5+ years when they are most susceptible to threats like rats & stray animals

baltra ferdinanda santa cruz puerto ayora

santa fe puerto boquerizo moreno

GALAPAGOS ANIMAL DOCTORS CLINIC

CHARLES DARWIN SCIENCE CENTER

san cristobal

PROPOSED SITE

floreana espanola

Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz - Enlarged Location Map

DESIGN STATEMENT THE HOW?

As architects, we often say things like ‘let the building breathe’. We also provide services to our buildings like air, water, and sun; the same as people and animals require. We say that buildings have a lifespan. If this is true, then surely our buildings live in similar ways to those things that are biologically “alive”. Therefore,

Buildings, like all living things, must “adapt or die”.

Project Goals

Veterinary Care & Rehabilitation of Endangered Species

‘Touch the Earth Lightly’

Charles Darwin Research Station Landmark Map Diagram 1

Research & Data Collection

Educate Visitors

Charles Darwin Research Station Aerial View - Looking South West

2

3 a c b

7

d

4

6

5

8

e

f

4 5 6 7 8

Landmark 1

Galapagos National Park Offices & Visitor Info Center

Landmark 2

Educational Trail Pavilions

a

Landmark 3

Giant Tortoise Breeding Center

b

GALAPAGOS ANIMAL HOSPITAL & REHABILITATION CENTER | AMANDA COHEN

Landmark 4 Laboratory

c

Landmark 5

Charles Darwin Exhibition Hall

d

Landmark 6 Library

e

Landmark 7

La Ratonera Beach

f

Landmark 8

Station’s Beach

PROJECT INTRODUCTION PROPOSED PROGRAM

Bubble Program Relationship Diagram

Animal Hospital Program Blocks ~5,250 SF

triage room 15’ x 20’ x 15’ 300 sf (x3)

exam room operating room 20’ x 20’ x 15’ 25’ x 30’ x 15’ 400 sf (x3) 750 sf

clinician office clinician team scrub room & 10’ x 10’ x 10’ room sub-sterilization 100 sf (x6) 10’ x 20’ x 10’ 10’ x 20’ x 10’ 200 sf 200 sf

bathroom 10’ x 10’ x 10’ 100 sf (x2)

necropsy room 20’ x 20’ x 15’ 400 sf

necropsy lab necropsy freezer 10’ x 20’ x 10’ 10’ x 20’ x 10’ 200 sf 200 sf

equipment storage 10’ x 40’ x 15’ 400 sf

tortoise physical tortoise quarantine therapy enclosure enclosure 25’ x 50’ 25’ x 50’ 1250 sf (x3) 1250 sf (x2) research bay 10’ x 25’ x 10’ 250 sf (x4)

museum annex 40’ x 60’ x 15’ 2400 sf

outdoor educational pavilion 20’ x 25’ x 10’ 500 sf (x4)

Educational Program Blocks

collaboration room 10’ x 25’ x 10’ 250 sf

baby tortoise enclosure 10’ x 20’ 200 sf (x2)

clean/dirty entrance equipment storage 10’ x 25’ x 10’ 10’ x 25’ x 10’ 250 sf 250 sf

researcher office 10’ x 10’ x 10’ 100 sf (x6)

Laboratory Program Blocks

restroom 10’ x 10’ x 10’ 100 sf

sea lion land enclosure 60’ x 80’ 4850 sf

sea lion water enclosure 60’ x 80’ 4850 sf

Rehabilitation Program Blocks

PROJECT RESEARCH

CLIMATE ANALYSIS - MACRO Climate Zones Diagram

Climate Zones Key dry lowlands

90 W o

NIC PLATE

COCOS TECHTONIC PLATE

S CO CO

transition

E IDG

humid highlands

R

rain shadow effect clouds project location

NE

GALAPAGOS FRACTURE ZO

Hot / Wet Season (Jan - May)

NAZCA TECHTONIC PLATE

- decreased southeastern winds - decreased humboldt current (warmer ocean water temperatures) - increased air temperatures - increased rainfall

PACIFIC TECH TO

PINTA

MARCHENA

0o

Cool / Dry Season (June - Dec)

GENOVESA

- increased southeastern winds - increased humboldt current (colder ocean water temperatures) - decreased air temperatures - decreased rainfall 0o

