2016 Architecture Thesis by Amber Jurgensen

Architecture

Thesis Amber Jurgensen

The Transition between Architecture and its Surroundings Studying how built space interacts and overlaps with its changing environmental conditions. Virginia Tech Undergraduate Architecture Thesis 2015 - 2016 by Amber Jurgensen

Introduction I Ideas Shaping the Work Building, Site, Weather, and People Snow and Blurring Boundaries

01-17 02 08

Summit Village Environmental Conditions Powder Mountain Summit Village Development Setting Site

18-43 20 28 34 40

Alpine Center A Architecture Proposed Site Plan Process Work The Building Transition between Surroundings Transitional Movement Construction and Materiality

44-87 46 48 62 68 74 78

Snow S Studies in the Built Environment Behavior Relationship of Buildings and Snow Interaction of Snow and Sculpture Townhouse Prototype and Surroundings Townhouse Prototype and Snow

88-119S 90B 98R 104 108 116I P

Bibliography B Resources Annotated Bibliography Interview Scripts

120-133 122 Ay 128

Acknowledgments B Thanks to Those Who Have Supported My Architectural Education

134

Introduction Ideas Shaping the Work The transition between architecture and its surroundings is inevitable. Redefining the standard relationship between outside and in can benefit the functionality and beauty of a place. When built space is allowed to interact and overlap with its environment they can coexist harmoniously.

Building, Site, Weather, and People The landmark building ignores and overpowers its site. It is always revealed in its landscape. The camouflage building, however, is a solution that blends in with its site and is always concealed. It is beneficial in a site both rural and urban, to combine these two relationships and blur their boundary. This blurred boundary between site and building can be achieved through a variety of design methods. The environment is made up of concrete and transient elements. The concrete elements of a site, the ground and florae, are always there for the architecture to respond. The architecture should also acknowledge the transient elements of physical weather and the presence of people on that site.

Relationship of Building and Site

1. Landmark

A. Urban

2. Camouflage

B. Rural

A. Urban

3. Blur Boundary

C. Alpine Urbanism

B. Rural

Medium for Blurring Boundaries

Mirror

Color

Living Wall

Snow

Garden

Screen

Trees

Interaction of Building and Weather

“We borrow from nature the space upon which we build” - Tadao Ando

Snow builds upon the environment, highlighting or covering its forms.

“The simplicity of [the] ‘swiss box’ is a precondition for the ‘fog’, the unattainability of its context” - Akos Moravanszky

Rain makes one appreciate shelter, delineating shelter which covers and encloses space.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The sun never knew how great it was until it hit the side of a buildingâ&#x20AC;? - Louis Kahn

The trajectory of wind is determined by the location of interruptions in the landscape.

Snow and Blurring Boundaries The physical addition of snow onto a site is of particular interest and complexity. Snow has the ability to redefine the ground and the form of built elements. Snow becomes a tool to blur the transition from building to site. However, snow is one of many methods that can blur the line between architecture and its surroundings. Employing several approaches of form and material choice result in a building that has a mutually beneficial relationship with its site and is unique to its particular context. The building and site are more beautiful and functional as a team rather than as disparate elements.

Alpine Center: Human Interaction

Relationship of Building and Snow

Snow as Building

Building is Container Snow Builds Up

Building is Armature Snow Changes Shape

Building is Formwork Snow Adds Elements

Snow as Site

Building is Foundation Snow Covers

Building is Obstacle Snow Drifts

Building is Boundary Snow Permeates

Precedent Studies: Blurring Building and Site

Summit Village Environmental Conditions The site was chosen to bring about questions of snow accumulation and human gathering. How does the changing environment change oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experience of a building? How do people transition from the natural environment to the built environment?

Powder Mountain Summit Powder Mountain is located in Eden, Utah. The resort is ranked by Ski Magazine as the best value and third best snow in America. Known for its friendly old school character it remains a bit of a hidden gem in the Wasatch Mountains. Powder Mountain covers 7,000 acres of territory with 144 trails. Its highest peak reaches 9,422 feet.

Powder Mountain Extents

Powder Mountain Maps

GERTSEN CANYON

ALL-DAY GUIDED CATSKIING

LEFTY’S

ALL-DAY GUIDED CATSKIING

SUMMIT POWDER MOUNTAIN VILLAGE Summer 2015

eP oin

rs Ho De

h Kas Big

Ch ut e

Ho ok

s dez vou

Rais

Ren

ree eT

Lon

Hair

Tim e lle r l

Bow

hute

Big

Kas

and

dy L

Can

lve

g’r

Shu

Dig

Paradise

ck’s

ld Go

Chu

out Hide

Drifter

Bo b

Straig ht Sh

ch as Sn ow

r Ea

To te

rt Sno Sho rt ’s K

no b

Grizz

Earl

ly Ru

rings

Hidden La

ey Sp

ow l er ’s B tch Fle

rpe

m Die

Yard

Lea

WOLF CREEK

JAMES PEAK 9422’

Last Resort

Hannah’s Hideout

ber

ode

Lum

ry’s

T.O.M.

Weber Bowl

rl Mothe

Lar

Lightning Ridge Snowcat

GUIDED EXPEDITIONS

r’s

Boot Hill Slow Pok

tat

rlin

Om a

Dead Horse

e rnic

st Ea

ut ilo Ba

Whisk

Run

Squ irrely

ick eK Sid

ar k rM Yo u

Rod ’s

e Chu

ow ad

k’s

Huc

Shot

Powder Ho

Straight

s res xp

’s E

yon

r Keg Powde Hidden Valley

Saddl

ise

d Para Me

Can

Tim

ici

Eure

ary Sanctu

abe

GUIDED EXPEDITIONS

wn do ow w Sh Dra k ic sh Kw bu Am

Coup d’e

DMI

ste

SUNDOWN LODGE

am Ch

r de

4 View

SUNDOWN 8600’

