PROJECT The Tatanka Hostel

LOCATION 54401 RANGE RD 203, FORT SASKATCHEWAN, AB T8L 0V3, CANADA 

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  6/15/2020

PROJECT CATEGORY  Community College

PROJECT TYPE  Studio

ENTRANT  Ryan Ljungquist
TEAM MEMBERS  

SCHOOL  Anne Arundel Community College

FACULTY SPONSOR  Michael Ryan, Department Chair of Architecture and Interior Design / Architecture

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

This project is for the design of a Youth Hostel for Elk Island National Park in Alberta, Canada. The site is located on a 1.5 acre plot adjacent to an existing visitor’s center. The park is a year-round destination for both local residents and visitors. It is noted for its view of the Northern Lights as well as a wildlife haven that is home to a diverse group of animals and over 250 species of birds. It is the only National Park which maintains herds of both Wood Bison and Plains Bison, the two subspecies of North American Bison. The park offers a wide range of activities for visitors including over 50 miles of trails for hiking, and cross-country skiing, ice skating or snowshoeing in the winter and an abundance of lakes for canoeing and kayaking or swimming in the summer.

This project explores the diversity of northern plains flora and fauna. Specifically, it focuses on the history and relationship between people and bison. It also explores the journey and relationship that humans have with moving from feeling secured in an urban environment to being more exposed, such as venturing into the wilderness. The project highlights and celebrates the endangered bison that reside in the national park. The design conveys an architectural statement that reflects the significances of the surrounding environment and cultural heritage of the region. It incorporates sustainable materials and alternative energy sources. The building and exterior spaces demonstrate the ability of architecture to respond to the unique needs of the users and context.

STUDENT'S STATEMENT

To commemorate and educate people about the endangered bison that are protected inside Elk Island National Park by using contrasting architectural forms. This is executed by abstracting the body composition of a bison and relating it to the history between them and humans. Bison have a very secure front-side with their horns and large mane, but towards their backside their mane disappears, and they become more exposed. Using the juxtaposition of “secure” forms verses “exposed” forms; the design communicates the contrasting actions people have had towards bison. Once, bison were thriving in North America tremendously with a population of 30-60 million. Those numbers rapidly got reduced to 1,091 from human interaction, making bison very close to being extinct. This rapid decline in population is shown in the design with declining angles and overall shape. Actions taken such as those of the National park has helped restore those numbers. The “secure” forms are also meant to promote feelings of enclosure and safeness while the “exposed” forms are meant to evoke a sense of vulnerability. The project is designed to create safe spaces for the youth but at the same time expose them to the natural environment. Feeling enclosed in the spaces is not meant to make visitors trapped but more so protected as if someone were hugging them tightly. The feeling of being exposed or vulnerable to nature promotes physical and emotional wellbeing. While these forms symbolize a bison’s body and composition, they also represent the unique environment in the surrounding area. The secure forms together resemble the Rocky Mountains while the exposed forms resemble aspen trees. The design takes it a step further towards nature by incorporating sustainable design solutions. Alternate energy sources such as PV solar panels and water source heat pumps are used to provide clean energy.

IMAGE CAPTIONS & CREDITS 

IMAGE 1:  West Elevation- Ryan Ljungquist

IMAGE 2:  Northeast view with PV solar farm- Ryan Ljungquist

IMAGE 3:  Southeast view of exterior patio area- Ryan Ljungquist

IMAGE 4:  Eastern view- Ryan Ljungquist

IMAGE 5:  Over treeline view- Ryan Ljungquist

IMAGE 6:  North overhead view- Ryan Ljungquist

IMAGE 7:  

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD

Project PDF