ISABELA SANTIAGO BALTRA FERNANDINA SANTA CRUZ

SAN CRISTOBAL

SANTA FE

HUMBOLDT OCEAN CURRENT (COLD WATERS FROM PERU)

FLOREANA

N

ESPANOLA

0

20

40

60

80

YOUNGEST ISLANDS (WEST) GALAPAGOS ANIMAL HOSPITAL & REHABILITATION CENTER | AMANDA COHEN

CARNEGIE RIDGE

SOUTHEASTERN WIND

90o W OLDEST ISLANDS (EAST)

PROJECT RESEARCH

CLIMATE ANALYSIS - MICRO Temperature Data - Average High Low Comparison

Rainfall Data - Average Rainfall Comparison 6.0

95

5.7

90

5.4

85 80

Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Average: 75oF

75 70 65 60 55 50 45

Philadelphia, PA Average: 56oF

40 35 30 25 20

Average Rainfall per Month (inches)

Low-High Temperatures per Month (oF)

100

5.1 4.8 4.5 4.2 3.9 3.6

2.7 2.4 2.1 1.8 1.5

Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Total: 22.7 inches

1.2

15

0.9

10 5

0.6 0.3

0

Philadelphia, PA Total: 41.8 inches

3.3 3.0

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Wind Data

Solar Data Sun Path Today June Solstice December Solstice Annual Variation Equinox (March & September)

Sunrise / Sunset Sunrise Sunset

Time 00-02 03-05 06-08 09-11 12-14 15-17 18-20 21-23

Dominant Southeastern Winds

Sun Path Diagram

Design Strategy Responses to Climate Analysis 1 2 3

rainwater collection and storage accept winds from SE for natural ventilation accept or block sun symmetrically over equator

PRECEDENT ANALYSIS CLIMATE PRECEDENT

Temperature Data - Average High Low Comparison

Rainfall Data - Average Rainfall Comparison

100

6.0

95

5.7 5.4

85 80

GPS Airport, Baltra Island Average: 79oF Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Average: 75oF

75 70 65 60 55 50 45

Philadelphia, PA Average: 56oF

40 35 30 25 20

Average Rainfall per Month (inches)

Low-High Temperatures per Month (oF)

90

5.1 4.8 4.5 4.2 3.9 3.6

2.7 2.4 2.1 1.8 1.5

Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Total: 22.7 inches

1.2

15

0.9

10 5

0.6 0.3

0

Philadelphia, PA Total: 41.8 inches

3.3 3.0

GPS Airport, Baltra Island Total: 6.1 inches

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Design Strategy Responses to Climate Precedent solar panel covered path

1 natural ventilation where ever possible 2 on site renewables 3 rhythm of sun shading to block sun and allow views

• • • • •

Aerial Photo - Sustainable Practices Annotated open area for cross ventilation (3) on site wind turbines solar panel covered walkway endemic vegetation white roofing

GPS Airport, Baltra, Galapagos

Sun & Ventilation Diagram

screened wall openings for natural ventilation roof overhangs for solar protection

• •

rhythmic louvers

• •

screened window

Natural Ventilation Diagram GALAPAGOS ANIMAL HOSPITAL & REHABILITATION CENTER | AMANDA COHEN

built in 2012 64,500 gsf LEED gold certification (2014) zero-carbon operates exclusively on solar and wind power generated on site potable water from on site desalination plant 80% of infrastructure is from recycled materials mechanical shutters open and close based on interior heat and CO2 levels no glazing was used at the building envelope, only screened window openings to allow for ventilation, fewer imports, and lower costs

PRECEDENT ANALYSIS PRECEDENTS Glenn Murcutt

SUP Atelier, Tea Leaf Market, China

General Inspiration & Lenticular Truss

PROJECT RESEARCH

SUSTAINABILITY ANALYSIS

S.W.O.T. ANALYSIS TAKE AWAYS STRENGTHS

WEAKNESSES

OPPORTUNITIES

THREATS

pedestrians as primary circulation

limited potable water

passive cooling

water collection, storage, and reuse

human impact on animals and vegetation

open air education pavilions and breeding pens

protected national park lands with dense vegetation

natural daylighting

set local precedent for sustainable construction

no “right” option; balance pros and cons

L.E.E.D. ANALYSIS TAKE AWAYS

MATERIALS AND RESOURCES

ENERGY AND ATMOSPHERE

• greatest level of attention required • greatest creative / innovation potential • establish regional precedent

