ali chen portfolio
DESCRIPTION
2012 Architecture Portfolio of Ali ChenTRANSCRIPT
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ALIchen
PORTFOLIO
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ALIchen646 831 [email protected] OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAARCHITECTURE, INTERIORS. GRAPHIC DESIGN,
www.cargocollective.com/alichen
2012 PORTFOLIO
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
MODERN FAMILYMINIGOLF CIVIC CENTERVIVIENDAS DEL MARURBAN JUNGLE LIBRARYGRADIENT MICROCIMATE TERRAINTURTLE BEACH BOARDWALK
SMALLER PROJECTSWOOD'S CLIFFSIDE RETREATPULL-OUT RESEARCH STATIONEPHEMERAL CONCRETE
SKETCHES
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MODERN FAMILYa western hutong housing concept
DATEYear 3 fall
INSTRUCTORWarren Techentin
SITEPasadena
LENGTH OF PROJECT 2.5 weeks
This 4 unit housing complex incorporates the Eastern idea of communal family living among
extended families in a hutong-style modern residence. The project becomes child-centric
and forms an ideal environment for families to watch their children grow up.
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AN ARCHITECTURE OF GENERATIONSThis 4 unit housing complex incorporates the Eastern idea of communal family living among extended families in a hutong-style modern residence. The project becomes child-centric and forms an ideal environment for families to watch their children grow up.
The hutong typology, essentially a basic U shape, is derived from the hierarchy and form of an extended family with the eldest patriarchal branch being at the center and secondary extensions of the family at the wings.
The resulting courtyard formed becomes a programmatically charged space that ties the house together. This space can function as a gathering space, an outdoor dining area, and an enclosed and monitored play area for children. In a modern world, a functioning hutong must also provide private access for each branch of the family. While units share a courtyard space, they are also each provided with their own entries and front yards.
+ =
user profileextended families
urban block housing
suburban culdesac
green spacesgeneral form materiality
MODERN FAMILY
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DRAWINGSMODERN FAMILY
EAST SECTION
A NEW HOUSING TYPOLOGY FOR
A TIGHT KNIT FAMILY
NORTH ELEVATION WEST ELEVATION
SOUTH SECTION
PLANS
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RENDERINGSMODERN FAMILY
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DIAGRAMS, PHYSICAL MODELMODERN FAMILY
+ =
user profileextended families
urban block housing
suburban culdesac
green spacesgeneral form materiality
+ =
user profileextended families
urban block housing
suburban culdesac
green spacesgeneral form materiality
+ =
user profileextended families
urban block housing
suburban culdesac
green spacesgeneral form materiality
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DATEYear 3 spring
INSTRUCTORJohn Dutton
SITEEcho Park
LENGTH OF PROJECT3 months
MINIGOLF CIVIC CENTER
ENHANCING THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT
Minigolf is one of the most popular outdoor lesiure games in America. Can the juxtaposition
of the serious nature of a civic center and the frivolousness of a minigolf course help to tie it into the fabric of the community? In simpler terms, can
we mix business with pleasure?
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MINIGOLF CIVIC CENTER
"MINIGOLF IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR OUTDOOR LEISURE GAMES IN AMERICA."The addition of a minigolf course will create a better family atmosphere for the Echo Park community. Minigolf appeals not only to families but to the young adult demographic in the area by contributing to the retro appeal of Echo Park and Silverlake.
Urbanistically, placing a more commercial element near the lake will strengthen the connection between the commercially active Sunset Boulevard and the less visited lake area and provide an alternative nighttime activity to the various bars and music venues in the area.
The juxtaposition of the serious nature of the civic center and the frivolousness of a minigolf course is intentional in that it aims to liven up the official aspect of the civic center and tie the center into the fabric of the community. The course creates a livelier and more welcome atmosphere for a public place that was originally intended to be about the community.
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SITEMINIGOLF CIVIC CENTER
residential
commercial
ZONING
green spaces
GREEN SPACES
ECHO PARK
connection to green space direct connection to park, minigolf start point on ground plane makes it
more accessible to visitors.
minigolf ultimately ends at a vantage point, cre-ating a connection back to the park.
commercialresidential
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PHYSICAL MODELMINIGOLF CIVIC CENTER
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PHYSICAL MODELMINIGOLF CIVIC CENTER
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RENDERINGSMINIGOLF CIVIC CENTER
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PHYSICAL MODELMINIGOLF CIVIC CENTER
WORKING GREEN ROOF MODEL
CAN WE MIX BUSINESS WITH
PLEASURE?vegetation
membraneroot barrier
insulation
drainage
waterproofing
concrete
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DIAGRAMS, DRAWINGSMINIGOLF CIVIC CENTER
structure egresshvac
structure egresshvac
structure egresshvac
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DRAWINGSMINIGOLF CIVIC CENTER
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VIVIENDAS DEL MAR
RECONNECTING BARCELONA TO THE SEA
Viviendas Del Mar is a housing complex that addresses the lifeless condition of post-olympic housing on the shores of
Barcelona. The new concept reactivates a connection to the sea by creating a
directional quality by integrating landscape and hardscape elements with building form.
DATEYear 4 fall
INSTRUCTORKim Coleman
SITEPoble Nou, Barcelona
LENGTH OF PROJECT3 weeks
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VIVIENDAS DEL MAR
RECONNECTING BARCELONA TO THE SEAThe Viviendas Del Mar residences aims to recreate a connection to the sea post-Olympic occupation of the Poblenou area. The existing structure on the proposed site of change was originally built to house competing Olympians, serving as a terminus to Avenguda Bogatell and creating a directional path towards the sea.
