Assorted Works
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Biotic Diffuser
- Chronotopes
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Paper A+Airplanes
- Tending Chaos
- Public Condenser
- New Appalachian Rail
- [In]Tangible
- Placa de Glories
- Toll Creek Nursery
- Paperwork
Info
1. Biotic Diffuser
2023, University of Tennessee
Professor Kevin Stevens
Partner: Parker Greene
Architecture at Zero 2023 Merit Award
The Biotic Diffuser is a farm education facility in Allensworth, CA designed for the 2023 Architecture at Zero design competition. Allensworth is the first african american town in California, founded by colonal Allen Allensworth, located in Central Valley California. The project features tapered steel frame construction and cross laminated timber(CLT) and is divided into two programs. To the west is the farm education facility featuring market space, classrooms, offices, and storage sheds. To the east is a strip of residential units for participants of the program. Key drivers of this project are its dialect and resilience. The Central Valley of California is very knowledgeable in steel construction, and especially pre-engineered tapered steel framing. While steel’s upfront environmental cost is higher than biogenic materials, its low jobsite waste, economy, durability, resistance to seismic activity, low maintenance, and familiarity in the local area make it a system that becomes extremely practical, effective, and even eco-friendly over the course of the project’s life expenctancy. At the end of its life, the steel members may be unbolted and reused, or melted and recycled. To counter some of the carbon footprint of the steel construction, we have specified load-bearing CLT pods to be inserted into the steel framing system. These pods will provide enclosed spaces throughout the project. CLT displays great beauty in age. As Allensworth proudly displays its history, we believe that this project should portray its own history on its walls through patina as it begins to shape the future of Allensworth as its economic engine and cultural hub. Because the CLT on site will not be treated, it will be able to be fully reused, or it may be mulched or used for bio-fuel. Importantly, our project not only touches the earth lightly, but also impacts the earth lightly.
Areal Perspective