Portal to Kenai Fjord National Park
REFLECTION SANCTUARY: KENAI FJORD NATIONAL PARK Bear Creek, Alaska, USA
Community College Design
Project Studio Project
The project was to design a non-denominational chapel in a National Park using unique natural elements as the inspiration for the partil. The chapel is designed to symbolically represent glacial erosion which created the Kenai fjords. Over time, the slow continuous movement of glaciers sculpt out ‘V’ shaped valleys to create a U-shaped fjord as represented in parti. The Capel creates a spiritual reaction by using compression to evoke tension while leading up to an open airy space. The chapel uses the merging of planes to represent the spiritual merging between one’s self and nature.
Arriving at the existing pervious parking, one starts the procession through the site by entering a portal designed with reclaimed heavy timber. The portal evokes tension as the path narrows and as the sides splay inward, representing the massive pressure of the gnawing glaciers while constricting then expanding as it is passed through. Through the columns and buttresses, the path to the outdoor gathering space. Entering the compressed vestibule, one enters the open lobby with narrow curtain walls and splayed columns to defuse light. Connected is a constricted corridor leading into the open chapel. It is primarily of laminated timber construction, the south wall is poured concrete for thermal mass. The buttresses merge with the splayed columns which are cut through by the beams showing the glacier that cuts through the fjord. The portal and chapel are merged with the landscape to convey a unity with nature. The chapel utilizes photovoltaic power, grey water collection, geothermal Heating and Cooling, and insulated windows. It would be designed with a goal of LEED gold.
LOCATIONEXIT GLACIER ROAD: View from Chapel
Chapel
60.194228 -149.587367
Portal Site
NATURAL INSPIRATIONAL IMAGES: The natural elements in Kenia Fjord are smooth and flowing in their appearance contrasting the extreme pressure and erosion that formed them.
Satellite Image of Bear Glacier
Overhang at Exit Glacier
Skerry at Kenai Fjord
ARCHITECTURAL INSPIRATIONAL IMAGES: The organic forms are reminiscent of the smooth glaciers in Kenia Fjord. Frank Gerhy’s Golden Fish Sculpture
Esan Rahmani’s Bamboo Pavilion for Communal Living. The woven bamboo casts dramatic shadows and provides diffused light to the interior. Conceptual Bridge
CONCEPT STATEMENT: To symbolically represent glacial erosion which created the Kenai fjords. Over time, the slow continuous movement of glaciers sculpt out ‘V’ shaped valleys to create a U-shaped fjord. The parti represents the abstracted curvilinear shape of the fjords, the smooth glacial erosion, and the immense pressure the glaciers used to form the fjords below. The Capel creates a spiritual reaction by using compression to evokes tension while leading up to a open airy space. The chapel uses the merging of planes to represent the spiritual merging between ones self and nature.
PARTI DIAGRAM:
General Design Principles: • Curvilinear • Tension • Relationship between • Topography and Structure • Translucent Frontal vs. Opaque Posterior • Shadow vs. Light
PARTI MODEL STUDIES: Generation One:
Generation Two:
Generation Three:
Plan View
Plan View
Plan View
Side Elevation
Side Elevation
Side Elevation
Front Elevation
Front Elevation
Front Elevation
The portal evokes tension as the path narrows and as the sides splay inward, representing the massive pressure of the gnawing glaciers.
PORTAL: Light passing through the timbers creates dramatic shadows and light on the interior of the portal.
The curved smooth north wall contrasts the paralleling timbers in front which create the same curved form.
The overhead plane enhances the tension of the portal and represents the magnitude of the glacier eroding surfaces below creating the natural features in Kenia Fjords. The translucent material further defuses natural light.
PORTAL FINAL MODEL
Plan View
Perspective View
Front View
Entrance View
Exit View
Engaging the Portal into the landscape provides a unity with nature. The curved paths enhance the concept of the curvilinear shape representing the fjords.