otg

Tiger

rfall Wate le dd Mi g Bi

TERRAIN PARK

Cache Bowl

c Fa

LIGHTNING RIDGE

w Po

Ridge

Away

Lake Bl

Dyn Booger amit e

Exterminator

Runaway

Break

Burntwood

ey y All Dall

ldy

TIMBERLINE LODGE

w Vie

nc onfide

Tra il

Po w

Lake View

DAVENPORT

Po w

tch

ind

Lake View

Lod

Cob

Par 5

t ru

llo

Dilly

Sid

lop

Rain Tree Run

ile

y Pa

ary

Drift

Ed Shuttle Pick-up de Freeri e Kin ge Da r Rid nde Sou

POWDER COUNTRY

ise

irt

Lake View 1

fac

Gateway

liff

Rain Tree Snowcat

e op

tu nc Sa

ra eT

rth No

Pro

G ing

uth

le Ho

PARK

Par 3

Sadd

TERRAIN

ds oun

3 Mile

COBABE CANYON

Pa r

PARK

e Vall

rise

Gre

TERRAIN

Fa c

’s R

White Pin

air

Dr. C

North Shore

shro

Sun

gic

BALDY 8477’

Yin

ell

Blu

n Ya

alk tW

ose

Sunris

hikin

erate

try

r Coun

Powde

mod

Main Lin

lves

ke Express

Invo

HIDDEN LAKE 8900’

Hidden Lake

MARY’S

ALL-DAY GUIDED CATSKIING

zv de

Easiest

Food

Tickets

Quad Chair

More Difﬁcult

Parking

Ski School

Triple Chair

Very Difﬁcult

Rentals

Terrain Park

Surface Tow

Experts Only

Restrooms

Ski Patrol

Snowcat Loading

Powder Runs PARADISE LIFT BASE 6900’

Ski Area Boundary

Shuttle Pick-up

Powder Mountain Terrain

Powder Mountain Buildings

Summit Village Development Powder Mountain remained relatively unaltered since its opening in 1972, until Summit purchased the mountain in 2013. “Summit is the premier community for entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders who believe that business and collaboration are tools that should be used to affect lasting, positive impact in the world.” The purchase of the mountain is aimed towards creating a permanent home for the Summit community; an epicenter of entrepreneurship, innovation, artistic achievement, and thought leadership. Summit’s mountain development is focused around the Village, a small town surrounded by 500 single family homes. With this development comes several new chair lifts and trails for skiing as well as biking and hiking trails to open Powder Mountain up as a four season resort to the public. Summit’s intention for the Village is shown as a scale from nature to culture. The alpine center responds to the illustrated context of alpine urbanism and the following master plan. summit.co

Summit’s Village Master Plan

THE RIDGE NESTS

28 29 30

21 20

HORIZON RUN

18 6

17 11 9

15 12

14 36 37

THE OVERLOOK

39 40 41 42

43 44

Summitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Proposed Housing

Summitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Image of the Village as a Transition from Nature to Culture

District Transition Diagram C-1.1 Summit Powder Mountain

Powder Mountainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Property and Planned Development

Setting The Village development is situated along the ridgeline at the top of the mountains providing spectacular views. The south facing slope of the ridgeline is home to many aspen trees, resilient enough to live through the average temperatures between 11 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. The mountain receives about 320 inches of snowfall a year. The snow has a low water density of 3 to 8 percent accumulating to about 10 feet at any given time. A SW wind dominates the mountain, leaving the most snow to collect on the NE face.

Site Context

Elements of the Site: Trees, Snow, Sun, Wind

18’

Max Storm Surge

10’

Settled Loose Snow

4’5” 4’

Packed Snow

Winter Entry 1’ 0

Ground Level

Site The Alpine Center’s site is located at the center of the Village. It marks the beginning of Main Street and is a point of access for community members to the mountain. Two chairlifts terminate at the apex of the site. The situation is that of alpine urbanism, both contextually natural and urban. Summit’s master plan for the site shows perimeter buildings around a clear-cut lawn for skiers to offload the chairlifts. This plan is brought into question by the alpine center’s proposal of a different order that establishes a clear relationship between the natural and urban through architectural and site intervention.

Site Diagram

Site Visit

Opposition to Summitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Master Planned Site

Chairlifts are most important on site

Pass-through site

Village Hotel

Just for skiing

Neighborhood park layout Not orienting Scattered Winter focused and uni-functional

Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lift

Place for skiers, where people can only see, not enter

Village Lift

Clears trees Private Buildings

Alpine Center Architecture The architecture aims to blur the boundary between building and site through the use of both landmark and camouflaged built form. The blurred combination is achieved through the alternation of hierarchy, where emphasis shifts by season. The building operates under a continuous timeline of transformation. Activating new areas based on programmatic and functional needs, while transforming the use of other areas. The design focuses on moments of transition, between modes of movement, seasons of the site, and materials of the building. These transitional moves both bring order to the site and subside to the natural environment, creating landmark and camouflaged form.

Site Plan The alpine center marks its site as a center for the public. It acts as season-specific infrastructure, simultaneously accommodating both movement and destination. Inserting itself into the site, the alpine center is able to provide ease of circulation while maintaining much of the siteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural aspen forest.

Proposed Site Plan

Destination Absorbs chairlifts as part of infrastructure Infrastructure Community Identity and orients the Village Unified Center Multi-functional year-round use

Celebrates outdoor recreation Easier movement for people, where circulation is natural and seperated for walkers/skiers/bikers Preserves trees Place for public and community to gather

Process Work The design began with three distinct spaces: the winter area, the entry, and the summer area. The winter area and summer area are alternating rental shops for their respective seasonal outdoor activities. Their location on the site is a response to the ground level with or without snow. Each space develops a separate intention for its function and appearance. Ultimately, instead of having three buildings, the design calls for one building that smoothly transitions from one space to another.

