Rachel Jones 2017

Sites Unseen : Decoding the Legacy of Uranium

Mining on the Navajo Nation Rachel Jones Thesis Advisor : Jason Austin

System should be modular so that it can adapt to different shapes and be reused.

1945-1988 Nearly 30 million tons of uranium ore mined off the reservation with leases An estimated 3,000-5,000 Navajo worked in the uranium mines on the Reseravation

THESIS STATEMENT

Within this proposal the legacy of uranium mining is decoded through an interpretation of the history and culture of the people and the landscape.

By monitoring, addressing , and forecasting the existence of this condition of decay this thesis seeks bring awarenss to this unseen landscape condition.

How can architecture create awareness of the unseen condition of the abandoned uranium mines, while being sensitive to the place and the people?

ARIZONA UTAH

Use the architecture to frame views within the landscape. Porosity also allows programs to interact within the landscape.

NAVAJO RESERVATION

SEMI-AUTONOMOUS NATIVE AMERICAN TERRITORY

AUM* SITES

SUPERFUND C

AUM* AREAS 0

TOTAL SIZE: 27,425 square miles TOTAL POPULATION: 260,000+ People

CONDITION

DISCOVERY IN THE 1940S...

10

20

40

70

*ABANDONED URANIU

MILES

NAVAJO NATION MAP

:

CAUSE

AWARENESS : EDUCATION : RECONNECTION THE BEGINNING...

Sequence approaching and walking through the site should add to the architectural experience.

COLORADO NEW MEXICO

The Navajo Indians are a tribe that have centered their culture around their connection with nature.

To them the Earth itself is a relic, distinct from man’s creation, that contains not only the present but also all the past and potential future. According to Bitsuie, “in the traditional Navajo view, life is a constant cycle of growth, death and new life, that flows in a circular motion - all things must begin and end at the same point.” Sadly, the legacy of uranium mining on the Navajo Nation has drastically effected the earth they revere. Today, there are around 520 abandoned uranium mines on the Navajo Nation and 4 designated super-fund sites.

These abandoned uranium mines have drastically effected the Navajo Nation, including their people and their land. To the naked eye this condition is unseen. Many mines are unrecognizable because of being improperly covered and the removal of any recognizable structures. A pile of dirt could have radioactive properties that no one can see.

Create an awarness of internal and external. Bring the scale of the landscape to the human scale.

:

EFFECT

RECLAMATION IN THE 1990S...

THE NAVAJO NATION AND URANIUM The mines continue to pollute the land and the people since these mines were not actively remediated. Left abandoned, radioactive uranium is exposed to the elements of nature and the people that surround it.

When the Navajo Code Talkers, who were recruited in WWII by the Marines to transmit messages, returned from the war the land that they had left behind was being taken over by mining. After WWII the United States encouraged uranium mining production because of the nuclear arms race with the Soviet Union.

Private companies hired Navajo employees in the mines. The Private industry’s treatment of the Navajo people was poor. The Navajo had difficultly interacting with their employeers because of the language barrier. In addition, the conditions of the mines they were working in were not safe. Despite the closer of the mines in the 1980s and their ban in 2005, their legacy

1941 Uranium/vanadium-bearing material found on the Navajo Nation

1940

“We would find these [yellow strips of uranium ore] like you found big dead snakes, because you can see where the head was and the tail was. When you dynamited the wall of the rock edge, you could see it. We would look at it and wonder what it was. We would say it must have been the ancient monster snakes from the beginning of time.”

19 April, 2005 Dine natural resourcs protection act is passed banning all uranium mining and processing on the Navajo Nation 9 June, 2008 EPA announces 5-year plan for the cleanup of uranium contamination on the Navajo Nation

- From an interview with George Tuft, a Navajo and former Uranium Miner

1967 Secritary of labor Willard Wirtz imposes radon exposure safety standards

1950

1960

1970

16 July, 1979 Church Rock Uranium Mill Spill- Until 1981 the State and Federal Government supplied trucked in water

1980

1960s Uranium miners become increasingly ill with cancer Utah does not recognize radiation as a form of illness

1945-1988 Nearly 30 million tons of uranium ore mined off the reservation with leases An estimated 3,000-5,000 Navajo worked in the uranium mines on the Reseravation