MEDITATION CHAPEL: BUBBLE DIAGRAM & PRELIMINARY FLOOR PLAN
The circulation through the site further solidifies the curvilinear shape of the parti diagram.
The curvilinear form of the floor plan follows the smooth curved surfaces that glacial erosion creates. The path through the chapel is flanked with spayed walls giving one the sense of being in the smooth valley of the fjord.
The curvilinear shape conveys the glacier erosion and creates tension as the form transforms.
MEDITATION CHAPEL: STUDY MODEL EVOLUTION
Plan View
North Elevation
South Elevation
South Elevation
West Elevation
West Elevation
MEDITATION CHAPEL- FINAL STUDY MODEL: Merging the glazing's mullions with the vertical planes shows the smooth glacial erosion and guides sight lines towards the river which cuts through the fjord.
Continuing the horizontal plane reinforces the parti and brings balance to the facade.
Elevating the topography constricts the space between the horizontal plane strengthens the sense of tension.
MEDITATION CHAPEL-DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
Plan View
Southern Rendering
North Elevation
MEDITATION CHAPEL- DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
North Elevation
Floor Plan
MEDITATION CHAPEL: TECTONICS The beam cuts through the post symbolical conveys the glacier creating the fjord.
The posts merge represents the glacier merging with the earth.
MEDITATION CHAPEL: INTERIOR PERSPECTIVE The chapel itself gives one a sense of openness and freedom which is elevated by the compressed path leading up to the chapel.
SUSTAINABLE CONSIDERATIONS: The site utilizes an existing pervious parking up to 50 and bicycle facilities.
The chapel has photovoltaics to produce on site energy. The HVAC system also utilizes geothermal heating and cooling.
The chapel is designed to use highly reflective roofs to reduce heat island effect, open spaces, and rain water management.
The contraction uses sustainable heavy timber and reclaimed materials.
The chapel uses graywater and by using native vegetation will have no need for outdoor water use.
The glazing is low-e while allowing for natural lighting and views. All materials are low VOC.
Community College Design
Project Studio Project
The project was to design a non-denominational chapel in a National Park using unique natural elements as the inspiration for the partil. The chapel is designed to symbolically represent glacial erosion which created the Kenai fjords. Over time, the slow continuous movement of glaciers sculpt out ‘V’ shaped valleys to create a U-shaped fjord as represented in parti. The Capel creates a spiritual reaction by using compression to evoke tension while leading up to an open airy space. The chapel uses the merging of planes to represent the spiritual merging between one’s self and nature.
Arriving at the existing pervious parking, one starts the procession through the site by entering a portal designed with reclaimed heavy timber. The portal evokes tension as the path narrows and as the sides splay inward, representing the massive pressure of the gnawing glaciers while constricting then expanding as it is passed through. Through the columns and buttresses, the path to the outdoor gathering space. Entering the compressed vestibule, one enters the open lobby with narrow curtain walls and splayed columns to defuse light. Connected is a constricted corridor leading into the open chapel. It is primarily of laminated timber construction, the south wall is poured concrete for thermal mass. The buttresses merge with the splayed columns which are cut through by the beams showing the glacier that cuts through the fjord. The portal and chapel are merged with the landscape to convey a unity with nature. The chapel utilizes photovoltaic power, grey water collection, geothermal Heating and Cooling, and insulated windows. It would be designed with a goal of LEED gold.
LOCATIONEXIT GLACIER ROAD: View from Chapel
Chapel
60.194228 -149.587367
Portal Site
NATURAL INSPIRATIONAL IMAGES: The natural elements in Kenia Fjord are smooth and flowing in their appearance contrasting the extreme pressure and erosion that formed them.
