FIELD
FOREST
LIVE OAKS
MARSH
ecoTONE TONE
a region of transition between two biological communities.
By drawing inspiration from the cultural, historical, and ecological context, ecoTONE recognizes the setting while also embracing the future. In identifying environmental parallel axes, the project bisects four distinct ecological zones in order to craft an immersive experience for its users through marsh, live oaks, forest, and field. Our proposal for the new Coastal Discovery Museum capitalizes on the surrounding natural features to respond both formally and programmatically in order to maximize the learning opportunities for guests of the site. Upon arrival, the entire journey is a narrative of environmental and contextual transition with the building acting as the platform for growth.
ECOLOGICAL AXES
Identifying four axes of ecologies on the site: marsh, live oaks, forest, and field. The initial massing bisects these ecologies on a perpendicular axis to immerse the user in the natural landscape.
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Welcome Pavilion
Shifting the massing around the existing site conditions creates semi-private spaces for indoor/outdoor program connections. The form is inspired by the winding creek and engages the user’s senses throughout.
POPULATION
39, 820
The project utilizes environmental strategies that engage the senses crafting an environmentally conscious structure that also acts experientially for the user. The project’s materials and envelope are guided to provide unique interior and exterior performances that are aware of how the building will evolve over time and age with the natural site.
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EXTERIOR CONNECTION
AVERAGE AGE
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FRAME VIEWS
Breaking the mass into four program modules associated with the four ecologies allows for framing views according to the respective ecological environment the module is immersed within.
FACETED FORM
Orienting the program modules to receive light optimally on the site. This allows for natural lighting and passive heating throughout the building in addition to a polycarbonate roof for water collection.
Forming the modules through a faceted CLT mass timber system respects the site surroundings by weaving through the trees. The facets also support punch out skylights and windows.
General Population:
$39,820 (0.39% 1-year growth)
57 45 39 Hilton Head
Beaufort County
South Carolina
Median Household Income:
$73,972 (16% higher than US average)
Poverty Rate:
11.1% (2% lower than US average)
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The Education Module
+ An open, double-height space accessed by the forest walk from the north and south ends of the site. + Centralized ramp begins the experiential journey through the building. + Houses ticketing, central exhibit space and store.
+ A gallery fabrication room is used by artists and curators to discover the best ways to display their work. + Strong connection with forest ecology with a large balcony on the north side of the building. + Angled, southern facing windows allow for passive heating and cooling as well as views to the southern forest.
Pedestrian Circulation
Median Property Value:
$469,300 (51% higher than US average)
Marsh
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Gallery
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Marsh
+ A vast space that holds a wide range of events and gatherings both large and small. + The catering kitchen on the ground level is big enough to provide for any and all events. + The large bridal suite and family lounge on the second level gives privacy to the bride, her family and friends in preparation for the big day.
+ Sits at the edge of the marsh, connecting visitors to this ecology. + Caters to children in particular, and provides exterior access to the marsh and live oak canopy. + Creates ample opportunity for discovery of the surrounding environment.
Live Oaks
3 Forest
Redeveloped Access Road
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The existing access road is redeveloped to serve as a back of house entry to the assembly and event module as well as provide handicap accessible parking spots and pathways to the back entrance of the visitor center.
Field
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A major source of revenue for Honey Horn stems from the event and assembly aspect of their services. As such, a dedicated ceremony space for weddings and other events has direct access to the catering program.
Framing Views: Education Focused on framing views downward facing the marsh ecology.
A boardwalk over the marsh connecting to the education module of the building provides a way for users to engage with this ecology of the landscape. It also serves as a learning space for community events.
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Framing Views: Assembly/Event Focused on framing upward facing views towards the live oak canopy.
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Reflected Ceiling Plan Underneath the transition spaces are experiential, wood-framed ceilings. The framing is designed with the language of the building, dividing the area into a series of triangles that meet at certain crucial points. At these points, angular, wooden beams reach up from the ground to support the wooden frame, creating dynamic columns that the visitor can interact with.
Although the building maintains a light touch on the site, a portion of Southern Pine trees in the forest ecological sector are clear cut to be repurposed as CLT structural panels at local sawmills.
Framing Views: Gallery Focused on creating vertical views to emphasize the forest ecology.
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Framing Views: Visitor Center Focused on creating a wide, horizontal panorama of the field ecology.