2011 Skyline Mine contaminated earth is removed to a controlled area 5 August, 2015 Gold King Mine waste water spill

3 million gallons of mine waste water and tailings, toxic minerals into Cement Creek a tributary of the Animas River

1990

2000

1994 Superfund sites established September 1997 First EPA helicopter survey of AUM completed

191

DURANGO

MONUMENT VALLEY AREA

COVE/MESA AREA

MONUMENT VALLEY AREA

89

160

COVE/MESA AREA

84

PAGE FARMINGTON SHIPROCK

KAYENTA

491 160

CAMERON AREA

CAMERON AREA

TUBA CITY

NAVAJO RESERVATION

550

NAVAJO RESERVATION

EASTERN AGENCY AREA

AUM* AREAS

191 CHINLE

SUPERFUND CLEANUP SITES

LOS ALAMOS

EASTERN AGENCY AREA

WINDOW ROCK 89

GALLUP

180

PRIMARY TOURIST ROUTE

40

FLAGSTAFF

AUM* AUM* AREAS AREAS

SECONDARY TOURIST ROUTE

ALBUQUERQUE

40 SUPERFUND SUPERFUND CLEANUP CLEANUP SITES SITES PRIMARY TOURIST TOURIST ROUTE ROUTE PRIMARY

PRIMARY ROAD AUM* AREAS SECONDARY ROAD SUPERFUND CLEANUP SITES AUM* AREAS TERITIARY ROAD *ABANDONED URANIUM MINE (AUM) PRIMARY TOURIST ROUTE

191

40

SUPERFUND CLEANUP SITES

AUM* SITES

SECONDARY SECONDARY TOURIST TOURIST ROUTE ROUTE

PRIMARY TOURIST ROUTE

SUPERFUND CLEANUP SITES

SECONDARY TOURIST ROUTE

0

*ABANDONED URANIUM MINE (AUM)

SECONDARY TOURIST ROUTE

10

20

70 PRIMARY ROAD PRIMARY ROAD SECONDARY ROADMILES SECONDARY TERITIARY ROAD SECONDARY ROAD ROAD

PRIMARY 40 ROAD

0

10

20

40

70 MILES

TERITIARY TERITIARY ROAD ROAD

PRIMARY ROAD

*ABANDONED *ABANDONED URANIUM URANIUM MINE MINE (AUM) (AUM)

SECONDARY ROAD TERITIARY ROAD *ABANDONED URANIUM MINE (AUM)

14% of AUM Region mines with elevated gamma radiation are within a quarter mile of Navajo Reservation homes

77% of AUM Region have gamma radiation levels higher than 2x background Source: sric.org

Source: sric.org

100 YEARS

30% of people on the Navajo Nation lack access to uncontaminated drinking water Source: azcentral.com

TWO DAYS

Time it would take to clean up all the mines with current funding Source: azcentral.com

89% of the 150 Navajo Uranium miners in Shiprock, NM who died of lung cancer or forms of fibrosis Source: serc.carleton.edu

Time it would take to expose a person to more external radiation than the Nuclear Regulatory Commission considers safe for an entire year at the Cameron site Source: nytimes.com

2017

2037

2057

4.7 BILLION YEARS 2017

2077

2097

The half-life of uranium

2117

1 OUT OF 3

Number of uranium mines that have shut down or run out of money on the Reservation

30 MILLION TONNES

Amount of uranium extracted from Navajo Land

Source: npr.org

Source: mining.com

URANIUM MINING

WATER POLLUTION

OVERALL WELLBEING AFFECTED

FOOD POLLUTION

AIR POLLUTION

LEAVE RESERVATION TO FIND RESOURCES

CONNECTION TO CULTURE, HISTORY, PEOPLE HARMED

Top (2) Images: Mural Art in Shiprock, NM Bottom Image: Shiprock, NM Uranium Tailings Pile Remediated

CONDITION : CAUSE : EFFECT : MONITOR : RESPONSE TIMELINE OF URANIUM EXTRACTION

The beginning....

...the discovery in the 1940s...

...reclamation after 50 years in the 1990s...