Today it no longer serves this purpose and has become a lifeless barrier to the citys connection with the sea. The new housing proposal is an attempt to activate the directional quality of the site towards the sea by integrating landscape and hardscape elements with the building form itself, and introducing public program to the site at ground level.
landscape residential circulation roof semi-public program
landscape residential circulation roof semi-public program
landscape residential circulation roof semi-public program
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POBLENOU
SITEVIVIENDAS DEL MAR
EXISTING CONDITIONS
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DRAWINGSVIVIENDAS DEL MAR
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DRAWINGSVIVIENDAS DEL MAR
PLANS
beachside residences cater to vibrant beach
life and a laid back atmosphere
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RENDERINGSVIVIENDAS DEL MAR
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RENDERINGSVIVIENDAS DEL MAR
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URBAN JUNGLE LIBRARY
AN URBAN OASIS
The Downtown Los Angeles Network Library addresses the problem of the citys limited public
green spaces. The library has a publicly accessible roof plane with pockets of green spaces that serve
as intimate reading rooms. The projects network of paths and green spaces serve as a pedestrian
throughfare, enhancing the pedestrian and well as the library-goers experience.
DATEYear 4 spring
INSTRUCTORLorcan OHerlihy
SITEDowntown LA
LENGTH OF PROJECT3 months
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operable shelvesopened stacks = outdoor/indoor space connected
closed stacks = separatedoutdoor + indoor space
URBAN JUNGLE LIBRARY
INJECTING POCKETS OF GREEN INTO DOWNTOWN LIFEThe downtown Los Angeles network library addresses the problem of the citys limited public green spaces. The library has a publicly accessible roof plane with pockets of green spaces that serve as intimate reading rooms. The projects network of paths and green spaces serve as a pedestrian throughfare, enhancing the pedestrian and well as the library-goers experience.
operable shelvesopened stacks = outdoor/indoor space connected
closed stacks = separatedoutdoor + indoor space
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DIAGRAMSURBAN JUNGLE LIBRARY
SECTION SLICE
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DRAWINGSURBAN JUNGLE LIBRARY
1
B
2
3
4
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DRAWINGSURBAN JUNGLE LIBRARY
WEST ELEVATION
SOUTH ELEVATION
SOUTH SECTION
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RENDERINGSURBAN JUNGLE LIBRARY
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RENDERINGSURBAN JUNGLE LIBRARY
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GRADIENT MICROCLIMATE
TERRAINVERTICAL LIVING LABS
The Los Angeles biotech school and agricultural research center aims to provide an atmosphere where students, researchers,
and tourists can gain first hand experience and exposure to a wide variety of climactic
conditions. Researchers benefit in a situation where they can control and experiment
with climate, and students are exposed to agricultural conditions that would otherwise
not be accessible in an urban condition.
DATEYear 5 fall
INSTRUCTORRob Ley
SITEDowntown LA
LENGTH OF PROJECT3 months
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GRADIENT MICROCLIMATE TERRAIN
BIOMES FOR AN INTEGRATED LEARNING EXPERIENCEThe interior of the building contains a series of spherical biomes, providing an interconnected green space that connects all programmatic components of the building: students, researchers, and biome visitors. Labs and classrooms are integrated with the biomes in such a way as to create a living learning space and full size growing lab. The biomes thereby become an extension of the classroom and labs.
The research tower aims to provide an atmosphere where students, researchers, and tourists can gain first hand experience and exposure to a wide variety of climactic conditions. Researchers benefit in a situation where they can control and experiment with climate, and students are exposed to agricultural conditions that would otherwise not be accessible in an urban condition.
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DRAWINGSGRADIENT MICROCLIMATE TERRAIN
ROOF CAFE
WATER TREATMENT PLANT + LABS
AUDITORIUM
lobby
ADMINISTRATION, SERVICES, AND UTILITIES
CAFETERIA
STUDENT CENTER + LOUNGE
RESEARCHERS LOUNGE
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DIAGRAMSGRADIENT MICROCLIMATE TERRAIN
rafflesia
Orchids
ferns
ROSEMARY
los angeles, CA
mediterranean
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
OLIVE
SAGE
gre
ek is
land
s
turk
ey
borneo rainforest
am
az
on
sout
hern
CALIF
ORNIA
tropical
succulents
sahara, africa
desert
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
saguarocactus
agave
go
bi,
asi
a
moja
ve
passion fruit
su
btr
opi
ca
l
bamboo
taiw
an
indon
esia
rice
mangosteen
algae
aq
ua
tic
kelp
salt
wa
ter
fres
hwat
er
waterhyacinth
clover
brazillian
savanna
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
pitcherplant
oats
afr
ica
n
aust
ralia
n
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
spruce & pine
northern california
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
firs
winter berries
ca
nada
sout
hern
russ
ia
maple
eastern america
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
mosses& lichens
mushrooms
wea
tern
eu
rope
nort
hern
asia
temperatedeciduous
borealforest
oasis labfor reserach
vernalpools lab
for reserach
oasis labfor reserach
rafflesia
Orchids
ferns
ROSEMARY
los angeles, CA
mediterranean
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
OLIVE
SAGE
gre
ek is
land
s
turk
ey
borneo rainforest
am
az
on
sout
hern
CALIF
ORNIA
tropical
succulents
sahara, africa
desert
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
saguarocactus
agave
go
bi,
asi
a
moja
ve
passion fruit
su
btr
opi
ca
l
bamboo
taiw
an
indon
esia
rice
mangosteen
algae
aq
ua
tic
kelp
salt
wa
ter
fres
hwat
er
waterhyacinth
clover
brazillian
savanna
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
pitcherplant
oats
afr
ica
n
aust
ralia
n
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
spruce & pine
northern california
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
firs
winter berries
ca
nada
sout
hern
russ
ia
maple
eastern america
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
mosses& lichens
mushrooms
wea
tern
eu
rope
nort
hern
asia
temperatedeciduous
borealforest
oasis labfor reserach
vernalpools lab
for reserach
oasis labfor reserach
rafflesia
Orchids
ferns
ROSEMARY
los angeles, CA
mediterranean
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
OLIVE
SAGE
gre