GALAPAGOS ANIMAL HOSPITAL & REHABILITATION CENTER | AMANDA COHEN

• potential for renewables and off-grid services • apply passive design strategies

SUSTAINABLE SITES • impact on existing ecosystem and wildlife • respect protected park lands

PROJECT RESEARCH MATERIAL ANALYSIS WOOD

STEEL

VOLCANIC STONE

CONCRETE

BAMBOO

• 100% locally sourced • mined from designated locations across the islands • used as a structural material • most often used as a veneer • common for paver stones • sizes and colors vary based on region of stone origin

• imported cement mixed with local volcanic stone aggregate • used to create cmu blocks • used for cast-in-place structures • reinforced with steel rebar • typ floor slab assembly is a cast-in-place 2 way joist system (waffle slab) with precast infills to decrease dead load

• • • •

good ( 3 x importance factor ) neutral ( 1 x importance factor ) bad ( -3 x importance factor )

good ( 3 x importance factor ) neutral ( 1 x importance factor ) bad ( -3 x importance factor )

good ( 3 x importance factor ) neutral ( 1 x importance factor ) bad ( -3 x importance factor )

good ( 3 x importance factor ) neutral ( 1 x importance factor ) bad ( -3 x importance factor )

good ( 3 x importance factor ) neutral ( 1 x importance factor ) bad ( -3 x importance factor )

invasive species low cut / fill impact low embodied carbon

non-invasive species high cut / fill impact high embodied carbon

non-invasive species high cut / fill impact low embodied carbon

3

non-invasive species high cut / fill impact low embodied carbon

3

non-invasive species low cut / fill impact low embodied carbon

local species / material recylable material high effective life cycle contributes to erosion

2

local species / material recylable material high effective life cycle contributes to erosion

2

material is imported small structural spans high fire resistance

1

material is imported moderate structural spans high fire resistance

1

3

MATERIAL SCORE = -4 points

WOOD TAKE AWAYS

material is imported large structural spans moderate fire resistance

1

MATERIAL SCORE = 16 points

STEEL TAKE AWAYS

• good for open air structures and glulam use

• good for large institutional work

• biggest problem are invasive species

• biggest problem is importation

• typ. used as unfinished timber, not dimensional lumber

• typ. used for multistory, high traffic buildings • steel building components

MATERIAL SCORE = 18 points

VOLCANIC STONE TAKE AWAYS • versatile applications with varied colors, thicknesses, and shapes • biggest problem is erosion from mining processes • typ. used for veneers and floor paver stones

MATERIAL SCORE = 34 points

CONCRETE TAKE AWAYS

introduced species / material recylable material 2 high effective life cycle contributes to erosion material is not imported large structural spans moderate fire resistance

1

MATERIAL SCORE = 42 points

BAMBOO TAKE AWAYS

• good for multistory construction

• good for widest variety of uses

• biggest problem is excavation impact on land

• biggest problem is that it is an introduced species

• typ. used for walls and slabs

• typ. used as a veneer, not structural, so limited labor and local precedents available

• often mixed on site, by hand

3 importance factor

1

introduced species / material recylable material 2 high effective life cycle does not contribute to erosion

importance factor

material is imported moderate structural spans low fire resistance

importance factor

introduced species / material recylable material 2 low effective life cycle contributes to erosion

3

introduced species not an invasive species quick regrowth period not commonly used as a primary structural material, limited skilled labor • used as veneer, permeable wall assembly, decorative finish, or ceiling finish

importance factor

• 100% imported • not commonly used on the islands, limited skilled labor • very expensive • largest structural spans

importance factor

• mostly invasive species • spanish cedar and acacia nilotic are currently used for timber • cannot import wood because of bio-security concerns • used for structural members, roofs, and furniture • dimensioned lumber or unfinished timber

SITE RESEARCH

SITE PLAN ANALYSIS - EXISTING & PROPOSED

(e)

(e) existing staff circulation existing visitor circulation proposed staff circulation proposed visitor circulation

Staff vs. Visitor Circulation Diagram

N 0’ 50’ 100’

200’

