Watershed Observatory Project Document by Brian Kato

Watershed Observatory Project Document

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Book 1:Preexisting Conditions 1.1 Physical Site 1.2 Infrastructure 1.3 Zoning and Code

20-37

Book 2: Precedent 2.1 Ideational Precedent 2.2 Material Precedent 2.3 Methodological Precedent

38-59

Book 3: Project 3.1 Order 3.2 Material Palette 3.3 Coordinated Technical Documentation

Book 1: Preexisting Conditions

The diagram on the right shows how the illuminance on the site changes based on the time of day for each month out of the year. Below is a sun path diagram for 36d latitude. The aerial images on the opposite page show the day/night conditions on the site.

Illuminance

Sun Path Diagram 4

1.1 Physical Site: Location and Orientation/Daily Light Conditions

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Paved Surfaces Water Electric Trash Sound

This is a series of overlays for all of the man-made portions of the site. The speckled blue dots represent sound with the greater density of dots representing a greater density of noise. The man-made portion of the site relating to water are the two retaining ponds at the north end, the drain on the south side, and the manholes along the east side of the site.

1.1 Physical Site: Mapping Trees Water Bugs Birdhouses Spiders

This is a series of overlays for the natural characteristics of the site. The water overlay shows how the site drains water naturally from three points. Also, the density of bugs and spiders is correlated with the density of the trees on the site.

1.1 Physical Site: Interior Elevations

Site elevation looking towards the river

1.1 Physical Site: Ephemeral Attributes

1.2 Infrastructure: Networks of Distribution and Patterns

The following drawings show the relationship between the topography and the network of transportation. In addition the relationship between the site and Claytor Lake Dam are also laced into the topography and network of transportation.

Claytor Lake Dam

Claytor Lake

Topography

Network of Roads

The site has power lines along the east perimeter and a water treatment facility to the north. The map below shows the distribution of Norfolk Southern's railroad lines throughout the east coast. On the opposite page, the water and sewage utilities for the town of Radford are shown.

Power lines and water treatment facility at the site

Norfolk Southern Rail Distribution 14

1.2 Infrastructure: Power, Railroad, and Utilities

Sewer 15

Water

The Conservation District zoning requires buildings be, "Parks, playgrounds and other recreation facilities, libraries, museums and community centers; when such uses are owned or operated by a governmental agency, provided that a site plan approved by the planning commission shall be required."

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2010 16

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1.3 Zoning and Code: Settlement Patterns and Zoning

Radford Zoning Map

CD: Conservation District R-1: Single Family Residential R-2: Single-Family Residential R-3: Single-Family Residential R-4: Multi-Family Residential UD: University Residential/Business District RB: Mixed Use Residential/Business District R-MH: Manufactured Home Residential District B-1: Limited Business District B-2: General Business District B-3: Central Business District MD: Medical Arts District M-1: Restricted Industrial/Commercial District M-2: General Industrial/Commercial District FP: Floodplain District RFO: Riverfront Corridor Overlay District PUD: Planned Unit Development District CHO: Cluster Housing Overlay District

Height Limit=35' No more than 30% of the lot can be covered

20'

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50'

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20' CD Setback Requirements 17

Type I-B Construction (2-Hour Non-Combustible)

Type III-A Construction (1-Hour Combustible)

1.3 Zoning and Code: Building Code

Program

Area

Occupancy Factor

Total Occupancy

Type of Const.

Fire Rating

Rain Room Library of Water Map Room Gallery Work Facilities Residences (3)

0 (Outside) 315 sf 770 sf 4,250 sf 1,650 sf 2,160 sf

60 sf/occupant 60 sf/occupant 60 sf/occupant 100 sf/occupant 200 sf/occupant

5 occupants 12 occupants 70 occupants 16 occupants 3 occupants ea.

I-B I-B I-B I-B I-B III-A

2-hr Non-Combustible 2-hr Non-Combustible 2-hr Non-Combustible 2-hr Non-Combustible 2-hr Non-Combustible 1-hr Combustible

2x4 stud wall 16" o.c. w/ 2 layers 5/8" gypsum board on each side 2-Hour fire rating

Steel stud wall 16" o.c. or 24" o.c. w/ 2 layers 1/2" gypsum board on each side 2-Hour fire rating

Solid reinforced concrete wall 6" - 3-Hour fire rating 5" - 2-Hour fire rating

Book 2: Precedent

The idea for the Watershed Observatory came from a series of charcoal drawings culminating in the one bottom right. The final drawing explores ideas of expansion and unraveling from a central point. The drawing shows the process of starting from a central point and expanding outwards to integrate with the surroundings.

