balboa park nature center proposal

program: create a 10,000 sq. ft. nature center that will be a place to showcase the nearby nature along with the history of balboa park and the greater san diego area. the site is located at the east end of balboa park and extends across florida street over the canyon.

the goal of my nature center was to create a place where visitors could experience nature indoors and out all at once. i used the concept of "displaying nature" to drive the man details of my design. being indoors, one experiences framed views of either interior exhibits or exterior elements. i wanted to give the viewer direction in places where i felt views were important. for example, a visitor would stand at one of my window nook areas and have a framed view out to a specific group of trees or roses. i wanted to highlight specific areas outside as much as interior items.

*a few of the framed views that are created by the wooden curtain wall

another concept i incorporated was "organic growth." i wanted the building to look natural in its environment while at the same time showing the characteristics of a display case. the materials were evidence of this. i used mainly wooden 2x4 members, steel posts, glass, and wooden paneling; all of which are found in common display cases.

*detail of the material in the wooden curtain wall

the nature center serves as a flexible space where a vast amount of events can take place. such events consist of themed exhibits, large audience lectures, business lunch meetings, conferences, class field trips, and day trips. elements such as large open floor plans allow the nature center to be used in any way it is desired. however it is mainly set up with the interior exhibit space being a gallery for showcasing items/art/displays/informational placards/etc.

i wanted the nature center to flow with the current landscape and incorporate a strong interior/exterior relationship. glass walls establish a visual connection to the outdoors at all times and winding paths create a physical connection between the interior spaces and outdoor landscape. the first level (entrance) has windows that frame views to the outdoors along with an exit leading to an outdoor trail. this trail winds around the site making its way out to the nature while at the same time connecting the exterior amphitheater and gift shop to the primary building. the path also makes its way under the primary structure where it truly connects the nature center to the outdoors. visitors taking a seat at the downstairs cafe enjoy a truly active area with a large open floor plan with plenty of seating and at the time the trails direct bikers/runners/walkers around and under the building.

*site plan showing development of entire site given

the final main element to the building to mention is the wooden wall that wraps around the north to east side. this element is used in 2 main ways: 1) establish the framed views to exterior nature for visitors up on the first level, and 2) create a semi enclosed space on the second level where the cafe and seating area is located. the wall is made of 2x4 members layered with an even space in between the next 2x4. it diffuses light coming into the space as well as creating a possibility for implanting ivy growth. the wall is successful in creating a more enclosed space on the second level. i wanted the second level to be a place where visitors could come to have lunch and experience the outdoors. the wall element still enables for an outdoor experience and at the same time a more relaxing and comfortable one as well.

*building section showing spacial relationships and scale

* detail of the window nook.
center wall is used to define 2
individual spaces and frame an exterior view

*the final board is 36" vertical by 72" horizontal
(click on the image to see it enlarged)

MODEL:

i built my model using 1/16" thick basswood sheets at a model size of 1/8"=1'0". i spent two full days working on the model and was very pleased with how it turned out. it took me somewhere around 30 hours to build the model. i used a thin layer of plastic to represent the glass as well.

this was the first model where i put in every little detail from doors to each individual stair in a staircase. to really bring it to life i used an artificial grass material to represent the vegetation of the surrounding site. all in all i spent about $30 to build the model as i purchased the basswood, super glue, xacto blades, super glue accelerator, the cardboard, grass, plastic and tacky glue as well.