....future monitoring node

LEGEND

NAVAJO NATION SITE ANALYSIS

NAVAJO NATION SITE ANALYSIS

Kayenta, AZ

U.S. LOCATION

San Juan River

Shiprock, NM

Antelope Canyon

Farmington, NM

Canyon de Chelly

Tuba City, AZ

LEGEND

WATER WATER

Petrified Forest State Park

ore has been extracted

Mine < 2x background

Gamma Radiation Measurements

177

521 Total Mine Claims Assessed

Mine not accessible

Source: nytimes.com

Nearly 4 million tons of uranium Navajo Reservation Abandoned Mine Sites ore has been extracted Gamma Radiation Measurements

Access to clean drinking water

521 Total Mine Claims Assessed

No access to clean drinking water

Source: nytimes.com

10 gallons is what the average water hauler uses compared to 100 gallons of people that are on public Major water systems

Major Waterways Source: tataandhoward.com

Source: eavice.files.wordpress.com

Source: eavice.files.wordpress.com

0

Waterways

10

0

20

10

20

40

40

70

70

MILES

MILES

EAST Physical and mental knowledge Dawn and new beginnings SOUTH

Daily social responsibilty Positive reslationships

WEST Daily social responsibilty Positive reslationships

HOGAN

ORAL HISTORY

Daily work responsibility Identify resources, gather material

Daily work responsibility WEST gather material Identify resources,

Ceremonial knowledge Reflection, aging process

NORTH Ceremonial knowledge Source: navajopeople.org Reflection, aging process

SOUTH

HOGAN

EAST Physical and mental knowledge NORTH Dawn and new beginnings

Source: navajopeople.org ORAL HISTORY

107,673

65,994

Number of people with or with out access to clean drinking water of the Navajo Nation does Number of people with or38% with out notwater have clean drinking water access to clean drinking 38% of the Navajo Nation does Source: colorado.edu not have clean drinking water Source: colorado.edu

Signs of erosion all over the Reservation Source: millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com Signs of erosion all over the Reservation

Source: millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com

NAVAJO NATION “DECAY” SITE CONDITIONS FROM NATURAL TO HUMAN MADE

FOUR WORLDS- CREATION

FOUR WORLDS- CREATION

TRADITION

NATURAL ACTION

Grants,Grants, NM NM

LANGUAGE

TRADITION

47

71 226 Mine > Nearly 2x background 4 million tons of uranium Navajo Reservation Abandoned Mine Sites

Source: tataandhoward.com

“Mythology, religion, history, and ritual were not separate things for Native American peoples. They were strands woven together in the various tales and stories that defined

MYTHS

Mine not accessible Mine > 10x background

226 177

Mine < 2x background

Gamma Radiation Measurements

Gallup, NM

NATURAL ACTION

Window Rock, NMNM Gallup,

“Mythology, religion, history, andpeoples' ritual were notandseparate things for Native American Source: mythencyclopedia.com identity gave order and meaning to their lives.” peoples. They were strands woven together in the various tales and stories that defined peoples' identity and gave order and meaning to their lives.”

Source: mythencyclopedia.com

MYTHS

71

Mine > 2x background

of people that are on public water systems 65,994 107,673

Window Rock, NM

*Grid taken from GIS Land Survey

- From an interview with Randy Nattis, a Federal OnSTORYTELLING Scene Coordinator for the US EPA

47

Mine > 10x background

hauler usesdrinking compared No access to clean water to 100 gallons

National Monument

*Grid taken from GIS Land Survey

STORYTELLING

Gamma Radiation Measurements

Chaco Canyon National Monument Chaco Canyon

Canyon de Chelly

Petrified Forest State Park

Activity node

Town less than 250

Access 10 to clean drinking waterthe average water gallons is what

Flagstaff, AZ

“To the naked eye you would think that it is just a healthy pasture.”

