Suzanne Carroll Recognizing Sacred Lands: Preserving indigenous cultural heritage Robert Nalls
intro to the snoqualmie valley
KING COUNTY
“Every part of this soil is sacred in the estimation of my people. Every hillside, every valley, every plain and grove, has been hallowed by some sad or happy event in days long vanished.”
WASHINGTON STATE
SNOQUALMIE VALLEY SNOQUALMIE
- Chief Seattle, 1854
Snoqualmie is best known as the home of Snoqualmie Falls, which attracts visitors from around the world with its 268-foot cascade over granite cliffs into the lower Snoqualmie River.
Mount Si lies on the western margin of the Cascade Range just above the coastal plains around Puget Sound. The mountain was named after local homesteader Josiah “Uncle Si” Merritt. The 4-mile long Mount Si trail climbs a total of 3,500 feet.
The Snoqualmie people (S·dukwalbixw) are a southern Coast Salish Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast who have inhabited, worshipped, and maintained the natural landscape of the Snoqualmie Valley since time immemorial.
The Snoqualmie Depot, which holds the Northwest Railroad Museum, includes a variety of railway cars and locomotives that document development of the railway in Washington from the 1880s through the 1960s.
Snoqualmie Pass carries I-90 through the Cascade Range. Sumiting at an elevation of 3,015 feet, Snoqualmie Pass is the largest of the three east-west mountain routes across Washington State, connecting between Seattle and points east.
Twin Peaks is a cult American television serial drama created by Mark Frost and David Lynch. It follows an investigation headed by FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper into the murder of homecoming queen Laura Palmer.
Low-Lying Farmland
KING COUNTY
25 miles east of Seattle, Snoqualmie in King County acts as the gateway to Eastern Washington. The name Snoqualmie is derived from the Lushootseed name s•dukwalbixw, generally interpreted to mean “ferocious people.”
Annual Flooding
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the snoqualmie falls
the snoqualmie people
Located in King County, Washington, along the SW bank where the Snoqualmie River turns over into the Snoqualmie Falls, Snoqualmie is a two stop-light town, Located in King County, Washington, along home the SW bank to the Northwest Railroad museum and a modest where the Snoqualmie River turns over into the row of shops and restaurants. A stretch of antique railway Snoqualmie Falls, Snoqualmie is a two stop-light town, home to the Northwest Railroad museum and a modest cars runs parallel to Highway 202, cutting through the row of shops and restaurants. A stretch of antique railway town north to the falls. The 268’ tall Falls attracts nearly 2 cars runs parallel to Highway 202, cutting through the million every year. town north to the falls. The 268’ tall Falls attracts nearlyvisitors 2 million visitors every year. Mount Si lies on the western margin of the Cascade 1898 Present Mount Si lies on the western margin of the Cascade Sun Path 1999 1855 Sun Path Average Temperature Sunshine The 1800 Range just above the coastal plains around Puget Sound. 1882 The Snoqualmie 15000above the coastal plains around Puget Range just Sound. After 46 years Treaty of Point Snoqualmie Snoqualmie was derived from s•dukwalbixw, Along the SW bank where the Snoqualmie River turns The actively protest the 90° 90% Hop Farms of petitioning, Elliot (Chief The mountain was named after local homesteader Josiah Falls The mountain was named after local homesteader Josiah Snoqualmie 1858 bulldozing of open in the 12000 1898 the Snoqualmie Patkanim signs 80% Hydroelectric 80° Present “Uncle Si” Merritt. The 4-mile long Mount Si trail climbs a live peacefully ancient burial Borst Valley (seasonal 1999 a word from the Lushootseed language, spoken by the“Uncle Si” Merritt. The 4-mile long Mount Si trail climbs a over into the Snoqualmie Falls, the visitor center site lies a receive 1855 lands to the U.S. Jeremiah Plant I is built in the Valley 1800 70% on which is the first total of 3,500 pickers include 9000 feet reach to the summit ridge. 