Master of Architecture Thesis by marissamayo

OF NATURE BLENDING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

MARISSA MAYO | THESIS FALL 2021 | MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE | THE BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE

TABLE OF CONTENTS CONCEPT Background Guidelines Concept Development

8 10 12

DESIGN

Site Analysis Preliminary Design Proposed Development Program and Building Form Layout of Spaces Integration Strategies Seasons Experiential Perspectives

26 40 42 48 50 52 62 63

CONCLUSIONS

Alternate Applications Benefits and Final Thoughts

74 78

APPENDIX

Appendix A: Documentation of Thesis Reviews Appendix B: Thesis Proposal Resources

82 92 118

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE My name is Marissa Mayo and I am completing my Master of Architecture degree. I’m from Connecticut, received a B.S. in Architecture from Roger Williams University in 2019, and moved to Boston to study here at the BAC right after. I currently work as a Project Captain at VIVO Architecture in the North End. I have always been fascinated by animals and nature and what they’re capable of. I find myself at my happiest when I’m outside in a beautiful landscape. Whether it’s taking a dip into a lake in the summer, a fall hike, winter sports, or a spring sunrise, nature truly is captivating. I was excited to dive deep into the complexities of nature with my thesis and discover new things about many great species.

CONCEPT Background Guidelines Concept Development

This section introduces the key concepts that influenced this project. It begins with a deep dive into the goals and mindset of the project, and develops different guidelines that I set for myself when designing. In this section you will see how I unpacked animal habitats and what components of them inspired me.

BACKGROUND

My thesis uses natural habitats as inspiration for developing built environments that support humans, animals, and nature. Traditional boundaries in both living and working spaces are analyzed through the lens of an animal and altered to maintain a coexistence of thriving habitats. In today’s industry, architecture has defensive and distinct boundaries between the built and the natural. My goal with this thesis is to find ways to blend these boundaries and create a better relationship between the two. Designing a supportive environment directly contributes to maintaining a balanced ecosystem and a proper chain of dependency in our society. By designing through the mindset of an animal, I can pinpoint areas in a structure that can be further developed into an accommodating place. Designers have the power to influence our society and use innovative methods to positively contribute to our environment, this thesis project showcases some of those strategies and how other designers can use them as inspiration for their own projects.

Current industry condition

Ideal blended boundary

GUIDELINES METHODS OF INQUIRY Explore how humans can better coexist with animals and plants by analyzing habitats through the lens of an animal to develop built environments in order to provide architects with new building strategies for integrating and designing with nature. Develop new building assemblies by abstracting the concepts of different habitats in order to accommodate both humans and animals.

TERMS OF CRITICISM The resulting design should have integrated spaces that accommodate for humans, animals, and plants. The spaces should have a mix of physical, visual, and sound connections between humans, plants and animals.

Coexistence of humans, animals, and nature

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

When studying nature and animals, it is important to define what needs for survival a species has. Once those areas are specified, you as a designer can start to study what structures provide for that need. I narrowed it down to shelter, rest, work, and food for both animals and humans, and how those needs are achieved. These four categories play a role in the layout of spaces and level of integration in my design.

NEEDS FOR SURVIVAL

ANIMALS

HUMANS

CAVE, TREE, BRUSH

ROOF, WALLS, FLOORS

NEST, TREE, BRUSH

PATIO, LOUNGE, SEATING

BUILDING, HUNTING, STORING

BUILDING, GATHERING, PRODUCING

PLANTS, OTHER ANIMALS

CROPS, FOOD PRODUCTION

SPECIES Each habitat has its own special characteristics. Every form, structure, material, and use differ between species, yet they all seem to work. I analyzed these different habitats and isolated key characteristics that inspired me. I then compared it to an architectural abstraction of the same characteristics. I was inspired by caves that bats use as a resting place. The curved cover provides nooks for each animal and has a natural, organic form that blends into the landscape. Snakes were similar in that they seek shelter that is already constructed, except they look for small, voided objects to occupy, such as tree logs. Bees construct their own homes entirely, but it requires structural support from an external element. Ducks and other birds gather material to construct their homes and build them until it fits their needs. Since they are small and vulnerable, they look for a level of screening for protection. All of these habitats inspired my project’s form and structure in their own way. I decided to work with local threatened species in Maine for this project. I researched their habitats and what each species needed to survive. I studied what living conditions they favored, their life cycles, and what day-to-day activities they perform in order to develop spaces that would accommodate them properly. For this project, I focused on land animals ranging from small mammals, birds, insects, and reptiles. The list of specific species can be found below. I was drawn to working with these species because Maine is a place I visit often and I am always intrigued by the vast wildlife that lives there. I wanted to work with small animals in particular because they are the most vulnerable in the wild and they need extra assistance compared to some of the larger species in that area. By designing for smaller species, I could develop many unique strategies into one overall experience on a site, these strategies could then be developed for other sites and other species of all scales.

Little Brown Bat Northern Long-eared Bat

Black Racer Snake

Bees

Common Sanddragon

New England Cottontail

Inland Wading and Waterfowl Birds [Ducks, geese, heron]

Local threatened species sourced from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife 14

NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS

BUILT ENVIRONMENTS

Analysis of natural habitats and their architectural abstractions 15

BUILDING STRATEGIES IN NATURE

Burrow

Carving into landscape

Cave

Organic roof structure

Branches

Structure spread out

Hive

Cluster of organized program

Animals and humans think alike when it comes to providing shelter. I investigated the building strategies of both natural and built environments and there are a lot of similarities in layout, structure, and techniques between the two. Structures can carve into a landscape, or be placed on top of it and built up. They can spread as far as possible, or be clustered tightly together. All of these techniques can be found in natural settings as well as man-made ones. And it is important to study each of them to see what works and what doesn’t. The following pages will explore common themes of animal habitats, displaying the organizational strategies, construction methods, and opportunities for connection, which can be applied in architecture to create a better interaction between humans and animals.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGIES An analysis of different ways animals organize their habitats.

TUNNEL CONNECTING PROGRAMS Some animals like to keep different activities separate from each other, like resting and eating. These animals have habitats similar to many human habitats, each activity has it’s own “room”, yet they are all connected. This strategy works well for burrows.

VULNERABLE INTERIOR SPACES Many small animals need to worry about protection and vulnerability. These animals tend to place more of their vulnerable activities, such as sleeping, birthing, or resource piles, in the center of their habitats. That way they can be guarded and it takes a while for a predator to have any sort of access to that space. This can be seen in hives and burrows.

SEPARATE BUT ADJACENT FUNCTIONS Similar to the tunneling strategy, some animals separate their activities, but prefer to keep them physically close. This layout is typically found in above ground habitats, such as hives, where there is more exposure and possibly smaller footprint available than underground.

CONSTRUCTION METHODS

Animals have many different ways of constructing their habitats in nature. Some species build up a structure from sourced materials, while other seek existing hollow objects to occupy. I found that most of the techniques fell under these categories below, piling, wrapping, digging, and filling. Many of the animals I studied use multiple techniques to build the entire habitat. There is often one technique for building the base structure, then a secondary technique for infilling it and making it comfortable for the animals. This overall process is very similar to how humans construct, we use a substructure to support a superstructure above, and occupy it in between to meet our needs.

Piling Material

Wrapping

Digging

Filling a void Construction methods of different animal habitats 19

REST

SHELTER

WORK | FOOD

Separated

Processes integrated, support one another

Levels of integration in different programs 20

Some integration

CONNECTIONS It was important to me to provide different types of connections throughout the project. Offering a diverse set of connections allows for the user to have a more immersive experience stimulating multiple senses as they travel through the site. Each species has unique qualities that they can contribute to a space, I wanted to draw upon those characteristics and create architecture that not only supports them, but showcase their presence in the environment. Throughout the project there are a series of visual, sound, and physical connections that provide supportive design features for the species and enhance the connections between the animal and human users.

Visual connection

Sound connection

Physical connection

CASE STUDIES Mellow Primary School - Stockport, England This case study began to introduce some of the concepts I saw in my research. The school provides a facade for animals to nest in, but it is only in one area of the building and there are no connections beyond that. For my project, I wanted to create more of an immersive experience, but this is a good base point for designing with this mindset.

Beach Wildlife Center

Iztuzu Beach, Turkey | Kaat Architects | 2019 National Competition

Beach Wildlife Center

Iztuzu Beach, Turkey | Kaat Architects | 2019 National Competition

This case study takes careful precautions to minimize disturbance to the land it is built

Beach Wildlife Center - Iztuzu Beach, Turkey

on. The building is a Research, Rescue and This case study takes careful precautions to

Rehabilitation Center for Sea Turtles for

minimize disturbance to the land it is built

This case study provides a good balance between nature and architecture. The architects respect the boundaries of the existing trees and maintain the Iztuzu Beach. The land itself and the that needs protection. The building curves proper distances to ensure everything grows to its full capacity. The building species it supports are a rare ecosystem throughout the natural tree layout of the that needs protection. The building curves also has an organic form which helps it blend it with the nature around it. Iztuzu Rescue Beach.and The on. The building is a Research,

land itself and the

Rehabilitation Center for Sea Turtles for species it supports

space and follows throughout the natural tree layout of the

are a rare ecosystem

the sea edge. The layout

space and follows the sea edge. The layout strategically doesnt strategically doesnt let trees touch

let trees touch

eachother to avoid disturbance and allow

healthy for healthy growth. Thefor structure is upgrowth. on stilts to allow for creatures to roam beneath stilts to allow for and maintain soil health.

The structure is up on

creatures to roam beneath

and maintain soil health.

CONCEPTUAL VISUALIZATION All of the information in this section allowed me to pinpoint what it was that I was designing for. I wanted to allow architecture to help vulnerable species survive in areas that are currently underdeveloped. I wanted to find a way to provide spaces for both animals and humans to coexist in, with the hope of educating our public on how and why we should design this way. If you analyze the habitats and species around you, I bet you will find a lot of familiar characteristics to your own home. Many key components developed in this conceptual phase integrated themselves into the design. The building form is an abstraction of an animal habitat, and different levels of connectivity are woven throughout. These concepts set the ground rules for designing a space that supports, and enhances nature.

Experiential views

DESIGN Site Analysis Preliminary Design Proposed Development Program and Building Form Layout of Spaces Integration Strategies Seasons Experiential Perspectives This section includes the design development into the overall proposal of this thesis. The concepts developed in the previous section each have a place in this design, to create an overall immersive experience for people and animals visiting the site.

PROJECT SITE STEEP FALLS, MAINE

Steep Falls

Saco River

Site

N Sketch overview of site 26

1 mi

SITE QUALIFICATIONS To illustrate the many benefits of my thesis concept, I chose to demonstrate their qualities through the design of a conceptual building on a real site. An ideal site for this thesis would have ample natural resources, access to a diverse wildlife population, and would contain traces of a previous development, providing a blend of the natural and human experience on the site. Based on these qualifications I selected a site in Steep Falls, Maine, which offers a unique balance between human and natural habitation to explore my thesis. This site in particular meets the criteria noted, but also poses several challenges to be explored, including the efforts needed to work with nature in a harmonious development, and consider habitation and user experience over multiple seasons. The next pages include additional information on the site, to provide background to the design study illustrated in this section.

IDEAL SITE

CHALLENGES

Ample natural resources

Integrating natural components into a built design

Diverse wildlife population

Working with nature not against it

Previously developed on

4 seasons to consider

HISTORY AND LANDMARK

The site was previously used for the Androscoggin Pulp Mill up until the late 1930’s. In 1937, a large fire caused the building to burn down, leaving only its stone foundation to remain. Still there today, the stone structure lays along the water’s edge, and is a visible landmark of the site from the road. It was important to me that the site chosen was a previously used site, so my project was not developing on untouched land. Part of sustainability is looking at the building process as a whole, and reclaiming already utilized land is a good practice to help minimize human footprints. The ruins are integrated into the landscape and nature has started taking over the built structure since its abandonment.

Sketch of ruins on site 28

Androscoggin Pulp Mill in the early 1900’s

View of mill over the Saco River

Mill ruins today

View of mill ruins over the Saco River

Route 11 roadway to site

Current overgrown entrance conditions

View of bridge from Saco River

Path down to water edge

View of ruins upon entry of site

View of ruins from water edge

River view of ruins and bridge

View of ruins from water edge 31

View to left of ruins entry

View of field from ruins

These photos illustrate the current conditions of the site. An unused, overgrown field sits in a nest of a thick tree line and dense river edge. The ruins of the mill building are nestled into the vegetation along the waters edge and are used in my proposed development as the human entry point to the site. The site has a diverse population of plant species that I maintained in the landscape of my design. They offer a range of colors and textures that are constantly evolving, creating a sea of thriving wildlife throughout the site. The site has a gradual slope from the northern residential area to the southern river edge. My proposed design utilizes this change in topography through carving, embedding, and lifting. Developing the site in this way maintains an intimate relation to the landscape where the architecture can directly interact with the nature.

View to right of ruins entry

View further right 33

an um “H

Infrastructure

sid e”

CURRENT SITE LAYOUT

“A

sid

e”

Overgrown mill building ruins

Heavy tree line

Natural coastline Overview of current site conditions

CURRENT GRADIENT OF HABITATION

The site currently has two opposing sides, the left side is the “human” side that has fully developed infrastructure, and the right side is the “animal” side that has a heavy tree line and natural coastline. The mill ruins fall at the nexus of the built and natural. This gradient pushes the existing wildlife out into the wooded areas, and the land in the central portion of the site remains unused. For my thesis I wanted to break this direct gradient and create a more blended and distributed program throughout the site. The development of this land can be seen in the following pages.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

Site area developed in this project

DEVELOPING THE OPEN SPACE

I chose to develop the central open field on the site because this area is currently a vulnerable and unused space. Small animals require shelter and security when doing their day-to-day tasks, and the large open field does not provide that. Instead, they are drawn to the site edges and waterfront for protection. One of the goals of my design was to create a diverse landscape in this field that provides different nodes of landscape that the animals can feel safe using.

New building adjacent to existing ruins Develop ruins into path down to water

Prominent breeding ground

Site waterfront habitats

“Animal side”

“Human side”

PRESERVING THE COASTLINE

The site has an existing developed coastline that is home to several different habitats. This section of the Saco River is fairly shallow and the water flows at a slow, steady rate, making it an ideal breeding ground for insects and birds. For this project, I decided to maintain the water edge how it currently is and not disturb it with further development. As previously mentioned, animals currently favor the outer edges of the site, including the water edge, due to the contrasting human and animal sides. The different species that live here have developed these points of the site to meet their needs as they exist. My development focuses on the central neglected area, to bring more balance and distribution of habitation to the entire site.

PRELIMINARY DESIGN The design process began with defining what aspects I wanted to address. Some areas I looked at were edge conditions, site treatment, building technology, and rejuvenation. This initial investigation focused on pinpointing what areas of a building could be further developed to accommodate another species, and how those developments interact with the landscape around them. This process contributed to the development of detailed building strategies highlighted in this section.

EDGE CONDITION

SITE

Blend / Embrace

Indoor Built

Engage / Respect

Outdoor Natural

TECHNOLOGY

Shelter / Accommodate

Design spaces to accommodate animals 40

Different interactions with the site

REJUVENATION

Replenish / Develop

Activate the empty landscape

The building form went through many iterations, each one inspired by animal habitats. During my conceptual exploration, I was inspired by the techniques animals used to construct, organize, and use their habitats. In some of the earlier layouts, the programs were separated into their own forms with circulation connecting them, similar to how some animals create a system of tunnels for their habitats. I developed the form to be more connected and setup as clusters of program in shared forms, rather than fully separated. This layout was an abstraction of both burrow and hive forms where program is separated by use, but there is an outer shell encasing and protecting it. The goal of this design process was to develop a building form that encourages coexistence between humans and animals in both built and natural forms.

Initial sketches of the building form and layout 41

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

Overview of the proposed development on the site

The image to the left illustrates an overview of my proposed design in its site. I wanted to create a built environment that was nestled into the sloped landscape to allow the architecture to blend into its natural surroundings. The rooftops of the building rise up from the landscape to allow for nature and architecture to come together as one cohesive entity. The details of the design can be found on the following pages. I envisioned there being many different user groups, both human and animal, for this project. The human users consist of local residents, schools, wildlife personnel, and designers looking to expand their knowledge of working with wildlife and nature. There were some initial challenges in establishing program for the buildings, including creating spaces that can withstand both animal and human use in all seasons and finding a program that keeps users engaged enough to encourage their return to the site.

Users Animals Residents Visitors Scientists Wildlife Personnel Schools Youth Groups Community Groups Designers / Builders

Initial Challenges Program that withstands both human and animal use Interactions without scaring animals Program suitable for all seasons Keeping the public engaged and wanting to come back more than once

SITE PLAN 44

SITE PLAN When developing the site, I wanted to carve into the landscape and bring users down into the natural components to gain a first-hand experience of the wildlife processes. Experiencing the site at this level gains a better perspective of life in nature and what elements serve what purpose. The suggested path takes users throughout the central developed spaces and blends into its natural surroundings where users are encouraged to respectfully explore the rest of the site. The site has a parking lot adjacent to the roadway, I have developed an entryway from that lot into the site. The entry path takes the visitors up into the ruins and over the river as they travel into the center of the site. There are two main buildings, each with roof lines that extend up out of the landscape that help blend them in with the surrounding nature. The land in between the buildings is a wild garden with diverse plant species to accommodate many of the animals on the site.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT I wanted this space to be used as an educational tool to provide resources for the public. The goal was to provide different types of hands-on learning to educate the public on how to work with nature, provide for vulnerable species, and create coexistence and harmony in buildings. My design acts as a tool for informing the public in hopes that they apply the skills learned to their own local areas and projects. Widespread implementation of the strategies provided in this thesis will help improve threatened habitats and ensure longevity to all ecosystems. Below is the initial layout of program when I started the design process. There are spaces for verbal and demonstrative education as well as hands-on workshops where the public can build and maintain habitats. There are also lounge spaces where users can rest and observe the picturesque landscape while coexisting with the animals around. This program layout has since been filtered and further developed in the final design, which is described in the following pages.

