ARCH 3020 (3rd year design studio)
How can a space articulate an explanation for ecological architecture?
"Green" architecture and its application in Puerto Rico constitutes an important theme in the island's architectural panorama. In order to articulate a better understanding of this practice within the general public, this 3rd year design proposes an environmental station in the Hacienda Buena Vista terrains in Ponce, Puerto Rico. The station includes a common area, an exposition room and a laboratory for investigation management. The crossing of steel cables provides the structure of the hanging laboratory. These cables tie up to concrete foundations in the surrounding mountains to effectively position the station above ground and closer to the forest canopy.
Perspective of observation station seen from the forest floor.
Conceptual. Station from above.
Conceptual. Canopy view of station.
Observation Station floor plan
The floor and roof systems consist of lightweight metal panels that tie to custom fabricated structural locking mechanism. Where cable defines the building's perimeter, the structural ties join cable and panel alike. A slightly similar module is sued when the cable traverses an interior space, serving as support redundancy for floor and ceiling panels. Other spatial elements, like walls, railings and support systems are attached to the module cable ties. Due in part to its customizable format, the project aims to propose an alternative to temporary structures for ecological studies in mountainous and forested enclaves.
Interior perspective and Modular Ties detail.
Images and text cited above are referenced from: "¿Cómo puede un espacio propiciar una explicación para la arquitectura ecológica? / How can a space articulate an explanation for ecological architecture?" in: Rigau, Jorge. Editor. 100 Preguntas que nos hemos hecho sobre Puerto Rico en la Nueva Escuela de Arquitectura de la Universidad Politécnica de Puerto Rico. Universidad Politécnica, San Juan, 2005.
This 2005 publication gathered a selection of student projects about the architectural condition in Puerto Rico, seen from various subject matters and concerns of the discipline.