SOCIAL SHELTER A N D
T H E
E N V I R O N M E N T
American summer camp design reveals the cultural and social functions of a society as well as its corresponding views of child development. These designs and philosophies transform as the story of society unfold. Summer camp designs have progressed from temporary tents on rented land to the development of permanent structures with the potential for year-round use. This thesis seeks to integrate modern environmentally responsible architecture with child development today. The essence of modern architectural principals, shelter, will be integrated with contemporary sustainable ideas to serve as a backdrop to present the social architectural and historical story of this era.
DREXEL UNIVERSITY THESIS ASHLEY LISS NANCY ROGO TRAINER ADVISOR SPRING 2015
RESEARCH SITE ANALYSIS
SITE
ZONING
VEGETATION
TOPOGRAPHY
TOPOGRAPHY
PARKING
SOILS
DRAINAGE
TOPOGRAPHY
SEPTIC SYSTEM
SEPTIC
PROGRAM
TRAFFIC
COMPOSITE
FIELDS
SITE
SOLAR
CONTEXT
CONTEXT
SITE
RESEARCH
PLANNING & PROGRAM FOR WHO?
PROGRAM
SUMMARY The 163 acre parcel is located in Upper Makefield Township, Buck County, Pennsylvania is within a 60 mile radius of Philadelphia, Trenton, New York City, and Wilmington. Thorough site analysis of this Conservation Management zoned parcel helped determine the best locations for the programmatic elements of the camp. The goal of this thesis, as well as the township zoning code, is to create little disturbance to the natural landscape. This includes wetland transition zones, steep slopes, existing vegetation and woodlands. Property line setbacks must also be obeyed per the zoning code. LOCATION
RESEARCH CASE STUDIES
ISLANDWOOD SEATTLE WASHINGTON
CAMP BLISS FISHKILL, NEW YORK
Owner: Debbi Brainers Architect: Mithun Architects + Designers + Planners Client: Children & site (4,000 4th & 5th graders) Opened: 2002 Site: 255 acres (ecosystems, wooded, wetlands)
Owner: Herald Tribune Fresh Air Fund Planner: Julian Harris Salomon Architect: Edward Larrabee Barnes Opened: c.1955 Site: Sharpe Reservation (agricultural land)
Owner: Various Architect: Lake Flato Architects Opened: c. 2011 Site: Various Location - Site specific design
This project influenced my thesis because of its careful attention to site research and passion for using buildings as a textbook for children’s learning. Sustainable design practices were also inspiring. The buildings were intended to spark an interest in sustainability at an early age. This includes; passive solar gain (solar meadows & building orientation), natural ventilation (operable skylights), rainwater conservation (landscape irrigation), wood harvesting (siding and trim), shade (retractable canopies), solar heating (shower & sink water), Living Machine (wastewater treatment), photovolataics, compositing fixtures, and use of recycled materials.
Influences from this project were its explicitly modern avant garde vision of architecture. Several elements which I found inspiring were; the simple structural logic, continuous space, emphasis on intimate groups (childhood as a series of discrete developmental phases with particular needs/interests), primitive material expression, and the reinforcement of cultural idea of childhood as a special time. The designs at their heart were to serve the fundamental human needs; shelter from rain, natural light, and good ventilation. These are all important concepts I kept in mind throughout the design process.
Visual and literal connection of porches are the focus of this influential project. Series of outdoor spaces with layers of privacy create a variety of different places for not only meeting, but privately retreating as well. In addition to its social aspects, the projects porches create opportunities for capturing breezes and encourage cross ventilation. Each project is site specific and uses solar orientation to benefit from shade. The buildings can also have net zero energy consumption with addition of photovoltaic panels and are LEED certified. This project was important to my project because of its social advantage and positive environmental impact.
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RESEARCH
INSPIRATION & EXPERTS MATERIAL RESEARCH & INSPIRATION
OTHER SOURCES OF SUPPORT FIELD EXPERTS Dean Doukakis Keast & Hood
Daniel Chung Drexel University
Cope Linder Architects INTERVIEWS Adam Schwartzberger Camp Saginaw
Robert Spinrad
Klein JCC Sports Director
PROJECT RESEARCH Camp Prairie Schooner Kansas City, Missouri
Shelly Ridge
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Girl Scouts Site Planning Eastern Pennsylvania
Camp Saginaw Oxford, Pennsylvania
Camp JFR Eco-Village Sterling, Pennsylvania
Tyler State Park Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Trefoil Ranch Provo Canyon, Utah
FALL REVIEW SITE PLANNING
FALL REVIEW
CAMP CENTER INVESTIGATIONS
FALL REVIEW
CABIN SOCIAL STRUCTURE
SECTION
COMMON SPACE
DIAGRAMS & SKETCHES
TECHNICAL REVIEW
SUSTAINIBILITY & STU CTURE
WASTE WATER
STORM WATER
WIND
SUN LIGHT WATER
WIND
WIND
SUN LIGHT WATER
TECHNICAL REVIEW DETAILS
HEALTH CENTER SECTION
TECHNICAL REVIEW DETAILS
HEALTH CENTER SECTION
FINAL REVIEW OVERALL SITE
FINAL REVIEW OVERALL SITE
FINAL REVIEW CAMP CENTER
PANEL SYSTEM Panels arranged as a fabric to allow the passive of light, air, and/or people depending on program behind them. Mullions are placed at strategic heights to encourage users, including children, to control their own environment and learn about functional buildings depending on the weather or temperature. The system contains a combination of fixed windows, casement windows, solid wood panels, louvered panels, fixed fabric panels, and fabric drapes.
ACTIVITY CENTER SECTION
FINAL REVIEW CAMP CENTER
ACTIVITY CENTER
FINAL REVIEW CAMP CENTER
DINING HALL
CAMP CENTER
GYMNASIUM
CENTRAL SPACE
FINAL REVIEW CABINS
CABIN SITE PLAN
ENLARGED CABIN PLAN
FINAL REVIEW CABINS
CABIN SECTION B
CABIN SECTION A
FINAL REVIEW CABINS
SOCIAL SPACE
EVENING CABIN CAMPFIRE
CABIN INTERIOR