1882 re-recognitionThegrounds 70° The Snoqualmie 15000 (Plant II built in After 46 years (population government for Treaty 200 new homes of Point permanent natives) Snoqualmie and federal The Snoqualmie Depot, which holds the Northwest total of 3,500 feet reach to the summit ridge. nearly nothing) 60% indigenous people who 6000 historically lived in villages mile north of historic downtown Snoqualmie. Snoqualmie 1910) The actively protest the 4000+) Hop Farms funding will be built white settler 60° of petitioning, Elliot (Chief Railroad Museum, is listed on the the National Register of Falls Located in King County, Washington, along SW bank 50% Snoqualmie 1858 The aSnoqualmie Depot, which holds bulldozing of open in the 12000 the Northwest the Snoqualmie 50° Patkanim signs Historic Places. The museum’s collection also includes along the river. They relied on the water, surrounding is a two stop-light town, home to the Northwest Railroad Hydroelectric 40% live peacefully 3000 where the Snoqualmie River turns over into Railroad the thatMuseum, is listed on the National Register of ancient burial Jeremiah Borst Valley (seasonal receive variety of railway cars and locomotives that document lands to the U.S. 40° Plant I is built 1890 1953 in the Valley 30% grounds on which is the first 1856government 1872 pickers include forest, and plains indevelopment the valleyofisfor museum and a modest row of shops and restaurants. A re-recognition Snoqualmie Falls, Snoqualmie asurvival. two stop-light town, 9000also includes a the railway in Washington from the 1880sPlaces. The museum’s collection for Historic 2006 (Plant II built in A railroad is built in The Snoqualmie 1851 The Indian War 30° (population 20% 200 new homes natives) through the 1960s. and federal First local permanent an attempt to cross lose federal The Tribe receives nearly nothing) Early home to the Northwest Railroad museum and a modest 1910) variety of railway cars and locomotives that document that 4000+) 20° 10% The falls is central to the culture, beliefs, and stretch of antique railway cars runs parallelJ toAHighway 202, timber mill is will be built Cascades, recognition white the settler 55 acres for its An annual average of 61’ of preciptiation, melting exploration by funding 6000 J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J S O N D The tribe’s population was nearlyof wiped by the end of railway the opened. By opening up the without any reservation to row of shops and restaurants. antique white settlers glacier snowA instretch spring, and the Snoqualmie’s convergence The cedar tree, believed to have magical The Falls is a place of worship development of the railway in Washington from the 1880s 19th century, and has grown to ~650 in the present day 1877, there are Valley to the world reservation land, build a casino. of the indigenous Snoqualmie people. A the cutting through across town up to north to the falls. where the Snoqualmie to this day practice properties, single handedly provided in the city of Snoqualmie lead extensive Snoqualmie Tribe while the population of Snoqualmie itself skyrockets due to cars spirituality runs parallel to upstream Highway 202, cutting through 12 on the most live in through the 1960s. ceremonious rituals, and have buried fallen generously for the needs of the culture both 3000 Snoqualmie flooding in the development Valley every five years. The most recent poverty Snoqualmie surburban on the Ridge and to warriors for centuries. materially and ceremoniously. burial site, the fallssurrounding areFalls “the place where At 268’ tall, the falls attract more than 1.5 million towntraditional north to the falls. The 268’ tall attracts nearly 2An annual average of 61’ of preciptiation, melting River Population floods occured in 2009, 2006, 1890 1953 the Falls1995, and 1990. 1856 million 1872 1870 2000 2010 2020 2006 A railroad is built in The Snoqualmie 1851 The Indian War convergence Firstvisitors Womanevery and year. First Man were created by Moon theglacier snow in spring, and the Snoqualmie’s 1840 visitors from all over the world every year. There is a twoFirst local an attempt to cross lose federal Mount Si lies on the western margin of the Cascade The Tribe receives Early Sun Path Temperature Transformer.” The coastal mists rising from the base of Sound. theupstream in the city of Snoqualmie lead to extensive acre (0.8 ha) park, Average an observation deck, and a gift shop. timber mill is the Cascades, recognition 55 acres for its exploration by Range just above the plains around Puget flooding in the Valley every five The years. mostwasrecent tribe’sThe population nearly wiped by the end of the opened. By opening up the without any reservation to 90° F white settlers The cedar tree, believed to have magical The Josiah Falls is a place of worship waterfall are said to connect Heaven and Earth. Perched overlooking the falls on the north sits the Salish The mountain was named after local homesteader century, and has grown to ~650 in the present day floods occured in 2009, 2006, 1995,19th and 1990. 