Portfolio.
Volume II 2017-2018
Alexander Carolan
“A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on. Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly.� - JFK
Alexander Carolan Work Volume 2015-2018
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Sandbag Workshop Des Moines
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Ecology Center Ledges State Park
03 Other Work Drawing
952 270 7760 carolan@iastate.edu
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Scale Bar 1:50
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Sandbag Workshop Over the years, Iowa has developed into a major Agricultural hub with land that has been cleared for farming, which has caused Iowa to become a massive water shed; draining everything into the rivers. The draining over the years has increased chances of flooding, which requires a larger need for flood protection and additional nitrate removal tanks. The Sandbag Workshop proposes to develop a new department that would help prevent and protect against future flooding. With the construction of two massive rectangular silos, both storing up to one million pounds of sand each, the facility could react quickly and strategically to prevent major flooding. In addition, it would provide further protection to the public utility and the additional nitrate removal tanks it is attached to, preventing any loss of clean water caused by flooding or raised Nitrate levels. The Sandbag Workshop functions like a grain silo. Taking in sand throughout the year and stockpiling it for flooding emergencies during the spring months. If a flood were to occur, the facility would better manage it by taking sand from its stockpiles and distributing it to the staging level of the building. The staging level is a massive exterior platform that allows for sand to be dumped on to it, which is more effective with the volunteer to sandbag strategy proposed. After pallets of sandbags are stacked, they would be trucked to places in need of them. Since flooding isn’t a daily issue, the massive exterior platform referred to as the staging area/level becomes a public space. With bike paths running over it connecting bikers to three parks. The space also becomes a hub for people to gather. Food stands can easily access the area because of its connection to the elevated bridge. Making it a perfect place to rest on a weekend.
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Ecology Center Ledges State Park is a hidden gem located in central Iowa. The rolling hills, formed millions of years ago by glaciers moving across the Great Plains, carved a channel, later named the Des Moines River. The resulting valley is covered in a thick forest of hardwoods and evergreens with only a dirt path piercing it. At the end of this dirt path, students discover the Ecology Learning Center, built to support 80 students. It creates a new learning environment for the Ames education system. The building exists to unite traditional classroom learning with nature. With the mixed use of indoor and outdoor settings, teachers are encouraged to adopt a hands on learning style. Students gain a deeper understanding of their surroundings in this real world setting.
Entry From Parking Lot
Des Moines River
Site Locatio
Usable space
Walls Floor Plans
Path To Lost Lake
Bridge
Overlook
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Ecology Center Site Plan
Scoring the earth with intersecting walls defines the site location. Facing true north, a compass pattern divides the functional space into quadrants.
Quadrants are subdivided to meet spatial requirements. Volumes are divided between public classrooms overlooking the river and private spaces. The natural contours of the land determine location and size of the volumes.
Wanting to harmonize interior and exterior spaces, subtraction creates innovative classrooms, inviting teachers to use the natural environment in their teaching. Every classroom has an adjacent exterior space.
Recessed stairs and benches lower the viewer’s perspective, bringing them closer to nature.
Ecology Center Diagrams
Roof Plan
Walls/Windows
Base/Floor Plan
Ecology Center Axonometric
1- Entry 2- Classrooms 3- Outdoor Classrooms 4-Central Meeting Area 5-Offices 6-Kitchen 7-Female’s Restroom 78-Male’s Restroom 9-Mech 10-Courtyard
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Floor Plan 1/8”=1’
Section A 1/8”=1’
Ecology Center Section & Floor Plan
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Northwest 1/16”=1
Northeast 1/16”=1
Southwest 1/16”=1
Southeast 1/16”=1
Ecology Center Elevation
Ecology Center Outlook Rendering
Ecology Center Courtyard Rendering
Other Work Future City
Alexander Carolan carolan@iastate.edu 952 270 7760