Program

Entry Ski, Snowboard, Snowshoe, Fatbike, & Snowkite SHOP RENTAL MAINTENANCE STORAGE

Chair Lift Chair Lift

Winter

Summer

MEETING POINT for ski school & excursions to powder ski via snowcat

MEETING POINT for mountain tours & excursions to Pineview Reservoir to kayak, waterski, and wakeboard

TICKETING OFFICE LOCKER ROOM GATHER

Active Move Through

Inbetween Roam

Static Congregation Static Congregation

Hike, Bike, BMX, Yoga, & Mountaineering SHOP RENTAL MAINTENANCE STORAGE

Inbetween Roam

Winter, Landmark, and Summer Program

Vertically pull apart infrastructure in response to a changing winter and summer ground level.

Ski Walk

Winter

Landmark

Summer

Plan Iterations

Schematic Plan

Schematic 3D Views

Process Sketches

Intention for Each Space ENTRY GATHER

SUMMER

WINTER Season Specific Program

Landmark Program

Season Specific Program

Tree camouflage

Snow details and builds up

Snow camouflage

Ski in and out

Chairlifts

1st path at site entry

10’ 10’

Raised 10’ to be in tree foliage

Perforated path to maintain entry

Covered by 10’ of snow

Indoor

Open air covered gathering space

Indoor

Lateral Sections for Each Space

Covered Chairlift

Defined Entry

Public Sculpture

Snow Shedding Winter Program

Cold Roof Summer Program

Schematic Model

Off-Season Use and Storage

The Building The alpine center nestles itself into the site, its mass of ground and snow, and thrusts upwards to invite the public in at three entries: the main space, and two chairlifts. The form of two bent strips are able to accommodate both circulation and programmed space on three floor levels. Steel HSS columns and steel joists provide structure to the building. Its rigidity originating from the crossing of four structural grids, as seen in plan. The entry space acts as an open air gallery for gathering, circulation, and a sculptural play with the environment. Its expanded metal panels both cast shadows and collect snow.

Site Plan

Plans

Form and Program in Elevation

The form of the building is conceived as two bands, one pulled up and one bent down, in order to create a grand open entry space.

Chairlift Tickets

Chairlift

Ski Shop BR

Entry

Seating Bike Shop

Ski-on Roof

The programmatic layout consists of central open public spaces flanked by interior rental shops.

Section Model: Overlapping of Form

Section Model: Structural Intersection

Transition between Surroundings Upon approaching the site, one has visual access to the location of program within the building. The ski shop is highlighted when seen through the leafless trees, and the bike shop highlighted when uncovered behind layers of winter snow. Passive systems are used to provide comfort to spaces of gathering. In the winter, the bike shop is used as a coffee shop, which is passively thermally insulated by snow, also used for a ski path over the roof. In the summer, the ski shop can be used for banquets, lectures, and yoga classes, which is passively cooled by wind passing under the floor. The entry area utilizes the expanded metal faรงade as a sunshade to cool the space and also utilizes the aspen forest for protection from harsh SW winds.

Environmental Building Systems

Warm roof with 4/12 roof to shed show

Expanded metal acts as a sunshade cooling in summer

Snow collection creates a translucent surface emitting soft light and heat

Cold roof collects snow for insulation

Wind

SW wind protection

Earth insulates

Wind

Passive systems provide heat in winter and cooling in the summer, only supplemented when necessary.

Snow passes through to collect for offloading at ski lift

Stainless steel mirrors its environment

Glass canopy protects inhabitants from elements

Beacon for the Village

Pervious concrete prevents ice formation

Facade collects and utilizes snow to create built form

Fine metal mesh gets caked into and transforms into a wall of snow

Fine metal mesh and channel direct snow melt

Design elements reinforce the interaction between the built and natural environments.

Summer Section Through Bike Shop

Winter Section Through Coffee Shop

Snow, Snow Melt, Summer

Transitional Movement The site and building are laid out to provide ease of access to people using multiple means of transportation. The design provides a seamless transition over thirty feet of grade change.

Circulation

Snowmobile

Ski/Snowboard

Drive

Bike

Wheelchair

Walk

Directional Choice

Public Space

Construction and Materiality The form of the building is expressed as a metallic element folding out of and over the site. The walls and roof transform from solid stainless steel panels, to large expanded metal panels, and to a fine expanded metal mesh. Building elements unassociated with this bent form retain qualities of the earth. Glass walls separate space but maintain views, seemingly disappearing as air. Cast earth walls act as retaining walls to the actual earth behind, acknowledging oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s location within the topography. Finally, pervious concrete floor slabs provide an earth-like walking surface, without the fear of ice formation. Wall sections are made up of several layers of structure and faĂ§ade, designed to either capture or shed snow when appropriate. These material layers retain their order and relationship between one another throughout the entire building. Constructability of the alpine center is examined in the code analysis.

Wall Sections

Material Key

Material Case Studies

Expanded Metal

Perforation density and orientation adjusts how much snow collects on a surface. 0%

100% 0%

100%

Snow Collection

Code

Occupancy

A-3 15,337

M ft2

7,679 ft2

1 person / 100 ft2

1 person / 30 ft2

154 people

256 people

100 psf live load

75 psf live load

Construction

Type V-A

Type V-B

Fire

1hr rated structure

No fire rating

Fire suppression Sprinkler system Steel structure with intumescent paint HVAC Egress

2 units, forced air, providing humidity control and supplementary heating and cooling Exit on ground level from all 3 levels 2 monumental stair cases, 12' & 36' wide

ADA

2 elevators provide access to entire building

Delivery

Expanded metal and metal panel faรงade can be prefabricated into elements fitting a standard truck size of 53' x 8.5' No structural element or panel exceeds 48' in length Roof construction can be prefabricated to include structure, glass, and expanded metal

Build

Construction time between April and October No basement to excavate Cast earth walls have a faster pour and setting time than both concrete or rammed earth Cast earth walls utilize soil on site, so less materials need to be shipped

Snow Studies in the Built Environment The aim is to create architecture that could not exist as a building devoid of site, or a site devoid of building in an effort to design a fully integrated environment specific to its contextual situation. Thus we create a space year round that is receptive of nature; her elements and climate. Snow is treated as a second ground, and its patterns of movements as drivers of form.