1877, there are Valley to the world reservation land, build a casino. properties, single handedly provided where the Snoqualmie to this day practice 80°F while the population of Snoqualmie itself skyrockets due “Uncle Si” Merritt. The 4-mile long Mount Si trail climbs a 12 on the most live in In needs 1851,of the Samuel set eyesceremonious on the rituals, and have buried fallen Lodge, a luxury hotel resort & spa. generously for the cultureHancock both Snoqualmie poverty total of 3,500 feet to the summit ridge. to surburban development on the Ridge and materially andreach ceremoniously. warriors for centuries. Located in King County, Washington, along the SW bank valley, River immediately recognizing the value of the 70°F The Snoqualmie Ridge, with more than 8,500 acres surrounding the Falls The Snoqualmie Depot, which holds the Northwest where the Snoqualmie River turns over into the 60°F region. Over the next several peopleRegister slowly of annexed and clear-cut for the suburban development of the Railroad Museum, is listed on theyears, National Snoqualmie Falls, Snoqualmie is a two stop-light town, 50°F Historic Places. The museum’s collection also includes a Ridge I and II, and over 4,000 homes being built has led the home to the Northwest Railroad museum and a modest migrated from Seattle to settle on farms and establish variety of railway cars and locomotives that document that 40°F row of shops and restaurants. A stretch of antique railway early timber mills in the valley. The US Government population of Snoqualmie to skyrocket from 1,631 in 2000 15000 development of the railway in Washington from the 1880s 30°F cars runs parallel to Highway 202, cutting through the issued Treaty of Point Elliot in 1855, and in an effort to 10,670 in 2010 — an increase of 554%. This surburan through thethe 1960s. 12000The 268’ tall Falls attracts nearly 2 town north to the falls. 20°F An annual average of 61’ of preciptiation, melting to maintain peace, Chief Patkanim of the Snoqualmie sprawl quickly J F grows, M A every M JyearJ encroaching A S O Ncloser D and million visitors every year. summer w glacier snow in spring, and the Snoqualmie’s convergence in ds Mount Si lies on9000 the western margin of the Cascade tribe signed the land of the valley away in exchange for s closer to the falls, without recognizing or respecting the d r win upstream in the city of Snoqualmie lead to extensive Sun Path Average Temperature Sunshine winte Range just above the6000 coastal plains around Puget Sound. a reservation they were notfive givenyears. for 150The years. Trying sacred flooding in the Valley every most recent 90°F 90% land that is being developed upon. KEY The mountain was named after local homesteader Josiah Snoqualmie Tribe floods occured in 2009, 2006, 1995, and 1990. 80% and failing on several occasions to secure a reservation The Snoqualmie Valley experiences a marine west 3000 80°FPlain “Uncle Si” Merritt. The 4-mile long Mount Si trail climbs a Snoqualmie Light Blue - Flood Population 70% total of 3,500 feet reach to the summit ridge. on their ancestral lands, the Snoqualmie Tribe were coast climate, featuring a warm summer and a cool, but Dark Blue - 100-year 70°F Flood Plain Vintage Railroad 1840 1870 2000 2010 2020 The Snoqualmie Depot, which holds the Northwest Pink 500-year Flood Plain allowed a 65 acre reservation to build a casino in 2006. not60% cold winter. Major natural disasters that occur within 60°F Railroad Museum, is listed on the National Register of 50% The Snoqualmie people currently hope the Snoqualmie Valley include annual flooding due to the 50° F tribe’s population was nearly wipedalso by theincludes end of the a Historic Places.The The museum’s collection 40% The cedar tree, believed to have magical The Falls is a place of worship 19th century, and has grown to ~650 indocument the present day variety of railway cars and locomotives that that of constructing a museum or cultural center in rapid snow melt running down from the Cascade mountains 40°F properties, single handedly provided where the Snoqualmie to this day practice 30% while the population of Snoqualmie itself skyrockets due development of the railway in Washington from the 1880s generously for the needs of the culture both ceremonious rituals, and have buried fallen Walking Trails 30°F Parking Lots Snoqualmie which would allow the tribe to bring its into the 20% plains and low-lying roads along the river, storms, to surburban development on the Ridge and materially and ceremoniously. warriors for centuries. through the 1960s. surrounding the Falls 20°F mudslides, heavy winds, earthquakes, and winter storms. 10% An annual average of 61’ of preciptiation, melting history to the public. J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D glacier snow in spring, and the Snoqualmie’s convergence upstream in the city of Snoqualmie lead to extensive flooding in the Valley every five years. The most recent floods occured in 2009, 2006, 1995, and 1990.