NO ANIMALS INTEGRATED

ANIMALS PARTIALLY INTEGRATED

ANIMALS FULLY INTEGRATED

OFFICES CLASS

REHABILITATION

SHELTER SPACES PRESENTATION ROOM LOBBY

PUBLIC WORKSHOP

CAFE

WORK SPACES

LOUNGE

REST SPACES 46

PRIVATE WORKSHOP

INTEGRATION VISUALIZATION

Perspective plays a key role when designing for multiple species. Each species provides for and experiences a space differently. As I was developing the design for this project, I found myself constantly sketching in perspective to wrap my head around these concepts and how best to create architecture to support them. My thesis concept stems from analyzing through the lens of an animal and it was important to maintain that mindset when exploring in perspective. I viewed each development from both the human and animal perspective to ensure the proper connections were being made to allow for a successful coexistence. Below is a series of conceptual sketches that helped me transition from concept to full fledged design.

Animal perspectives

Human perspectives

Animal habitat into walls

Dynamic lighting

Equal entry opportunities

Integrating natural resources

PROGRAM The final program overview for the space can be seen below. There are four main sections of the layout, a lounge, administration, education, and workshop space. The program highlighted in green are spaces designed primarily for human use. The orange areas are animal spaces integrated throughout the building forms. It was important to provide balance between the two groups of programming because it sets the space up for a successful coexistence since everyone is accounted for spatially and treated with equal importance. There are two building masses, each with their own relationship to the landscape. The lounge space is embedded into the ground and provides an intimate relationship with the ground plane. The administration area is at surface level with the landscape to provide a steady working relationship between the staff and the animals. The education area is lifted up off of the ground to allow for multiple viewpoints that act as visual educational opportunities while visitors are learning inside. The workshop space is mostly at surface level to provide an intimate relationship between the landscape outside and the activities to support it inside. The inner portion of the workshop is embedded into the landscape and has a visual connection with the central garden that allows the visitors to observe the strategies they are developing and what species they are helping.

Human Program: 1,500 SF

Workshop

4,000 SF

Education

2,000 SF

Circulation

1,000 SF

Admin

1,500 SF Building Total

Integrated Animal Program:

Lounge

Shelter Spaces Rest Spaces

10,000 SF

Work Spaces

BUILDING FORM The building form is inspired by animal burrows and how they are constructed and used. Burrows generally consist of branches of different program all connected together. The animals separate different activities, yet they happen right next to each other. There is this sense of connectivity without physically interacting with one another. The animals that use the space travel through circulating tunnels that branch out to each program, creating a unified experience of the full habitat. I studied different ways to abstract those concepts into a space for both humans and animals to use. The diagram below shows the steps from burrow to building. The program is separated into different functions, they are spaced apart from each other, yet connected by the building envelope. The building is then set into the landscape, which is pushed and pulled to created diverse interactions that correlate with each function.

Analysis of a burrow

Abstracted form

Integrated landscape 49

EDUCATION ADMIN

EXTERIOR GARDENS

CENTRAL GARDEN WORKSHOP LOUNGE

ENTRY PATH

FLOOR PLAN 50

VIEWING

FLOOR PLAN Lounge

This area is intended for users to have a space to rest. It is an open space sunken into the landscape with different views out to the habitats surrounding it.

Admin

Employees of the facility will have access to an administration area with offices and bunks for overnight positions. They have a private surface-level connection to allow for easy access to the landscaping they are working with.

Education

There is a classroom space at the top of the site that overlooks the many habitats throughout. It is a public space to learn about nature and how we as humans can contribute to the lifestyles of many species.

Workshop

This space allows for a hands-on learning experience for the public to get engaged with the site and learn how to build supporting structures for habitats.

The following pages explore how specific design features located throughout the human program create a balanced experience where animals and humans can coexist for the benefit of both parties. The features are designed throughout different architectural elements to provide diverse solutions when designing in this mindset. The design features are spread throughout the program to give each area a supportive purpose while achieving a unique aesthetic that enhances the building form.

DOUBLE-SKIN ROOF LINE

The roof above the lounge has been built as a double-skin to accommodate a bat habitat within it. The roof curves up from the landscape behind it, but is then dropped down into another layer to create a voided space. The front edge of the roof line has a slight opening for the bats to enter the space. The interior surface has grooves, similar to a cave, carved into it to provide a nook for bats to grab onto when resting. This space provides a safe place for bats to rest within the site. There is a visual connection from underneath in the interior lounge space. There are several benefits to incorporating this type of space in your building. The developed space within the roof contributes to the insulative quality of the space beneath, which the human users benefit from. The form itself also adds a dynamic component to a building’s roof line creating a unique profile at each area. Along with the human benefits of the space, the bats also receive a designated sheltered space to live in that is maintained to support their lifestyles.

TECTONICS

BENEFITS

SERVICING

Insulative Qualities

Diverse Roof line

INTEGRATED FACADE

The interior facade of the lounge and education building contains a built structure for beehives to occupy. Woven into the facade is an array of built-in sections to accommodate several hives. The hives are set at different heights to create a diverse facade that can be viewed from several angles. The bees access the hive from an opening underneath, where they can fly up into the designated space. I located the access point underneath the floor to minimize the swarm size within the circulation path that is adjacent to it. The primary beneficiary of this design intervention is the bee population. The structure is built to mainly support their lifestyle and provide a space for them to create and process their hives. This installation is a point-of-interest in this portion of the facade, and the building benefits from this design by creating a dynamic facade that changes on a daily basis depending on bee activity. The human users can also benefit from the honey production that the bees utilizing the space create.

TECTONICS

BENEFITS

SERVICING

Dynamic facade

Honey production

MULTI-LEVEL OBSERVATION

The floor structure of the classroom space has been lifted up off of the ground plane to allow for animal habitats to develop underneath. I previously stated how the existing open space on the site does not have areas for smaller species to seek shelter. This design strategy provides a solution to that condition, and allows the animals to engage with this part of the site. The interior section of the classroom has been sunken down to allow for a visual connection to the animals below. This can act as a great learning tool for the visitors inside, while they learn about habitats, they are able to view active ones simultaneously. The raised floor structure also allows for multiple vantage points to different parts of the site. The landscape and animals greatly benefit from this raised floor system. Since the structure is raised, the void space underneath not only serves as an animal habitat, but it leaves space for the plant life underneath to comfortably grow and become a resource for the animals.

TECTONICS

BENEFITS

Activated ground plane

Airflow to center garden

INTEGRATED REST SPACES

The exterior facade of the administration area has been developed into another spot where animals can rest. This installation was targeted to provide for birds; however, it can be adapted for any small species to use. The wall structure is built out into an organic formed nook where birds can make their nests. There is a small section of glazing to allow for a connection to the interior administration area. There is limited visual allowance from interior to exterior, but instead there is an awareness of adjacencies through sound, motion and shadows. The animals primarily benefit from this facade design, since it is a space designed for them to rest; however, the design of the building benefits from the aerodynamics of the organic form and it helps blend into the natural elements surrounding it. There is also an added user curiosity from the adjacent awareness that draws the users to experience the rest of the site to find out what species are inhabiting that area.

TECTONICS

BENEFITS

Organic Forms

Vibrant sounds

UTILIZING NATURAL RESOURCES

Part of the roof line and facade of the workshop building has been carved away to allow for an interaction with rainwater. The rainwater collects and falls from the roof down a channel in the facade, until it meets the ground and flows down towards the river edge. Animals have multiple interaction points throughout the water path. I chose to implement this design element on the workshop building because it shows users of the workspace the benefit of incorporating natural elements into design. The channel helps manage the water that falls onto the roof line and avoid overwatering of the central garden. The water also adds a unique design element that activates both the roof and facade of a building and the ground it is built out of. The animals also benefit from the bath-like quality of the rushing water.

TECTONICS

BENEFITS

Activated roof line

Water management

SUMMER

FALL

WINTER

SEASONS Since the site is located in New England, the weather is constantly changing throughout the year. The types and amounts of animals species present in the area also changes due to migration periods. This series of section perspectives shows how the site experiences changes per season. The warmer months have more lively activity outdoors, while in the colder months the action travels inside and under shelter. The never-ending change allows for a unique experience each time you visit the site and it keeps the animal species engaged. The building design itself was also influenced by the seasonal experience. The program is grouped together amongst the two building forms, with interior circulation spaces to allow for travel around the spaces in all weather conditions. The two buildings were kept separate with exterior circulation connecting them so the human users gain a full experience of the level of liveliness the natural site has in each season as they pass by the central garden. This brief exposure to the elements helps the user gain perspective to what the animals on the site experience without the design solutions proposed in this project.