Satellite Image of Bear Glacier
Overhang at Exit Glacier
Skerry at Kenai Fjord
ARCHITECTURAL INSPIRATIONAL IMAGES: The organic forms are reminiscent of the smooth glaciers in Kenia Fjord. Frank Gerhy’s Golden Fish Sculpture
Esan Rahmani’s Bamboo Pavilion for Communal Living. The woven bamboo casts dramatic shadows and provides diffused light to the interior. Conceptual Bridge
CONCEPT STATEMENT: To symbolically represent glacial erosion which created the Kenai fjords. Over time, the slow continuous movement of glaciers sculpt out ‘V’ shaped valleys to create a U-shaped fjord. The parti represents the abstracted curvilinear shape of the fjords, the smooth glacial erosion, and the immense pressure the glaciers used to form the fjords below. The Capel creates a spiritual reaction by using compression to evokes tension while leading up to a open airy space. The chapel uses the merging of planes to represent the spiritual merging between ones self and nature.
PARTI DIAGRAM:
General Design Principles: • Curvilinear • Tension • Relationship between • Topography and Structure • Translucent Frontal vs. Opaque Posterior • Shadow vs. Light
PARTI MODEL STUDIES: Generation One:
Generation Two:
Generation Three:
Plan View
Plan View
Plan View
Side Elevation
Side Elevation
Side Elevation
Front Elevation
Front Elevation
Front Elevation
The portal evokes tension as the path narrows and as the sides splay inward, representing the massive pressure of the gnawing glaciers.
PORTAL: Light passing through the timbers creates dramatic shadows and light on the interior of the portal.
The curved smooth north wall contrasts the paralleling timbers in front which create the same curved form.
The overhead plane enhances the tension of the portal and represents the magnitude of the glacier eroding surfaces below creating the natural features in Kenia Fjords. The translucent material further defuses natural light.
PORTAL FINAL MODEL
Plan View
Perspective View
Front View
Entrance View
Exit View
Engaging the Portal into the landscape provides a unity with nature. The curved paths enhance the concept of the curvilinear shape representing the fjords.
MEDITATION CHAPEL: BUBBLE DIAGRAM & PRELIMINARY FLOOR PLAN
The circulation through the site further solidifies the curvilinear shape of the parti diagram.
The curvilinear form of the floor plan follows the smooth curved surfaces that glacial erosion creates. The path through the chapel is flanked with spayed walls giving one the sense of being in the smooth valley of the fjord.
The curvilinear shape conveys the glacier erosion and creates tension as the form transforms.
MEDITATION CHAPEL: STUDY MODEL EVOLUTION
Plan View
North Elevation
South Elevation
South Elevation
West Elevation
West Elevation
MEDITATION CHAPEL- FINAL STUDY MODEL: Merging the glazing's mullions with the vertical planes shows the smooth glacial erosion and guides sight lines towards the river which cuts through the fjord.
Continuing the horizontal plane reinforces the parti and brings balance to the facade.
Elevating the topography constricts the space between the horizontal plane strengthens the sense of tension.
MEDITATION CHAPEL-DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
Plan View
Southern Rendering
North Elevation
MEDITATION CHAPEL- DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
North Elevation
Floor Plan
MEDITATION CHAPEL: TECTONICS The beam cuts through the post symbolical conveys the glacier creating the fjord.
The posts merge represents the glacier merging with the earth.
MEDITATION CHAPEL: INTERIOR PERSPECTIVE The chapel itself gives one a sense of openness and freedom which is elevated by the compressed path leading up to the chapel.
SUSTAINABLE CONSIDERATIONS: The site utilizes an existing pervious parking up to 50 and bicycle facilities.
The chapel has photovoltaics to produce on site energy. The HVAC system also utilizes geothermal heating and cooling.
The chapel is designed to use highly reflective roofs to reduce heat island effect, open spaces, and rain water management.
The contraction uses sustainable heavy timber and reclaimed materials.
The chapel uses graywater and by using native vegetation will have no need for outdoor water use.
The glazing is low-e while allowing for natural lighting and views. All materials are low VOC.
