Las Piedras Biodiversity Station - Senior Thesis Project

LAS PIEDRAS BIODIVERSITY STATION

interior design thesis + research meagan kelley

research project description

02 - 03

building + site analysis

04 - 05

case studies

06 - 21

analysis of design elements

22 - 27

program + criteria matrix

28 - 29

plan prototypes

30 - 31

reading list + research

31 - 34

works cited

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design project explaination

38 - 39

concept work

40 - 41

process work

42 - 43

plan details

44 - 45

slat wall

46 - 47

drainage system

50 - 51

exterior elevations

52 - 53

louver explaination

58 - 59

las piedras biodiversity station

research

project description Radford University is developing a field program based in the Peruvian rainforest called RARE: Radford Amazonian Research Expedition. The owners of the field station used by the program, as well as Radford University are interested in ecologically responsible and relatively inexpensive expansions of the station. As part of this expansion they would like to add multipurpose laboratory space.

The station is located about a two hour boat ride from Lucerna Medical Facility and is only accessible by boat. There is a clear plot of land at the river and the station is a 10-15 minute walk from the water. In the rainy season the river can rise up to 30’. There are 27 kilometers of trails surrounding the station, allowing visitors to explore the forest.

Made of lumber, plywood, plastic tie-down window covers, palm frands and sheet metal roofs, the station includes: a meeting space, 7 bedrooms that each sleep two people, a bathroom with 3 sinks, 3 toilets and 3 showers, and a kitchen. It can currently accommodate up to 12 students, 2 faculty, 1 cook and 2 guides.

The bedrooms contain 2 cots with little room for anything else. The kitchen has counter space, a propane stove, a sink with running water and coolers but is very cramped. Two 1000 liter water tanks supply the station and soon a Yedi 1250 generator will be available for use.

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The University as well as the owners of the station would like the following to be considered for and/or included in the design for the field station:

- Lab space needs benches, cabinets, and terraria for animals; possibly able to be packed away to make space multipurpose - Incorporate verticality in design to engage large trees; possibly with rope bridges or zip-lines - Rooftop solar panels - Would like to accommodate 14-16 students - Include a welcome hut at the river - Platform where yoga can be done - Idea of “belonging to the space�

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site analysis

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lab and tiny house case studies SOE KER TIE HOUSE Firm: TYIN tegnestue Architects Location: Noh Bo, Thailand Function: Orphanage Materials: - all local materials - wood and straw - iron wood structure - bolted together Spaces included: social, private Significance: the use of local materials, prefabricated structure - good for being moved to a site, moisture prevention in all wood design, private and social spaces are combined within a small dwelling, apperance is off the land/comes from surroundings, details for drainage.

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CHARRED CABIN Firm: Nicholas del Rio Location: Olmue, Valparaiso Region, Chile Function: Cabin Materials:

- Charred pine planks

- SIP plywood pannels

Required Program: A place to eat, sleep and read for 2; a bathroom.

Significance: The simple layout and small scale of the project sets an example for the tiny house design concept. The sleeping area is separated from other spaces by being raised to a loft space, underneath which are the kitchen and bathing spaces.

This leaves the living area to have a two story space. Light is let into the space though windows lining the upper part of the cabin as well as several windows on the first level.

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SHELTER @ RAINFOREST Firm: Marra + Yeh Architects Location: Sabah, Malaysia Function: Visitor’s Center and Housing Materials:

- Locally harvested and milled timber

- Plywood

Spaces included: social, private Significance: The architects created a “dog run” around the edge of the structure to accomodate public space that has a view of the rainforest. This “dog run” wraps around half of the structure, allowing the private spaces to also have views of the rainforest. As part of the project, the designers planted new trees on the site. Local materials were used because of the remote location, lack of infrastructure, and the lack of skilled builders. Local materials also allow the structure to be of the site.

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S HOUSE Firm: Vo Trong Nghia Architects Location: Long An Province, Vietnam Function: Housing Materials:

- Precast concrete frame

- Nipa palm

- Corrugated cement

Spaces included: One room space Significance: The project had a limited budget and the main travel to the site is by waterway. Prefabrication of the cocrete frame allowed for easier travel as well as the ability to control quality, cost and future building of the houses. The precast frame was bolted together after being transported to the site and Nipa palm was used to line the walls. A gap between the top of the walls and the roof allowes for ventilation of the space.

