NAU-Ecological Monitoring CenterEcological Monitoring Center
The 25-acre site for this project was donated by Babbitt Ranches to the EMA foundation. Students spent 3 days surveying the site for energy access, flora and fauna and its history. The visit also included a meeting with EMA and a survey of vernacular architecture in the Northern Arizona region.
A 200-page initial site and project document was prepared to analyze the information provided by NAU. The document also included additional research conducted by our students this research documented the history, biology, geology, wind and solar resources of the site.
Site model was prepared showing buildings location. The location and the organizing principle of the site design was echoing the old historic logging railroad spur on the site. The complex is designed to be self-sustaining in energy, water and is intended to be capable of dismantling and removal with almost no site impact. All materials are from the local area and the walls are constructed from small diameter logs obtained in the thinning of the local forest .
Ecosa Team with Northern Arizona University Clients – from left to right: Dr. Tom Rogers (NAU), Casey Oberle, Brittany Barsky, Kristi Ennis, Karen English (NAU) and Megan Clark. Read Student Brief Ecosa HousingEcosa Housing
The Ecosa Institute has purchased a lot located in the same area as the Phil Brown project. The team was asked to prepare a concept plan for an Ecosa "campus" incorporated into the neighborhood that would enhance both its current residential character and improve its environmental quality.
A neighborhood model was constructed to get a sense of the texture of the area and the small-scale grain of the existing buildings.
Sketch massing models were used to determine the overall form of the structure. Breaking the mass of the building and being aware of the pedestrian experience of the building were issues of concern. The final concept design enclosed the existing house on the site as a means of respecting the single family residential nature of the area.
This view of the final model illustrates the texture of the building facing a proposed greenway through the neighborhood. The roof is designed for rainwater catchment and the required parking areas are permeable surfaces. Solar hot water and photovoltaic cells are incorporated into the design.
South elevation of the housing complex creates a “streetscape” to provide interest for pedestrians. The center element is a study area that will be an experiment in creating a green habitat/surface for wildlife. The Ecosa student housing team from left to right Zachary Block, Tiffany Broyles, Carlos Guerra and Bryce Hamels. Read Student Brief Downtown PrescottDowntown Prescott
A bikeways proposal included reclaiming the less-trafficked downtown alleyways with properly marked routes and signals.
A modern light rail system fits comfortably into downtown's broad streets that once teemed with the commercial traffic of horse-drawn carriages.
With the much anticipated parking garage planned for the downtown many of the downtown parking lots could be reclaimed for revitalizing infill projects. Petrified Forest Entry StationsPetrified Forest Entry Stations
impressions they leave on both visitors and their surroundings. The National Park Service requested Ecosa students design new north and south entry stations to the Petrified Forest National Park in northern Arizona. Each student explored detailed ergonomic conditions, responsible and durable materials use, and sustainable building systems. The resulting buildings offer comfortable shelters to the park employees and quietly foreshadow to visitors some of the stories they might encounter in the landscape beyond. Concept with rainwater-harvesting canopies and erosion feature.
Rammed-earth concept showing strata relating to the painted desert.
Sheltering concept protects employees and visitors from the harsh desert climate. Ecosa Artifacts CatalogEcosa Artifacts Catalog
More Articles...Page 4 of 7 << Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next > End >> |




