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Ground Floor Permeability The permeability at the ground level between each module creates important spaces for the building’s users and their diverse needs. We have developed exterior spill-out conditions for each module. Furthermore, each spill-out space is directly accessed by only one module. Visitors inside are encouraged to journey through the building at the second level, using our experiential ramps for vertical circulation to access the exterior spaces.
Life Cycle Assessment: DESIGN for the FUTURE
Cedar Siding Influenced by the traditional cedar shake cladding of Hilton Head, the first envelope material utilizes the inviting warmth and recognizable fragrance of cedar siding. The exterior wood will weather and age from its natural red to a silver-brown.
Total potential carbon benefit: 920 metric tons of CO2
Avoided greenhouse gas emissions: 257 metric tons of CO2
DESIGN for CHANGE
The envelope material choices of COR-TEN steel and cedar siding are designed to age over time with the building and change alongside the landscape.
COR-TEN Steel Merging traditional with experimental, COR-TEN steel facade panels compliment the cedar with its visible patina that naturally develops to a rusted texture within a month before fading to a darker tone that blends with the environment.
Engaging TEXTURE
MATERIALITY / one day APPROACH / field ecology
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Visitor Center
7 Harvested Trees
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The Event/Assembly Module
79.4% White
The main visitor entry has direct walking access from the visitor parking lot and serves as the most visible ecological module reaching into the field. The users are greeted with a double height ticketing and administration space upon entry.
Boardwalk Outlook
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Main Visitor Entry
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The Gallery Module
Back of House
Outdoor Spaces
The forest walk serves as an experiential circulation path bridging the existing CDM with the new proposed site. The wood deck path is elevated to the height of the finish floor bringing users directly into the building.
Ceremony Space
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Assembly
Forest Walk
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The Visitor Center Module
Mezzanine Tree Walk
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The structure provides a clear entry from the existing visitor parking lot to the new forest walk. This introduces the language of our design by acting as a faceted gateway for visitors to walk through.
SOLAR ORIENTATION
MATERIALITY / one month
MATERIALITY / five years
Harvesting Material
Local Milling
Cradle to Grave
657 m volume of CLT
4 Sawmills on Hilton Head
Long-term investment and usage
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MATERIALITY / twenty years
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EDUCATION MODULE / marsh ecology
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EXTERIOR EVENT SPACE / transition zone
The building will blend in with the natural landscape as the materials weather and provide ever-changing context.
DESIGN for WATER
DESIGN for ENERGY
Lightweight recyclable polycarbonate roofing system is employed on the transition zones to capture and collect water for greywater reuse in an on-site cistern.
Ventilated transition clerestories are utilized in the space between the program modules to provide passive cooling in addition to geothermal energy translation.
DESIGN for ECONOMY
Engaging SOUND
Engaging SCENT
Engaging VISION
The polycarbonate will amplify the sound of the rain to engage the user audibly with the site.
This creates a passive heating and cooling system that engages the building with the wind scents of the ecological zones.
The interior steel supported CLT panels are locally sourced and milled reusing the Southern Pine trees cut down on the site to reduce carbon emissions.
The exposed mass timber structure supports a warm interior environment that is psychologically inviting.
DESIGN for SOLAR
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GALLERY TRANSITION / forest ecology
The faceted CLT structure allows for optimal sun angles. Overhangs are placed above glazed entryways in addition to skylights facing away from harsh southern light.
DESIGN for AIR
A roof level clerestory utilizes operable windows as a source of natural, passive ventilation. By doing this, the building’s efficiency remains high and energy costs remain low. The transition spaces are also designed for cross-ventilation due to the high temperature climate of the site.
DESIGN for LIGHT TOUCH
The entire building sits raised on the site in order to create a floating effect by implementing a shadow gap in the foundation. To further enhance this effect, a ground level clerestory of recyclable polycarbonate wraps the structure. This provides the feel of a lightweight building that does not infringe on the site, but rather accentuates its natural features.
DESIGN for DISASSEMBLY
CLT panels sit on customized L-section beams designed to fit the angles of the facets. Steel connectors create a pinned connection for the L-section beams to join at the corners of the CLT panels. These pinned connections leave the panels non-permanently altered by fixed joints in order to allow for future disassembly and reuse if necessary.