ek is
land
s
turk
ey
borneo rainforest
am
az
on
sout
hern
CALIF
ORNIA
tropical
succulents
sahara, africa
desert
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
saguarocactus
agave
go
bi,
asi
a
moja
ve
passion fruit
su
btr
opi
ca
l
bamboo
taiw
an
indon
esia
rice
mangosteen
algae
aq
ua
tic
kelp
salt
wa
ter
fres
hwat
er
waterhyacinth
clover
brazillian
savanna
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
pitcherplant
oats
afr
ica
n
aust
ralia
n
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
spruce & pine
northern california
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
firs
winter berries
ca
nada
sout
hern
russ
ia
maple
eastern america
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
mosses& lichens
mushrooms
wea
tern
eu
rope
nort
hern
asia
temperatedeciduous
borealforest
oasis labfor reserach
vernalpools lab
for reserach
oasis labfor reserach
rafflesia
Orchids
ferns
ROSEMARY
los angeles, CA
mediterranean
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
OLIVE
SAGE
gre
ek is
land
s
turk
ey
borneo rainforest
am
az
on
sout
hern
CALIF
ORNIA
tropical
succulents
sahara, africa
desert
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
saguarocactus
agave
go
bi,
asi
a
moja
ve
passion fruit
su
btr
opi
ca
l
bamboo
taiw
an
indon
esia
rice
mangosteen
algae
aq
ua
tic
kelp
salt
wa
ter
fres
hwat
er
waterhyacinth
clover
brazillian
savanna
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
pitcherplant
oats
afr
ica
n
aust
ralia
n
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
spruce & pine
northern california
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
firs
winter berries
ca
nada
sout
hern
russ
ia
maple
eastern america
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
mosses& lichens
mushrooms
wea
tern
eu
rope
nort
hern
asia
temperatedeciduous
borealforest
oasis labfor reserach
vernalpools lab
for reserach
oasis labfor reserach
rafflesia
Orchids
ferns
ROSEMARY
los angeles, CA
mediterranean
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
OLIVE
SAGE
gre
ek is
land
s
turk
ey
borneo rainforest
am
az
on
sout
hern
CALIF
ORNIA
tropical
succulents
sahara, africa
desert
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
saguarocactus
agave
go
bi,
asi
a
moja
ve
passion fruit
su
btr
opi
ca
l
bamboo
taiw
an
indon
esia
rice
mangosteen
algae
aq
ua
tic
kelp
salt
wa
ter
fres
hwat
er
waterhyacinth
clover
brazillian
savanna
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
pitcherplant
oats
afr
ica
n
aust
ralia
n
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
spruce & pine
northern california
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
firs
winter berries
ca
nada
sout
hern
russ
ia
maple
eastern america
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
mosses& lichens
mushrooms
wea
tern
eu
rope
nort
hern
asia
temperatedeciduous
borealforest
oasis labfor reserach
vernalpools lab
for reserach
oasis labfor reserach
oasis lab
lab for the studyof sustainable cactus farming
vernal pool
lab for the studyof unique desert spring conditons
aqua lab
lab for the studyof water purifica-tion technologies
rafflesia
Orchids
ferns
ROSEMARY
los angeles, CA
mediterranean
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
OLIVE
SAGE
gre
ek is
land
s
turk
ey
borneo rainforest
am
az
on
sout
hern
CALIF
ORNIA
tropical
succulents
sahara, africa
desert
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
saguarocactus
agave
go
bi,
asi
a
moja
ve
passion fruit
su
btr
opi
ca
l
bamboo
taiw
an
indon
esia
rice
mangosteen
algae
aq
ua
tic
kelp
salt
wa
ter
fres
hwat
er
waterhyacinth
clover
brazillian
savanna
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
pitcherplant
oats
afr
ica
n
aust
ralia
n
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
spruce & pine
northern california
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
firs
winter berries
ca
nada
sout
hern
russ
ia
maple
eastern america
TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL
mosses& lichens
mushrooms
wea
tern
eu
rope
nort
hern
asia
temperatedeciduous
borealforest
oasis labfor reserach
vernalpools lab
for reserach
oasis labfor reserach
aquatic
mediterranean
desert
savanna
tropical
subtropical
continentaltemperate
forest
researchfacilities biotechschool
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DIAGRAMSGRADIENT MICROCLIMATE TERRAIN
SKIN | TWISTING LOUVERS
horizontal | skin is open for maximum sun exposure.
vertical rotation | skin is closed for maximum protection against the sun.
twisting | skin is customizable for variable amounts of sun.
aquatic
mediterranean
desert
savanna
tropical
subtropical
continentaltemperate
forest
VERTICAL LIVING LABSThrough an analysis of the major biomes of the world, the tower incorporates the temperature, humidity, and rainfall characteristics of various biomes to form a climactic gradient that corresponds with the school and research center. The biomes are rotated to receive optimal amounts of sunlight according to their designated microclimate, working in conjunction with a louvered skin system that filters and regulates the amount of sunlight.
overallbuilding
formbiomescirculation
BIOMES OF THE WORLD
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RENDERINGSGRADIENT MICROCLIMATE TERRAIN
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RENDERINGSGRADIENT MICROCLIMATE TERRAIN
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THESISTURTLE BEACH
BOARDWALKsustainable recreation
All seven species of the worlds sea turtles are currently endangered. Humans are the single
largest threat to sea turtles. Systems for research and conservation are scattered around the world.
The St. Croix Sea Turtle Research & Rescue Center is a unified research model that aims to harmonize
the relationship between humans and turtles.
DATEYear 5 spring
INSTRUCTORDoris Sung
SITESt. Croix, Caribbean
LENGTH OF PROJECT4 months
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TURTLE BEACH BOARDWALK
A NEW MODEL FOR SEA TURTLE RESEARCH & CONSERVATION In 1977 it was estimated that sea turtles would be completely extinct in 10 to 15 years. Because they are slow to mature, migratory, and rarely glimpsed, it has proven an exceptional challenge for us to gather basic data about their life cycles,
Increased human presence on beaches make a successful nesting attempt highly unlikely. Beachside residential developments, sea walls, boardwalks, increased pedestrian traffic as well as rising sand temperatures and erosion are all negative factors.
A new model for sea turtle research must first have humans in mind, displacing the human recreational program up and away from the shore. By moving the recreational activity upwards and offshore the boardwalk can shade the sand below to maintain cooler nesting sand temperatures for turtles.