LANGUAGE

HUMAN ACTION

San Juan River

URANIUM URANIUM MINING MINING

Shiprock, NM

Site Location

Town 250 to 1,000

DECAY

EROSION EROSION

Navajo National Monument

Farmington, NM

HUMAN ACTION

Antelope Canyon

Kayenta, AZ

U.S. LOCATION

UTAH

r

ive Navajo National oR rad Monument Colo

Town less than 250

Town 1,000 to 10,000

COLORADO NEW MEXICO

This site is known as Diné Bikeyah, or Navajo Land. The site studies conducted began at the scale of the Navajo Nation as a whole and then through the information gathered from my analysis a specific site was chosen. Olijato- Tuba City, AZ Monument Valley, Utah was chosen as my final site because of its popularity among tourists, spiritual significance to the Navajo, and proximity to an existing uranium site condition.

My thesis proposal seeks to utilize the location on the site to reveal/conceal these existing site conditions. The viewer becomes aware Flagstaff, that AZ behind the beauty of Monument Valley there is a history of uranium mining and its resulting ARTIFACTS polution that needs to be addressed.

ARTIFACTS

Activity node

Town 250 to 1,000

DECAY

ARIZONA

UTAH

r Rive

ARIZONA

o

rad

Colo

Site Location

Town 1,000 to 10,000

City over 10,000

COLORADO NEW MEXICO

SITE

City over 10,000

3 EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS

CO EZ, S E ORT TO C 42 MIL

GOLD KING MINE SPILL

REMEDIATED SKYLINE URANIUM MINE 2 MILES AWAY

MONUMENT VALLEY TRIBAL PARK

IL TRA Z AJO TA, A NAV AYEN K TO ILES M 8 6

TO FARMINGTO N, NM 68 MILES SHIPROCK, NM TOTAL POPULATION: 8,156

OLIJATO/MONUMENT VALLEY TOTAL POPULATION: 867

SAN JUAN RIVER

TO

TO

REMEDIATED URANIUM DISPOSAL CELL

AZ ITY, A C MILES 7

TUB

AZ A, S NT ILE YE M KA 101

SHIPROCK DISPOSAL CELL

A TOWN

SHIPROCK, NM

0

500

1000

2000 FEET

B NEAR TOWN

0

OLIJATO-MONUMENT VALLEY, UT

500

1000

2000 FEET

C SECLUDED

RARE METALS, AZ

SITE LOCATION- OLIJATO-MONUMENT VALLEY, UT

0

500

1000

2000 FEET

TAY

OTAL 2,900SF

PROGRAM The proposal is comprised of two parts: a system of monitoring nodes and an interpretation center and hostel.

The system of monitoring nodes creates a visual warning of this condition and actively collects information about the mine, while creating an artistic experience at night that attracts the tourist. The interpretation center focuses on education and research of Pthe HA uranium mines, while also SE 3 for the community. The providing space and opportunity hostel provides space forCEREMONIAL research fellows to stay and the REFLECT visitor to stay if they wishSPACE to experience the monitoring TOTAL 700SF 500 SF + 400SF nodes. PHASE

The program is centered around creating awareness of the uranium mines and providing spaces that address the resulting decay conditions that they have caused. Through the interaction of the landscape, the native, the visitor, and the program legacy of uranium mining afflicting the Navajo Nation is revealed.

The location of the program is organized by the proposalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goals of awareness, education, and reconnection, the sacred Navajo interpretation of the cardinal directions, the orientation of the sun, and orientation towards the varying landscape conditions beyond.