Behavior Snowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s movements are divided into four primary parts: Fall, Settle, Drift, and Melt. Snow is understood as a temporal site, an inevitable addition that is key in creating a relationship between site and building. Snow: partially frozen vapor of the atmosphere falling in flakes; the fall of these flakes, or the layer formed by them on the surface of the ground Weather: physical manifestation of the condition of the atmosphere Impermanence: being transient; passing away with time Accumulation: a heap formed by successive additions; an accretion of material on a surface; gradual build up

Fall

Settle

Drift

Melt

Snow Globe Studies

Relationship of Buildings and Snow Snow can change the built environment, but the built environment also changes the snow. There is a temporality of form when using snow as a material. Present only part of the year, snow can create space, change a space, or change the perception of a space. It obscures and reveals, completes and opens, masks and details.

Diagrams

Seperates Elements

Permeates

Texture

Details

Enclosure

Point of Rest

Flattens

Wild Trajectory

Curves

Retreat

Covers

Directs Movement

Snow Changes Building

Building Changes Snow

Precedent Studies: Blurring Building and Site

101

Precedent Studies: Blurring Building and Site

103

Interaction of Snow and Sculpture This exercise studies how one shape, the funnel, can modify, sculpt, form, and direct snow. In doing so, the collection of funnels create an interactive land art piece; a landscape of molded snow.

Land Art

105

3’ 1’

Direct Water’s Movement

Sculpt the Snow

Be Formwork for Snow

Modify the Ground

Steel

Opening at 1/8” drip, 8” fall, and 1/8” shower

Perforated Steel at 1”, 3”, and 6”

Angle of Incidence at 35°, 45°, and 55° funnel circumference at 8’, 12’, and 16’

dirt at 0’, -4’, and perforated steel at 4’

structure, curviture, and thermal properities for quick freeze-thaw of snow

Detail Model

107

Townhouse Prototype and Surroundings This townhouse was designed for the Mountain Architecture Prototype Design Competition for Summit Powder Mountain. The prompt asked for a dwelling of maximum 2,500 sq ft that could be placed in a grouping with other dwellings. The prototype occupies a site of 18 ft by 55 ft and a maximum height of 28 ft. Intention was put into the design to maintain privacy, focus views down the mountain to the east, and provide light to the interior of the deep and narrow footprint. The living space is on the second floor, accessed by a glass covered stair atrium. The third floor contains a master suite, and the first a garage and private guest suite with a small outdoor space. A sloping pitched roof was chosen to shed snow and rain effectively. The roof and faĂ§ade are made of standing seam zinc panels. The panel pattern allows for photovoltaic solar panels to be integrated into the roof, and the dark zinc color offers solar absorption to regulate internal temperature. The townhouseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s form and materiality help it function well year round. The Village East Prototype is a study of how climate and site can act as a primary driver for shaping a building to exist within it.

Interior

109

Entry

Map

MAP SITE 3

111

Section

Floor Plans

113

Case Studies

Environmental Building Systems

Winter Snow

Summer Rain

Fall

Settle

South facing building integrated Photovoltaic Solar Panels seamlessly bond with standing seam zinc roof

Energy efficient Cold Roof construction prevents ice dams

Wind

Drift

115

Built-in Gutter directs rain water

Standing seam Zinc panels provide a dark surface for solar absorption that will help regulate internal temperature

Rain Chain directs rain water to a collection cistern for re-use

South, East, and West facing windows provide solar heat gain Pebble bed for drainage of rain water and snow melt

Melt Thick Concrete wall provides insulation and structure to support snow drifts

Collect

Townhouse Prototype and Snow Exterior stairs leading up to the entrance and the back deck are made of perforated metal mesh that allows snow to fall through, instead of collect, in order to maintain a clear walking surface. In the winter, the ground below the back deck gets filled with snow, allowing the deck to become second story ski-in access. The north side of the house is made up of wavy solid concrete which allows snow drifts to creep up the faรงade creating an ever changing and aesthetically pleasing condition during the winter months. Come Spring, pebble drainage at the base of the wall and a rain chain occupying the building cutout collect snow melt and feed it to an underground cistern. The objective of the building design is to perform proactively to the presence and movement of snow.

Perforation

Falling Snow

117

Snow Drift

Settling Snow

Drifting Snow

Rain Chain

119

Collection of Melting Snow

121

Bibliography Resources Readings and interviews served as an invaluable resource in learning about the site, snow, and architectureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s place in nature.

Annotated Bibliography Inspirational readings and notes are listed chronologically.

