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The Watchtower
Instructor: Emily Stover & Joseph Hang
BDA Studio: Arch 3250
Individual
Year: 2017
The Watchtower: Welcome
This collage shows ways in which a nature center will bring recreation to this underutilized space, while still recognizing the historic value of the old grain buildings and the animals that have made this place their home. People can walk around trails and enjoy a small duck pond, or bring a picnic to the site and watch the birds.
The Watchtower: Quote
The Watchtower
Bringing Life to an Abandoned Granary
The basis for this project was understanding an underutilized space on campus and re-imagining how this area can better serve the community. The Granary Corridor is located one mile from the University of Minnesota campus. The site itself has several abandoned grain buildings, which are a historic landmark, but are often misused and a danger to those visiting the site.
There were several species of birds who flocked to the site and took refuge in the old grain buildings. These birds brought life to this area and inspired the design or the structure. The Watchtower is build in a nest-like pattern, where layers are added on top of one another and woven together to create a spiraling effect. In the tower, hexagon shape winds around itself in varying sizes, which forms small nooks where a bird can construct their nest. Vines and vegetation can also grow out of these nooks and people can observe the birds from below.
The Watchtower creates a unique opportunity for people to learn about the birds from a close proximity. There are also several places surrounding the nesting tower that create a comfortable resting area for people. Here the historic buildings can be seen from a safe distance.
The Watchtower: Projects
The Watchtower: Work
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