Alison Ledwith

integrated structure

LCRA Environmental Learning Center, Matagorda Nature Park, Matagorda, TX

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The Lower Colorado River Authority maintains a series of nature centers, including a small center in Matagorda, TX. A second, larger building is desired in the area to include conference space, exhibits, and offices for the nearby region. This 12,000 square foot nature center can function either as an enclosed center or as an open pavilion. Since the river is a fundamental portion of the mission, this building has been sited half upon land and half in water. The lower level includes decks, docks, and expendable program elements to accommodate the fifteen foot storm surge in the area. The upper level features the main spaces. All of these components are beneath a curved photovoltaic roof with integral gutters, which provides a substantial percentage of the electricity and rainwater needs of the building.

Program Description

One can explore the docks on the lower level or proceed upstairs to the exhibit and conference spaces. The longest bar, spanning both over land and water, is the main exhibit space of the building. To accomodate the flexible needs of the center, sliding walls form both the exterior perimeter and interior subspaces for classroom needs. The bar along the entry includes the conference space and support facilities, while the terminal angled bar houses an observation deck for bird watching. This center is part of a larger development plan including the parking area and a nature trail for incorporating exhibits within the lagoons.

Form and Structure

The building uses a 20’x20′ modular grid in all bars of the program. The three programmatic bars form an outdoor courtyard space, which can also be used for conference proceedings. Roof level on the second floor is dictated by program and creates an overall umbrella-like canopy over the space. Construction details of this system continue the umbrella metaphor in creating a structural grid with separate components resisting gravity and uplift. The roof bends into two cores used to house rainwater collection and native aquatic life; in addition to their programmatic purpose, these cores are reinforced for shear to guard against hurricane force winds. The remaining structural elements of the building include a glulam frame and concrete pile foundation, whose continuous load path is indicated in the large-scale construction details.

 Environmental Learning Center

The architecture of the building seeks not just to house conferences on environmental learning but to use the building itself as an instructional tool. To that end, all services are integrated and exposed, such as the use of the roof to channel rainwater into collection tanks. Walls in the building completely open up for natural ventilation, allowing the conditioning to occur without the use of electricity during the better weather seasons in the region. Integrated cool beams provide additional climate control when natural efforts are insufficient. Photovoltaic panels, LED lighting, and the use of stable ground and water temperatures in system design minimize the energy use of the building.

Documentation

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Winery, Tow, TX

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This 30,000 square foot winery is located on the hill above the vineyards. Formally resembling a rock outcropping, this cantilever structure extends over the landscape and orients the visitor toward the view below.

Building Approach

Trees obscure the approach to the building until reaching the tip of the cantilever. The road circles the structure to allow a full view of the building and terminates at the rear. The threelevel winery is a collection of nine 40’ modules, which have been stacked and nestled in the landscape. The building is on axis with the vineyards and the lake beyond, which allows for views from modules.

The Operation of a Winery

Winery operation requires that an extensive set of programmatic requirements be met to facilitate the linear manufacture process. The second level is the main and entry level of the building, where trucks load and unload materials. The southwest bar of the building includes the laboratory, bottling line, and chemical storage facilities. The central bar includes the two-story fermentation tank space with an occupiable catwalk at ground level for tours and maintenance, as well as the barrel storage and cafe of the building. The northeast bar of the building includes sales, administration, and additional outdoor seating for the cafe.

In addition to the sectional organization, in plan the building operates with the tours taking place on the main and upper levels, while back-of-house operations occur on the lower level of the building. Finally, all spaces included on the main manufacture line have been designed for forklift operation and turning radii.

Sound Building

The project not only considers the programmatic requirements but also the technical requirements of structure and mechanical systems. The construction section and 1/2″ = 1′ bay model of the building demonstrate the structural premises of integrally cast concrete with slabs and walls as the sides of a “box beam.” Duct systems are sized in the mechanical diagrams and exposed in the work spaces; in contrast, a finish ceiling is included in the cafe and visitor spaces. Open web joist catwalks form the second level of the fermentation room for proper tank maintenance. Finally, the site plan meets requirements for parking, water retention, grading, and truck clearances and turning radii.

Interior

The thick walls necessary for the structural design create an earthy, cave-like quality in the interior spaces, with board-formed texture imitating rock strata. In areas where the thickness is not required for structural integrity of the cantilever, window openings have been included. In addition, the concrete walls are constructed with cavity spaces in the non-cantilever portion of the building; these cavities function as light wells with light filtering through gaps in the board-formed texture on the walls. Additional lighting is found at the oriented ends of the tubes; most ends are simply doubly-glazed, but the wine shop features water-filled wine bottles filtering the light to protect the integrity of bottled wine in the room.

Documentation

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