Annotated Bibliography

123

1 The Architecture of Happiness by Alain De Botton “How we should stand in relation to our burdens” I enjoyed most the stance taken on structure and elegance. We find elegance in structure that appears most diffident to the weight it’s supporting. It has lightness; it triumphs over the given architectural challenge. This elegance is viewed as the architect’s generosity to do not what was easy, but what would entertain the eye. Its simplicity is a result of immense effort. 2 On Weathering: The Life of Buildings in by Mohsen Mostafavi and David Leatherbarrow “Weathering is the power of subtraction – can it not also add and enhance. Marks may be intended, even desired” Weathering constructs finishes by subtracting the constructed ‘finish’. The environment is the true finish. There is a surface accumulation due to the conditions of its environment. This accumulation is ‘time-bound’ with site specific qualities. What remains of a building is a trace or impression, not the thing that existed when built. Sills, cornices, and coping are objects through which weathering is controlled. But today this traditional weathering is being replaced by weatherproofing. Weathering can be intentional through formal gestures and site. 3 Thermal Delight in Architecture by Lisa Heschong Thermal qualities are an important part of our experience of a space; they cannot be isolated. “With our current technology the temperature of a place need not be associated with the form of the building or the materials used or the region where it is located. But how unsatisfying is this dissociation of warmth or coolness from all of our other senses!” We rely on our other senses and memories to “warn” us of a place’s associated temperature. Places may just seem warm, but still offer comfort: abundant light, soft surfaces, a fake fireplace, and a four poster bed (once equip with curtains to retain body heat). Some spaces also offer delight and remind us of coolness: a gazebo offering shade, a breezy porch swing, and fake shutters. Is the highly visible insulation of the Middle Ages, woven tapestries hung on the walls, more enjoyable than fiberglass fuzz hidden within the wall? Thermal patterns can define how a space is used; daily, seasonally, or if it is a social gathering place. 4 Weathering and Durability in Landscape Architecture by Niall Kirkwood Snow is an example of cyclical weathering; weathering by natural forces of climate. Weather is an agent of erosion and deposition. It can alter coatings and applied treatments; fade, crumble, blister, crack. Snow can be a source of live load causing structural and mechanical changes, as well as thermal movement. All types of weathering (cyclical, serial, episodic, and absolute) take place concurrently acting with each other. The avoidance of weathering is impossible, so the designer has to choose to what degree and where there shall be failure. “Decay is indestructible. So it is not a product of time, but a measure of it. The Measure.” - Dekkers 5 GRAND TETON A National Park Building by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson Architects “We believe in an architecture that reveals and reinforces the nature of its circumstances” – Peter Bohlin The building is shaped to the nature of the land and the people who visit it. The roof sheds snow into the courtyard, which is lowered to allow snow build up without affecting circulation under the colonnade at the edges. 6 American Ski Resort Architecture, Style, Experience by Margaret Supplee Smith The ski resort is a theatre of sport. Architectural choices set the scene for resort guests. They also establish a visual identity that would distinguish a resort from its competitors.

7 My Blue Heaven: The Architecture of Atmospheres by Akos Moravanszky Monte Rosa Hut, ETH Zürich Atmosphere is a quality which is perceivable by the senses. It is suspended in space, an extension of matter. It is the surrounding non-optical aspects of spatiality – acoustic, olfactory, gustatory. Aesthetic perception is affected by the condition of atmosphere; the everyday experience, moods, and presence of others. “Atmosphere is a basic object of perception.” Bohme The house is an atmospheric container. It can manipulate climate. The designer can make certain climates swell punctually or momentarily, prolong it and provoke it. By manipulating climate, you manipulate time. Sometimes the built form creates atmosphere unattained by its context alone. For example, the built environment is a precondition for fog, gone unnoticed in its infinite landscape if not concealing the built form. In this way, designers are ‘aesthetic workers.’ 8 Architecture And Planning of Ski Resorts in France by Tore Juul 9 Wind and Snow Loading by BRE Building Research Series “The snow load on roofs depends on the time-arise variations in the climatological snowfall, the contemporary wind speed, and the subsequent rainfall. It depends also on the space-wise variation of the depth and density of snow on roofs caused by differences in exposure and heat loss, and in some cases by differences in angle or pitch or radius of curvature, and in orientation with respect to snow-bearing winds and their successors.” – GR Mitchell pg 177 10 Atmospheres by Peter Zumthor Architect’s work is to temper – to search for the right mood. Temperature is physical and psychological. A building should achieve a certain quality and impression. Every material can be used a thousand different ways, each with an individual presence and weight. The interior is to act like a large instrument. Architecture takes a bit of the globe and constructs a tiny box of it. But, we must always attempt to conceive of architecture as a human environment. An environment that composes and seduces people. 11 Climate and Architecture by Torben Dahl There is a dynamic between use, control, and climate. Can we look to vernacular architecture, of cold humid climate regions, to inspire environmentally responsible design? Architecture creates an indoor climate. The design of which, particularly the thickness of the façade, changes how closely the interior climate follows the exterior climate. Heat fluctuation creates its own timeline. Peter Sorensen illustrates three relations between water and architecture with examples: architecture shaped for water, architecture shaping water, and architecture shaped by water. Hydrodynamics is the display of energy of water. “Climate is an important starting point and an inexhaustible source of inspiration for architectural design.” – Georg Rotne and Nanna Albjerg 12 Roof Design in Regions of Snow and Cold by Ian Mackinlay Snow can transform from tranquil to terrifying and beautiful to menacing in a short period of time. When we consider snow, we must consider the diverse factors of temperature, precipitation, structural geometry, roof material, and projects to accurately predict snow accumulation on buildings. Most codes consider snow as just a vertical load applied to the roof, and optimistic and simplistic approach, which is unsafe.

125 13 Climate and Architecture by Jeffrey Ellis Aronin The architect is a relentless observer; active and effective in the investigation of nature. Precipitation is the hastened deposit and materialization on earth. Snow is a beautiful work of nature, but its attractiveness is minimized by the dirt of the city, and sometimes lost completely by snow removal. “The architect must learn to live with it rather than oppose it, then the finest harmony of man and nature will arise.” Snow insulates, so provisions should be made to try to keep as much as possible around the building; to collect not clear. Windows should not be placed too near to the ground because of possible drifting snow and splattering of rain. Overhangs should shelter walkways. Snow is a good indication of wind flow around surfaces. It can express the increase of velocity with height above ground and with irregularity of surface. Snow with cling to the windward side initially, then drift to the leeward side as long as obstruction is not extremely dense and tall. Thus the leeward side of a building should not be a means of access or source of light. Roofs should be cold roof construction, and ideally be at a 35-45 degree angle to allow water flow of snow melt and a flatness that allows snow to stay on roof throughout winter. Unless building in an area where compact snow reaches a considerable density and weight, then use a steep roof of over 60 degrees to ensure that snow slides off. Live load of snow should be made sure to meet building code, which is reduced as pitch increases. “Let us make sure that the climate at our door knocks softly.” 14 Snow Distribution on Complex Roofs by Ian Mackinlay and Richard S. Flood Roof snow distribution is never uniform, it is always an unbalanced condition. When predicting snow movement we must take into consideration factors of snow retention and distribution. For BCJ’s Grand Teton Visitor Center we took into account wind drift, roof shape and pitch, and local snow properties to plot estimated topographic snow distribution on the roof. The contour lines of which are adjusted for the condition of freshly fallen snow, and drifted snow. The visitor center’s design allows for snow cornices to fall off the roof and build up a berm. While the calculations are estimates, it is best to be conservative when faced with snow loads. 15 The Architecture of the Well-Tempered Environment by Reyner Banham There is a futurist belief that a better environment is made through the exploitation of machine technology; that the unaided structure is inadequate. However, teachings have always proceeded on the assumption that the structure could be sufficient for necessary environmental management. Perhaps it cannot help you see in the dark, but it can be designed to not inhibit seeing in the dark via electric light. There is an in-between of using no energy to abundant energy. It is thought that air conditioning made architecture culturally obsolete. But can we learn from local architecture, how to create a better building? For example Wright’s Prairie houses with their overhanging eaves create a cool-air tank effect surround the architecture. The building in this sense reacts to its environment and creates a personal and preferred atmosphere. 16 Snow Country Design by Ian Mackinlay Snow Country is a fascinating, beautiful and hostile environment. It is home to intensified sun, ground freeze, snowmelt runoff, and erosion. After snow has reached the earth, it experiences a destructive, constructive, or melt type metamorphoses. The only thing that is constant about snow is that it changes continuously, the nature of which is impossible to predict. After all snow is a plastic material. A few points made by the author: Inward buckling of walls is more common than roof collapse. Snow collects at the roof perimeter, not center. Glass, cement, and steel match well with rocks and pine trees. Narrow and tall buildings are practical due to the decreased area of roof and foundation.