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PANAMA RAINFOREST DISCOVERY CENTER Firm: ENSITU Location: Panama Function: Observation Tower and Visitor’s Center Materials:

- Wood panneling

- Structural steel

Spaces included: Public and private Significance: The structure utilized already disturbed sites for building to prevent the destruction of more of the rainforest. The aesthetic apperance of this project blends with the surrounding environment by using local materials.

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GRID EMERGENCY SHELTER Firm: Carterwilliamson Architects Location: Australia - mobile/traveling Function: Housing, Laboratory, Clinic Materials:

- Steel

- Plywood

Spaces included: One room space Significance: The shelter was designed to be housing or medical space in emergencies and disasters that can also be used as a lab or research facility in remote locations. It can be flat-packed to be transported and assembled in a day.

The base columns of the structure are based on scaffolding and can adjust to variations in ground height. The shelter uses photovoltaic cells and a roof-mounted hot water system.

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HAWAII PREPARATORY ACADEMY ENERGY LABORATORY Firm: Flansburgh Architects Location: Kamuela, Hawaii Function: Laboratory Materials:

- Wood

- Polycarbon

Spaces included: Classrooms, laboratories, storage Significance: The laboratory is a living lab that teaches about sustainability. The spaces are desigend to encourage experimentation, exploration and discovery. This is achieved through the layout which facilitates indoor and outdoor study spaces. Large doors open labs to the exterior - bringing the environment in. Natural light is brought into the space using skylights, wooden sun screens and roller shades. Natural ventilation is made possible with the use of automated louvers and the building hosts an experimental radiant cooling system. The building is integrated into the site to optimize the use of trade winds and solar qualities. It is designed to function like the human brain. It regulates its breathing, cooling and heating, energy, and water production.

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PULAU BANDING RAINFOREST RESEARCH CENTER Firm: C’arch Location: Gerik, Perak, Malaysia Function: Laboratory Materials:

- Steel frame

- Lightweight blocks

- Shiplap timber cladding Spaces included: Two labs, a library, an office, open terraces for sleeping and sitting Significance: The aim of the laboratory is to facilitate dialogue and research about the preservation of the rainforest. Safari roofs and deep roof overhangs characterize the design. Existing trees were preserved; only the underbrush was cleared for building.

Researchers are encouraged to plant new species they discover.

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analysis of design elements case studies and site SOE KER TIE HOUSE Scale – The scale of the different buildings is small enough to allow the space to have a cozy, home feeling, while being large enough to allow for alone time.

Form – The “butterfly” form used in the dwellings allows the space to be opened up while still being adequately sheltered.

Each part of the form serves a distinct purpose.

Repetition – The form of the butterfly is repeated in each building to create unity within the entire orphanage.

Transparency and Layering – The material used on the façade of the dwellings allows some light in while still serving as an enclosure. The openings within the walls allow for interaction between those inside the space and those on the outside.

Placement – The placement of each house on the site creates moments that can be used for outdoor spaces, such as the fire pit space.

CHARRED CABIN Scale and Proportion – The scale and proportion of the space influence and are influenced by private space v. public space.

Hierarchy of Spaces – Within such a small space, hierarchy is critical and the organization and size of spaces shows that the hierarchy of spaces is living > working > sleeping.

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SHELTER @ RAINFOREST Form – The form is based off of a grid. This gird influences the axis and line movement through the space as well. The axis and line movement influence the entire layout and circulation of the space.

Hierarchy – The viewing platform covers the most edge space of the design, showing that is has hierarchy over the more utilitarian spaces.

Focal Point – The focal point is the jungle outside of the shelter, as made evident by the viewing platform being such a prominent part of the design.

Symmetry – The axis’ and lines in the design create symmetry in plan.

S HOUSE Proportion – The house is divided into 4 sections, despite being one room.

Axis and Line – These four “rooms” within the space are broken up by lines created by the doors and other openings.

Form – The simple rectangular form allows for the space to be easily transformed into another use, and allows for the axis and lines within the space.

Hierarchy – Although the house is one large room, the different use spaces are given a hierarchy by the doors opening them to the outside. The more public spaces have double doors to the outside, while the more private spaces, such as the sleeping space, have only a single door.

