The focus of this project was imminent sea level rise. Our site is on Pigeon Key, an isolated island in the Florida Keys.  Utilized as the main hub during the construction of the Henry Flagler railroad, the island anchors part of the Seven Mile Bridge on its soil.  The island is naturally low in elevation and very flat, roughly 4 feet above sea level. We aimed to design a complex that could still stand if the island were to flood due to storm or sea level rise. The main level of inhabitation and circulation occurs 12 feet above ground level; this is where the first floor of our building is placed. Another level of circulation takes place at 24 feet above ground level.

2 person project. April 2017.

Site Plan

Plans

Elevations and Sections

It was important for us to design a building that was appropriate for the region. We did not want to introduce a vernacular that was not relevant to the original construction of the island. The use of steel construction allowed us to compliment the existing steel construction of the Flagler Railroad that anchors right on Pigeon Key. The A-frame trusses enclosing the buildings of the complex creates a relationship with the exposed steel of the railroad on the site. The shape of the trusses also mimics the wooden column system that hold up the access ramp to the island.

Detailed Section Perspective of Lobby Building

We created multiple skins for our building that respond to shading, cooling, and lighting. The first skin is a linear wood shading system that diffuses sunlight in rooms that are enclosed in glass curtain walls. This skin also controls natural light and acts as a privacy screen in the private offices. The second skin is a louvered wall and door system that controls sunlight, ventilation, and temperature. This system allows inhabitants to control whichever factor they’d like by opening or closing multiple doors. We also designed with respect to visibility and views. For example, we encased the open lab in a glass curtain wall and positioned the room along the main pedestrian bridge in the complex; this provides visitors with a view of scientists and researchers working and on the opposite side, provides the scientists with a view of the sunset over the 7-mile bridge

Renderings

Software used:

Revit

AutoCAD

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator