BADLANDS CENTENNIAL STUDIO
University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture Historic Preservation Studio | Fall 2015
BADLANDS CENTENNIAL STUDIO Advanced Design Studio | Historic Preservation Cedar Pass at Badlands National Park, South Dakota Fall 2015
CONTENTS
05 FOREWORD 06 CONTEXT 14 LANDSCAPE 26
VISITOR CENTER
40 LODGE 48 HOUSING 56 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
FOREWORD
UTSOA’s Preservation Studio explores solutions to the complex problems and opportunities of historic places, for real communities and real clients. UTSOA is home to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, whose mission includes environmental education and nationwide consulting in restoration ecology. LBJWC, together with the American Society of Landscape Architects and the National Arboretum, developed the Sustainable Sites rating system. UT’s Center for Sustainable Development provides an interdisciplinary platform for collaborations in research and teaching, and administers major sponsored research and publications in preservation, design, planning, and building and conservation science. This unique combination of capabilities led the National Park Service to approach us to look at Cedar Pass, the headquarters and main developed area of Badlands National Park. Cedar Pass is a complex cultural landscape, primarily a product of Mission 66 mid-20th-century site design and architecture, incorporating a lodge, cabin and park road landscape from the 1920s and ’30s, all set within and deferring to the extraordinary natural landscape that is the park’s reason for being. The issues at Cedar Pass span the cultural, ecological and practical. They include accommodating more visitors and their evolving expectations; better presenting and interpreting the park’s paleontological resources; providing additional park housing and support facilities (at Cedar Pass or elsewhere); addressing erosion (literal and otherwise) of landscape design and ecology, which need solutions conceived comprehensively and for the long term, including changing climate. NPS wanted to use the project to explore Sustainable Sites’ application to cultural landscapes, and wanted a studio (rather than a more conventional sponsored research project) in order to maximize engagement and imagination. A week-long site visit in September 2015 included 13 graduate students (from Historic Preservation, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Community and Regional Planning, and Sustainable Design) plus six Wildflower Center staff and two faculty. Students began by presenting to the park staff their analysis of problems, potential solutions, and an agenda for investigation during the week and the remainder of the semester. The rest of the week included intensive site investigations and interactions with stakeholders, and charrettes exploring design solutions. Back in Austin, students worked in interdisciplinary groups, further developing alternatives. They continued consulting with NPS staff and other stakeholders. Three reviews included NPS staff and outside professional and academic reviewers, up to 18 reviewers for the final. Each review was webcast to allow participation by additional staff at the park. Some of the students will travel back to the Badlands to present their work in 2016. Two of them are working as Graduate Research Assistants, with NPS staff, to turn some of the studio’s products into planning documents that can guide the development of the park for the coming decades.
Michael Holleran, Associate Professor, Director, Graduate Program in Historic Preservation Benjamin Ibarra Sevilla, Assistant Professor, Architecture and Historic Preservation
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CONTEXT
CONTEXT
Badlands Visitation Compared to Nearby Parks
Badlands National Park South Dakota
Our studio began with a site visit to Badlands National Park. As we explored the dramatic landscape and rich natural and cultural resources the park has to offer, we understood that there was no substitute for experiencing the Badlands personally. Compared to other popular parks in the National Park Service, visitation at the Badlands has stagnated significantly. Most of the people that visit the Badlands do so because they are on their way to other popular destinations like Mount Rushmore. The Badlands is a world-class park; through the designs proposed in this studio, we hope to inspire in others the love for the Badlands that we have. Before our site visit, we divided into teams that focused on one of four areas: the landscape, the Cedar Pass Lodge, park housing, and the Ben Reifel Visitor Center and administration complex. Focusing on the studio goals of visitor experience, accessibility, sustainability, and cultural landscapes, we set forth to design solutions to the difficult problems the park faces.