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PANAMA RAINFOREST DISCOVERY CENTER Transparency – The transparency in the design of the center is very literal. The design allows for direct contact with the rainforest surrounding the center and even brings the nature in, having tress planting within the structure.

Focal Point – The focal point of the structure is the nature surrounding it, as evident by the large viewing platform and the direction of the roof, opening to the outside.

Scale and Form – The scale and form of the roof open the space to the outdoors, making a seamless connection between the built and natural environments.

GRID EMERGENCY SHELTER Form – The form resembles that of a house, making for a feeling of home when the shelter is being used for living during a natural disaster.

Hierarchy – The hierarchy of spaces are social > private. The sleeping/private space is located in the loft above the social space.

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HAWAII PREP ACADEMY ENERGY LAB Transparency – The façade and moving walls are made of slats of wood, allowing light in, even when closed. The opening between rooms allows a transparency within the space as well.

Form – The form of the roof allows for the building to maintain its living building status. The openings allow for air flow.

Repetition – The slatted walls and door treatments are repeated throughout the space to create unity.

PULAU BANDING RAINFOREST RESEARCH CENTER Preservation – To preserve the existing site, trees were kept on the site and built around. The underbrush below the trees was cleared for building.

Repetition – The roof overhang and façade materials are repeated on each building, creating unity. The platform path connecting each building also creates a unity, making separate buildings become one design.

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PERU RESEARCH FIELD STATION Axis and Line – The entire field station is built on one center axis connecting each space to the others.

Repetition – The forms of the spaces as well as the materials are repeated throughout the station.

Hierarchy – The public space is centrally located and is the largest, drawing people to spend the most time in it.

Transparency – Most of the platforms have open air sides, creating a line of sight to other platforms as well as the surrounding rainforest.

Focal Point – The focal point of the design is very much the outside and what can be seen of the outside from the inside. The public space also serves as a focal point as it is the entrance and largest platform.

Symmetry and Balance – There is a symmetry to the field station that is only interrupted by the placement of the bath house. This play on symmetry is an important design element.

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program and criteria matrix

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goals objectives Goals and Objectives 1. Create a comfortable space to live and work for students and researchers.

- Adequate and sensible separation of work and living spaces

- Economically affordable

- Small but functional spaces 2. Respect the surrounding environment and have minimal impact.

- Use of local materials

- Avoid clearing more land for expansion 3. Create a balance of privacy and unity.

- Design space to allow for individual private space while existing as a research facility that

facilitates dialogue

- Create spaces for both private and public use 4. Create a space that can be used as a vehicle to teach.

- Allow every aspect of design and every space so somehow teach about the surrounding

environment

- Spaces that can accommodate discussion and demonstration 5. Design the laboratory space to be a flexible space

- Determine ways that lab can be a multiuse space

- Create a lab that can be an indoor and outdoor space simultaneously

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plan prototypes

Design Overview

Bedrooms

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Bathrooms

Common Room

Common Room

Common Room

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reading list research Reading List: 1. The Fundamentals of Interior Design by Simon Dodsworth with Stephen Anderson 2. Environmental Psychology for Design by Dak Kopec 3. Place Advantage: Applied Psychology for Interior Architecture by Sally Augustin, PhD 4. The Big Book of Small House Design 5. Tiny Documentary 6. Environmental Design and Human Behavior: Psychology of the Individual in Society by Leonard Krasner 16 Motives for Designing Space

There are 16 motives that propel humans through life and should influence the design of the built environment: 1. Power 9.

Physical exercise 2.

Curiosity 10. Romance 3. Independence 11. Family 4. Status 12. Order 5.

Social contact 13. Eating 6. Vengeance 14. Acceptance 7.

Honor 15. Tranquility 8. Idealism 16. Saving

Characteristics of a Well Designed Space

These motives should be considered when looking at the characteristics of a well-designed space from a human behavior perspective. A well designed space that addresses the 16 motives and considers the behavior of humans within the space should have 5 characteristics: 1.

Should comply with desired activity 2.

Should communicate information about people who use them and to people who use them 3.

Should be comforting in the sense that the design meets the desires of the inhabitant.

4.

Should be challenging to the user by providing opportunities for growth and development 5.

Should continue to change and adapt as the user changes, while still being a useable space.