The added element of mobile units takes research to the next level to coordinate with the migratory nature of turtles as well as spreading awareness and catering to seasonal housing needs.
The boardwalk material of recycled plastic deals with the issue of plastic waste in oceans, one of the largest threats to turtles and humans alike. Due to the longevity of the material, the boardwalk becomes not only resilient but reusable when the program is no longer needed in the future.
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PHYSICAL MODELTURTLE BEACH BOARDWALK
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INFORMATIONAL PAMPHLETTURTLE BEACH BOARDWALK
WHY SEA TURTLES?ALL SEVEN OF THE PLANETS SPECIES OF SEA TURTLES ARE ENDANGERED.In 1977 it was estimated that sea turtles would be com-pletely extinct in 10 to 15 years. Because they are slow to mature, migratory, and rarely glimpsed (only females ever come ashore to nest), it has proven an exceptional chal-lenge for us to gather basic data about their life cycles, population trends, and survival needs for conservation decisions. Although sea turtles usually lay around one hundred eggs at a time, on average only one of the eggs from the nest will survive to adulthood. While many of the things that endanger these hatchlings are natural, such as predators including sharks, raccoons, foxes, and seagulls, many new threats to the sea turtle species have recently arrived and increased with the ever-growing presence of humans.
SEA TURTLES PLAY A KEY ROLE IN OCEAN AND COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS.In the oceans sea turtles are one of very few creatures that eat the sea grass on the sea floor. Sea grass must be kept short to remain healthy, and beds of healthy sea grass are essential breeding and development areas for many species of fish and other marine life. A decline or loss of sea grass beds would damage these populations, triggering a chain reaction and negatively impacting marine and human life. The hawksbill sea turtles that dominate the area also eat sponges, which are threatening the coral reef ecosystem.
Beaches and dunes also form a fragile ecosystem that depend on vegetation to protect against erosion. Eggs, hatched or unhatched, and hatchlings that fail to make it into the ocean are nutrient sources for dune vegetation.
THEIR MIGRATORY NATURE MAKES THEM DIFFICULT TO RESEARCH. UNLIKE OTHER THREATENED SPECIES, WE KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT SEA TURTLES. Sea turtles migratory nature creates a number of chal-lenges for those working to fully understand and protect these creatures. To adequately protect sea turtles in all their habitats, we must know where these habitats are, how the turtles behave while there, and routes the turtles take to migrate back and forth. Most sea turtle research has been carried out on nesting beaches beacuse these areas are accessible, and what occurs on the nesting beach is extremely important to the species survival. Conservation efforts are also most easily directed at nesting beaches even though over 90% of a turtles life is spent in the water feeding, mating, migrating and whatever else a sea turtle does when no one is watching.
ST. CROIX SEA TURTLE RESEARCH & RESCUE CENTER
OFFSHORE HUMAN ACTIVITY PROVIDING RECREATION OFFSHORE
moving human recreational beach activities as well as housing offshore provides turtles with undisturbed nesting environments.
wood decking
recycled plastic polli-brick
replaceable panels
structure
polli-brick
water piping system
temperature sensors
HUMAN-MINDED
SEA TURTLES BACKGROUND
A NEW MODEL FOR SEA TURTLE RESEARCH + CONSERVATION
SEA TURTLES HAVE A LIFESPAN OF UP TO 80 YEARS. They also exhibit natal philopatry, or natal homing, mean-ing they return to their birthplace to nest. Female hatch-lings released from this site will eventually return each year to nest. Models of conservation must include the use of a lasting material to accomodate generations of returning sea turtles.
PLASTIC TAKES 1000 YEARS TO BIODEGRADE.
Taking into account the hazards plastic waste pose to turtles in their marine environment, supplemented with its lightweight and waterproof qualities, the facilities include the use of plastic material.
DAYTIME CONDITIONSHUMAN PRESENCE & BEACH ARMOURING
increased human presence make a successful nesting attempt highly unlikely. beachside residential develop-ments, sea walls, and boardwalks also make it difficult for turtles to nest on available beaches.
BEACH EQUIPMENT
HUMANS
PETS ABSENCE OF SHADE & CLIMATE CHANGE
beachgoers and tourists pose a large hazard to nesting turtles. human related nesting hazards include recreational beach equipment, human and pet circulation, as well as an increase in rising sand temperatures harmful to egg incubation.
NESTING THREATSHUMAN-CAUSED HAZARDS TO NESTING
?nighttime light pollution
disorients both nesting adult turtles and hatchlings. adult turtles are often stranded in
backyards and swimming pools. hatchlings, who are attracted to the brightest
point on the horizon which under natural conditions
leads them to the sea, end up never finding their way to
the ocean.
NIGHTTIME CONDITIONSLIGHT POLLUTION & SWIMMING POOLS
?
the addition of a raised boardwalk platform relocates human activity vertically and provides a shaded and protected area for nesting.
ELEVATED PLATFORMRAISED SHADING FOR NESTS
NIGHT ACTIVITIES OFFSHOREWITH CONTROLLED LIGHT
daytime program such as recreation and commercial are on the beach platform while nighttime programs such as bars, housing, and
labs are offshore to coordi-nate with the general nesting
schedule of turtles.
RECREATIONAL + DAYTIME ACTIVITIES ONSHORE
DAY/NIGHT CONSIDERATIONSONSHORE VS. OFFSHORE
ST. CROIX IS HOME TO A FLAGSHIP PROGRAM FOR SEA TURTLE RESEARCH
marineenvironment
threats
nestingthreats
coas
tal d
evel
opm
ent
sand
tem
pera
ture
ris
e
poac
hing pr
edat
ors
pred
ator
s
dise
ase
poac
hing
plas
tic
pol
luti
on
fish
ing
nets
HAS IT WORKED?Scientists working on St. Croix have attributed a population rise to long term nesting beach conservation efforts. The Biological Conservation paper reports on the results of monitoring and conservation efforts at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge between 1982 and 2001. The authors found a marked increase in the number of nesting leatherback females from less than 30 in the 1980s to 186 in 2001, as well as a more than 20-fold increase in annual hatchling production from around 2,000 to more than 49,000.