EXPERIENCE The following pages illustrate key experiences one has when traveling through the developed site. The visuals are taken from both human and animal perspectives to fully encompass the connections each space makes and its unique viewpoints framed through design.

VIEW OF ENTRY TO SITE As you enter the site you have a full view of the ruins along the water. Immediately your attention is drawn to the ruins cascading over the cliff edge, but it is quickly shifted to the rolling greenery inland. There is a hint of architectural development as the roof line rises up from the landscape and the building slowly appears the further you travel. You do not have a clear view of the buildings until you enter through the ruins tower where you are submerged into the center of the site.

VIEW OF DEVELOPMENT FROM THE RUINS TOWER ENTRANCE As you travel up the ramp, there is a filtered view of the wildlife below along the river. The view is distorted to protect the animals and provide them the privacy they need for their lifestyle. As you progress up to the tower, your view of the buildings broadens and you begin to see the carved landscape and the program that lays within it.

VIEW OF EDUCATION BUILDING The lounge area is sunken into the landscaping upon entry. As you travel through the space, the building gradually rises out of the ground until it is a few feet above at the classroom. From this area you are welcomed with panoramic views of the river and the dense landscape it passes through. The central garden also rises at its edges to create a diverse landscape experience.

VIEW OF WORKSHOP BUILDING The workshop building sits flush with the ground level where workers and students can have direct access to the landscaping they are working with. By having this connection on one level, you can directly observe the landscape and how the animals are using it. This helps in the educational process through observation and analysis of the animals.

THE WORKSHOP The workshop space is an area for the public to get a hands on learning experience about how to build and maintain structures that support habitats. It is a place where the users can come together and learn techniques for working with nature and apply them to their own local area. Part of the workshop is lowered to bring the humans eye level with the landscape behind the building. This gives them a unique perspective that we do not typically get walking around. At this level, you can observe nature at the root from the perspective of an animal.

ANIMAL PERSPECTIVE

HUMAN PERSPECTIVE 68

THE LOUNGE The open lounge area has a diverse range of viewpoints for the visitors to experience. There are not only panoramic views out to the site as you travel through the different interior program, but unique interior views as well. The ceiling of the lounge is connected to the developed bat habitat above to encourage observation of the species. The human viewpoint is a direct, unobstructed view to the space above, but the reciprocating bat view is filtered so the animals maintain a level of comfort in the space and are not spooked by the activity below.

ANIMAL PERSPECTIVE

HUMAN PERSPECTIVE 69

VIEW OF INTERIOR GARDEN AT DUSK

With this thesis, I wanted to create design features that supported a balanced environment for both animals and humans to coexist in. The programmatic design developed in this section was a canvas for these features to be integrated into, to create a well-rounded development for different species to thrive in. While I created a detailed design specifically for this site in Maine, it was important to me that the strategies can be utilized elsewhere and for other species. Keeping this in mind, I developed these strategies to be flexible and adaptable for other designers to work with in projects of their own. Convertibility is key to designing with nature and multiple species, that way an innovative strategy can help support as many species as possible and improve our ecosystems. The next section highlights some alternate applications of the design features developed in this section, and how we as a society can benefit from designing in this supportive mindset. 71

CONCLUSIONS Alternate Applications Benefits and Final Thoughts

This section discusses how strategies from the thesis design can be applied to other building typologies and functions. It also highlights the key benefits and take-aways of the concepts developed in this thesis.

ALTERNATE APPLICATIONS One of my goals for this thesis was to develop different building strategies that accommodate humans and animals in a variety of environments. For this project, I fine-tuned each strategy to work with my particular building on its site in Maine. This allowed me to investigate the kit of parts each strategy needed, what type of architectural elements it would best work with, and its benefit to the overall space. All of the building strategies developed in this thesis project can be adapted to other building typologies and locations. The following pages include some examples of these adaptations to illustrate the flexibility of these concepts.

DIVISION OF SPACE The beehive structure I designed on the facade of my building can be adapted to fit other wall systems too. The diagram to the left illustrates the structure as a free-standing element that creates a spatial divide. This strategy can be utilized in commercial or residential balconies, terraces, rooftop patios, and other outdoor spaces that have multiple programs.

HIGHLIGHTED ENTRY The same strategy can be used to highlight a specific entrance or exit point of a space. Its dynamic appearance creates a focal point for the space that draws visitors in or out to get a closer look. This can be used in both commercial and residential settings to create a unique experience.

INTEGRATED ROOF LINE The double-skin roof assembly I designed in my project can be scaled down for residential use. The system would act as another layer to the roof assembly to create the voided space to be occupied by the animals. The diagram to the left shows this system in a residential setting, but it could be used for commercial buildings as well.

INTEGRATED CANOPIES If your project is limited in usable roof space, you can consider integrating this strategy into a canopy instead. This is an ideal solution for commercial buildings that typically have loud rooftop equipment, which is not ideal for animal habitation. The canopies can be added onto existing buildings to provide a solution while enhancing the aesthetics of the space.

ACTIVATED FLOOR SYSTEM The floor system of a building is a great opportunity to integrate areas for animal habitats. Designers can control how the built space interacts with the landscape below. An activated floor system relates to the program it holds and enhances the user’s overall experience of the building. The diagram below illustrates one example where the single-program spaces are pushed down and the circulation spaces are pulled up to create spaces beneath and connections between. This strategy can be used in both commercial and residential settings, it is a good educational opportunity for users of the space to engage with the landscape and the habitats it supports.

BENEFITS AND FINAL THOUGHTS

There are many benefits, both design and user oriented, to designing through the lens of an animal. By designing a supportive environment, you are directly contributing to maintaining a balanced ecosystem. When there is balance, vulnerable and threatened species are given the chance to survive and provide essential contributions to the chain of dependency. Designers also create harmony between the built and natural environments, equal treatment of both sides encourages fewer unwanted intrusions both in and out. There is a better respect for boundaries and coexistence because all types of species are accounted for through design. Relationship to the landscape has its benefits too. Carving and recessing into the landscape can have good insulative qualities for your space and allow you to incorporate natural solutions for building systems. Finally, when designing through the lens of an animal it is important to provide diverse solutions. There are many different species in any given area and providing diverse solutions and dynamic designs create a unique experience for all users and motivate them to return again and again. My thesis exploration has emphasized how great of an impact designers can have on our environment and the species that live around us. If we analyze our neighboring habitats, there are endless inspiration opportunities to incorporate into the built environment. By utilizing these strategies, we can create a place of coexistence where humans and animals support one another to achieve a healthy and successful lifestyle. The design developed in this thesis acts as a case study for other designers to draw inspiration from when designing in their own local areas. The goal is to implement this mindset as a standard in present and future designs to create coexistence in all habitats.

Design User Supportive Design Balanced Ecosystem Balance of Built and Natural Fewer Intrusions Carved Landscape Insulative Qualities Diverse Solutions Dynamic Facades

APPENDIX Appendix A: Documentation of Thesis Reviews Appendix B: Thesis Proposal Resources

In this section you will find descriptions of what was discussed at each review this semester, as well as the original thesis proposal document from Thesis Research in Spring 2021.

Appendix A: Documentation of Thesis Reviews

Thesis Conceptual Exploration Review - 09/30/21 The intent of this review was to provide an overview of the thesis concept and discuss design opportunities to support it. Preliminary conceptual ideas, case studies, site overview, program and next steps were all presented.

Design Outcomes and Conclusions Review - 11/11/21 The intent of this review was to present the developed design illustrating the thesis concept. The overall design, strategies implemented and findings were discussed in preparation for the final thesis book.

Thesis Conceptual Exploration Review - 09/30/21 HABITAT INSPIRATIONS AND ABSTRACTIONS NATURAL VS. BUILT ENVIRONMENTS Little Brown Bat

Northern Black Racer Snake

Bees

I discussed what key elements I was inspired by from animals and their habitats. Some key points that were brought up in discussion were:

“What are things animals do that humans can benefit from?”

“How can animals and humans have a sense of togetherness in the space?”

“Animals have more than four seasons, how does that play into the design?”

CASE STUDIES Mellow Primary School - Stockport, England I included this case study to showcase what I considered the baseline for designing with the animal lens. This school provided a facade for animals to nest in, but there are no connections beyond that. In my project, I wanted to create more of an immersive experience for the users of the space, both human and animal.