the site
the snoqualmie falls
the snoqualmie falls Snoqualmie Tribe Snoqualmie Population
1840 1870
2000 2010 2020
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the snoqualmie falls
Average Temperature
Precipitation 13 in F 90°
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8 in F 70°
3 in 50° F 2 in
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1 in
0 in F 40°
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The annual average rainfall is 61”
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Sunshine 90%
13 in
80%
12 in
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11 in
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8 in
50%
7 in 6 in
40%
5 in 4 in
30%
3 in
20% 10%
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Precipitation 13 in 12 in 11 in 10 in 9 in 8 in 7 in 6 in 5 in 4 in 3 in 2 in 1 in 0 in
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midterm review respecting
SACRED LANDS
A RIVERFRONT TRIBAL HISTORY MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY SERVING AS A GATEWAY INTO SACRED INDIGENOUS LANDS. EXHIBIT
EXHIBIT INTRO
KING COUNTY
ELEVATORS
STORAGE
RESTROOMS
RESTROOMS
TICKETING
ENTRY
WASHINGTON STATE
EXHIBIT
EXHIBIT
ENTRY
SNOQUALMIE VALLEY
SNOQUALMIE
CUBICLE SPACE
CLASSROOMS
ART GALLERY
RECEPTION
3 - EXHIBIT & ENTRY FLOOR PLAN ARTISTS STUDIO
ART GALLERY
MECH ROOMS THEATER
The Snoqualmie people (S·dukwalbixw) are a southern Coast Salish Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast who have inhabited, worshipped, and maintained the natural landscape of the Snoqualmie Valley since time immemorable. For the last 150 years, they have been a landless people, having never been given the reservation land they were promised when they seceeded their ancestral grounds to settlers of the Snoqualmie Valley. Development slowly swallows upon the sacred land surrounding the Snoqualmie Falls where their creation story takes place, with the Snoqualmie people unable to claim the land as their own. Introducing a tribal history museum within the area surrounding the falls will allow the Snoqualmie people to share the story of their ancestors who have watched over the Valley for time immemorial.
KING COUNTY
NW-ES SECTION
NE ELEVATION
LOCAL MATERIALS CEDAR POSTS, BEAMS, AND PANELING SNOQUALMIE ROOM
ART GALLERY
RECEPTION
CONCRETE SLAB AND SUPPORTING WALLS
TEMP GALLERY
CUBICLE SPACE
CLASSROOMS COPY ROOM
OFFICE
KITCHEN
CONFERENCE ROOM
ELEVATORS RESTROOMSSTORAGE
RESTROOMSSTORAGERESTROOMS
2 - GALLERY & ADMIN FLOOR PLAN ENTRY
EXHIBIT INTRO
ATRIUM/CIRCULATION
ILLUSTRATED PROGRAM CLASSROOMS
TEMP GALLERY
ENTRY, LOBBY, ADMISSION, STORE 1,455 SQFT
store
lobby
entry
tickets
storage
THEATER
kitchen
ADMINISTRATION 2,180 SQFT
conference room
storage
cubicle
mailroom
reception
office
SW--NE SECTION
offices
SCALE: 1/8”=1’-0”
SW ELEVATION
SCALE: 1/8”=1’-0”
TEMP GALLERY
SERVICE 9,773 SQFT
ART GALLERY
ARTISTS STUDIO MECH
mechanical rooms
general circulation
THEATER
restrooms
CURATORS STORAGE
ELEVATORS
STORAGE
RESTROOMS
RESTROOMS
ACTIVITY/PROGRAM AREAS 14,310 SQFT
exhibit floor
art gallery
art gallery
storage
theater
temp gallery
SCALE: 1” = 80’-0’
N
1 - GROUND FLOOR PLAN
SCALE: 1/8”=1’-0”
N
art studio
classrooms
27132 SQFT
SITE SECTION
SCALE: 1” = 80’-0’
PERSPECTIVE FROM ACROSS RIVER
PERSPECTIVE FROM ABOVE FALLS
technical review RAIN RUNOFF COLLECTED THROUGH PERMEABLE GREENROOF AND RECYCLED AS GREYWATER
GREEN ROOF Rainwater runoff collected through permeable layer in roof
RECYCLED TIMBER COLUMNS SUPPORTING ROOF FORM LIKE A CANOPY OF TREE BRANCHES
GLULAM RAFTERS AND GIRDERS
SLANTED TIMBER COLUMNS
WATER CISTERN LOCATION
OBSERVATION DECK
OPERABLE WINDOWS FOR CROSS VENTILATION
LOW-E GLAZING SYSTEM
CAFE & STORE HISTORY EXHIBIT
GATHERING SPACE
AUDITORIUM
CLASS CONCRETE WALLS WITH HIGH THERMAL MASS