400’

public semi-private private

Public vs. Private Circulation Diagram GALAPAGOS ANIMAL HOSPITAL & REHABILITATION CENTER | AMANDA COHEN

200’

400’

shuttle stop bike storage

Composite Circulation Diagram

N 0’ 50’ 100’

shuttle route car circulation bike circulation boat access

(n)

N

0’ 50’ 100’

200’

400’

0’ 50’ 100’

200’

400’

giant tortoise path sea lion path

Animal Circulation Diagram

N

SITE RESEARCH

SITE PLAN ANALYSIS - EXISTING & PROPOSED 1

2

3

4

5

6

C

A

B

1

existing pathways proposed pathways

N

Pathway Types 1

2

3

A 4

5

at grade path

0’ 50’ 100’

B

frp grating

200’

C

400’

frp, elevated

6

N 0’ 50’ 100’

200’

400’

3

4

5

6

volcanic stone, plaster veneer, metal roof volcanic stone, plaster veneer glulam wood trusses, cmu block, plaster veneer, metal roof dimensioned lumber wood cmu block, plaster veneer, metal roof volcanic stone, metal roof

N 0’ 50’ 100’

Existing Material Types 1

primary key view secondary key view view cone node region connections

Key Nodes and Views

123456-

2

2

3

4

5

200’

400’

6

volcanic rock coastline vegetation height (2’ - 40’)

Vegetation Diagram

N 0’ 50’ 100’

200’

400’

PROCESS DRAWINGS

SITE & BUILDING PLAN ITERATIONS Concept Section A

Concept Section C

Concept Longitudinal Site Section E

Key Plan A E

Concept Section B

Concept Section D

B

Site Section Considerations

- view control of visitors - elevated paths to minimize regrading - minimum widths for accessibility of visitors, animal transport, and possible equipment - cross site views, connection, and axis

Q1 - Floor Plan

D

C

Lessons Learned from Q1

- divide program groups to provide multiple walls for natural ventilation - modify approach to building to be more inviting than at a corner - coordinate circulation and approach with animal maneuverability from dock - explore building angle adjustments on site to reduce excavation impact - butterfly roofs internalize sustainable systems - respond to symmetry over equator through roofline and structural grid - curved roof externalizes sustainable systems to building perimeter

Primary Plan Option at Start of Q2

Between Terms Development

Pros: - stronger, direct approach - connectivity with office zone at center of plan - greater opportunities for natural ventilation - grouping of conditioned spaces to the east for less harsh sun Cons: - larger building footprint increases site impact, material usage, and reduces the net to gross efficiency ratio GALAPAGOS ANIMAL HOSPITAL & REHABILITATION CENTER | AMANDA COHEN

PROCESS DRAWINGS

BUILDING PLAN ITERATIONS Q2 - Exploratory Plan Options To Address the Cons of: - weak site axis connection with building - large footprint Proposed Changes: - divide program groups further to separate but related buildings of varying sizes - position of building on the site - central arrival node from dock - independent structural grids to respond to each program group

Q2 - Floor Plan - return to primary plan option at the start of Q2 after exploratory iterations To Address the Cons of: - weak site axis connection with building - position of building on the site Proposed Changes: - rotate building to be parallel to contours - rotate office block to create node at the building approach, and along site axis - explore a less rectangular office block to create an arrival point and a more structured gathering space for clinicians

Final Floor Plan

PROCESS DRAWINGS

SITE & BUILDING SECTION, ELEVATION, PLAN&ITERATIONS MASSING ITERATIONS Q1 - Concept Sections

Q2 - Section Options

Goals: - regular, large span structural grid - detached structure from programmed walls for future adaptive reuse of structural frame - sloped roof for water collection - visible sustainable systems; water collection & storage, solar panels, sun shading, sustainable materials, to educate visitors from pathway on tours - natural ventilation through rooms and below structure - feasible to construct with limited skilled labor on the islands with choice of materials - rhythm of structure indicates change of programs along long exterior corridor - minimize structural touch down points for less excavation on site

- elevation diagram projected from floor plan - program blocks of varying heights - natural ventilation between roof and program blocks, through structure GALAPAGOS ANIMAL HOSPITAL & REHABILITATION CENTER | AMANDA COHEN