Beach Wildlife Center

This case study takes careful precautions to

This study case study careful precautions This case takestakes careful precautions to to minimize disturbance to the land it is built minimize disturbance the land it is built minimize disturbance to thetoland it is built

Beach Wildlife Center - Iztuzu Beach, Turkey

on. The building is a Research, Rescue and

on.building The building is a Research, Rescue on. The is a Research, Rescue and and Rehabilitation Center for Sea Turtles for Rehabilitation Center forTurtles Sea Turtles Rehabilitation Center for Sea for for

Beach. The itself land itself and the Beach. The land itself and the IztuzuIztuzu Beach. The land and Iztuzu the species it supports are a rarespecies ecosystem it supports are a rare ecosystem species it supports are a rare ecosystem that needs protection. The building curves that needs protection. The building thatcurves needs protection. The building curves throughout the natural tree layout of the throughout the natural tree layout of the throughout the natural tree layout of the space and follows the sea edge. The layout space and follows the sea edge. space The layout and follows the sea edge. The layout strategically doesnt let trees touch strategically doesnt let trees touch strategically eachother to avoid disturbance and allow doesnt let trees touch eachother to avoid disturbance and allow eachother to avoid disturbance and allow for healthy growth. The structure is up on for healthy growth. The structure is up on stilts to allow for creatures to roam beneath for healthy growth. The structure is up on stilts to allow for creatures to roam beneath and maintain soil health. stilts to allow for creatures to roam beneath and maintain soil health.

I included this case study to highlight the importance of balance between architecture and nature. I thought this project did a good job designing with that in mind. The architects respected the boundaries of the existing trees and maintained the proper distances to ensure everything grows to its full capacity.

and maintain soil health.

GRADIENT OF HABITATION

PROPOSED SITE DEVELOPMENT

an um “H

Infrastructure

sid e

”

SITE EXPLORATION

New

ral b

ound

ary

sid

e”

Overgrown mill building ruins

P bu ropo ild ing sed 10 are ,00 0 a

natu

“A ni m

Connections to areas of site

Connection to dense treeline

Connection to water Heavy tree line

Natural coastline

This diagram demonstrated the gradient of habitation of the site, ranging from I also discussed how the proposed building would engage multiple areas on the human to animal sides. This sparked a conversation of whether or not to conform site and engage the existing ruins structures. 22 24 to this gradient with my proposed design, or contradict it and create more of a balanced experience. After the review, I ultimately chose to continue with more of a balanced approach. PROPOSED BUILDING DEVELOPMENT

Ar Or ch ga ite ni ct c ur e

T Ar rad ch it ite ion ct al ur e

When discussing the program and layout proposals, the following was brought up from the critics:

Human Program:

Entry

1,000 SF

Education

2,000 SF

Admin

1,000 SF

Rest

1,000 SF

Workshop

5,000 SF

Building Total

10,000 SF

Integrated Animal Program:

Shelter Spaces

Rest Spaces Work Spaces 26

“Take advantage of the ruins, it is at the nexus of nature on the site”

“Engage habitats throughout the site, not just one type or location”

“Include a staff housing component so site is used by humans full time”

LEVEL OF ANIMAL INTEGRATION

PROGRAM NO ANIMALS INTEGRATED

ANIMALS PARTIALLY INTEGRATED

ANIMALS FULLY INTEGRATED

OFFICES CLASS

REHABILITATION

SHELTER SPACES PRESENTATION ROOM LOBBY

PUBLIC WORKSHOP

CAFE

PRIVATE WORKSHOP

WORK SPACES

LOUNGE

REST SPACES

Potential program was also discussed as well as the level of animal integration in each area. This laid the guidelines for building layout and how each area interacts with nature. Experiential perspectives accompanied this program layout to begin to visualize potential integration opportunities. 27

Design Outcomes and Conclusions Review - 11/11/21 BUILDING FORM I developed a series of diagrams to explain how I created the building form using my initial conceptual ideas from the last presentation. It was important to emphasize this process to make it clear to the audience how the form came about and how it works as a canvas for more detailed strategies.

The program to refined to these spaces and integrated into the building form accordingly. Here I emphasized the balance between human and animal programming.

DETAILED STRATEGIES

The strategies introduced in the first review were refined and developed into main architectural pieces of the building. Each installation has different connection opportunities and design features to ensure the targeted species is supported.

SITE COMPONENTS

When discussing seasons and weather, questions about how the overall experience of the site changed in different conditions came up. We discussed how it effects the liveliness of the space, and the diversity of animals and vegetation too.

BENEFITS

BENEFITS AND FINAL THOUGHTS

Design User Supportive Design Balanced Ecosystem Balance of Built and Natural Fewer Intrusions Carved Landscape Insulative Qualities Diverse Solutions Dynamic Facades

To wrap up the presentation, I discussed the overall benefits of designing with a supportive mindset. The following ideas were brought up to further develop after the review:

“Further develop the tectonics of each design strategy, to see how it would realistically function”

“ What other types of buildings can these design strategies be implemented in?”

“How do you implement these ideas in a non-ideal site?”

“How do the animal spaces get serviced, and how do the materials withstand the use overtime?”

Appendix B: Thesis Proposal

RESTORING THE NATURAL THE REGENERATION AND BALANCE OF BIODIVERSITY

MARISSA MAYO | THESIS PROPOSAL SPRING 21 | ARC3320 | THESIS RESEARCH STRATEGIES BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE | MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE

THESIS PROGRAM DIRECTOR: IAN TABERNER THESIS RESEARCH STRATEGIES INSTRUCTORS: IAN TABERNER AND RITA DOUMMAR

Marissa Mayo marissa.mayo@the-bac.edu

THESIS TITLE + SUBTITLE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY....................................................................................................................................

ABSTRACT.......................................................................................................................................................

RESTORING THE NATURAL THE REGENERATION AND BALANCE OF BIODIVERSITY

BUILDING

CONCEPT MAP................................................................................................................................................

THESIS STATEMENT

Size: 10,000 SF - 15,000 SF

THESIS STATEMENT........................................................................................................................................

CONTACT INFORMATION

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

My thesis will explore biodiversity and the struggles our wildlife population faces. The thesis pinpoints critical areas where human and animal

Typology: Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Facility

SITE AND LOCATION

Steep Falls, Maine

coexistence is most challenged and aims to improve the connection

The site is located in a rural setting along the Saco River. There are remains of the

METHODS OF INQUIRY/TERMS OF CRITICISM.............................................................................................

between them. The public will be engaged in the program in hopes

Androscoggin Pulp Mill along the water’s edge. The land was previously used for the

CONCEPT DRAWING......................................................................................................................................

of educating them about different species, the threats bestowed upon

mill until it burnt down in 1937. Now, the site is a large, unused field with Route 11 to

them, and how they can help sustain them for our future. Ecosystems

the West, a small residential neighborhood to the North, a thick treeline to the East,

CONCEPT MODEL..........................................................................................................................................

carry many levels of dependency and it is important to ask ourselves, if

and the Saco River to the South. The land merges with a shallow portion of the river

PERFORMANCE PROGRAM...........................................................................................................................

we lose one species, what else are we losing? It is also important to look

as the current flows down from an upstream dam.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS...............................................................................................................................

CASE STUDIES AND ANALYSIS......................................................................................................................

12-17

and the plant life they live in.

CONSTRUCTED ARGUMENT/BUILDING SYSTEMS INTEGRATION..............................................................

18-19

METHODS OF INQUIRY

SITE CONTEXT SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS.......................................................................................................

20-29

VISUALIZING THE PROGRAM/SCHEDULED APPROACH STATEMENT.........................................................

30-35

CONCEPT MODEL SITE INTEGRATION.........................................................................................................

36-37

THE PRESENTATION PANELS.........................................................................................................................

38-41

SCHEDULE OF REQUIREMENTS.....................................................................................................................

RESUME...........................................................................................................................................................

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY.........................................................................................................................

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES..............................................................................................................................

45-47

at different levels of ecosystems and what advantages/disadvantages there are to different altitudes. The overall goal is to accommodate our wildlife and improve the coexistence between the human, the animal,

•

Can an architectural structure be designed to support biodiversity

•

Can an architectural structure help patch the chain of dependency

•

What educational opportunities about wildlife conservation

in a wildlife habitat and help sustain the population of a species? in an ecosystem that’s currently at threat? can be incorporated?

TERMS OF CRITICISM •

Did the architectural structure provide shelter for the wildlife

•

Did the architectural structure fix a threatened chain of dependency?

•

Did the project provide educational strategies for the public to take

in the area and help sustain the population of a species?

part in wildlife conservation?

ABSTRACT This thesis touches on the concept of Biodiversity and how humans can contribute to create and maintain healthy habitats for all. The project is a Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center located in Steep Falls, Maine along the Saco River. The site is located on a brown field that contains ruins of what used to be a paper mill in the early 1900s. While the current lot is vacant and isn’t home to many species, my plan is to rejuvenate the once thriving area and welcome in a diverse group of plants and animals and establish a base for a growing future. The goal of this project is to analyze the local species that are threatened and develop strategies for sustaining them through the built environment. My Wildlife Center will incorporate the techniques I develop into its structure in hopes of building upon the habitats that once flourished in this area.

CONCEPT MAP

The biggest challenge I foresee will be generating these strategies and adapting them to this site in particular. I plan to utilize different levels of biodiversity to find chains of dependencies that can survive in this area. By looking at all levels, I can understand what types of habitats will need to be developed on the site, and what resources they need. My hope is that once I develop the ideologies in this project, they can then be adapted for other locations with other threatened species.