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CONTEXT
Badlands Visitation Compared to Popular Parks
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
South Dakota National Parks
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CONTEXT
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CONTEXT
4’ x 4’ laser cut site model of Cedar Pass | Scale 1”= 160’ 0’’
LANDSCAPE
LANDSCAPE PLACE-MAKING
IMPERVIOUS COVER
Warner Cook, Amy Grossman + Xiaomeng Ma The landscape at Badlands National park is dramatic, ever-changing, and inspiring. In order to revitalize and rehabilitate Cedar Pass, the landscape design proposal focuses on the use of native and adaptable plants, water management, and the use of environmentallyfriendly materials. Design interventions in Cedar Pass’ landscape include a redesign of the Visitor Center north lawn that allow visitors to enjoy the surrounding landscape while recognizing the historic significance of the site. Strategies for this design proposal paid special attention to water and erosion, factors that determine how the landscape is shaped. The project proposes to enhance the visitor experience while managing storm water by reusing the site of a former stock pond and creating an interpretative prairie using native species. By identifying appropriate plants and materials for Cedar Pass, this landscape design proposal encourages sustainability and systems thinking.
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LANDSCAPE
FORMATIONS DRAINAGE SOIL COMBINATION
EVALUATION Sustainable S.I.T.E.S. Initiative Prerequisite 3.1 Manage precipitation on site Credit 3.3 Manage precipitation beyond baseline (to 95th percentile) Credit 3.5 Design storm-water features as amenities Credit 4.6 Use native plants
GOOD MANAGEMENT Credit 4.7 OT GOOD MANAGEMENT Restore native plantNcommunity Credit 4.8 Optimize biomass Credit 6.1 Protect and maintain cultural and historic places Credit 6.2 Optimize accessibility, safety and wayfinding
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LANDSCAPE
Current condition of the historic Visitor Center area.
Landscape proposal for Headquarters Lawn in front of the Visitor Center.
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RAILS TO TRAILS Allison Riemer
This design proposes a new bike path that accomodates visitors and staff travelling by bike through Cedar Pass. Taking advantage of the nearby abandoned Milwaukee Road railway, this path would connect Rapid City, Badlands National Park, Interior, and Kadoka. Within Cedar Pass, the new bike trail provides 3.2 miles of trails, featuring four rest points with places to sit near interpretive signs along the trail. This trail is a practical means for people to travel by foot or bicycle around Cedar Pass. This design aims to give park staff, visitors, and residents means to explore the incredible landscape of South Dakota while engaging in a healthy and fun activity.
Proposed Trail Location and Interpretative Sign Rest Stop Park Road or Road Trace Drainage Way Existing Trail
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LANDSCAPE
Yosemite Park Superintendent Don Neubacher bikes to work, which could be possible for Badlands employees with new trails
The Mickelson Bike Trail runs from Deadwood to Edgemont, SD through the Black Hills
The popular trail is 109 miles long over 100+ converted railway bridges and 4 rock tunnels
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EROSION THEATER Xiaomeng Ma
DEPOSITION
After 500,000 years
Today
Start about 500,000 years ago
30 million years ago 30 - 28 million years ago
34 - 30 million years ago
37 - 34 million years ago
75 - 69 million years ago
75 - 69 million years ago
Start about 75 million years ago
For millions of years, wind and water have whittled away at the soil in the Badlands to sculpt the dramatic peaks and valleys that form the horizon today. The proposed Erosion Theater is a tool for the interpretation of natural processes that shape this unusual landscape. Instead of keeping the majority of interpretive space inside of the Visitor Center, the Erosion Theater connects visitors with an accessible outdoor educational experience sited directly east of the building. A glass retention wall allows visitors to view the buildup of sedimentation as the Badlands rapidly erode. Here, visitors can engage in an all-ages educational activity that brings the Badlands to life. Rather than viewing erosion as a process to combat, the Erosion Theater celebrates the rapidly shifting landscape that characterizes Cedar Pass.
EROSION
Sharps Formation
Rockyford Ash
Take Away Vegetated Grounds Brule Formation
Threat Buildings and Structures Decrease Visitor Experience
Chadron Formation Yellow Mounds Pierre Shale
BADLANDS FORMATION
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LANDSCAPE
Be Completely Erode Away
Eat Away Formations
Demonstrate Erosion Control Erosion
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LANDSCAPE
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VISITOR CENTER
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REHABILITATING VISITOR EXPERIENCE Kathleen Conti + Hannah Simonson
This design reconciles the low-lying, open original Mission 66 facade with a rammed-earth addition that provides spaces for current and future needs. The proposed addition is centered around the visitor’s experience and provides accessible educational opportunities, park information, and other amenities. At the center of this design lies the nation’s only interactive paleontology lab; in this new permanent space, visible storage, thoughtful circulation, and secure collections allows visitors to discover the fascinating world of paleontology while curbing fossil theft. An analysis of current circulation and online reviews gave insight to the challenges faced by the current Visitor Center and allowed the design team to propose a building that specifically addresses the needs of Badlands National Park.
Comparison of Original Floor Plan and Current Condition
UTSOA Design Excellence Award | Fall 2015
Number of Hours Spent in Visitor Center
Trip Advisor Visitor Reviews of Badlands National Park
Text size correlates with the frequency of the word or phrase in Trip Advisor reviews
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VISITOR CENTER
2015 | North Elevation
2015 | Information Desk
2015 | Enclosed Porch, now Bookstore
North Elevation | 1959
Information Desk | 1959
Porch | 1959
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Proposed Mission 66 Restoration and Rammed Earth Addition
North Elevation
East Elevation
South Elevation
West Elevation
Rammed Earth House Jalisco, Mexico
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VISITOR CENTER
Manuel Fonseca Visitor Center Albacete, Spain
Neuendorf House Mallorca, Spain
Painted Desert Visitor Center Arizona | Mission 66
Proposed Rammed Earth Wall Section
Model of Proposed Visitor Center Rehabilitation + Addition | Scale 1/16” = 1’ 0”
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Proposed Interactive Paleontology Lab Visible storage Interactive exhibits Paleontology sandbox for kids Visible fossil prep lab Picture window looking out to the formations and the Saber Site
Proposed Administration Square Footage
Proposed Visitor Center Square Footage
Current Visitor Center + Administration Square Footage
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VISITOR CENTER
Observation of Circulation | Sept. 2015
geology archeology history
archives paleontology
Types of Objects in Badlands Permanent Collection
biology
Visible Storage + Interactive Learning Precedents
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ADMINISTRATION CENTER Kelsey Riddle
Following detailed research about the workspaces at Badlands, this design proposes a consolidation of the three current administration buildings and the Visitor Center offices into two central buildings. The smaller administration building is dedicated to the biology and natural resources team, with space for seasonal workers, storage, permanent offices, a shower, and a laboratory. The larger building provides private offices for administration, open conference and break areas. The is design incorporates the building into the landscape as part of a system rather than a standalone structure. A graded parking lot drains into a bioswale located on the south side of the building, which contains native trees and shrubs that adorn the courtyard with vegetation and provide shade. A tan reflective cool roof helps lower energy costs without compromising the view of Cedar Pass from the hiking trails. Indoor and outdoor break areas encourage employees to take advantage of community spaces while enjoying spectacular views of the Badlands. UTSOA Design Excellence Award | Fall 2015
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VISITOR CENTER
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FIRST TRAIL
Camilo Gonzalez-Verdu
This design imagines the Visitor Center as the first “trail” for visitors as they arrive at Badlands National Park. In addition to restoring the original Mission 66 façade to the Visitor Center, this design proposes an extension of the building to the east. A unique roof structure on the proposed addition pays tribute to the form of the Badlands while allowing more natural light to filter into the interior. This design reclaims the parking lot south of the Visitor Center and returns it to a mixed grass interpretation prairie. By designing with the natural elements and not around them, this design works to create a beautiful and attractive place to serve as the first point of interpretation of Badlands National Park.