3

PH

STUDIO

E3

1000 SF

YOGA STUDIO 200SF

OFFICES

BATH

PH200 SF AS E3

STORAGE

OFFICES

1

DATA TRANSMITTER

250 SF

300 SF

1500 SF

COMMON SPACE

AS

E2

700 SF

YOGA STUDIO 200SF

KITCHEN

500 SF BATH

BEDROOMS 1500 SF

TOTAL 2,900SF

800 SF

E3

CREATE TOTAL 1,500SF

KITCHEN

200 SF

BATH

EAT

200 SF

400 300SF SF

TOTAL 5,550SF + 1,900SF

200 SF

E2

KITCHEN 500 SF

3

EXAM AND PROCEDURE ROOMS

EAT

300 SF

CORRALSTORAGE 250 SF

TOTAL 5,550SF + 1,900SF

900 SF

700 SF

BATH

200 SF

1000 SF

700 SF

COUNSEL 500 SF

MARKET 1250 SF

THEATRE

CLASSROOMS 500 SF

1500 SF

COMMON SPACE

EDUCATION CENTER 2000 SF CROPS

CORRAL

1000 SF

900 SF

700 SF

OFFICES 400 SF

BATH

200 SF

BATH

MONITORING STATION MARKET 1250 SF

TOTAL 2000SF

DEW COLLECTOR

PHASE 4

FOG COLLECTOR

TOTAL 3,450SF

PHASE 1

200 SF

BATH

NORTH Ceremonial knowledge Reflection, aging process

LEARN

2600 SF

800 SF

300 SF

CLASSROOMS

DINING

LABS

BEDROOMS

LEARN

TALUS GARLAND TOTAL 2000SF EFFECT

TOTAL 2,300SF

700 SF

E1 CROPS

THEATRE

OBSERVATION DECK

BATH

600 SF

DATA TRANSMITTER

FOG COLLECTOR

600 SF

PHASE 1 GROUP THERAPY

200 SF ORAL ARCHIVES

HAS

BATH

200 SF

ORAL ARCHIVES

300 SF

DINING 2600 SF BATH P

TOTAL 3,450SF

OFFICES

700 SF

1400 SF

AS

P

HA MONITORING STATION SE

400 SF

SAUNA

KITCHEN

PH

BATH

PHASE 4

300 SF

MONITORING TALUS GARLAND NODES EFFECT

PHASE 1

200 SF

200 SF

OFFICES

FOG COLLECTOR

TOTAL 3,450SF DEW COLLECTOR

MASSAGE THERAPY

OFFICES BATH

1400 SF

BATH

BATH

200 SF

MONITORING STATION

BATH

2000 SF

1000SPACE SF

DEW COLLECTOR

TOTAL 2,300SF

700 SF

2000 SF

EDUCATION CENTER

GARDEN 400SF

OBSERVATION DECK

COUNSEL

TRANSMITTER

250 SF

TOTAL OFFICES 700SF 400 SF + 400SF

PHASE 4 LABS NATURAL MEDICINE 800 SF

COMMON STUDIO 700 SF

GROUP THERAPY

EXAM AND PROCEDURE ROOMS

EDUCATION CENTER

1

BATH

300 SF

400 SF

SAUNA

MONITORING NODES

TOTAL 2,300SF

200 SF

DATA STORAGE REFLECT

CEREMONIAL SPACE

AS

PHA

SE

500 SF

PH 200 SF

STAY

E3

700 SF

COUNSEL

300 SF

700 SF

LABS

AS

PH

EXAM AND PROCEDURE PH ROOMS A

200 SF

200 SF

PH

OBSERVATION DECK 300 SF

SAUNA

MASSAGE THERAPY

500 SF

E3

GROUP THERAPY

SE 700 SF 3

SE

BATH

400 SF

OFFICES

PHA

MONITORING NODES

300 SF

MASSAGE THERAPY

NATURAL MEDICINE GARDEN 400SF

CREATE PHA S TOTAL 1,500SF E 2

TOTAL 2,900SF

VISITOR

OFFICES

TOTAL 700SF + 400SF

500 SF

300 SF

1000 SF

BEDROOMS

LANDSCAPE

AS

REFLECT

CEREMONIAL SPACE

STUDIO

200 SF

PH

NATURAL MEDICINE GARDEN 400SF

AS

TOTAL 1,500SF

STAY

PROGRAM

YOGA STUDIO 200SF

CREATE

KITCHEN

NATIVE

TALUS GARLAND EFFECT

WEST Daily social responsibilty Positive relationships NORTH Ceremonial knowledge Reflection, aging process WEST Daily social responsibilty Positive relationships

EAST Physical and mental knowledge Dawn and new beginnings

SOUTH Daily work responsibility Identify EAST resources, gather material Physical and mental knowledge Dawn and new beginnings

SOUTH Daily work responsibility

CASE STUDIES

Source:Navajo Hogans. Don James.

2008.