Photo of trees in Limington, Maine, taken by me in September 2020.

METHODS OF INQUIRY

THESIS STATEMENT My thesis will explore biodiversity and the struggles our wildlife population faces. The thesis pinpoints critical areas where human and animal coexistence is most challenged and aims to improve the connection between them. The public will be engaged in the program in hopes of educating them about different species, the threats bestowed upon them, and how they can help sustain them for our future. Ecosystems carry many levels of dependency and it is important to ask ourselves, if we lose one species, what else are we losing? It is also important to look at different levels of ecosystems and what advantages/disadvantages there are to different altitudes. The overall goal is to accommodate our wildlife and improve the coexistence between the human, the animal, and the plant life they live in.

•

Can an architectural structure be designed to support biodiversity in a wildlife habitat and help sustain the population of a species?

•

Can a structure be adapted to different environmental conditions?

•

What educational opportunities about wildlife conservation can be incorporated?

TERMS OF CRITICISM FRAMING THE THESIS

Coexistence between humans, animals, and plant life

This thesis is important because it investigates the levels of biodiversity and improves the balance between humans and wildlife. It provides solutions to give targeted species a chance of survival and create better coexistence. It also helps maintain the chain of dependency throughout the ecosystem. Educational opportunities are important to incorporate because it gives important information over to the public so they can contribute in their own way to their local habitats.

Chain of dependency amongst species

•

Did the architectural structure provide shelter for the wildlife in the area and help sustain the population of a species?

•

Was the designed structure adaptable for different locations?

•

Did the project provide educational strategies for the public to take part in wildlife conservation?

CONCEPT DRAWING

CONCEPT MODEL

Balance between the built and the natural. Providing shelter for the natural but giving them freedom to grow. We can control the built portion of the project and the vegetation planted on site, the animals will respond and adapt to it. The modeled shelter is partially open to represent the nooks designed for the animals to make their homes in.

PERFORMANCE PROGRAM

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

The car pulled to the strip of land off the side of the narrow road. The family of four got out and stepped into the woods, slowly emerging into a sea of green up to where the eye could see. The sounds shifted from motor vehicles to the roar of local wildlife and the rushing water of a nearby creek. The youngest son was intrigued by all the critters he saw as if they were straight out of the book he was reading on the way over. In front of them immersed in the landscape was an oasis of the built and natural environment. A family of deer played in the nearby field, while a flock of birds swooped low to gather their mid-day meal.

This thesis improves the lives of communities because it repairs and sustains habitats that are important to biodiversity. The thesis responds to critical ecosystems in danger by providing designed solutions to patch broken chains of demand. The design presents a hub for education and rehabilitation that the community can contribute to in order to maintain the balance of their local environment. While the project is located at a specific site, the design strategies used can be adapted to different habitats globally, in an effort to improve as much of the endangered wildlife as possible. The design will use sustainable building methods and reclaimed materials in hopes to minimally disturb the site. The materials will be locally sourced to lower the greenhouse gas emissions of the project and maintain local flora and fauna. Currently, many toxic materials are used in basic building construction mainly due to their cheaper costs and easy use. The project will use healthier materials that take a more holistic approach to their life cycle. The full life cycle of each material will be analyzed to ensure it will not release toxins into the environment once the project is past its current use. The site chosen is a current brown field that was previously built on and is now unused. This site choice minimizes unnecessary development of the natural environment while helping to replenish the already touched landscaping. The improvement of the site will help develop and expand habitats for the local wildlife.

The wooden boards of the winding ramp led the family into the building where the fresh scent of cedar reminded them of their family cabin not too far away. There was a sense of warmth and welcoming to the space that urged them to explore every inch. The overhead canopies were filled with nests tucked between ledges as bird families developed. The roof line held a family of bats catching their sleep for the day. Tucked around the back of the building was a group of squirrels burrowing their food for the upcoming colder months. The further you looked, the more wildlife you could see living within the building elements. The family began to realize that this building wasn’t just built for them to visit, it also was the home for these animals.

Henry David Thoreau’s Walden Pond Cabin

Overall, this thesis revolves around the concept of improving a local habitat and creating better balance between the humans, animals, and plants that utilize it. The project’s impact can then be applied to other habitats and increase the well-being of our general culture.

Photo of Mt. Katahdin in Maine, taken by me in March 2021.

CASE STUDIES

Marissa Mayo

Sevenoaks Visitor Center

CASE STUDIES

The Wild Mile

Sevenoaks, United Kingdom

Chicago, Illinois

This case study transforms a formerly polluted, humancase controlled into a newa urban sanctuary. This studycanal transforms formerly polluted,

This case study encourages balance and harmony with its natural surroundings. The lifestyles of local plants and

There are floating gardens throughout the site that human controlled canal into a new urban sanctuary.

wildlife are integrated into the building design. They

There are floating gardens throughout the site that

are able to use the buildings envelope and structure for

provide habitats to different local wildlife species.

many of their natural activities. The stepping facade

The community is heavily engaged in the project to

provide habitats to different local wildlife species. The community is heavily engaged in the project to provide feedback and even help install the

vegetation. The project aims to expand existing

creates spaces for animals to nest, plants to grow, and

provide even help the vegetation. habitats feedback and createand a diverse set ofinstall new ones

spectators to safely observe the wildlife without

The projecttheaims throughout river.to expand existing habitats and

disruption.

create a diverse set of new ones throughout the river.

Transformation Floor Plan

River View

Photos and diagrams from PiM.studio Architects

Community Engagement

Urban Planning

Ecosystem

Photos and diagrams from Wild Mile Chicago Website

CASE STUDIES

John Deere Pavilion Moline, Illinois

This casestudy study represents a missed opportunity This case represents a missed opportunity for for wildlife integration design. wildlife integration in design.inThe pavilionThe pavilion encourages anti-animal design strategies including encourages anti-animal design strategies including

Walden Pond Visitor Center Maryann Thompsen Architects | Concord, MA

bird spikes The building is an bird spikesand andnetting. netting. The building is enclosed an enclosed exhibit space for the John Deere tractors with an

exhibit space for the John Deere tractors with an industrial steel and glass enclosure. This design could

industrial steel and glass enclosure. This design have been improved by opening up the facade and

could have been improved by opening up the facade creating a semi-open space where airflow allows for

and semi-open where airflowthe allows birdscreating to safelyaenter and exitspace the facility without for birds to safely enter and exitplaced the facility without need for deterrents. The plant-life on a porthe deterrents. on a tion need of the for plaza could haveThe beenplant-life extendedplaced to create different of garden habitats for the few been harmless local to portion the plaza could have extended insect species as garden well. create different habitats for the few harmless

local insect species as well.

Bird Spikes

Interior

Exterior

The Walden Pond Visitor Center is a local

Walden: Or, Life in the Woods

case study that celebrates integration with

This literary case study by Henry David Thoreau provides

the site. The building is LEED Gold and

inspiration about life in the woods. Thoreau discusses the

Net Zero Energy and contains all-electric,

concepts of solitude, simplicity, meditation, and more that can

net-zero consumption technologies. This

be applied to my thesis. His appreciation of nature and natural

case study is helpful for learning how

processes is the basis for my ideas and I hope to achieve these

to integrate sustainable systems into a

feelings through my project.

nature-based project. The project also uses locally sourced materials that help maintain systems in all seasons.

“We need the tonic of wildness...At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be indefinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. We can never have enough of nature.”

Bird Netting

Photos from John Deere Website and Amazon

100

-Henry David Thoreau, Walden: Or, Life in the Woods

CASE STUDIES

Beach Wildlife Center

Iztuzu Beach, Turkey | Kaat Architects | 2019 National Competition This case study takes careful precautions to minimize disturbance to the land it is built

Geometry

on. The building is a Research, Rescue and Rehabilitation Center for Sea Turtles for Iztuzu Beach. The land itself and the species it supports are a rare ecosystem that needs protection. The building curves throughout the natural tree layout of the

Additive and Subtractive

space and follows the sea edge. The layout strategically doesnt let trees touch eachother to avoid disturbance and allow for healthy growth. The structure is up on stilts to allow for creatures to roam beneath and maintain soil health.

Boundaries

Structure

Massing

Plan and Section

Natural Light

Circulation to Use

101

CONSTRUCTED ARGUMENT/ BUILDING SYSTEM INTEGRATION STATEMENT

MATERIALITY AND LOGISTICS

The biggest challenge with integrating building systems into my project will be minimizing site disturbance and noise levels. I would like to use sustainable strategies for both mechanical and natural systems. Since the site is in an area that experiences all four seasons, the building systems will need to adapt to different temperature changes. Some strategies I will incorporate will be PV arrays, electric radiant floor heating, and an electric heat pump system. The windows will be operable to allow for natural ventilation in the warmer months, but will need glazing to help maintain comfort levels in the colder months. Other structural elements such as overhangs will help shade the building when needed but also act as shelter for smaller wildlife.

