Third Year Projects
Wet Weather Education Center
Fall 2013, 15 Weeks
Wet Weather Issues of Pittsburgh: ALCOSAN, a waste water treatment facility, has a combined sewage and storm water system. When there is wet weather, ALCOSAN is unable to contain and treat all of the water coming into the system, which causes untreated water to flow into the rivers of Pittsburgh, which is a health hazard.
The Wet Weather Education Center is located along the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, just below ALCOSAN, a waste water treatment facility. This education center is meant assist ALCOSAN in educating the public about the wet weather issues that occur and what they can do to help make the water better for everyone. The building is broken up into 3 programmatic sections: problem, research, and solution. These spaces work together to allow for both visual and hands-on experiences so that the user can understand the problem, how it can be fixed, and what they can do on an individual level to help. Additionally, the building itself is a learning tool for those that visit. The roofs have low points that direct the flow of rainwater into a natural biorentention area. This water is then absorbed back into the ground, rather than flowing into the storm water pipes.
The Wet Weather Education Center is located along the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, just below ALCOSAN, a waste water treatment facility. This education center is meant assist ALCOSAN in educating the public about the wet weather issues that occur and what they can do to help make the water better for everyone. The building is broken up into 3 programmatic sections: problem, research, and solution. These spaces work together to allow for both visual and hands-on experiences so that the user can understand the problem, how it can be fixed, and what they can do on an individual level to help. Additionally, the building itself is a learning tool for those that visit. The roofs have low points that direct the flow of rainwater into a natural biorentention area. This water is then absorbed back into the ground, rather than flowing into the storm water pipes.
Brownsville, PA Waterfront
Spring 2014, 15 Weeks
During the 19th century, Brownsville, located along the Monongahela River, thrived as a transportation hub, industrial center, and boat-building powerhouse. Once the railway system was restructured and the steel industry in the area died out, Brownsville began to do so as well. Today, Brownsville has a meager population of about 2,000 and has little to offer in terms of leisure or attraction. Additionally, the town continues to turn its back against the river, both literally and figuratively, despite the efforts being put forth to make it better for the community.
My partner and I proposed that Brownsville establish a connection with the waterfront. First, we decided that Brownsville should demolition five of the abandoned buildings along the towns center that have their backs towards the water to create both a visual and physical connection. We then proposed creating a central green space for the community to gather. This space terraces down to the creek and leads to the riverfront dock system. We also proposed that the community utilize their barge-making industry that still exists today to create barge hotels to attract residents of the city of Pittsburgh to visit. These hotel barges lock into this dock system and create an area where the community and tourists can come together and appreciate all that the water has to offer. We believe that our design would allow Brownsville to once again thrive like it has in the past.
My partner and I proposed that Brownsville establish a connection with the waterfront. First, we decided that Brownsville should demolition five of the abandoned buildings along the towns center that have their backs towards the water to create both a visual and physical connection. We then proposed creating a central green space for the community to gather. This space terraces down to the creek and leads to the riverfront dock system. We also proposed that the community utilize their barge-making industry that still exists today to create barge hotels to attract residents of the city of Pittsburgh to visit. These hotel barges lock into this dock system and create an area where the community and tourists can come together and appreciate all that the water has to offer. We believe that our design would allow Brownsville to once again thrive like it has in the past.