Nota Elementis (familiar elements), one of our most recent competition entries, is designed as a prototype for a series of trekking cabins to be installed along the new Amber Road trekking path. Our proposal respectfully addresses the cultural and environmental context of the Latvian Coast while reinforcing the building traditions and architectural vernacular that have been part of the Latvian culture for generations. The materials are locally sourced and provide the most economical strategy for assembly, while dramatically reducing the embodied carbon footprint one might see in a typical project. This reinforces the model of sustainability at both the level of the cabin’s ability to comfortably house occupants, and a more holistic level of significantly reducing imported material sourcing and processing in the Baltic region. In the same way a Palo Verde tree’s shade nurses a young Saguaro, Canopy as Catalyst explores the effect shade has on expanding urbanism in downtown Phoenix. Positioned at underutilized, yet high-yield land parcels around Phoenix, the canopy initially encourages light programming to occupy the newly shaded space. Spurring from the success of this initial programming, more permanent structures, which can benefit from the shade and increasing public exposure, begin to arrive. This land parcel then transforms into a densely-programmed urban amenity which helps raise the property values and pedestrian experience of the surrounding blocks. The canopy can adapt to growing development and transform as buildings of varying heights are constructed. Once development becomes so dense
DISCIPLINE
SPRING 2018