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Personality Type

Personality Trait

Design Preferences

Introvert

Guarded

Desires safe haven or privacy. Prefers closed furniture arrangements.

Extrovert

Social

Desires interaction or stimulation. Prefers open furniture arrangements.

Sensory

Detail-oriented

Embraces practicality.Will scrutinize details and functionality of design.

Intuitive

Instinctual

Prefers complex creative environments. is guided by gut feelings.

Thinker

Rational

Views design in terms of cost-benefit ratio and demands extensive research.

Feeler

Harmonious

Values harmony, respects professionals, but will rely heavilty on designer’s ability to ask the right questions and read between the lines.

Judger

Demanding

Has high expectations and conventional design preferences.

Perceier

Unconventional

Values uniqueness and innovation but may have difficulty making and sticking with decisions.

Artisan

Nonsocial

High Physical Energy, More Active

Intellectual

Low Physical Energy, Less Active

Teammate Social

Sophisticate

Personality traits are very important to designing comfortable environments for people, depending on what their personality demands. For introverts, closed furniture arrangements are desired because it creates separation within a space, while extroverts prefer open furniture arrangements to avoid being separated from others. Sensory personalities pay very close attention to detail and will notice every aspect of a design. Intuitive clients will desire complex spaces that stimulate thought and creativity. Thinkers will constantly question every decision a designer makes, while Feelers will very much rely on the expertise of the designer. Judgers tend to prefer more traditional design and Perceivers embrace creativity and will be more inclined to accept less conventional design.

People typically fall into one quadrant on the Space Inhabitant Type Chart. The teammate, who is more social and has higher energy and activity levels, is more likely to live in a tiny home or space that incorporates work and living. The Teammate does well in social situations, thus thriving in environments where people are always in close company. Higher physical energy encourages the teammate to get out of the home and outside, creating less of a need for interior environment space.

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In a space such as Las Piedras Biodiversity Station, many different personality types could be using the space so it is important to remember this when designing a new space. The goal is to design a space that accommodates all of the necessary uses, but also all of the possible users. To do so, private and public spaces of several degrees will be incorporated. Each room will have a private porch space that allows the user to be outside but still maintain a level of privacy. Many common spaces will be incorporated with some being tucked away from other activities, and others being in the middle of social activity. This allows for different personality types to be able to occupy the space while still creating an environment that fosters learning.

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works cited Resources: http://www.archdaily.com/526884/pulau-banding-rainforest-research-centre-c-arch-architecture/ http://www.archdaily.com/257002/shelter-rainforest-marra-yeh-architects/ http://www.archdaily.com/64732/hawaii-preparatory-academy-energy-laboratory-flansburgh-architects/ http://www.marrayeh.com/work-junglevillage.html http://architectureau.com/articles/shelter-by-carter-williamson/ http://www.archdaily.com/25748/soe-ker-tie-house-tyin-tegnestue/ http://www.designboom.com/architecture/bamboo-orphanage-at-soe-ker-tie-house-by-tyin-tegnestue-01-07-2014/ gallery/image/tyin-tegnestue-architects-soe-ker-tie-house-designboom-7/ http://www.archdaily.com/548836/charred-cabin-nicolas-del-rio/ http://www.archdaily.com/549049/s-house-vo-trong-nghia-architects/ http://www.carterwilliamson.com/projects/ http://www.archdaily.com/317772/emergency-shelter-carter-williamson-architects/

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las piedras biodiversity station

new station design

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project explaination

Las Piedras Biodiversity Station is a biological research center in the Peruvian rainforest, north of Puerto Maldonado. The station serves the Radford Amazonian Research Expedition program which brings students and researchers to study the rainforest. A half-mile hike through the rainforest, up 150 stairs, the station sits above the river, avoiding any seasonal flooding.

The redesign of the station creates more housing for visitors and incorporates a laboratory space. Made of lumber, aluminum and sheet metal roofs, the new station allows for more multi-use space for the program and creates a better environment for living and working.

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Site Plan

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concept work

Concept:

The concept for the design is inspired by the five layers of the rainforest. The forest floor, under story, canopy and emergent layer are full of different colors, densities, and scales. By abstracting diagrams of the layers, grid systems are created that have been translated into the plan, the slat wall module, and the louver system that are found in the design. All of these moves create density and scale, and aid in the letting in and shading of natural light to the space.