AROUND THE WORLD, NOT REALLY.Despite ongoing conservation efforts around the world, most species of sea turtle populations have declined in recent years due to human impacts on nesting beaches and destructive fishing practices. Eastern Pacific leatherback populations have virtually collapsed, and at present show little signs of recovery, despite beach conservation mea-sures. Scientists working with leatherbacks on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica report that more than 120 turtles came to nest there this season, nearly twice last seasons count, which is an increase, but still a 90 percent drop from two decades ago.
The island has nationally protected areas for 4 breeds of nesting turtles at the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge and Buck Island Refuge. In 1977, scientists estab-lished a data collection and tagging program that has since been copied around the world.
WHAT DO SCIENTISTS DO?. tagging + monitoring for nesting, population, and migration data. research dives. nest relocation. nightly beach patrols. rescue stranded turtles. chaperone hatchlings. turtle rehabilitation. outreach
ALI CHEN THESIS SPRING 2012
+33c
29c
-26c
all seven species of the
worlds sea turtles are
currently endangered.
despite all our modern scientific and technological
advances, we still know relatively little about sea
turtles.
what we do know is that sea turtles are crucial
to maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.
humans are the single largest threat to sea turtles.
from poaching to longlining, to the destruction of
nestable beaches, to the crucial issue of plastic
waste in our oceans.
systems for research and
conservation are scattered
around the world.
st. croix is home to a successful turtle
conservation program.
similar models around the world have not been so
successful. In many places the sea turtle population
is still steadily declining.
TURTLE BEACH
PROPOSES A UNIFIED
RESEARCH MODEL
THAT HARMONIZES
THE RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN HUMANS
AND TURTLES
10 YRSprogram expansion
NOV-APROFF-SEASON
50 YRSreprogramming and dispersal
disaster relief housing
oil spill awareness
pods
research in needed areas
MAY-OCTTURTLE SEASON
housinglabs +
dive ops
outreach + awareness
lab pods: patrol + dive ops
DEPLOYABLE ADAPTABLE RESILIENT/REUSABLE THREATS ANDEXISTING CONDITIONS
mobile housing unit mobile reserach unit mobile awareness unit
the mobile units travel by wave power to provide housing, perform research, collect data, and provide education and awareness where needed.
solar-printed PET shading system
recycled composite plastic hull
wave-powered propulsion system
unit community configurations
migration of the mobile units flucuate. during turtle season, research units collect data, patrol, and provide assistance to stranded turtles. off-season the units migrate the caribbean islands providing outreach and other research while housing pods become resort housing. in 10 years the program is estimated to expand and be mim-icked on other islands, in 50 years when the program is no longer needed it may provide facilities for other forms of research and awareness and housing where needed.
the boardwalk is composed of replaceable panels of wood decking and recycled plastic. the wood provides shading while the plastic provides transpar-ency and ventilation. in anticipation of global warm-ing, the plastic panels will be increasingly replaced with wood for added shading to maintain an ideal sand temperature of 29 celsius. temperatures above 33 result in a predominantly female nest while temperatures below 25 result in a male nest.
plastic found in a sea turtles stomach
turtle beach boardwalks deployable mobile units cater to sea turtles migratory habits and to the transitory nature of the program.
TURTLE-MINDED
STRUCTURAL TREES
sea turtles choose to nest in shaded, covered spots for added protection, generally near trees, shrubs, or vegeta-tion. structural trees simulate a vegetated environment.
sea | porous
land | solid
FORMAL DEVELOPMENT
created by ali [email protected]
-
INFORMATIONAL PAMPHLETTURTLE BEACH BOARDWALK
WHY SEA TURTLES?ALL SEVEN OF THE PLANETS SPECIES OF SEA TURTLES ARE ENDANGERED.In 1977 it was estimated that sea turtles would be com-pletely extinct in 10 to 15 years. Because they are slow to mature, migratory, and rarely glimpsed (only females ever come ashore to nest), it has proven an exceptional chal-lenge for us to gather basic data about their life cycles, population trends, and survival needs for conservation decisions. Although sea turtles usually lay around one hundred eggs at a time, on average only one of the eggs from the nest will survive to adulthood. While many of the things that endanger these hatchlings are natural, such as predators including sharks, raccoons, foxes, and seagulls, many new threats to the sea turtle species have recently arrived and increased with the ever-growing presence of humans.
SEA TURTLES PLAY A KEY ROLE IN OCEAN AND COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS.In the oceans sea turtles are one of very few creatures that eat the sea grass on the sea floor. Sea grass must be kept short to remain healthy, and beds of healthy sea grass are essential breeding and development areas for many species of fish and other marine life. A decline or loss of sea grass beds would damage these populations, triggering a chain reaction and negatively impacting marine and human life. The hawksbill sea turtles that dominate the area also eat sponges, which are threatening the coral reef ecosystem.
Beaches and dunes also form a fragile ecosystem that depend on vegetation to protect against erosion. Eggs, hatched or unhatched, and hatchlings that fail to make it into the ocean are nutrient sources for dune vegetation.
THEIR MIGRATORY NATURE MAKES THEM DIFFICULT TO RESEARCH. UNLIKE OTHER THREATENED SPECIES, WE KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT SEA TURTLES. Sea turtles migratory nature creates a number of chal-lenges for those working to fully understand and protect these creatures. To adequately protect sea turtles in all their habitats, we must know where these habitats are, how the turtles behave while there, and routes the turtles take to migrate back and forth. Most sea turtle research has been carried out on nesting beaches beacuse these areas are accessible, and what occurs on the nesting beach is extremely important to the species survival. Conservation efforts are also most easily directed at nesting beaches even though over 90% of a turtles life is spent in the water feeding, mating, migrating and whatever else a sea turtle does when no one is watching.