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VISITOR CENTER
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VISITOR CENTER
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LODGE
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Landscape Integration Blagica Ristovska
This design aims to reconcile modern-day visitor needs with the unique character of Cedar Pass while paying homage to the history that shapes the current Lodge building. The design interventions proposed for the Lodge include an integral restoration of the 1930’s lodge building and the construction of additional contemporary structures to create an environment that celebrates the landscape in the Badlands. A glass-enclosed dining room, outdoor eating areas, and buildings provide the types of amenities that visitors expect from a world class park while addressing the spatial demands generated by the growth and evolution of Cedar Pass.
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LODGE
1950s
1920s
1930s
1950s
1980s - 2015
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LODGE
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Revealing Structure Johanna Molander
At the heart of the Cedar Pass lodge lies a 1930’s building that remains in excellent structural and physical condition. This proposal focuses on the 1930’s portion of the Lodge by recognizing its character defining features and using those features as a design palette for new insertions of contemporary architecture. By removing the deteriorating east and west wings, this proposal highlights the 1930s structure. This design provides a place where park history and modern amenities come together. This proposed design enhances the visitor experience by emphasizing the views around the building. The roof structure is inspired by the original 1930’s structure, echoing the environment of excitement and wonder that permeates Cedar Pass.
historic structure proposed glass hyphen structures proposed additions
Ground Floor
1930s 1950s 1980s
Basement
Analysis of Current Structural Conditions
LODGE 46
Roof Structure of Proposed Addition
Viewsheds from Proposed Additions
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HOUSING
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THE NEXT THREE PHASES Jamie Deangelo, Leigh Raderschadt + Shiqi Zhou
Attractive, plentiful park housing is a crucial part of the development of any national park. Because of Badlands National Park’s remote location, exceptional park housing is even more important. Currently, there is insufficient park housing; many employees commute from nearby Wall or Rapid City. This design proposes the development of Badlands housing in three stages while preserving and rehabilitating historic and more recently built park housing. Phase one focuses on the development of additional multi-family housing in the current housing cluster and the rehabilitation of existing housing. Phase two proposes the development of tiny houses, landscaping and walkways. Phase three includes the relocation of the maintenance yard and the development of additional single-family housing clusters. Drawing from historic housing clusters and landscape as influences, this design evokes a sense of place for park employees and their families.
Reassessing Mission 66 Design Principles
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HOUSING
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HOUSING
PHASE ONE INTERVENTION
PHASE TWO INTERVENTION
PHASE THREE INTERVENTION 53
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HOUSING
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
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+ Students Kathleen Conti Warner Cook Jamie DeAngelo Camilo Gonzalez-Verdu Amy Grossman Xiaomeng Ma Johanna Molander Leigh Raderschadt Kelsey Riddle Allison Riemer Blagica Ristovska Hannah Simonson Shiqi Zhou + Professors Michael Holleran Benjamin Ibarra Sevilla + Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Mark Simmons (1960-2015) John Hart Asher Michelle Bertelsen Michelle Bright Jonathan Garner Matt O’Toole Danielle Pieranunzi Lisa Storer
+ National Park Service Mike Reynolds Patricia Trap Mike Pflaum Eric Brunnemann Bill Harlow Julie McGilvray Megan Cherry Dr. Rachel Benton Tokey Boswell Duane Bubac Eddie Childers Christine Czazasty Vidal Davila Julie Gregg-Bubac Dr. Milt Haar Aaron Kaye Gary Krysl James Lange Pamela Livermont Casey Osback Sandy Poole Reed Robinson Ellen Starck Dave Thompson Ken Thompson Dwayne Travis
Special thanks to Sinclair Black Brent Brown Fran Gale Stanley Graves Jesse Greendyk Jessi Kulow Sarah Lopez Matt McKibben Robert Z. Melnick Gabriel Diaz Montemayor Elizabeth Mueller Allan Shearer James Shepherd Gregory Smith Jason Sowell Frederick Steiner Logan Wagner Sarah Wu Robert Yaro Ann’s Motel
Publication text and design by Kelsey Riddle and Hannah Simonson | April 2016
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