PROCESS DRAWINGS

SECTION, ELEVATION, & MASSING ITERATIONS 3D Digital Model Iterations

Final Section & Detail Concept Sketches

PRELIMINARY DESIGN REVIEW SITE PLAN DEVELOPMENT Site Option A - Chosen Option

Pros: - all full size program fits - desired programmatic sequence - desired adjacencies

Cons: - longest walking path - furthest from boat dock - sea lion rehab is too detached

Site Option C

Pros: - most integrated path extensions - reuse existing dock

Site Option B

Circulation Summary: - (n) route distance = 1,460 feet - distance from water = ~300 feet - 5.2 min walk along new path - 1.8 min walk from dock to path - existing route distance = 3,280 feet

Pros: - all full size program fits - desired programmatic sequence - desired adjacencies

Site Option D

Cons: - full program does not fit

Pros: - closest to boat dock

GALAPAGOS ANIMAL HOSPITAL & REHABILITATION CENTER | AMANDA COHEN

Cons: - long walking path - sea lion rehabilitation zone is detached from tourist path

Site Option E

Cons: - longest walking path - downsized programs - too close to existing private buildings

Pros: - shortest walking path - opportunity to build into water and for dock access

Cons: - full program does not fit - too close to existing buildings

PRELIMINARY DESIGN REVIEW

ANIMAL HOSPITAL BUILDING DEVELOPMENT Floor Plan

Room Legend & Building Metrics 1 - clinician office (100 sf x 6) 2 - clinician team room (190 sf ) 3 - triage room (300 sf x 3) 4 - exam room (400sf x 3) 5 - equipment storage (410 sf ) 6 - medical storage (80 sf ) 7 - operating room (750 sf ) 5,270 nsf / 6,175 gsf = 85.3% efficiency area of impact (roofline)= 12,600 sf

Sustainable Strategies

- central grouping of conditioned rooms for highest efficiency - exterior circulation path - extended roofline to shade from sun

8 - scrub room (95 sf ) 9 - sub-steralization room (95 sf ) 10 - necropsy lab (400 sf ) 11 - necropsy lab office (180 sf ) 12 - necropsy freezer (190 sf ) 13 - restroom(100 sf x 2) highest building point = 21’-0” typical interior ceiling height = 15’-0” - butterfly roof to vent out hot air - butterfly roof to collect rain water - raised slab for water retention tank(s)

View A - View of a Pavilion View F - From Museum to Dock

South Building Elevation under slab water storage tank concrete block construction solar panels on roof bamboo wood flooring & railing clear plastic gutter

View Location Plan

“Open” vs. “Closed” Plan Diagram

“OPEN”

“CLOSED”

“Open” Ventilation Section

Gutter Water Harvest Section

“Closed” Conditioned Section

TECHNICAL DESIGN REVIEW DEVELOPMENT DRAWINGS Vegetated Site Plan

“Open” vs. “Closed” Plan Diagram

educational pavilions

“OPEN” museum

“Open” Ventilation Section Diagram

tortoise rehabilitation enclosures physical therapy enclosure laboratory

L

ANIMAL HOSPITA

sea lion rehabilitation enclosures dock

- clear plastic vertical downspout into clear retention container on building pad with support for walkway and guardrail - existing grade

Exploded Building Axonometric

Structural Vignettes upper roof: - solar panels - corrugated metal roof - bamboo trusses

low roof: - corrugated plastic roof - bamboo structure -metal & bamboo lateral purlins - opening for hot air vent

- primary bamboo truss - concrete columns - elevated slab

GALAPAGOS ANIMAL HOSPITAL & REHABILITATION CENTER | AMANDA COHEN

TECHNICAL DESIGN REVIEW PRESENTATION DRAWINGS Floor Plan

Room Legend & Building Metrics 1 - clinician office (100 sf x 6) 2 - clinician team room (~250 sf ) 3 - triage room (300 sf x 3) 4 - exam room (400sf x 3) 5 - office storage (200 sf ) 6 - equipment storage (420 sf ) 7 - medical storage (80 sf ) 8,500 nsf / 15,500 gsf area of impact (roofline)= 16,000 sf

Sustainable Strategies

- central grouping of conditioned rooms for highest efficiency - exterior circulation path - extended roofline to shade from sun - roof vents to allow hot air to escape - contoured roof to collect rain water - building angle parallel to contours