ST. CROIX SEA TURTLE RESEARCH & RESCUE CENTER
OFFSHORE HUMAN ACTIVITY PROVIDING RECREATION OFFSHORE
moving human recreational beach activities as well as housing offshore provides turtles with undisturbed nesting environments.
wood decking
recycled plastic polli-brick
replaceable panels
structure
polli-brick
water piping system
temperature sensors
HUMAN-MINDED
SEA TURTLES BACKGROUND
A NEW MODEL FOR SEA TURTLE RESEARCH + CONSERVATION
SEA TURTLES HAVE A LIFESPAN OF UP TO 80 YEARS. They also exhibit natal philopatry, or natal homing, mean-ing they return to their birthplace to nest. Female hatch-lings released from this site will eventually return each year to nest. Models of conservation must include the use of a lasting material to accomodate generations of returning sea turtles.
PLASTIC TAKES 1000 YEARS TO BIODEGRADE.
Taking into account the hazards plastic waste pose to turtles in their marine environment, supplemented with its lightweight and waterproof qualities, the facilities include the use of plastic material.
DAYTIME CONDITIONSHUMAN PRESENCE & BEACH ARMOURING
increased human presence make a successful nesting attempt highly unlikely. beachside residential develop-ments, sea walls, and boardwalks also make it difficult for turtles to nest on available beaches.
BEACH EQUIPMENT
HUMANS
PETS ABSENCE OF SHADE & CLIMATE CHANGE
beachgoers and tourists pose a large hazard to nesting turtles. human related nesting hazards include recreational beach equipment, human and pet circulation, as well as an increase in rising sand temperatures harmful to egg incubation.
NESTING THREATSHUMAN-CAUSED HAZARDS TO NESTING
?nighttime light pollution
disorients both nesting adult turtles and hatchlings. adult turtles are often stranded in
backyards and swimming pools. hatchlings, who are attracted to the brightest
point on the horizon which under natural conditions
leads them to the sea, end up never finding their way to
the ocean.
NIGHTTIME CONDITIONSLIGHT POLLUTION & SWIMMING POOLS
?
the addition of a raised boardwalk platform relocates human activity vertically and provides a shaded and protected area for nesting.
ELEVATED PLATFORMRAISED SHADING FOR NESTS
NIGHT ACTIVITIES OFFSHOREWITH CONTROLLED LIGHT
daytime program such as recreation and commercial are on the beach platform while nighttime programs such as bars, housing, and
labs are offshore to coordi-nate with the general nesting
schedule of turtles.
RECREATIONAL + DAYTIME ACTIVITIES ONSHORE
DAY/NIGHT CONSIDERATIONSONSHORE VS. OFFSHORE
ST. CROIX IS HOME TO A FLAGSHIP PROGRAM FOR SEA TURTLE RESEARCH
marineenvironment
threats
nestingthreats
coas
tal d
evel
opm
ent
sand
tem
pera
ture
ris
e
poac
hing pr
edat
ors
pred
ator
s
dise
ase
poac
hing
plas
tic
pol
luti
on
fish
ing
nets
HAS IT WORKED?Scientists working on St. Croix have attributed a population rise to long term nesting beach conservation efforts. The Biological Conservation paper reports on the results of monitoring and conservation efforts at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge between 1982 and 2001. The authors found a marked increase in the number of nesting leatherback females from less than 30 in the 1980s to 186 in 2001, as well as a more than 20-fold increase in annual hatchling production from around 2,000 to more than 49,000.
AROUND THE WORLD, NOT REALLY.Despite ongoing conservation efforts around the world, most species of sea turtle populations have declined in recent years due to human impacts on nesting beaches and destructive fishing practices. Eastern Pacific leatherback populations have virtually collapsed, and at present show little signs of recovery, despite beach conservation mea-sures. Scientists working with leatherbacks on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica report that more than 120 turtles came to nest there this season, nearly twice last seasons count, which is an increase, but still a 90 percent drop from two decades ago.
The island has nationally protected areas for 4 breeds of nesting turtles at the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge and Buck Island Refuge. In 1977, scientists estab-lished a data collection and tagging program that has since been copied around the world.
WHAT DO SCIENTISTS DO?. tagging + monitoring for nesting, population, and migration data. research dives. nest relocation. nightly beach patrols. rescue stranded turtles. chaperone hatchlings. turtle rehabilitation. outreach
ALI CHEN THESIS SPRING 2012
+33c
29c
-26c
all seven species of the
worlds sea turtles are
currently endangered.
despite all our modern scientific and technological
advances, we still know relatively little about sea
turtles.
what we do know is that sea turtles are crucial
to maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.
humans are the single largest threat to sea turtles.
from poaching to longlining, to the destruction of
nestable beaches, to the crucial issue of plastic
waste in our oceans.
systems for research and
conservation are scattered
around the world.
st. croix is home to a successful turtle
conservation program.
similar models around the world have not been so
successful. In many places the sea turtle population
is still steadily declining.
TURTLE BEACH
PROPOSES A UNIFIED
RESEARCH MODEL
THAT HARMONIZES
THE RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN HUMANS
AND TURTLES
10 YRSprogram expansion
NOV-APROFF-SEASON
50 YRSreprogramming and dispersal
disaster relief housing
oil spill awareness
pods
research in needed areas
MAY-OCTTURTLE SEASON
housinglabs +
dive ops
outreach + awareness
lab pods: patrol + dive ops
DEPLOYABLE ADAPTABLE RESILIENT/REUSABLE THREATS ANDEXISTING CONDITIONS
mobile housing unit mobile reserach unit mobile awareness unit
the mobile units travel by wave power to provide housing, perform research, collect data, and provide education and awareness where needed.
solar-printed PET shading system
recycled composite plastic hull
wave-powered propulsion system
unit community configurations
migration of the mobile units flucuate. during turtle season, research units collect data, patrol, and provide assistance to stranded turtles. off-season the units migrate the caribbean islands providing outreach and other research while housing pods become resort housing. in 10 years the program is estimated to expand and be mim-icked on other islands, in 50 years when the program is no longer needed it may provide facilities for other forms of research and awareness and housing where needed.
the boardwalk is composed of replaceable panels of wood decking and recycled plastic. the wood provides shading while the plastic provides transpar-ency and ventilation. in anticipation of global warm-ing, the plastic panels will be increasingly replaced with wood for added shading to maintain an ideal sand temperature of 29 celsius. temperatures above 33 result in a predominantly female nest while temperatures below 25 result in a male nest.
plastic found in a sea turtles stomach
turtle beach boardwalks deployable mobile units cater to sea turtles migratory habits and to the transitory nature of the program.
