ENTRANT │ Entrant: MIchelle Sowder | Team Members: George Betty

PROJECT TYPE │ Community College / Design Project – Studio

SCHOOL │ Anne Arundel Community College

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

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE │ 5/12/2015

Summary Description of Project

This project was for a design of a recreational center rest stop to be used by the National Park Service. Part of the assignment was to explore and choose a National Park that had unique geological features. These features would serve as the inspiration for the design concept. The hostel will be for highlighting outdoor recreational activities within the park. There are no services (water, power and sewer) as this will be located in a remote location. This structure will have to depend on sustainable/green design principles to make it function. As it will be located in a rich and beautiful landscape, the park system is also very concerned on the impact of the built environment.

Student's Statement

This trail hostel is located in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It sits along a crater that oversees Kilauea, one of Hawaii’s most active shield volcanoes. Kilauea produces pahoehoe lava which has a thick consistency and has the ability to flow up or downhill. As the lava approaches barriers, it consumes the existing structures while leaving behind unique masses of nature’s design. The rocky aftermath of the volcanic eruption repurposes the landscape into a refuge for Hawaii’s endemic species to thrive. The design process began with the selection of inspirational images. There were multiple images of lava consuming the manmade structures that led to the overall parti diagram and parti model. The parti helped develop the design concept, which focused on the volcanoes reclamation of the island as a natural landscape and a sanctuary for wildlife. The concept guided the creation of study models that led to the final design. The building serves as a haven for guests to enjoy while on the trail. It contains common amenities that one would see in a trail hostel. The program was developed based on the needs of the site. It features a large observation deck on the South side of the building, which allows guests to view Kilauea from a safe distance. It gradually slopes in elevation along the East/West axis, which replicates the silhouette of a shield volcano. Fin walls are placed along the North and South Elevations of the building to mirror the pahoehoe lava. The walls grow in height and width, eventually consuming the building. They also help to shade the building from the harsh sun.

IMAGE CREDITS (if any)

IMAGE 1:  Hawaii Volcano National Park Trail Hostel_high res image 1, Study Model, Michelle Sowder

IMAGE 2:  Hawaii Volcano National Park Trail Hostel_high res image 2, Final Model, Michelle Sowder

IMAGE 3:  Hawaii Volcano National Park Trail Hostel_high res image 3, Final Model, Michelle Sowder

IMAGE 4:  Hawaii Volcano National Park Trail Hostel_high res image 4, Final Model, Michelle Sowder

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Media For Download

Project PDF