The Geode

Wichita, KS

Professor Amy Van de Riet | Fall 2022

A much-needed community center and gallery space located in downtown Wichita, KS. The spaces allow quiet areas to study and learn. The building offers and outdoor green-space open at all times to visitors and passers-by. In the area, spaces to gather and be outdoors are much needed. The building is inspired by a geode, showing that Wichita has much to offer once you crack open the city.

Initial Ideas

Detail A

Detail B

Exterior, Day

Exterior, Night

Water Resonance

Rockefeller Prairie Trailhead, Lawrence, KS

Professor Shannon Criss | Spring 2022

This Pavilion will introduce a peaceful, relaxing space to gather and interact to the Rockefeller Prairie. Guests will be guided throughout the land as the travel to the pavilion. Sights and sounds will flow around them and enhance their experience at the site. Nature will remain as untouched as possible outside of the pavilion space. Man and nature will twine together and create a harmony.

Can just see Lawrence in the distance

Path follows incline, path of least resistance

Move along treeline for shade, more natural path to take

New path to and from site

Areas where water will collect

Construction/train sounds

Prairie grass and other sounds

Watershed

Heavy foilage

Winter Wind

Summer Wind

First Models

Sketched Ideas

Concept and Nature

The pavilion was developed from the idea of being cupped by the land. The roof form was created to be a more geometric representation of a cup-like shape. The roof was designed to catch and redirect water. The final design redirected water to the center of the roof and into a vessel at the center of the pavilion’s platform.

This center will house the history of KCK from native settlement to present day and inform visitors of that history. Interior and exterior spaces will be used to educate visitors on the area that is around it. This building will create a much needed space that invites people from KCK and outward. The black box theater which is the main wildcard space is something that KCK does not have but could benefit from immensely. Other spaces, both inside and outside of the center, will be used to further educate visitors about KCK history in fun and informative ways.

Depth

Grass

Treecover

Parking Paths