17 White Space by Sergio Lopez-Pineiro Snow covers the city, making it silent, bright and spatially renewed. Snow has the ability to absorb the sounds of traffic, reflect the winter sun, and make signs irrelevant. Snow brings along with it a new found peacefulness. But humans combat snow with salt, plows and blowers. We have a contradictory reaction of loud mechanized aggression. The designer can dispel negative impression and experiences that our combative approach to snow have produced. White landscapes are interesting places, capable of exciting the imagination. They can encourage people to appreciate snow and its ambient qualities of accumulation, organization and distribution. To do so we must dispel the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;summer mindsetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and embrace the temporary winter season. Architects have rarely responded to the poetic presence of snow with any creativity. Snow is the most easily available natural material, yet not regularly shaped. We can artistically exploit the spatial conditions of snow piles to create a beautiful landscape. 18 Snow in America by Bernard Mergen Naming and defining snow illuminates the interaction between nature and culture. Snow, in 1952, was named via 4 categories: solid precipitation, deposited snow, snow cover measurements, and snow surface conditions. Snow cover can be described by the 5 Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s: dates of occurrence, disappearance, depth, density, and duration. There is unmetamorphosed snow made via crystals. And then there is metamorphosed snow that goes through grain size, temperature, and density change. A certain named snow represents a moment between creation and destruction. Classifications are discovered and invented. Snow is full of paradoxes: falls as soft crystals, lies as heavy sameness on land; obscures familiar yet reveals new shapes; brings brilliant reflected light to season of darkness; plants and animals disappear, but preserves seedlings; beautiful yet volatile and transitory. Snow is a symbol for continuity, eternity and tranquility. In cities snow is an unwanted reminder of limits of human mastery of nature. It challenges humans. But it encourages community spirit, improved building design, and better development of public transportation. Some seek to control snow, others seek to play. It arouses playfulness and stimulates imagination and fantasy. Snow is plastic, in that it adapts to new environments. Non-living things, snow, interacts with the living parts of our earth, trees. Such as qali, snow that collects on trees. Snow is associated with memory and covering up. It is associated with mystery, wisdom, a hint of danger, soft, peaceful, and full of promise. It can be seen as either resource or refuse. Snowflakes and snow cover represent a history of creation, growth, and metamorphism of snow. 19 The Eyes of the Skin: Architecture and the Senses by Juhani Pallasmaa Architecture is an extension of nature into a man-made realm. It should hold a multisensory experience, where matters of space and scale are measured equally by the eyes, ears, nose, skin, tongue, skeleton, and muscle. Great architecture makes us aware of gravity and earth. It provides a mediation between ourselves and the world. Architecture is experienced as a series of motions, of verbs. It initiates, directs, and organizes our behavior and movement. When designing we must think of a space in spatial completeness; its suggestion of action and its interaction with the senses. 20 Snow Business: A Study of the International Ski Industry by Simon Hudson 21 The Avalanche Handbook by David McClung and Peter Schaerer

127 22 Civilizing Terrains by William Rees Morrish There is a difference between site planning and building site. When we build a site it illustrates ways for urbanism to evolve into physical space. Buildings and gardens create place in open land. When we prepare a site, we do not level it, but create terrain that acts as a beginning for architecture and gardens. Nature and humans work together as geologic agents. When we first mark land, we signify the beginnings of urban space in an uncultivated wilderness. Sometimes nature has already begun the process of creating architectural space. Certain landforms share architectural descriptions. Land is folded into facades and enclosures; a stage for urban living to be played out. 23 Architecture in Uniform, Designing and Building for the Second World War by MAXXI “War of Production sounds the note of reality for today, and tomorrow. But in our world, there is still a role to be played by magic.” Salvador Dali, 1942 During WW2 architects employed the use of camouflage to protect their armed forces, factories, and cities from the eyes of enemies in the sky. The perception of landscape; nocturnal, sunny, cloudy, where studied. The role of shadows was crucial in protecting or giving away the hiding place to what lied below. Whole buildings were covered in fake cities or camouflaged tarp. Oriented to never be found by the wandering eye. 24 Public Natures: Evolutionary Infrastructures by Weiss/Manfredi Weiss/Manfredi are advocates for hybrid ‘thick’ infrastructure. Infrastructure that is inhabitable, a public destination, has the capacity to connect communities, accommodates movement and a destination. The intermodal hub, where multiple scales can come together. Continuity is strived for where one can links surfaces, extend the ground, and connect inside and out. They operate knowing that a concentrated local effort can exert a larger sphere of influence. Shaping projects that can evolve, accumulate, and intensify existing conditions. When designing they deploy systematically to colonize a site without knowing the final shape. And they enjoy the idea of not being able to see where one thing leaves off and another begins. Not identifying the moment when one has entered the territory of a project. But rather that boundary is blurred. They realize that if something blends in, it may not make a difference. A landmark project, is a critical intervention in the urban environment. It can participate in the reorientation of an area. Architecture to foster public engagement. “Reflective nature of the [Novartis Headquarters Building] façade produces a chameleon-like effect, translating the chroma of the surrounding environments onto the building.”