Source: atlasobscura.com

Vernacular Architecture: Hogan Location: Four Corners Region, United States Designer: The Dine or Navajo Primary Design Goal: Used as a dwelling and for ceremonial purposes; the way it is situated on the site and is laid out directly relates to the Navajo interpretation of the cardinal directions

Source: archdaily.com

Nkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Mip Desert Cultural Centre Location: Osoyoos, BC V0H, Canada Designer: HBBH Architects Infrastructure: Cultural Center Primary Design Goal: Respect the context it lies in while providing a center for the native aboriginal culture

The Lightning Field Location: Catron County, NM Designer: Walter De Maria Infrastructure: Land Art Installation Primary Design Goal: Sculpture where tips of the poles define a horizontal plane and attract lightning. To be viewed over time

Source: designboom.com

Roden Crater Location: Outside of Flagstaff, AZ Designer: James Turrell Infrastructure: Land Art Primary Design Goal: Naked-eye observatory designed specifically for viewing and experiencing sky-light, solar, and celestial phenomena

PROGRAM

PROCESS

System should be modular so that it can adapt to different shapes and be reused.

EXTERNAL/ INTERNAL Create an awarness of internal and external. Bring the scale of the landscape to the human scale.

EARLY PROGRAM DIAGRAM

BUILDING FORM STUDIES

SEQUENCE

POROUS

HARMONY

EMBED

Sequence approaching and walking through the site should add to the architectural experience.

Use the architecture to frame views within the landscape. Porosity also allows programs to interact within the landscape.

Harmony with nature through the process of time and the construction.

Embed within the landscape so as to appear as though it is a natural element and not an imposed built form.

OBSERVATION TOWER PERSPECTIVE

LATER BUILDING SECTION STUDY

SPIRIT/CULTURAL CENTER

SOCIAL SPACE

ADMIN

HEALTH AND WELLNESS CLINIC

CULTURE CENTER ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING LABS/ OFFICES

ADMIN

ORAL ARCHIVES

WELLNESS CENTER

EXPAND

CONTRACT

ARCHITECTURAL MOVES

MODULAR

LANDSCAPE MUSEUM LANGUAGE PRESERVATION

Criticism: -How can the architectural response operate as a means for remediation? How can it be used to re-create a new product/ experience?

-What is driving the siting of these complexes?

-Is recreating a modernized version of the hogan through the geodesic dome the right response?

-Choose a singular building. This proposal may be trying to do too much.

-Use of mural art-interesting. How can you architecture begin to engadge the community?

-How might your architecture act as a universal sign/symbol for future discovery?

EDUCATION

The mid review presentation consisted of comprehensive research, an in depth site analysis, user analysis, program analysis, and initial thoughts regarding form. At this point in the process I had developed a solution that consisted of a system of monitoring wells (field condition), used as a way finding, data collection, and experiential device and a separate monitoring station, a habitable structure. The station is used for research, using data gathered from the nodes, and provides services that would help address the issues caused by the AUMs. This proposed solution utlized a very modular system. The form that I developed at this stage was closely related to the Geodesic Dome developed by Buckminster Fuller in 1954 and the female Navajo Hogan. This form changed based on its relationship to three different exisitng AUM site conditions.

RESEARCH/TECH

MID REVIEW

TECHNICAL REVIEW

BUILDING SECTION STUDY

The technical review presentation consisted of a mechanical and structural proposal, detailed plans and sections, and an understanding of the experiential quality of my proposal. At this point in the process I had developed a clear set of architectural rules and an experiential sequence and approach to structure and design. My more specific site Olijato-Monument Valley, Utah was choosen and my proposal had narrowed down to three programmatic elements, an interpretation center, a hostel, and community space.

DE

CE

MB

ER

SU

Criticism: -Since your project is proposing a framework for which others are derived by you may decide to eliminate program elements or focus on one compared to another.

-Why is your programming the perfect overlap – between tourist, native and landscape? What’s the value proposition of your project – you are providing for a lack of existing resources in the area?

-Consider the material consequences of the diversity of architectural conditions you are proposing. In addition, consider how they effect the landscape elements and conditions.

-Be more specific regarding how light and wind effects the qualities and feelings of your specific programmatic spaces.

