Drop In/Look Out

Architecture as Elevation

Nature Conservancy’s Warm Spring Mt. Preserve | Visitor’s Center

The building acknowledges that the visitors to the site are most likely traveling by car due to its remote location. That in combination with an awareness of prevailing winds and heavy snowfall, influence the form.

The design is integrated into the landscape by partly submerging it underground, making the parking area part of the landscape. This makes the first floor partly elevated, held up by stilts, appearing to be floating above ground, a statement of nonimposition on the landscape.

Collaborative effort with Fernanda Rosales, fellow student and friend, third-year CAUS competition