Materiality is key to this thesis project. The way the building materials are fabricated, transported, assembled, and sustained are all critical elements to consider. Locally sourced materials will be used as much as possible to cut down on transportation distances. Building crews that are from the area will be best to use since they are familiar with the natural surroundings and know the best strategies to use for development without detriment. The largest challenge will be accessing the site to bring in materials, utilities and machinery, while minimally disturbing the surroundings. The site is close enough to the town power grid where it can be hooked up for site utilities without causing too much disturbance. Once the building is constructed, PV arrays will help supply power to the building to minimize the need for grid power.

Another component of sustainable systems will be site applications. Since the site is located along a river edge, controlling runoff will be important to maintaining the integrity of the land. Bioswales, rain gardens, and other site strategies will be implemented to minimize runoff potential and encourage the water to infiltrate instead. These different site elements will allow for a diverse group of plant species to provide resources for the animals on site year round. What’s unique about this project is the balance of importance between maintaining comfort for both human and animal users. Both will need to be considered when designing the building systems to account for placement, intensity, and appearance of the equipment. Walden Pond Visitor Center as a Case Study

Building Components The building form chosen will try to minimally disturb the landscaping it sits on. Posts and beams that raise the building up off the ground will be helpful in accomplishing this. How the building ages overtime is also important in this thesis. The building should age with grace and not release toxins as it decomposes. The building in its first use will have animal habitats integrated into it. This should still be the case as it weathers and changes overtime. Planning for this, natural materials will be ideal to use for construction so they work with the surrounding landscape to provide and maintain these habitats.

This project exposes all structural and building systems to provide educational opportunities about sustainable building strategies. I would like to use this strategy as well in my building design because I feel it provides a visual learning tool that the public can engage with. By providing this level of transparency, I hope the public begins to take more interest in these strategies and implements them on other projects.

102

SITE CONTEXT SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS

HISTORY AND SITE LANDMARK

Steep Falls, Maine

The site was previously used for the Androscoggin Pulp Mill up until the late 1930’s. In 1937, a large fire caused the building to burn down, leaving only it’s stone foundation to remain. Still there today, the stone structure lays along the water’s edge, and is a visible landmark of the site from the road. It was important to me that the site chosen was a previously used site, so my project was not developing on untouched land. Part of sustainability is looking at the building process as a whole, and reclaiming already utilized land is a good practice to help minimize human footprints.

I chose this site in Steep Falls Maine because of its rural location as well as the potential opportunities to create and expand habitats. I have visited this local area multiple times throughout the past few years and there is a great sense of community and respect for nature. The town is about 30 miles from the nearest city, Portland, and has a population of 1600 residents. There are several lakes and rivers nearby that attract seasonal tourists, many of which have family homes that they stay in. This site in particular is along the Eastern edge of the Saco River, which flows from the White Mountains in New Hampshire, to the Saco Bay along the Atlantic Ocean in Southern Maine. Maine state Route 11 will take you to this site, this road stretches from the New Hampshire border, travels North through Maine and eventually crosses into Canada.

N 20

103

DISTRICTS

SITE CONDITIONS

Maine Geoparcel Map

The site gets a large amount of sun exposure which can be beneficial for building systems and utilizing natural light in my building. The portion of the Saco River that passes through the site is relatively shallow. There is not boat traffic through the area, just small fish species can flow down this portion of river. The river edges are calm and shallow as they slope up to the land. The mill ruins create a cove of shallow, still water. When I eventually design my project, I will be utilizing this space to create one of the small habitat areas.

Commercial

Residential Current Path

Commercial

Site

Farming

Sun Path

Residential

Farming

N The site is in a very rural location, but the local town provides an array of land use. It is a mostly residential area; 4/20/2021, 10:01:17 PM 0 0.23 however, there are a few small sections of commercial streets with local stores and businesses. The outskirts of town are lined with large lakes and farmlands. 0

0.35

1:36,112 0.45 0.7

0.9 mi 1.4 km

Maxar Maine Geolibrary Not for legal description of property. User assumes any risk associated with this map and data it contains.

104

EDGES

NODES

The site edges are defined by the main road Route 11 to the West, the Saco River to the South, a thick treeline to the East, and a small residential street to the North. I plan to make the North edge more private by adding in greenery to separate my site from the houses, making it a more inviting place for wildlife.

There are a short series of nodes as you approach and travel through the site. Upon arrival, there is a designated parking circle that not so warmly welcomes you to the current site. Then you travel through a boundary of trees and land upon a transition space between the street and the greenery in front of you. On the far end of the site there is currently an open field that acts as an open node of space to build upon. There are a few nodes along the waters edge where it is shallow and forms a beach where you can rest.

Beach

Entry Parking/Entry Transition

Open Space Shallow

105

PATHS

51 ME-11

Route 11 approaching the site

Access to west portion of site

B C

D D

The site has small overgrown paths on either side of the bridge currently. They are not very inviting and can cause confusion as to if you’re allowed on the lands or not. I would like to make these paths more defined and welcoming to the public to guide them in the right direction without disrupting the animal habitats. Image capture: Oct 2016

Maine Google

Street View

Parking on site

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SITE REQUIREMENTS

ADDITIONAL SITE PHOTOS

Zoning District:

Shoreline Development District

Minimum Shore Frontage:

200’ for public and private recreation facilities

Setbacks:

Front = 50’ | Side: 25’ | Rear: 20’

Building Height:

35’ Max allowed (per local zoning)

Parking:

50’ setback from the shoreline 10’x20’ spaces, 20’ aisle clearances

Stormwater:

Must make efforts to minimize stormwater runoff When possible, use berms, swales, terraces, and woods to reduce runoff and encourage infiltration

50’

~80,000 SF site

200’

Shore Frontage

35’ max Building Height Allowance

200’ Photo of Saco River, taken by me in October 2020.

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VISUALIZING THE PROGRAM / SCHEDULED APPROACH STATEMENT

LOCAL THREATENED SPECIES

Client:

Town of Steep Falls Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife

Currently on site:

Building Use:

Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center

Users:

Animals - will have habitats built into and around the building Residents (Local and Seasonal) - will visit the site to observe wildlife and learn how they can contribute to their local conservation efforts Visitors - will come to the site to observe wildlife and utilize the educational opportunities Scientists | Wildlife personnel - will curate and study the built habitats Schools - can form educational field trips to the site to learn about conservation Youth Groups | Community Groups - can help maintain the facility

Common Sanddragon | Pygmy Snaketail [Both species of dragonfly]

The project not only contains built program, but also includes integrated wildlife habitats throughout the building and around the site. The program is for both animals and humans to use in their own way. The design will mainly revolve around what the animals and habitats need for survival, and the human program is in addition to that to provide education to the public about wildlife conservation. Maine Building Codes:

IBC Classifications:

2015 International Building Code (IBC) 2017 Nation Electrical Code (NFPA 70) 2018 Fire Code (NFPA 1) 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2018 Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) 2013 ASHRAE Standards 90.1, 62.1, 62.2 2010 ADA Standards

Use and Occupancy Classification: Construction Type: Allowed Stories: Allowable Area: Egress: Occupant Load:

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Assembly A-3 Vb (Combustible) 2 Stories, sprinklered 24,000 SF at least 2 means of egress 30 net (exhibition) 7 net (assembly) 20 net (classroom)

Upstream from site: Inland Wading and Waterfowl Birds [Ducks, geese, heron]

Other local species: Redfin Pickerel

Blanding’s Turtle | Box Turtle

Various Butterflies

Various Birds

Little Brown Bat | Northern Long-eared Bat

Cobblestone Tiger Beetle

New England Cottontail

Twilight Moth

Black Racer Snake

Bees 31

BUILDING PROGRAM RELATIONSHIPS

BUILDING PROGRAM My project aims to blend the boundary between human, animal, and plant habitation. Following this scheme, I am proposing a new wildlife rehabilitation and education center in this area. The program will consist of 10,000-15,000 SF of both public and private areas for researching and constructing habitats, education, and exhibition. The building mass will be dispersed into different clusters of program relating to one another, instead of being one concentrated form. This layout will provide more surface area to integrate habitats into the structure and blend into the surrounding landscape. A number of exterior program opportunities will also be introduced on site such as new animal habitats, gardens, developing the water’s edge, and viewing platforms for the public. Vehicular access to the site will be limited to reduce disruption to the habitats, a small access road for utilities/maintenance will be included. Separate parking will be right off the street where only pedestrians can then travel through the site. For the most part, the public areas will be integrated with one another to achieve learning opportunities. The private program will be separated from the public to give the scientists and wildlife teams a designated space for their work with the habitats.