NS

ET

SEPTEMBER AND MARCH SUNRISE SEPTEMBER AND MARCH SUNSET JUNE DEC BER

EM

SET

N

SU

SUNR

BER

ISE

SUN

RIS

CEM

DE

PLAN GRID

E

CLASSROOM AND LABS PLAN

PLAN GRID

4

8

32

16

EARLY BUILDING PLAN STUDY

CLASSROOM AND LABS SECTION

PRELIMINARY SECTION

CLASSROOM AND LABS PLAN CLASSROOM AND LABS PLAN 4

8

32

16

4

8

16

32

4

HOSTEL PLAN HOSTEL PLAN

8

32

16

4

8

16

HOSTEL SECTION HOSTEL SECTION

CLASSROOM AND LABS SECTION CLASSROOM AND LABS SECTION

LATER BUILDING PLAN STUDY CLASSROOM AND LABS PLAN 4

8

16

32

HOSTEL PLAN

HOSTEL PLAN 4

8

16

32

32

4

8

16

32

G

FINAL With the continued development of the experiential and technical qualities of my project, the final presentation focused on clearly representing these qualities. The experiential quality of the building is meant to represent the experience of not only connecting with the ground but also directly connecting with different external landscape conditions, including the remediated uranium site and Monument Valley’s spiritual and beautiful landscape.

The technical qualities of the structure vary depending on its relationship to the earth.

Where the structure is submerged the quality is permanent/heavy and where it emerges the quality is light/transformative. The submerged condition is exposed to light and area in specific programmatic areas and the extended condition is entirely open to light.

Upon arrival to the site the visitor is guided by the observation tower that extends from the ground, to enter they are submerged into the earth, at their arrival at the reception desk they are connected with the central courtyard that is open to the sky above and is removed from the external landscape, circulation progresses in a clockwise motion referring to the Navajo process of moving through the cardinal directions, and at the end of the path are different extension points that reveal the natural landscape and/or the uranium condition beyond. The core becomes one of the most important experiential spaces where the native and visitor are connected with “Mother Earth” and “Father Sky” as they are removed from the rest of their surroundings.

VIEW FROM ENTRY ROAD TO SITE

VIEW TOWARDS ENTRY

NIGHT PERSPECTIVE

VIEW TOWARDS URANIUM EXHIBIT

VIEW TOWARDS CORE COURTYARD/OUTDOOR AMPHITHEATER

PLANS 512

0

JU

NE

SU

NS

ET

SU SU MME NS R ET

ER MM E SU NRIS SU

15

11

SEPTEMBER AND MARCH SUNRISE

SEPTEMBER AND MARCH SUNSET

10

12

JUNE

9 13

8

5124

BER

EM

DEC

7

1

W SU INTE NR R ISE

R TE T WIN NSE SU

5130

14

SET

SUN

DEC

S

IND

GW

ILIN

EVA

PR

EM

5130

A

3 2

6

4

16

5

B

JU

NE

SU

ENVIRONMENTAL FORCES

NS

ET

SU SU MME NS R ET

KEY: 1) ENTRY 2) RECEPTION/GIFT SHOP 3) CORE COURTYARD/ OUTDOOR AMPITHEATRE 4) MEP ROOM/STORAGE 5) AUDITORIUM 6) HISTORY OF URANIUM EXTRACTION EXHIBIT 7) EXHIBIT SPACE 8) ART GARDEN 9) RESTAURANT 10) ART STUDIO/ COMMUNITY KITCHEN 11) MEDICINAL HERB GARDEN 12) NAVAJO HOGAN 13) ART GALLERY 14) EXIT TO HOSTEL/VIEWING MONITORING CONDITION 15) HOSTEL ABOVE 16) RESEARCH FACILITY/CLASSROOMS ABOVE