TURTLE-MINDED
STRUCTURAL TREES
sea turtles choose to nest in shaded, covered spots for added protection, generally near trees, shrubs, or vegeta-tion. structural trees simulate a vegetated environment.
sea | porous
land | solid
FORMAL DEVELOPMENT
created by ali [email protected]
-
RENDERINGSTURTLE BEACH BOARDWALK
-
RENDERINGSTURTLE BEACH BOARDWALK
-
RENDERINGSTURTLE BEACH BOARDWALK
-
RENDERINGSTURTLE BEACH BOARDWALK
-
PHYSICAL MODELTURTLE BEACH BOARDWALK
-
PHYSICAL MODELTURTLE BEACH BOARDWALK
-
mobile research dock
mobile exhibition dock
mobilehousing dock
structure
polli-brick
water piping system
temperature sensors
MOBILE UNITS
REPLACEABLE PANELS
AXONOMETRIC DIAGRAMS
PROGRAM
PROGRAM | EROSION CONTROL
MATERIAL | MOBILE UNITS
STRUCTURE
SECTION
the boardwalk is composed of replaceable panels of wood decking and recycled plastic. the wood provides shading while the plastic provides transparency and ventilation. in anticipation of global warming, the plastic panels will be increasingly replaced with wood for added shading to maintain an ideal sand temperature of 29 celsius. tem-peratures above 33 result in a predominantly female nest while temperatures below 25 result in a male nest.
+33c
29c
-26c
EROSION CONTROL
the boardwalk acts as a floating offshore breakwater that dissipates the force of the waves on the beach, resulting in a passive, sustainable method of erosion control. under the dock, geotextiles help to further break down the force of waves and act as a turtle redirection device to guide turtles towards the dock.
BEACH EROSION
DOCK AS OFFSHORE BREAKWATER
EROSION CONTROL TEXTILES + TURTLE REDIRECTION
STRUCTURAL TREES
sea turtles choose to nest in shaded, covered spots for added protection, generally near trees, shrubs, or vegeta-tion. structural trees simulate a vegetated environment.
the mobile units travel by wave power to provide housing, perform research, collect data, and provide education and awareness where needed. turtle beach boardwalks deployable mobile units cater to sea turtles migratory habits and to the transitory nature of the program.
mobile housing unit mobile research unit mobile awareness unit
DRAWINGSTURTLE BEACH BOARDWALK
-
mobile research dock
mobile exhibition dock
mobilehousing dock
structure
polli-brick
water piping system
temperature sensors
MOBILE UNITS
REPLACEABLE PANELS
AXONOMETRIC DIAGRAMS
PROGRAM
PROGRAM | EROSION CONTROL
MATERIAL | MOBILE UNITS
STRUCTURE
SECTION
the boardwalk is composed of replaceable panels of wood decking and recycled plastic. the wood provides shading while the plastic provides transparency and ventilation. in anticipation of global warming, the plastic panels will be increasingly replaced with wood for added shading to maintain an ideal sand temperature of 29 celsius. tem-peratures above 33 result in a predominantly female nest while temperatures below 25 result in a male nest.
+33c
29c
-26c
EROSION CONTROL
the boardwalk acts as a floating offshore breakwater that dissipates the force of the waves on the beach, resulting in a passive, sustainable method of erosion control. under the dock, geotextiles help to further break down the force of waves and act as a turtle redirection device to guide turtles towards the dock.
BEACH EROSION
DOCK AS OFFSHORE BREAKWATER
EROSION CONTROL TEXTILES + TURTLE REDIRECTION
STRUCTURAL TREES
sea turtles choose to nest in shaded, covered spots for added protection, generally near trees, shrubs, or vegeta-tion. structural trees simulate a vegetated environment.
the mobile units travel by wave power to provide housing, perform research, collect data, and provide education and awareness where needed. turtle beach boardwalks deployable mobile units cater to sea turtles migratory habits and to the transitory nature of the program.
solar-printed PET shading system
recycled composite plastic hull
wave-powered propulsion system
mobile housing unit mobile research unit mobile awareness unit
mobile research dock
mobile exhibition dock
mobilehousing dock
structure
polli-brick
water piping system
temperature sensors
MOBILE UNITS
REPLACEABLE PANELS
AXONOMETRIC DIAGRAMS
PROGRAM
PROGRAM | EROSION CONTROL
MATERIAL | MOBILE UNITS
STRUCTURE
SECTION
the boardwalk is composed of replaceable panels of wood decking and recycled plastic. the wood provides shading while the plastic provides transparency and ventilation. in anticipation of global warming, the plastic panels will be increasingly replaced with wood for added shading to maintain an ideal sand temperature of 29 celsius. tem-peratures above 33 result in a predominantly female nest while temperatures below 25 result in a male nest.
+33c
29c
-26c
EROSION CONTROL
the boardwalk acts as a floating offshore breakwater that dissipates the force of the waves on the beach, resulting in a passive, sustainable method of erosion control. under the dock, geotextiles help to further break down the force of waves and act as a turtle redirection device to guide turtles towards the dock.
BEACH EROSION
DOCK AS OFFSHORE BREAKWATER
EROSION CONTROL TEXTILES + TURTLE REDIRECTION
STRUCTURAL TREES
sea turtles choose to nest in shaded, covered spots for added protection, generally near trees, shrubs, or vegeta-tion. structural trees simulate a vegetated environment.
the mobile units travel by wave power to provide housing, perform research, collect data, and provide education and awareness where needed. turtle beach boardwalks deployable mobile units cater to sea turtles migratory habits and to the transitory nature of the program.
solar-printed PET shading system
recycled composite plastic hull
wave-powered propulsion system
mobile housing unit mobile research unit mobile awareness unit
mobile research dock
mobile exhibition dock
mobilehousing dock
structure
polli-brick
water piping system
temperature sensors
MOBILE UNITS
REPLACEABLE PANELS
AXONOMETRIC DIAGRAMS
PROGRAM
PROGRAM | EROSION CONTROL
MATERIAL | MOBILE UNITS
STRUCTURE
SECTION
the boardwalk is composed of replaceable panels of wood decking and recycled plastic. the wood provides shading while the plastic provides transparency and ventilation. in anticipation of global warming, the plastic panels will be increasingly replaced with wood for added shading to maintain an ideal sand temperature of 29 celsius. tem-peratures above 33 result in a predominantly female nest while temperatures below 25 result in a male nest.
