Water Resource Experiment Station

Abstract

Students in this studio were asked to design a Water Resource Experiment Station at a site on the bank of the Missouri River west of Linton and South of Bismarck, North Dakota. The students were given presentations by studio collaborators from the Biology Department and the Department of Civil Engineering concerning the use of constructed wetlands to clean waste water from the laboratory and rain water harvesting from the building’s exterior to add fresh water to the clean waste water for the use of the laboratory. Each design is approximately 20,000 square feet in area, has public parking and public toilets accessible from the exterior and is intended to be open to the public for their use after hours and on the weekends. I have chosen to use the driftwood that lines the banks of the site as my inspiration. Each piece is unique in its characteristic. The flow of the grain inspired the circulation of my building as well as the drive into the site and movement around the ponds. As a research facility, it was important to me to promote the teaching aspect and sharing of information with the public, specifically children. I have incorporated observation opening to encourage a moment of learning. The vegetation on the site has informed the use of planted roofs which provide a visual calmness to the office spaces and help to cool the structure. The rain water that is not absorbed through the plantings is then moved through drains off the building to be collected in the ponds below. Views to the Missouri River were essential in the orientation of the structure. All office areas have a breathtaking view.