ER MM E SU NRIS SU

SEPTEMBER AND MARCH SUNRISE

SEPTEMBER AND MARCH SUNSET

JUNE

BER

EM

DEC

SUNR

ISE

LOWER LEVEL PLAN W SU INTE NR R ISE

R TE T WIN NSE SU

SET

SUN

S

IND

GW

ILIN

EVA

PR

DEC

EM

BER

SUN

RIS

E

RADIATION SYMBOL

BER

SUN

SUNR

RIS

ISE

E

NORTH Ceremonial knowledge Reflection, aging process

S

DE

NO

G

N RI

512

0

TO

I ON

M

DS

W

VIE

SOUTH Daily work responsibility Identify resources, gather material

7

AR W TO

EL

ST

HO

5

IO/ NT UD ST URA STA E R

EAST Physical and mental knowledge Dawn and new beginnings

6

INTERPRETATION CENTER

5130

VIE

W

TO

WA R

DS

WEST Daily social responsibilty Positive relationships

VIEW TOWARDS MONUMENT VALLEY

4

OL

IJA TO

ME

SA

5136

A 1

3

2

NAVAJO ORIENTATION SYMBOLISM

S

DE

NO

G

TO

NI

S RD

W

VIE

N RI

MO

A OW

B

5140

EL

ST

T

HO

INTERPRETATION CENTER

5160

IO/ NT UD ST URA TA S RE

KEY:

VIE

1)OBSERVATION TOWER ENTRY/ELEVATORS TO BELOW 2)RESEARCH LABORATORY 3)CLASSROOMS 4)ORAL HISTORY ARCHIVES/READING ROOM 5)HOSTEL COMMON AREA 6)VISTOR ROOMS 7)RESERVED ROOMS W

TO

WA R

DS

OL

IJA TO

ME

SA

PROGRAM

5150

VIEW TOWARDS MONUMENT VALLEY

GROUND LEVEL PLAN

SECTIONS

ASCEND

OBSERVE

INSPIRATION

ROTATION

ASCEND

OBSERVE

INSPIRATION

EXTENSION 15’-0” PRESENCE 0’-0” SUBMERGENCE -15-0”

EXTENSION 15’-0” PRESENCE 0’-0”

GROUNDED

RECONNECTION

SUBMERGENCE -15-0”

GROUNDED

RECONNECTION

N

EXTENSION 15’-0” PRESENCE 0’-0” SUBMERGENCE -15-0”

GROUNDED

ROTATION

ARRIVAL

EXTENSION 15’-0”

SUBMERGENCE

GROUNDED

ARRIVAL

PRESENCE 0’-0”

UNFOLDED SITE SECTION A SCALE 1/16”=1’-0” SUBMERGENCE

SUBMERGENCE -15-0”

UNFOLDED SITE SECTION A UNFOLDED PATH SITE SECTION- A SCALE 1/16”=1’-0”

The existing topography of the site, native vernacular building typologies, the process of uranium mining, and a desire to embed the project within the site all drove the decision to create a building that is partially below grade.

The sectional experience is derived of three layers, extension into the landscape, a presence of the existing landscape conditions beyond, and submergence into the earth.

SPIRITUAL CONNECTION

SITE SECTION- B SPIRITUAL CONNECTION

SITE SECTION B SCALE 1/16”=1’-0”

EXTERIOR AXON

PHYSICAL MODEL

PINE/ GLULAM

BUILDING COMPONENTS

STEEL

TOWER (STEEL STRUCTURE CONCRETE DECKING W/ METAL CLADDING)

METAL ROOFING

STUDIO/CAFE (WOOD STRUCTURE W/ CORRUGATED METAL ROOF)

GLAZING AND WALLS (LOW E INSULATED GLASS AND 2X6 FRAMING)

EXISTING EARTH CONSTRUCTION INFLUENCES

GALLERY ROOF (REINFORCED CONCRETE GREEN ROOF)

“RADIATION” WALLS (REINFORCED CONCRETE RETAINING WALL)

KIVA

HEAVY STRUCTURE /MATERIALITY

URANIUM MINE

CORE, RESEARCH LABS, AND CLASSROOMS ROOF (REINFORCED CONCRETE/ GREEN ROOF)

LIGHT STRUCTURE/ MATERIALITY

HOSTEL (WOOD STRUCTURE W/ CORRUGATED METAL ROOF)

ENTRY/EXIT STAIR (CONCRETE)

RAMMED EARTH

CONCRETE

EARTH-CONCRETE AND STONE

GROUND (EARTH)

HOGAN (FEMALE/MALE)

EXPLODED SYSTEMS AXON

This proposal initially started with a focus on revitalizing post industrial buildings. Even though this idea ended up not being central to my thesis, this initial thought has directly influenced the trajectory of my project. By broadening my perspective I found a thesis topic that I am very passionate about. Not only am I creating awareness through my architectural proposal, I am actively creating awareness by sharing this presentation with others.