+33c
29c
-26c
EROSION CONTROL
the boardwalk acts as a floating offshore breakwater that dissipates the force of the waves on the beach, resulting in a passive, sustainable method of erosion control. under the dock, geotextiles help to further break down the force of waves and act as a turtle redirection device to guide turtles towards the dock.
BEACH EROSION
DOCK AS OFFSHORE BREAKWATER
EROSION CONTROL TEXTILES + TURTLE REDIRECTION
STRUCTURAL TREES
sea turtles choose to nest in shaded, covered spots for added protection, generally near trees, shrubs, or vegeta-tion. structural trees simulate a vegetated environment.
the mobile units travel by wave power to provide housing, perform research, collect data, and provide education and awareness where needed. turtle beach boardwalks deployable mobile units cater to sea turtles migratory habits and to the transitory nature of the program.
solar-printed PET shading system
recycled composite plastic hull
wave-powered propulsion system
mobile housing unit mobile research unit mobile awareness unit
mobile research dock
mobile exhibition dock
mobilehousing dock
structure
polli-brick
water piping system
temperature sensors
MOBILE UNITS
REPLACEABLE PANELS
AXONOMETRIC DIAGRAMS
PROGRAM
PROGRAM | EROSION CONTROL
MATERIAL | MOBILE UNITS
STRUCTURE
SECTION
the boardwalk is composed of replaceable panels of wood decking and recycled plastic. the wood provides shading while the plastic provides transparency and ventilation. in anticipation of global warming, the plastic panels will be increasingly replaced with wood for added shading to maintain an ideal sand temperature of 29 celsius. tem-peratures above 33 result in a predominantly female nest while temperatures below 25 result in a male nest.
+33c
29c
-26c
EROSION CONTROL
the boardwalk acts as a floating offshore breakwater that dissipates the force of the waves on the beach, resulting in a passive, sustainable method of erosion control. under the dock, geotextiles help to further break down the force of waves and act as a turtle redirection device to guide turtles towards the dock.
BEACH EROSION
DOCK AS OFFSHORE BREAKWATER
EROSION CONTROL TEXTILES + TURTLE REDIRECTION
STRUCTURAL TREES
sea turtles choose to nest in shaded, covered spots for added protection, generally near trees, shrubs, or vegeta-tion. structural trees simulate a vegetated environment.
the mobile units travel by wave power to provide housing, perform research, collect data, and provide education and awareness where needed. turtle beach boardwalks deployable mobile units cater to sea turtles migratory habits and to the transitory nature of the program.
solar-printed PET shading system
recycled composite plastic hull
wave-powered propulsion system
mobile housing unit mobile research unit mobile awareness unit
DRAWINGSTURTLE BEACH BOARDWALK
-
WOOD'S CLIFFSIDE RETREAT
beach residences
Located on a cliff overlooking the shoreline of Taidong, Taiwan, Woods Retreat is a series of 3 inter-connected beach cottages that make
full use of the panoramic ocean view. The project, currently in the design develoment
stage, is a modification of traditional taiwanese models of RC concrete construction that incorporates steel supported cantilevers.
DATENovember 2011 - present
COMPANYMuto Developers, Taipei
SITETai-Tung, Taiwan
-
RENDERINGSWOODS CLIFFSIDE RETREAT
-
RENDERINGSWOODS CLIFFSIDE RETREAT
master bedroom
closet
living/tv room
study
big master bathroom
suite 1
suite 2
kitchen
bar?
dining area
family suite tea room
maid's room
storage + mechanical
outdoor patio
entrance area
GROUND FLOOR
SECOND FLOOR
-
DATEYear 3 fall
INSTRUCTORWarren Techentin
SITECornfields, LA
LENGTH OF PROJECT2 weeks
PULL-OUT RESEARCH STATION
MOBILE ADAPTABILITY
This project aims to attune itself to its natural environment. The pull-out canvas sheathing allows
the inhabitants to regulate the interior temperature. It can be closed to maintain a relative degree of
warmth and insulation in colder months and opened up in the hotter months to allow ventilation while at
the same time maintaining shade.
The moveable canvas also allows for the stations inhabitants to choose whether they wish it to
become an extroverted or introverted building. Residents have the option between an open building
with a covered hang-out space for guest, or be completely closed off for privacy.
-
RENDERINGSPULL-OUT RESEARCH STATION
INSULATION VS CIRCULATION
SUNSHADING
-
RENDERINGSPULL-OUT RESEARCH STATION
N
LOWER LEVEL UPPER LEVEL
PULL-OUT SPACE
-
EPHEMERAL CONCRETE
CONCRETE CASTING MATERIAL STUDY
DATEYear 2 Spring
INSTRUCTOREric Hass
SITEMalibu
LENGTH OF PROJECT 2 weeks
The library addition to the Eames House attempted to create a dialogue between muteness and open-
ness in relation to the views. The muted facade facing the Eames house was intended to keep the
architectural focus on the house itself. It is also used to create a controlled view of the house.
In addition to the use of site-cast concrete, a wood and glass system is used for the interior, which fol-
lows the concrete system but becomes independent to form the library space which reaches out towards
the view and light.
-
RENDERINGSEPHEMERAL CONCRETE
-
RENDERINGSEPHEMERAL CONCRETE
CIRCULATION LIGHT
a b
c
d
a b
c
d
a b
c
d
-
SKETCHES
-
SKETCHES
-
SKETCHES