Cross Section 1

8 - operating room (750 sf ) 9 - scrub room (95 sf ) 10 - sub-steralization room (95 sf ) 11 - necropsy lab (400 sf ) 12 - necropsy lab office (180 sf ) 13 - necropsy freezer (190 sf ) 14 - restroom(100 sf x 2) highest building point = 28’-0” typical interior ceiling height = 15’-0” - raised slab for: - water retention tank storage - minimal excavation disturbance - minimal impact on existing site drainage and topo contours - minimal impact on existing movement paths of animals - elevated roof above enclosed rooms for hot air ventilation - roof mounted solar panels on elevated roof - bamboo lenticular trusses

Longitudinal Building Section 4

- concrete columns

Cross Section 2

Longitudinal Building Section 5 Cross Section 3 - elevated roof above enclosed rooms for hot air ventilation - roof mounted solar panels on elevated roof - bamboo lenticular trusses - no ceiling to natural ventilate - concrete columns - area under slab for water retention storage tanks

FINAL DESIGN REVIEW FINAL CONCEPT DIAGRAMS Enlarged Site Plan Influences

25’ site axis view

watershed direction

20’

sun path - summer 15’ visitor view

diagrammatic equator line 10’

staff view

sun path - winter

5’

0’ primary site axis

SE dominant wind

GALAPAGOS ANIMAL HOSPITAL & REHABILITATION CENTER | AMANDA COHEN

N

FINAL DESIGN REVIEW FINAL CONCEPT DIAGRAMS Floor Plan Influences

limited view

void

South Elevation Influences

natural ventilation

solid

clear view & axis

natural ventilation

conditioned space

freezer

solar panels hot air vent

rainwater collection

natural ventilation

FINAL DESIGN REVIEW FINAL ASSEMBLY DIAGRAMS Upper Wall Assembly Axonometric 4

3

2

CMU Waffle Slab Floor Assembly

1

1

3

2

4

1 - vertically stacked recycled plastic water bottles - filled with soil from building foundation excavation 2 - chicken wire, both sides 3 - cement infill 4 - plaster finish layer, both sides - painted white

plan view 1 - on site CMU form work 2 - alignment wires attached to form work - remove before concrete cures 3 - vertically stacked recycled plastic water bottles - filled with soil from building foundation excavation 4 - cement infill between bottles

Lower Wall Assembly Axonometric 4

3

2

1

1

2

1 - upper wall assembly alignment 2 - horizontally stacked recycled plastic water bottles - filled with soil from building foundation excavation 3 - cement infill at each layer 4 - plaster finish layer, interior side only - painted white

axonometric view GALAPAGOS ANIMAL HOSPITAL & REHABILITATION CENTER | AMANDA COHEN

3

4

FINAL DESIGN REVIEW

FINAL SITE DOCUMENTATION Site Plan

50’ 45’ 40’ 35’

30’ 25’ 20’ 15’ 10’ 5’

0’

(e) exhibition hall

Longitudinal Site Section

(n) gallery

(n) path & lab

(n) animal hospital

(n) dock ramp

FINAL DESIGN REVIEW FLOOR PLAN

Rendered Animal Hospital Plan Room Legend 1 - exam room 2 - triage room 3 - clinician workspaces 4 - clinician conference 5 - office lounge 6 - office storage 7 - equipment storage 8 - medical storage 9 - operating room 10 - scrub room 11 - sub-steralization room 12 - necropsy room 13 - tissue culture lab 14 - necropsy freezer 15 - restrooms

1

2

1

6

10

11

15

4 13

15

3

A 9 14

1

2

7 5

C

8

12

2

B

N south elevation

GALAPAGOS ANIMAL HOSPITAL & REHABILITATION CENTER | AMANDA COHEN

0’

5’

10’

20’

40’

FINAL DESIGN REVIEW

BUILDING ELEVATION & SECTION Rendered South Elevation solar panels corrugated metal roof corrugated plastic roof bamboo trusses concrete columns w volcanic stone veneer

water retention tanks concrete posts & rebar guardrail upper wall assembly bamboo sliding doors lower wall assembly

1

0’

5’

10’

20’

30’

20’

30’

solar panels corrugated metal roof bamboo & steel lateral purlins bamboo trusses gutters & downspouts conditioned spaces roof