Interview Scripts Four interview scripts provide background information on Powder Mountain and alpine architecture.

Interview Scripts

129

Interview of Margaret Supplee Smith On Her Book ‘American Ski Resort: Architecture, Style, and Experience’ What is the relationship you have found between base-resort architecture and on-mountain architecture? How do they speak to one another? There is a trend of more elaborate on-mountain architecture. The affluence and expectations of people has caused anything less to be unacceptable. Ex. Snowmass’s ski-school building Through your historical expertise, what is the relationship between beautiful architecture and gaining customers? Undeniable relationship. And to gain summer customers buildings can’t just hide under snow, they must look nice all year. Ex. Killington new Summit Lodge patterned on a Frank Lloyd Wright building (makes it “local”); Sugar Mountain California; Vail in the summer season Why might some people, and who are those people, that would be attracted to a resort of modern architecture, versus one of a more rustic and nostalgic feel? People don’t like modern architecture at ski resorts. Snowbird is the only resort to win architecture awards and be published by the AIA. But skiers don’t like it, it’s too utilitarian. Skiers like beautiful and authentic, the feel of the area. Perhaps modern architecture feels all too cold when surrounded by cold snow. Ex. Vail’s failed modern complex expansion You had written that “theatrical and romantic architecture could encourage tourists to explore exotic new identities.” I’m interested to hear you elaborate on this relationship, and on this relationship today as well. People remember the architecture, not the mountain. But it’s so much bigger than one building, it’s a village layout; a feeling. Tourists want western, expansive, and cozy. The same layout does not work for every resort. Ex. Park city has a combination of modern base facilities and post-modern mining buildings that give the resort some ‘texture’ and make it memorable; look at Elden Beck’s landscape architecture of Vail and Whistler. You also wrote that, “Architecture is the threshold through which many Americans enter and experience nature.” How can architecture enhance that experience? How might a building show off nature and respect nature, in specific snow? Deer Valley lodge and precedent Timberline lodge are buildings that express that you are in nature. They are rustic. You said that, “resort architecture is a sensual expression of the brand.” What kind of brand image are new ski resorts, like Summit Powder Mountain, putting out there, or what should they be expressing? The privatized mountain is a trend. Deer Valley’s top lodge is meant to serve the private as well as be open to the public. It’s harder to get to so it somewhat achieves this. Ex. Keystone club; Beaver Creek and its fairytale architecture How are we building new ski resorts and expansions today? Big timber works for lodges, but not lodging. The architecture of the mountain needs to be heavy. Jay Peak is not too dense and trying really hard to be environmentally responsible. Its light handed architecture gives you this sense. Look at Waterville Valley in New Hampshire. Today we are building for the 1%. Ex. Empire in Utah; luxury rustic of Stowe; new building at Sun Valley is big timber and glass.

Interview of Keith Moore Powder Mountain Ski Patrol Director/Risk Awareness & Education How long have you worked at Powder Mountain? Started work as a volunteer in 1991 and became ski Patrol Director in 2002. Since the lodge is at the top of the mountain and people are hiking all 7000acre, the boundaries require a lot of police work. What is the culture of the mountain and how many people do you see visiting? And how do you predict that the addition of Summit’s master plan will change that culture and the type of people visiting? It’s an old school ski resort. The people who go there just want to ski and don’t care about amenities. The clientele will change to people inexperienced in skiing and that don’t like ‘getting dirty’. How many inches of snow cover do you see at the top of the mountain, in the area where they have planned on placing Summit’s village core? Over the last 5 years the average snowfall has been 320in. The average depth on the ground at any given time is 100 to 120in. The resort is known for its snow powder, does that cause any problems with massive drifts or avalanches? Drifts are an issue. The Village area is very windy. They sometimes have loose/dry avalanches, but they control most of the slab avalanches. The snow is 3-8% density. How often do you see snow flurries and storms throughout the winter? Quite often, they receive regular cycles from storms originating in San Francisco and San Luis Obispo, ‘Southerly flow’. Could you describe or list what facilities, lodges, and storage buildings are found on the mountain? 3 Day lodges: Sundown (a ‘temporary’ building from 1974 operates the ski school), Timberline (base lodge for ticketing and rentals), and Hidden Lake. They also have a 10,000ft2 steel maintenance shop and a 10,000ft2 steel patrol room on top of a 500gallon water storage tank. There is a 6 condo building at base that is owned by the last owner of the mountain. What expansions, additions, or changes need to be made to those facilities? They are in need of all new buildings and facilities. The last 5 years have seen an exponential rise in the number of skiers. A busy day for them is 2000 skiers, this will max out their parking, guarantee bathroom lines, and lunch lines of 30min+. What have they started to build at Summit Powder Mountain Village? They have paved all of the roads for phase1. They have not yet been able to build vertical due to a water ownership issue. The road should be open all winter, in order for people to view land plots. Keith fears that Summit is unaware of the amount of snow they will receive, since the last couple winters were low. And thinks that they have not planned enough area for snow collection. How do most people get to the mountain? Drive, bus? Most people drive but there has been a bus for the last 3 seasons. What summer business do you see now? And what is projected for the future? Summit holds monthly events in the summer but is yet to have any facilities for that. What percent of visitors are doing snow cat tours, heli-skiing, and snowkiting, cross-country skiing, fat biking, hiking and snowshoeing? What facilities do you have for those people? They opened a multi-use trail last year and it is in daily use. They make their money on snow-cat tours. Those are maxed out every day, with 2 cats at 12 people each. Few snowkite.