EXPOSED RADIANT CONCRETE FLOOR SLAB
ADMIN MULLIONS CREATE DYNAMIC SHADOWS
PROGRAM AND CONCRETE CORE
WOOD PELLET STORAGE AND FURNACE
PRELIMINARY FLOODWAY (411’)
500-YEAR FLOODPLAIN (415’)
NORMAL RIVER LEVEL (402’) SW-NE SECTION PERSPECTIVE
EXPLODED AXON
1/16” = 1’ 0”
EXPLODED AXON
1/16” = 1’ 0”
final review 25 miles east of Seattle, Snoqualmie Falls stands nestled in a valley of the Cascade mountains. From time immemorial, the Snoqualmie Tribe has considered the falls sacred—the birthplace of all creation for all people, for all time. Recently, surrounding land has little by little been clear cut for a rapidly growing suburbia, without acknowledging the history of the Tribe and the significance of the land. Nearly 3000 homes have already been built on the Snoqualmie Ridge, and there are currently plans for 200 more houses directly above sacred burial grounds, where centuries of Snoqualmie people lay. Lacking support from the federal government, the tribe has maintained a consistent community as a landless people, and seeks a platform to bring their story to light. Recognizing Sacred Lands introduces a cultural visitor center by repurposing the current site of a hydroelectric plant over the falls, reconnecting the tribe to their most hallowed grounds. view from existing falls viewing deck
PROGRAM TRIBAL 1. ceremony 2. dancer changing rooms and storage 3. administration
VISITOR 4. entrance 5. information 6. snoqualmie tribe exhibit
7. store 8. classrooms 9. viewing deck
viewing deck floor plan
SERVICE
site plan
10. store storage 11. mechanical rooms 12. general storage 13. classroom storage
N CIRCULATION
2nd floor plan
N site section
ground floor plan
view from entrance
view of ceremonial space
view of exhibit space
view of exterior deck
66°
summer equinox
- daylighting provides majority of daytime lighting - at night, high efficiency LED light fixtures are used
green roof
18°
winter equinox
glu-lam rafters and girders
lighting
ANNUAL HEATING: 23 tons of wood pellets $0.33/sqft
glu-lam slanted and vertical columns
low-e glazing system PELLET PELLET BOILER and STORAGE AIR HANDLING UNITS
FILTRATION
45,000 GALLON UNDERGROUND CISTERN PUMP
existing concrete building pad
air distributed along walkways
- collection of 350,000 gallons of rainwater is recycled as grey water - collection of flood overflow - low flow plumbing fixtures
stormwater
poured in place concrete core
exploded axon
- wood pellet heating system (rapidly renewable, very little waste) - radiant concrete - heat gain through southern exposure - cross ventilation offsets 60% of buildings cooling needs
heating and cooling
railings, doors, circulation
cross section through exhibit and ceremony space
ANNUAL COOLING: 40 tons of cooling $0.01/sqft
systems
- low-e glazing system - use of recycled material - radiant concrete slabs - low emitting finishes and furniture
cross ventilation
reflection The plight of the Snoqualmie people is not uncommon in comparison historically to Native American tribes across the United States. To this very day, the Snoqualmie are actively fighting for recognition of their cultural heritage within the Valley. It is time their voices be heard. There is an opportunity to reintroduce the Falls to the Snoqualmie Community and visitors from all over the world as a place of worship and wonder. By directly interacting with the Falls and its spiritual significance, while taking cues from the original vernacular of the Northwest Coast Native Americans, the visitor center would respect the history of the Snoqualmie people while celebrating the beauty of the natural surrounding landscape. A member of the Tribe – Lois Sweet Dorman once stated, “I am Snoqualmie Falls. The Snoqualmie People are Snoqualmie Falls. You can’t separate us.”