Ottawa Research Center

Nicholas Gascon Portfolio | Spring 2021 - Summer 2022 | University of South Florida

Ottawa Research Center Advanced Design B | Powers | Spring 2022

Standing at the top of a hill, the Ottawa research and education center acts as an inhabitable retreat amongst the trees with paths that slope downwards through the forest until you meet the water’s edge. Story telling was a focal point of Ojibwe tradition which was integrated into the design of the amphitheater that acts as an anchor connecting the separated private and public masses. The main objective of the center is to bring people together to learn, share, and experience nature and the environment around them by forming an experiential and informational threshold to the site. Its transparent façade also allows for maximum solar energy to enter during the winter and be stored with sufficient openings on its backside to allow for ventilation during the summer.

Michigan’s copper mining traditions are also reflected in the building’s weathering copper roof that will, like the seasons, eventually change and merge with the tree canopy.

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Research and Site Analysis .

The Ottawa National Forest is located in the upper peninsula of Michigan under the jurisdiction of the U.S Forest Service. The climate consists of mainly boreal forests covered by spruce, pines, and birch that experience the 4 seasons of the year.

Summer Temps. (June - Septermber): 31 to 36’C Winter Temps. (December - March): -23 to -25 C Annual rainfall: 36” Annual snowfall: 200” Area: 1 mil acres Elevation : Up to 1800’

Rock types:

Limestone

Clay

Lumber types:

Conifer

Pine

Birch

Dominant wind direction:

The Ojibwe are one of the largest tribal populations among Native American peoples. They are respected keepers of detailed and complex scrolls, maps, and stories that record their history. Some of the oldest maps of North America were made by the Ojibwe on birch bark scrolls. They traded across the continent for thousands of years migrating via

Traditionally, the Ojibwe would come together around bonfires to share stories and trade. Recently, there has been a “quest to reconnect to their food traditions” where the Ojibwe have been expanding community gardens and have started mobile kitchens to teach communities about nutritious food preparation.

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Final Design Birdseye of research center The access road is tucked behind the research center and drops off students at the school’s ampitheater. Lab workers and lodge residents park on the Northern side of the road with cabins having integrated parking. The science lab is seperated from the school by the ampitheater with lodge residents

living beneath and Cabins to

the East. ADA accessible stone paths carve down the hill and through the dense woodlands and ends at the edge of the river. .

View lodge room looking South

View from school cafe looking South East

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Long Section North - South | Scale: 1”= 28’ The research center sits at the top of the hill with the labs, school, and cabin spaces elevated to the treeline with lodge rooms and classrooms looking beneath to the river.

A - River B - School C - Lodge

A D - Science lab E - Parking

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South Elevation

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Cabin Graphics

Permanent housing with covered parking for 3 families are located on the Eastern end of the research center. Houses are row house style with triple heighted living spaces framing the pine forest to the South. Bedrooms are located on the second and third floor with loft and study spaces overlooking the living room.

Looking South from living room stairs

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Level 1

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Floorplans 1-3

A - Garage B - Mudroom C - Broom Closet D - HVAC E - Kitchen F - Dining G - Living H - Porch I - Kids Study J - Laundry K - Kids Bedrooms L - Loft M - Master Bedroom

Section A-A 4’

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Final model Scale: 1/16” = 1’

Looking North

Looking North West

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Birdseye Looking North-West

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Floorplans Level 3 | Scale: 1”= 64’ 4 7

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1 - Cabins 2 - Science building 3 - School 4 - Parking 5 - Ampitheater 6 - Great room 7 - Access road

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Birdseye looking North into cabin Triple heighted living spaces face the Southern pine forest with large balcony space to enjoy the outdoors from. The kids bedrooms are on the second floor with study space and the parents on the third with reading space.

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Floorplans Level 2 | Scale: 1”= 64’

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1 - Cabins 2 - Labs 3- Janitor closet 4 - Storage 5 - Lab mech 6 - Generator 7 - Outdoor lab

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View from research lab entrance looking south The research lab, lodge, and cabins all share the same roof with spaces that elevate into the treeline or submerge into the ground facing the river to the South.

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Floorplans Level 1 | Scale: 1”= 64’ 8

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1 - Cabins 2 - Lab parking 3 - Lab entrance 4 - Lab offices 5 - Conference room 6 - Computer lab 7 - Specimen storage 8 - Lodge parking 9 - Lodge entrance 10 - Ampitheater 11 - School entrance 12 - Cafeteria 13 - Kitchen 14 - Teacher offices 15 - Trophy room

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View from road entrance looking South.

The school’s outdoor ampitheater seats one hundred and acts as a place everyone in the research center can gather, reflect, and share.

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Floorplans Level -1 | Scale: 1”= 64’

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1 - Lodge lobby 2 - Kitchen 3 - Recreation room 4 - Gym 5 - Great room 6 - Lodge mech

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7 - Lodge units 8 - Laundry room 9 - Locker room 10 - Classrooms 11 - School mech 12 - River dock

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64’

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View from great room looking South When the winter comes a warm space around a fire submerged into nature brings together lodge and cabin dwelllers to share stories and enjoy food and drinks.

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Final model Scale: 1/32” = 1’ Birdseye looking North-West

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