131

Interview of Brian Pollick Snow Safety Director at Powder Mountain Could you describe the qualities and properties of snow you receive at Powder Mountain? Powder Mountain is located in the transitional environment between Maritime, where snow is moist, and Continental, where snow it driest at its higher elevations. Powder Mountain thus has an in-between density. Large snowstorms will bring sustained 40-50mph winds with gusts up to 80mph. Large drifts and uneven loading can occur. There is a predominant SW wind that deposits snow on the NE facing slopes. A majority of the ski resort faces NE for snow retention. These slopes have pine trees, while South facing slopes have aspen trees. Is there any problem with avalanches starting from activity on the ridgeline? Generally yes, but the Village is situated so that it will not cause avalanches. But if builders are cutting into the slope a lot it could create an artificial avalanche path. How dense is the snow cover? Snow on the ground will be between 30-50% densities. The deeper the snow the more dense it is. Base has 80-130â&#x20AC;? of snow. There is 25 to 30% settlement on the ground by April. How do you patrol the snow accumulation on roofs to make sure it is not of any danger to passersby? And in your experience what is the best roof slope for the area in terms of snow safety? Their facilities have shallow roofs. They generally just rope off area next to roof to prevent people from walking under. In some cases they will shovel roofs. They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have much problem with snow cornices forming at eaves. The shallow slope does cause a slower melt, which causes the development of ice that is also a hazard. Many of the residential buildings on the mountain have steeper slopes with barricades at the end of the roof to keep snow on. In your opinion, what Powder Mountain facilities need expansion or change? The main lodge area is too small for its clients, guests, and employees. He suggests some updates or a total rebuild. What facilities has the Summit Village Expansion planned for? They are planning a ski school area and several ski lifts. Could you describe the Village area? It is a pretty flat plateau with some trees, the area is mostly cleared. It is more sheltered from wind then other areas of the mountain, resulting in less snow buildup. The trees that are there are about 30 feet tall. Could you describe the soil on the mountain? The soil in the area is generally composed of clay, silty fines and other glacial deposits. Color ranges from red to dark brownish/black.

Interview of Roger Arave Powder Mountain Director of Mountain Operations What part of the development team do you work for? Works for Powder Mountain but works with PMDA and Summit on mountain development. What can you tell me about the Summit Village expansion plans? Village development started 2 years ago. Infrastructure is complete with lots, water, and sewer lines in. They plan to build next summer including 1-2 lifts for the following ski season. The village will have a ski school aimed towards kids and beginners, including a daycare facility. A bike shop will be located in the same facility for summer use. How is the expansion planning for snow? They will gather plowed from village for ski runs. They have planned areas to push snow out of village. Snow fences will be added to gather snow on runs. Will the new activities remain exclusive to the development or public to Powder Mountain? Activities will be open to the public. The 1st bike trail was completed last summer. Hiking and biking will be open first. They are headed in the direction of offering more summer activities such as zip lines, mountaineering classes, tour hikes, exercise area with outdoor yoga spot, BMX biking. Is there any new technology being incorporated in the plans (environmentally friendly)? They have been experimenting with wind power at altitude (7000+). Apparently there is often too little air for wind power to work. But they are working on a turbine system, doing studies and research to install at the mountain. They have also looked into geothermal technologies. What is the relationship between the Summit development and Powder Mountain? Summit has some members with a development background but not on how to own a ski mountain. Unlike the last owners, summit it putting money into the mountain, replacing equipment; new snow cats, lifts, and snow removal equipment. Which is making the Powder Mountain employees very happy. How will Summitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s addition change the atmosphere of the mountain? They do not want to change the vibe at the mountain, the friendliness. What is the expansion time line? They have broken up the expansion into phases. Phase one includes 120 lots and 1-2 hotels. The focus is on building up Main Street. Those lots will be required to be built in 2-3years. Phase two will start to incorporate some of the larger lots. They entire expansion is set to be complete in 20-25 years. How many ski trails are planned on being added? They will add 4-5 new lifts each servicing 8-10 new runs each. They want to minimize lifts but putting in long-span, high-speed lifts. Focus on fixed-grip quad chairs. I am interested in occupying the site surrounding Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lift, what is planned on being placed their now? In the main street area they have plans will several commercial brand name companies. A boutique hotel with Sixth Sense. A Sports Center with Nike. Patagonia, coffee shop, liquor store, diners, massage spas.

133

Have they clear cut this area? Is there any intention to preserve trees? The intention is to maintain a natural site ‘lawn’. They do no cutting of old growth forests of Pine. They only cut Aspens. And have planned the development around this. They have even consulted the Wildlife Division on maintaining migration patterns for wildlife on the mountain. Can you talk about the intended style of architecture and how it is appealing to its users? A lot of talk about flat roofs to gather and insulate snow, which results in less drifting problems. They are building in Mountain Modern Style. They want it to stand the test of time though. The houses are forcibly small – some ‘nests’ are 300-900 square feet. What kind of luxuries/amenities do the members of Summit, and future residents expect? They expect everything to be high-end. Luxury spas and the like.

Acknowledgments Thanks to Those Who Have Supported My Architectural Education My thesis advisor Jim Bassett My untiring supporter Forrest Bibeau My parents John and Cindy Jurgensen My professors Mehdi Setareh, Paola Zellner Bassett, Susan Piedmont-Palladino, Michael Ezban, and Helene Renard My mentors Kristine Bishop Johnson, Hal Bolton, Anna Major, Chrissy Hartman, and Lisbeth Bucci My interviewees Brian Pollick, Keith Moore, Margaret Supplee Smith, and Roger Arave My education Virginia Tech, CAUS, University Honors, Steger Center, WAAC, and GVHS My fellow students brothers of Alpha Rho Chi and the 2016 VT a+d thesis class