2

CMU waffle slab assembly lower wall assembly bamboo ceiling grid with bug screen infill panels & linear lights

Rendered Longitudinal Section A

0’

5’

10’

FINAL DESIGN REVIEW

BUILDING ELEVATION & SECTIONS Shaded North Elevation

Shaded Cross Section B

Shaded Cross Section B

GALAPAGOS ANIMAL HOSPITAL & REHABILITATION CENTER | AMANDA COHEN

0’

5’

10’

20’

30’

FINAL DESIGN REVIEW STRUCTURAL DETAILS

Longitudinal Section Callout 1 Truss & Purlin Connection at Roof

Plan

Section

3D Axonometric

Section

3D Axonometric

Longitudinal Section Callout 2 Bamboo Truss & Concrete Connection

Plan

FINAL DESIGN REVIEW EXPERIENTIAL VIEWS View 1 - Visitor Approach

View 2 - Visitor on Pathway

GALAPAGOS ANIMAL HOSPITAL & REHABILITATION CENTER | AMANDA COHEN

FINAL DESIGN REVIEW EXPERIENTIAL VIEWS

View 3 - Staff Approach from Dock

View 5 - Staff Experiential from Laboratory

View 4 - Staff Experiential Along Walkway

FINAL DESIGN REVIEW EXPERIENTIAL VIEWS

View 6 - Visitors from Proposed Museum

Final Jury Feedback & Responses - With the bamboo structure at the forefront of the design, additional documentation of the truss assembly would benefit the readers understanding of the integration of other building elements, like the gutters.

- I would like to further explore the detailing of these assemblies and develop iterations for some of my exposed sustainability systems, like the perimeter gutter profiles to make them more distinctive yet expressive, the materiality and rhythm of the downspouts, and the form of the water retention tanks around my building. Additionally, I plan to add 3D axonometrics of these enlarged conditions to both isolate the assembly from the building mass while also getting a preliminary understanding of the experience created by the elements.

- The experience under the structure is unique to this roof form, and with the possibility of future program adaptation and structure re-use, having more views from under the structure or within individual exam rooms would speak to how the users, not just observers appreciate the structure.

- With more time, I would have chosen to document the experience from within a typical exam or triage room, as well as an exploded look at the ceiling, screen, and lighting assembly covering these spaces.

While I feel that I have thought through countless aspects of the design, the editing process and prioritization was challenging during final production. I think it could be an interesting exercise to consider future re-uses of the structure, how other building systems may be repurposed, and consider what the future needs of the Darwin Institute may eventually be.

GALAPAGOS ANIMAL HOSPITAL & REHABILITATION CENTER | AMANDA COHEN

FINAL DESIGN REVIEW EXPERIENTIAL VIEWS View 7 - NE Aerial

Original Thesis Expectations and Reflections Over the course of this last year, my outlook towards my senior thesis has truly evolved and grown. Aside from the shift from my original proposal last spring upon visiting the Galapagos myself in the fall, I learned a lot about perseverance, setting realistic yet challenging deadlines for myself, and feel that I have truly explored the boundaries of my research and design capabilities. I am very glad I developed a unique project that I will likely never have an equivalent opportunity to design again during my career. Being able to shape my own path this past year, choose what to research, which programs on my site to develop, and learning how to present my ideas to an educated jury as well as lay people, has allowed me to consistently reevaluate my project goals and strategies with each week. At the start of thesis, and even through earlier years at Drexel, I expected Thesis to be a ‘head down and work’ atmosphere because I knew it was a solo project and most assignments were self paced. I was pleasantly surprised by how many people I could I involve in the process, from site visits, mentors, peer reviews, and truly immerse myself in the design process while communicating with others. No project is a solo project, and the guidance I received from everyone was wildly enriching to my process and final design. My primary realization of this year is that no matter what external factors may appear, getting through Thesis is an accomplishment in and of itself, to be confident in the knowledge I have collected and proud of the design I put forward in the end, but also, that a design is never quite finished.

Protection & Preservation : Sustainable Architecture for Endangered Wildlife

Amanda Cohen Bachelor of Architecture Final Design Thesis Thesis Advisor: Bob Nalls Spring 2022

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.”

– Charles Darwin