2.1 Ideational Precedent

Silo

The rain room in my project draws heavily from the precedents of the silo and Simmons Hall. In both there is a distinct interaction between the crevasse or hole and the light that comes in from above.

Ghost 7

Goetz Gallery

Rolex Learning Center 30

2.2 Material Precedent

Simmons Hall 31

Bernard Tschumi

1. Quickly diagram several alternative concepts, spatial configurations, or strategies. Then immediately leave them aside. If any of them are valid, they will reappear at a later stage.

2. Take the program. Assign dimensions, places, and relationships; distinguish between generic and specific programmatic spaces; test alternatives. Do it quickly; be precise, but not necessarily detailed.

3. Introduce circulation or vectors of movement, establish priorities in how the building will be used and experienced. Enhance sequences (test alternatives). Establish whether the envelope is unitary or broken down into two or more subenvelopes in relation to the findings of steps 1 and 2. Look at material options.

4. Test alternatives. If applicable, take advantage of the site constraints: zoning constraints, slope, height limitations, potential materials as per climate or local construction industry, but with a broad approach.

5. Then, only then, begin conceptual work. Do not start with a form. Make a concept emerge, balancing steps 1 to 4. No form, please (unless it can become a generating concept). What is a concept? There is no answer to this. There can be no restriction to what a concept or overriding idea is. The concept must allow for the resolution of steps 1 to 4.

6. Then, only then, let the image or the architecture emerge. Select final materials; architecture is the materialization of concepts. The image will emerge with energy and evidence. Sometimes the image is no image, if the concept calls for no image.

7. As the project (concept) is developed, weaving into it all technical constraints and construction details, keep utmost clarity in mind. Never do anything for design's sake, work only for concept's sake. (Stay on concept the way one stays on message: Repeat, repeat, repeat. Edit, edit, edit.) Construction or budget constraints are good ways to clarify priorities.

8. You may break rules, but never at the expense of concept. 32

2.3 Methodological Precedent

Rain Room 34

2.3 Methodological Precedent

Map Room 35

2.3 Methodological Precedent

Site Section 37

Book 3: Project

The Watershed Observatory expands into the landscape and serves as a place where scientists and artists stay for an extended period of time to conduct research as well as display their work. Within the observatory, there are three residences, studio space, gallery space, a map room, a library of water, and a rain room. The rain room is the focal point of the observatory. 40

3.1 Order

Site Plan 41

Steel Tubing

Perforated Steel Skin 42

3.2 Material Palette

Concrete Panels

Polished Concrete

Wood 43

Site Plan and Elevation

N 30â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

3.3 Coordinated Technical Documentation: Plans and Sections All of the programmatic elements are interconnected both vertically and horizontally. There is a horizontal connection between the map room, library of water, gallery, and studio spaces. There is a vertical connection between the library of water and the rain room as well as between the studio and residence spaces.

A N 15â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

First Floor Plan 45

Second Floor Plan 46

3.3 Coordinated Technical Documentation: Plans and Sections

Third Floor Plan 47

Egress Water Electric HVAC

First Floor Plan 48

3.3 Coordinated Technical Documentation: Egress and Utilities

Second Floor Plan 49

Section A

3.3 Coordinated Technical Documentation: Plans and Sections The map room serves as the entrance to the observatory, and through the map room, visitors can access the library of water, rain room, and gallery. The gallery also serves as the primary circulation throughout the observatory in addition to functioning as exhibition space.

Section B

3.3 Coordinated Technical Documentation: Plans and Sections

Concrete 2" Rigid Insulation Sheathing Wood Finish 3" Rigid Insulation Rebar

Wall Section Detail 53

Unfolded Section

3.3 Coordinated Technical Documentation: Plans and Sections

3.3 Coordinated Technical Documentation: Site Model

3.3 Coordinated Technical Documentation: Gallery Model