4th Year Project
Duration: 14 Weeks
Moore, OK
Sustainable design is essential for the Norman/Moore area because of the harsh weather conditions it often experiences such as tornados and flooding. The concept of void and mass used to create a space that can withstand these conditions was derived from the project. Durable concrete walls protect the building from the occasional tornadoes that run through the site. With concrete as the dominant choice of material, it protects against substantial water damage from the inevitable flooding of the site. The cantilevering parts of the building place much of the program on the second floor, leaving it untouched by the floodplain. Thus, the large mass of the first floor functioning as the storm shelter allows for the building to be positioned at the deep end of the flood plain. Nestled within the existing forest, the visitor center creates an atmosphere heavily influenced by nature. The purpose of the center is to promote curiosity and learning throughout the building. The workshops provide a space that allow members of the community to produce work that can later be showcased in the exhibition room or the large outdoor patio, thus provoking their curiosity and connectivity between the locals.