GREG TURNER
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PROFESSOR LUCKEY
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STUDIO 504
Flint Hills
Heart of the
Around 300,000 years ago the Flint Hills of Kansas was a shallow body of water known as the Permian Sea. Obviously that is not the case today with several million acres of nearly treeless open land over a densely populated bluestem grassed terrain. The past hundred years or so the Hills have been used primarily for cattle grazing during the warmer months to help maintain the overgrowing height of the grasses. Natives help maintain the overgrowing heights as well by performing burnings of the bluestem grasses. Today the Flint Hills are the largest tall grass ecosystem in North America with an average rainfall of thirty-two inches of rain and an average annual temperature of about fifty-six degrees. The water surplus in the region with wells produces anywhere from ten gpm to one hundred gpm, which allows for high volumes of water where the western portion of Kansas tends to struggle more with its water surplus. Although the volume of water may remain high in this portion of the state and country, the utilization of land and water is becoming relatively more important all over the United States.
Design Objective The intent of this project is to think about not only the past uses and experiences of the Flint Hills but to also develop a design which will create a relaxing place for meditation in the outdoors. The designer shall think about the surrounding environment and the levels of comfort at different parts of the day. The design will encompass the line between land and water and how they relate to each other. How land and water tend to join is still a debatable topic and whether there is truly a line of separation between the two or if one sees it as the water is one with the land in which it sits upon. This is something to think about when developing the different stages of design. The design shall reflect the past, yet create a new ornament for the future.
Design Intent I have chosen to create an oasis, bringing the water back into the Flint Hills. The location of this oasis is placed just on the southeast portion of the Charmer’s Family property. In creating a lake with an island just off the shore of it, the owner’s will be able to go relax while reading a book or just do a little meditating. The island is broken up into four parts, two of them having a wooden seating area and the other two blanketed in grass each of which is separated by mini streams which flow from the lake. Depending on the time of day the owner will be able to sit and relax either in shade on in sunlight, either on the grass or on one of the benches. The “heart” of the island lies in the flowing waterfall in the center of the four islands. This will provide for a peaceful noise barrier from any disturbing noises which may surround the property, but the main purpose is to create the appearance of endless water. All of the vertical planes on the island are constructed of “green” walls with growing vines and various vegetation to bring back the feeling of land protruding out of the water.
Flint Hills Story
History of the Flint Hills
N
A scale: 1” = 40’-0”
Site Plan
B
B
B
A
A C D
B scale: 1/16” = 1’-0”
Sections
A
Perspective -A-
Perspective -B-
Perspective -C-
Perspective -D-