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Concept Diagrams

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process work

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plan details 1

1 3

Up 2

Down

5

Common Space

Dorm Room

5

Down

Lab Storage Common Space

Down

Dining Womens Bathroom

2

5

4

Lab Kitchen

2 4

4

Mens Bathroom

Down

First Floor Plan

SCALE:

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Down 1

6’

18’

1.

SLAT WALL RAILINGS

2.

FULL HEIGHT SOLID WALLS

3.

HALF HEIGHT SOLID WALLS

4.

PART SOLID WALL/PART SLAT WALL

5.

FULL HEIGHT SLAT WALL

5

4

5

Up

Common Space

Up

2

5

Dorm Room

3

Second Floor Plan

Storage

5

Down

1 2

Common Space

2

Dorm Room

3

Lackey’s Room

Third Floor Plan

Concept to Plan Diagram

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slat wall

The slat wall is a series of wooden pieces made from the old building that at different thicknesses, create density without a solid wall. The wall also serves as a way to filter light into the space.

This filtering of light is essential to the design because there are very few sources of artifical light in the space due to the only power being a small generator.

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Dorm Common Space

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First Floor Stair

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Second Floor Stair

Dining Space

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drainage system

The design of the roofs as well as the design of the drains built into the deck help to prevent the wooden platforms from rotting due to daily rainstorms in the rainforest. The roofs are designed so that the longer sloped side directs water off of the platforms and onto the ground. On the sides of the buildings with shorter sloped roofs, drainage grates have been built into the platforms to allow water to run off of the roof and through the deck. These drainage grates are made of steel and reflect the design of the slat walls that represent layering and density.

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elevation process work

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exterior elevations

East Elevation

West Elevation

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North Elevation

South Elevation

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design elements and principles

Blocking Diagram

Axis Diagram

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Scale - Specifically in ceiling heights, the scale of each space helps to define the spatial usage.

Private spaces are smaller, with lower ceilings, while public spaces are larger, more open, and have higher ceiling heights.

Form - Forms derived from the layers of the rainforest concept are found throughout to delineate space, create density, and to allow natural light to come in.

The shifted grid is found in both plan and elevation, thus being found at different scales as well.

Axis and Line - The station is designed around several main axes that cut through the space and serve as circulation paths. Three larger volumes are placed upon these axes to create the entire space.

Repetition - The slat wall and louvers are repeated throughout the station to create unity within the field station as a whole.

Gradation - The density of the slat walls varies slightly between spaces based on the privacy level of that individual space. Wall type, sometimes incorporating the slat wall, varies as well.

Hierarchy - The hierarchy of spaces is best represented by where the space falls within the main axes. The most public spaces fall where most of the axes cross paths, while more private spaces cross only a few axes.

Placement - The placement of the station on the original site prevents the clearing of more trees from being necessary.

Positive and Negative Space - As part of the layers of the rainforest concept, pushing and pulling of the plan of the space was a large design decision.

This helped to create density and layering within the space and creates positive and negative spaces in both plan and elevation.

Transparency and Layering - Because of the nature of the project, there are very few full height, solid walls, resulting in lots of transparency within the space. The slat walls allow for layering and transparency to occur simultaneously.

Focal Point - The center volume, containing cooking, eating, and living spaces is the focal point of the station. The entrance to the station is part of this volume, it is the most open and transparent, and it contains the most louvers.

Symmetry and Balance - The three large volumes continue the imperfect symmetry of the existing station and balance out the space. This also creates a balance between public and private and living versus working.

Pattern - The slat wall creates pattern that is represented in all spaces within the station. It is not a perfect, symmetrical pattern, thus representing patterns within the rainforest.

Unity - The continued use of louvers and the slat wall within each of the three larger volumes creates unity within the station and ties the space as a whole together.

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Bathroom

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Bedroom

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louvers explaination

Concept:

The concept of layering is also represented in the push and pull of the floorplan. In multistory spaces, volumes are removed to create this push and pull effect. In single story spaces, metal louvers continue spaces from “interior” to “exterior” and create multi-use space. The louvers create multi-use space specifically outside of the lab. Large slat wall doors open up the lab and allow the space underneath the louvers to become an outdoor extension of the lab.

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Main Common Space

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Outdoor Lab Space

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