Program Elements and Floor Area Lobby Program Size:

Private Workshop Storage

200 SF

Cafe

200 SF

Exhibition

500 SF

5,000 SF

Admin

4,000 SF

Classroom

200 SF

MEP Rooms

Support

1,000 SF

Restrooms

200 SF

Water Edge

Building Total

10,000 SF

Remainder of Site

2,000 SF

500 SF

Public

Exterior

1,000 SF

Admin Offices Gardens

Parking

Animal Habitats Maintenance Storage

200 SF

Services Area

200 SF

Lounge Spaces

100 SF

Presentation Room

1,000 SF

Viewing Platforms

Public Workshop

2,000 SF

Rehabilitation Area

1,500 SF

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BLOCK DIAGRAM

BUBBLE DIAGRAM

Project Cost Estimate *Value based off the Walden Pond Visitor Center Nature Center: ~$450/SF Building Size: 10,000 SF - 15,000 SF

This project cost estimate is based off of average costs of nature/wildlife centers in the New England Area. I used the Walden Pond Visitor Center as a benchmark because my project will have similar building systems, program, and materials. I slightly increased the SF value from that case study to account for additional landscaping design I will need to make to create the animal habitats.

Cost Estimate: $4.5M - $6.75M in total

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BLENDING BOUNDARIES

CONCEPT MODEL SITE INTEGRATION

Indoors Outdoors Ground Sky Water Land Animals Humans Built Natural

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PRESENTATION PANELS

38 112

39 113

40 114

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SCHEDULE OF REQUIREMENTS Week 1-3: Introductory/Preliminary Review Develop 3 possible schemes Pinpoint exact issues I’m working with Develop preliminary strategies for habitats

Week 5: Schematic Review Choose 1 scheme to continue developing for the semester Establish clear habitat strategies Integrate sustainable building systems

Week 9: Design Development Review Preliminary set of documents for the final Bringing all concepts together into cohesive presentation

Week 13: Final Review Final design and documentation

Week 15: Final Book Due Sign and submit final book

Graduation Dec 2021 42 116

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ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY Grillo, Oscar and Venora, Gianfranco, Ecosystems Biodiversity. Croatia: InTech, 2011. https://www.intechopen.com/books/ecosystems-biodiversity This book is helpful in my research because it contains overviews about biodiversity and the different subcategories of it. It also provides geographical locations of different biodiversity case studies. It provides good general knowledge helps pinpoint different topics of biodiversity to focus on. Ewing, Reid and Kostyack, John with Chen, Don, Stein, Bruce and Ernst, Michelle. Endangered by Sprawl: How Runaway Development Threatens America’s Wildlife. Washington, D.C.: National Wildlife Federation, Smart Growth America, and NatureServe, 2005. This book provides insight about human activities and their effects on wildlife. It provides facts about current risks to habitats and what their future looks like. The book also discusses different ways humans can improve their lifestyles to better support our ecosystem and I can apply these methods to my thesis. Backlund, Peter, Janetos, Anthony and Schimel, David. The Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture, Land Resources, Water Resources, and Biodiversity in the United States. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2008. https://downloads.globalchange.gov/sap/sap4-3/sap4.3-final-all.pdf This book discusses how climate change effects biodiversity and ecosystems. This issue plays a large role in the destruction of wildlife habitats so it is a good resource to pinpoint different threats and develop solutions to them. Wilson, Edward Osborne, National Research Council. Biodiversity. Washington, D.C.: The National Academies Press, 1988. https://doi.org/10.17226/989 This book touches upon the value of biodiversity and how humans depend on the different plant and animal species involved. It is a good resource for generating educational opportunities to incorporate into my thesis. Ingraham, Catherine. Architecture Animal Human The Asymmetrical Condition. New York: Taylor & Francis Group, 2005. This book looks at the importance of animals and what would happen if they were removed. This provides good insight about what processes depend on animals and what we need to repair in our ecosystems to avoid this. The book also discusses urbanism and how animals get intertwined in it.

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Biodiversity: https://www.esa.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/biodiversity.pdf Henry David Thoreau: https://www.walden.org/what-we-do/library/thoreau/ https://www.walden.org/property/thoreaus-cabin-site/ Anti-Animal Architecture: https://foodsafetytech.com/column/strategies-and-building-design-improvements-to-help-prevent-birds/ https://www.buildings.com/articles/34600/bird-prevention-your-buildings Case Studies: https://futurearchitectureplatform.org/projects/b037ad3a-5bef-4821-8c38-22116e424a8f/ https://architizer.com/projects/sevenoaks-visitro-centre/ https://www.urbanriv.org/ https://www.wildmilechicago.org/ https://www.deere.com/en/connect-with-john-deere/visit-john-deere/pavilion/ https://www.archdaily.com/929554/kaat-architects-designs-new-beach-wildlife-center-in-turkey https://inhabitat.com/sea-turtle-rescue-center-mimics-the-natural-ecosystems-in-turkey/ https://maryannthompson.com/projects/walden-pond-visitor-center http://realestate.boston.com/design-new-england/2017/10/05/peek-inside-walden-ponds-new-visitor-center/ Additional Case Studies: https://www.architectmagazine.com/project-gallery/crystal-cove-wildlife-observatory_o https://www.npr.org/2019/04/20/710054899/in-korean-dmz-wildlife-thrives-some-conservationists-worry-peace-could-disrupt-i https://www.caandesign.com/lts-house-by-apio-arquitectos/ https://www.behance.net/gallery/82251093/GENE-BANK-Research-Centre-Peradeniyam-Sri-Lanka https://gbdmagazine.com/nature-center-design/ Invasive Species: https://education.seattlepi.com/examples-organisms-endangered-due-invasive-species-4370.html Climate Change: https://www.globalchange.gov/browse/reports/sap-43-effects-climate-change-agriculture-land-resources-water-resources-and 45 119

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Maine Endangered Species: https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/endangered-threatened-species/listed-species.html Site Logistics https://www.wpowerproducts.com/news/how-construction-sites-get-power/ https://yr-architecture.com/key-considerations-when-building-in-remote-locations/ Brownfields: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-06/documents/bf_booklet.pdf https://www.sureset.co.uk/blog/brownfield-or-greenfield/ https://www.mass.gov/service-details/smart-growth-smart-energy-toolkit-modules-brownfields Healthy Building Materials: https://healthymaterialslab.org/material-collections/healthy-insulation-materials https://www.ewg.org/healthyhomeguide/insulation/ Landscape: https://vividmaps.com/forest-types-of-new-england/ https://aces.nmsu.edu/county/valencia/documents/bee-friendly-garden-list.pdf https://www.truegridpaver.com/ Maine Conservation: https://web.colby.edu/stateofmaine2012/state-of-large-landscape-conservation-in-maine/ Site Information https://saltwaterghosts.wordpress.com/2018/10/31/mill-ruins/ http://heathfarm.bravehost.com/pulpmillfire.html https://maine.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=28e35c8fcf514d2685357b78bdd0b246 https://www.maine.gov/megis/maps/ https://maine-community.maps.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html# http://www.steepfalls.com/ https://ecode360.com/6382121#29444870 https://ecode360.com/6383998 https://webapps2.cgis-solutions.com/beginningwithhabitat/map2/ https://up.codes/viewer/maine/ibc-2015/ 46 120

IMAGE RESOURCES Animal/Plant/Human Icons and Concept Drawing: (Originals gathered from google images/pinterest, further editing by me) Walden Pond: https://literaryamerica.net/authors/henry-david-thoreau/ http://www.toposonline.nl/2017/book-review-henry-david-thoreau-walden/ Sevenoaks Visitor Center: https://architizer.com/projects/sevenoaks-visitro-centre/ Wild Mile Chicago: https://www.urbanriv.org/ https://www.wildmilechicago.org/ John Deere Pavilion: https://johndeerejournal.com/2019/06/new-passport-promises-a-first-of-its-kind-john-deere-adventure/ https://www.deere.com/en/connect-with-john-deere/visit-john-deere/pavilion/ Walden Pond Visitor Center: https://maryannthompson.com/projects/walden-pond-visitor-center http://realestate.boston.com/design-new-england/2017/10/05/peek-inside-walden-ponds-new-visitor-center/ Beach Wildlife Center: https://www.archdaily.com/929554/kaat-architects-designs-new-beach-wildlife-center-in-turkey https://inhabitat.com/sea-turtle-rescue-center-mimics-the-natural-ecosystems-in-turkey/ Historical Site Photos: http://www.steepfalls.com/ Present-Day Site Photos: Google Maps Street Viewer https://saltwaterghosts.wordpress.com/2018/10/31/mill-ruins/ The remainder are self-photographed Mellow Primary School https://www.swarch.co.uk/work/mellor-primary-school/ Species Photos: https://www.3blmedia.com/archive/201707?page=11 https://www.bu.edu/articles/2018/why-marburg-virus-cant-kill-bats/ https://www.maine.gov/ifw/docs/endangered/blackracer_82_83.pdf https://www.maxpixel.net/Duck-Nest-Sleep-Hide-Brood-Wild-Mother-Female-5052373 121

MARISSA MAYO | THESIS FALL 2021 | MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE | THE BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE