AVES
(THE ARBORETUM)
THE PROJECT brief
This basis of this project to design an observation tower for performing either
- Watching birds and park wildlife.
- Observing surrounding context and consequently enhancing the security of the park overall.
- Connecting to the immediate site physically as well as to the wider environment by views for enjoyment of the landscape.
I am designing a building that is supposed to help in watching birds in their natural environments. The aviaries and a lake filled with ducks is located near the entrance of the arboretum, close to the gate near the arboretum. Therefore since this is the richest area in birds my site has to be located near it. Bird are very sensitive creatures (Kahagen, 2013, online) therefore whatever design near them must not disrupt the natural site. This is why the building must relate to the site and attract these birds. This project is to be used for a short period of time. This is why the tower must be designed in a way that does otmake people to comfortable or too uncomfortable. The tower will be used mostly in the moring and noon hours. In the morning it will have a calm environment so that the clients can hear the movement of the wildlife and birds. At night fewer people will be using the tower. During the summer it can be used as shelter from the sun and also viewing the pond and wildlife. The tower :
1) Must be within 25 sq.m (not including ramps or staircases).
2) The tower must fit between 3 – 4 people.
3) The facility must offer a vantage point and include spaces for observation and / or seating pending on the activity of precedence.
4) The structure and cladding must all only be constructed only from timber.
We should be able to see the structures below clearly:
THE GENERAL SITE
The site of this project is the Arboretum. The Arboretum is a conservation park and it is nottinghams oldest park.
It contains over 800 types of trees; some of which were planted originally in the 19th century (Nottinghamcity, 2013, online).
The park was designed by Samuel Curtis and opened in 1852. His idea was to provide the city with green spaces and a place where people could relax and contemplate. The park was designed by Samuel Curtis, a botanist who had also worked on the layout of Victoria Park in London. He designed the park’s layout so it would provide walkways as well as space for people to gather and spend time together. It was previously neglected and it began to declined. recently it has been restored (Teece, 2012, online). The park is located on Waverley Street, Nottingham. The site has a really good landscape and a picturesque view. It has disability access, a good variety of wild life and birds. It has over 9 grade II listed structures such as the bell tower, the aviary, an the bandstand; making it a grade II listed park on the Historic parks and gardens.
SEASONS AND THE USAGE
During summer the aboretum is majorly used. During winter and spring it is also frequently used. most people prefer to watch birds, visit the chinese bell garden or enjoy yhe landscape. The beauty of the arboretum is most enjoyed during the summer and spring period where organic activities are at their peak (Teece, 2012, online)
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/9/9/23992806/9305643.jpg)
In diagram 1 the general layout of the site and the tree trail is mapped on the site plan.
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/9/9/23992806/2269618.jpg)
Diagram 2 shows the various access routes to the sites and those that are usable by disabled people. It also shows the hotspots on the site where people are most likely to be a lot such as the area near the avaries, the band stand, the Chinese garden and the entrance close to the nottingham trent university (Nottinghamcity, 2013, online).
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/9/9/23992806/5238547.jpg)
The sunpath in the arboretum have been diagramised in diagram 3 to show the postion of the sun during the winter and the summer. The wind paths have also been diagramised in diagram 3 showing the direction of the wind.
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/9/9/23992806/6944063.jpg)
This shows the areas around the site and the various activities performed around the site. Different coloured has bee used to relate areas where similar functions are performed around the site.
A closer view of a more specific site
Initially, I was going to was going to put the observation tower in on top of this hill as shown in image A below, so it has a view of the pond and the aviary, but i discovered that putting it there makes it too far from the pond and blocks the view. Also, the tower was going to face the back of the aviary and does not have a high community of wildlife around it.This means that the idea of being able to view the birds is obstructed. I also considered using the area beside the pond as shown in image B This area is really good because it gives a direct view of the bird in the aviary, the duck in the pond and the other wild life the park has.
Initially, I was going to was going to put the observation tower in on top of this hill as shown in image A below, so it has a view of the pond and the aviary, but i discovered that putting it there makes it too far from the pond and blocks the view. Also, the tower was going to face the back of the aviary and does not have a high community of wildlife around it.This means that the idea of being able to view the birds is obstructed. I also considered using the area beside the pond as shown in image B This area is really good because it gives a direct view of the bird in the aviary, the duck in the pond and the other wild life the park has.
THE SITE SECTIONS
the site has been sectioned showing its initial design of the observation tower and its position of the pond and the trees on the site. The observation tower is located at a region of marshy land with a lake around it.
the site has been sectioned showing its initial design of the observation tower and its position of the pond and the trees on the site. The observation tower is located at a region of marshy land with a lake around it.
TOPOGRAPHY AND SITE
The observation tower is located ina swampy area and if the wood is not strong enough it will rot. To prevent rot we have to consider various means of preventing rot. Red cedar is a way of preventing rot. Also, steel caps can be used in the foundation to futher prevent moisture from affecting the observation tower. The site may be filled with rocks to prevent rot but this will disrupt the natural environment of the site which we are trying to avoid. As we advance further research will be done on wood and joining for swampy areas. The site is located in a region which has a lot of weeping elm trees. The weeping elms are a native plant in nottingham. It grows up to 4m tall. This is the tree found in the immediate environment of the Arboretum. Its roots are quite broad (Thompson, 2014, online). The roots interaction with the building has to be considered.
The observation tower is located ina swampy area and if the wood is not strong enough it will rot. To prevent rot we have to consider various means of preventing rot. Red cedar is a way of preventing rot. Also, steel caps can be used in the foundation to futher prevent moisture from affecting the observation tower. The site may be filled with rocks to prevent rot but this will disrupt the natural environment of the site which we are trying to avoid. As we advance further research will be done on wood and joining for swampy areas. The site is located in a region which has a lot of weeping elm trees. The weeping elms are a native plant in nottingham. It grows up to 4m tall. This is the tree found in the immediate environment of the Arboretum. Its roots are quite broad (Thompson, 2014, online). The roots interaction with the building has to be considered.
***some pictures around the site:
THE CLIENT
The client I have chosen are supposed to be able to watch the birds and wild life. It will be majorly comprised of families and research personnel. My client must be able to perform the following activities:
1) Observe the wild life and bird in the natural environment.
2) Observe the birds irrespective of their height due to the presence of children.
3) Have an efficient view that helps him/her interact and perform the required function.
4) Be able to perform the activities under a short period of time, so the tower must not be too comfortable (ergonomics must be considered).
5) They must be able to perform all these activities without disrupting the natural environment of the Arboretum.
This observation tower will be deigned to:
1) WATCHING: The client group will comprise of families who want to look at pond and the wild life. It has a really good view of the wild life and ducks in the ponds
2) CONNECT AND OBSERVE: It can also serve as an observation tower for looking at the buildings and areas around the site. Due to the height it can effectively serve as a security house because of its overview of the entances.
1) Observe the wild life and bird in the natural environment.
2) Observe the birds irrespective of their height due to the presence of children.
3) Have an efficient view that helps him/her interact and perform the required function.
4) Be able to perform the activities under a short period of time, so the tower must not be too comfortable (ergonomics must be considered).
5) They must be able to perform all these activities without disrupting the natural environment of the Arboretum.
This observation tower will be deigned to:
1) WATCHING: The client group will comprise of families who want to look at pond and the wild life. It has a really good view of the wild life and ducks in the ponds
2) CONNECT AND OBSERVE: It can also serve as an observation tower for looking at the buildings and areas around the site. Due to the height it can effectively serve as a security house because of its overview of the entances.
PRECEDENTS
The are some of the previous works of architects are in the gallery below. They include structures mad with wood construction and others made with other materials.
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/9/9/23992806/6086960.jpg)
This tower is used to observe horse riders. It was design to fulfil the following:
(Sterilinerracing, 2012, online)
- Exceed all relevant building codes for the country concerned – including wind loadings to cyclonic levels.
- Address the many rigourous demands imposed by occupational health and safety (OH&S) requirements to maximise effective risk management.
- Provide optimum visibility for both stewards and cameramen.
- Have ease of access, especially when equipment (including cameras) needs to be carried up and down.
- Provide substantial floor space for more comfortable and practical use.
- Contribute to the appearance of the surroundings and the image it presents.
- Can be ideally located without interfering with visibility, access and safety.
- Are highly stable and durable
(Sterilinerracing, 2012, online)
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/9/9/23992806/8161098.jpg)
This an observation tower use to observe the beach. It is found in an are with sand and water. It is made of wood.
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/9/9/23992806/2407194.jpg)
i also did research of how bird houses are built to relate it to the context of the choosen site which is beside birds
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/9/9/23992806/4741702.jpg)
High altitude walkways Baumwipfelpfad – this is probably the most popular attraction in the national park of Bavaria – the largest protected forest in Central Europe. The total length of construction is 1300 meters, and its height is 25 meters. Track ends with a dome and spiral staircase, that leads to the observation deck (Angryboar, 2013, online). It is made of steel and iron. This helped my research of wooden observation towers in green areas.
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/9/9/23992806/3150921.jpg)
This is an observation tower on mount Davis. It is made out of steel construction> It is used for research.
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/9/9/23992806/7032866.jpg)
This observation tower by Munich office rises over the river Mur at the Austrian border with Slovenia. The aluminium-clad structure staircase curls back on itself at the top, forming a double spiral so that visitors on the way up pass those on the way down ( Hollein, 2011, online).
The concept of the recently completed Murturm by the architects Klaus K. Loenhart and Christoph Mayr then involves not only the elation of having reached the top, but also the enjoyment of the stages on the way there. A deliberate foreign object made of steel and aluminum rises from the riparian forest in Southern Styria: a somewhat geometrical observation tower that nevertheless fits into the landscape as naturally as a harmonic counterpoint. It is an architectural sculpture and a lookout that offers a panoramic view of the landscape. The supporting structure of the observation tower is designed like a tree. The lower part corresponds with the trunk, whereas the steel structure made of thinned-out tubes represents the more delicate branches up above. The tower was certainly an engineering challenge for the Office for Structural Design in Frankfurt. It is all the more surprising to feel the edifice, which looks amazingly massive and multi-braced, softly sway as one climbs the stairs. Seen from down below, one first notices the elegant nodal points of the structure. The steel girder joints result in a sophisticated and skillfully designed geometry that exhibits the three-dimensionality of the tower. Depending on the weather and time of day, the wonderful gleam of the aluminum-clad stair balustrade continuously changes the appearance of the edifice. The beveled aluminum boards create a body and a play of surfaces without destroying the translucence. The flowing element of the recessed river bed and the piled-up flotsam is mirrored by the tower, which emerges from the topography with the same softness and precision ( Hollein, 2011, online).
The concept of the recently completed Murturm by the architects Klaus K. Loenhart and Christoph Mayr then involves not only the elation of having reached the top, but also the enjoyment of the stages on the way there. A deliberate foreign object made of steel and aluminum rises from the riparian forest in Southern Styria: a somewhat geometrical observation tower that nevertheless fits into the landscape as naturally as a harmonic counterpoint. It is an architectural sculpture and a lookout that offers a panoramic view of the landscape. The supporting structure of the observation tower is designed like a tree. The lower part corresponds with the trunk, whereas the steel structure made of thinned-out tubes represents the more delicate branches up above. The tower was certainly an engineering challenge for the Office for Structural Design in Frankfurt. It is all the more surprising to feel the edifice, which looks amazingly massive and multi-braced, softly sway as one climbs the stairs. Seen from down below, one first notices the elegant nodal points of the structure. The steel girder joints result in a sophisticated and skillfully designed geometry that exhibits the three-dimensionality of the tower. Depending on the weather and time of day, the wonderful gleam of the aluminum-clad stair balustrade continuously changes the appearance of the edifice. The beveled aluminum boards create a body and a play of surfaces without destroying the translucence. The flowing element of the recessed river bed and the piled-up flotsam is mirrored by the tower, which emerges from the topography with the same softness and precision ( Hollein, 2011, online).
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/9/9/23992806/9290299.png?316)
Boxy treehouse tower: Standing at 25 meters high, the wooden tower is supported by a steel skeleton with staircases going up between and across the cubes. Only two of the six cubes are accessible, with the third one being the start platform for the rope slide and high rope track. In the top box, people can take in the scenery, or if they’re brave. I looked at this because like my observation tower, i want it compels the user to have specific views of the site.
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/9/9/23992806/8353880.jpg)
This is an observation tower in Korean which inspired me because of it structure and aesthetic quality
WOODEN CONSTURCTION
BASIC WOODEN JOINTS
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/9/9/23992806/4380765.jpg)
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/9/9/23992806/1727850.jpg)
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/9/9/23992806/3307541.jpg)
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/9/9/23992806/5758534.jpg)
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/9/9/23992806/5898664.jpg)
Housed joints: are mostly used for shelves. The stopped house joint hides the actual joining. Use skew nails or screws to fasten the boards together.
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/9/9/23992806/1391290992.jpg)
Loose tongued joints: are used to join planks edge to edge to form a larger board like a table top in which case they are always glued only.
Bare faced tongue and groove or Loose tongue and groove: joints can be used to join chair rails to chair legs. Note the glue blocks for extra strength.
Bare faced tongue and groove or Loose tongue and groove: joints can be used to join chair rails to chair legs. Note the glue blocks for extra strength.
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/9/9/23992806/4597928.jpg)
Tenon and mortise joints are very strong joints mostly used in furniture making and for heavy doors and gates. They are not easy joints to make.The tenon’s width should not be less than a third of the thickness of the wood especially if wood of the same thickness is joined. The shoulders may be of any width and may also be offset when the mortise is made in rebated wood. Make the mortise before rebating the wood. If the top of the mortised wood is to be in line with the edge of the tenoned wood a haunched tenon can be made with the haunch cut back to be in line with the shoulders.
(Ripsdiy, 2013, online)
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/9/9/23992806/6537532.png?551)
External wood cladding
Window and door openings
Openings within a wall require special attention to avoid the need to notch or cut the boards. These openings need to be dimensionally compatible with the cladding to provide a good appearance as well as allowing for fixings. Thought also needs to be given to the 3-dimensional relationship of any flashings, sills etc. to allow for adequate drainage of water from the cladding surface and board ends.
Corner details
This is an important area of fixing detail, not just aesthetically but functionally, to ensure adequate protection against water. Some typical corner details are shown in the drawings below.
Softwood
Annular ring shank nails are recommended for fixing softwood cladding:
1)The nail length is generally twice the thickness of the board being fixed and should be punched slightly below the wood’s surface
2)Boards over 100mm wide should have double fixings
3)Make sure that butt joints always meet on sufficient batten support width
4)It’s essential to use stainless steel nails for species with high tannin content and for timbers installed ‘green’. This avoids permanent staining due to the reaction on mild steel or galvanised nails.
Hardwood
Screws are the preferred method of fixing for hardwood boards. Stainless steel screws are preferable, and essential for timbers installed ‘green’:
1)Slight over-drilling of the screw holes will allow for any movement in the wood and prevent splits. Countersinking screws is also recommended
2)Where ‘green’ wood is used, it may be necessary to fit washers to the screws to maintain the fixing security. This can become a design feature
3)Metal clips, which also provide a ‘secret fix’ effect, may also be considered. Screw fixings should be at least 40mm from the end of the boards to avoid splitting.
In this project i shall use hard wood because of the nature of the soil.
Direction of boarding
Timber cladding can be applied in any one of three directions. Take this into consideration at the time of selection. Your decision will have an impact on the methods of fixing as well as on the overall look of the facade.
1) Horizontal boarding: Available with overlapped or profiled sections. The board profile and spacing can provide a variety of design effects, as well as protection for the building. If using horizontal boarding, consider how the boards will be fixed and jointed to provide good detailing for the building.
2) Vertical boarding: Board on board is a popular and versatile arrangement, although shiplap and tongued and grooved profiles are also used. The tongues need to be long enough to allow for slight movement of the timber so that open gaps do not develop with natural shrinkage
3) Diagonal boarding: Provides an alternative appearance. Overlapping boards are not suitable. Tongued and grooved boards should be installed tongue upwards. Ensure counter-battening is done to provide ventilation.
Maintenance and durability
Finally, consider what decorative finish is required:
1) Think about the final visual appearance you want when choosing preservative treatment
2) The correct timber preservative and finishing will enhance the service life of the cladding and keep maintenance to a low, practical level
3) In areas of low pollution, ultraviolet light will turn untreated boards silvery grey. This will not affect their strength or durability, and in many instances is a desired aesthetic effect. Oak is susceptible to ‘surface checking’, as its moisture content varies, but again, with no effect on its durability. Timbers that are classified ‘moderate to durable’ or better can be used without being preservative treated, but must contain no sapwood. If a coloured finish is required, good quality microporous exterior stain or paint systems should be used. Consider using pre-finished timber cladding.
Mitreing boards at corners is not recommended, as natural movement of the timber will allow the joint to open, causing failure of the surface coating and water ingress. Mitreing the ends of boards can be considered, but it is advisable to provide a gap between any adjoining surfaces. Internal and external corners are more easily detailed on vertical boarding. These can be jointed by ‘tonguing and grooving’ to give added stability and protection.
Treatment against fire
Fire protection is a requirement under UK Building Regulations and must be taken into consideration when using wood cladding. Wood cladding can be protected from fire by the application of flame retardant chemicals. These can be applied by an impregnation process, similar to preservative treatment. For external use, a leach-resistant type
gotten from: http://www.1stchoicetimberframe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/external-wood-cladding.pdf
Window and door openings
Openings within a wall require special attention to avoid the need to notch or cut the boards. These openings need to be dimensionally compatible with the cladding to provide a good appearance as well as allowing for fixings. Thought also needs to be given to the 3-dimensional relationship of any flashings, sills etc. to allow for adequate drainage of water from the cladding surface and board ends.
Corner details
This is an important area of fixing detail, not just aesthetically but functionally, to ensure adequate protection against water. Some typical corner details are shown in the drawings below.
Softwood
Annular ring shank nails are recommended for fixing softwood cladding:
1)The nail length is generally twice the thickness of the board being fixed and should be punched slightly below the wood’s surface
2)Boards over 100mm wide should have double fixings
3)Make sure that butt joints always meet on sufficient batten support width
4)It’s essential to use stainless steel nails for species with high tannin content and for timbers installed ‘green’. This avoids permanent staining due to the reaction on mild steel or galvanised nails.
Hardwood
Screws are the preferred method of fixing for hardwood boards. Stainless steel screws are preferable, and essential for timbers installed ‘green’:
1)Slight over-drilling of the screw holes will allow for any movement in the wood and prevent splits. Countersinking screws is also recommended
2)Where ‘green’ wood is used, it may be necessary to fit washers to the screws to maintain the fixing security. This can become a design feature
3)Metal clips, which also provide a ‘secret fix’ effect, may also be considered. Screw fixings should be at least 40mm from the end of the boards to avoid splitting.
In this project i shall use hard wood because of the nature of the soil.
Direction of boarding
Timber cladding can be applied in any one of three directions. Take this into consideration at the time of selection. Your decision will have an impact on the methods of fixing as well as on the overall look of the facade.
1) Horizontal boarding: Available with overlapped or profiled sections. The board profile and spacing can provide a variety of design effects, as well as protection for the building. If using horizontal boarding, consider how the boards will be fixed and jointed to provide good detailing for the building.
2) Vertical boarding: Board on board is a popular and versatile arrangement, although shiplap and tongued and grooved profiles are also used. The tongues need to be long enough to allow for slight movement of the timber so that open gaps do not develop with natural shrinkage
3) Diagonal boarding: Provides an alternative appearance. Overlapping boards are not suitable. Tongued and grooved boards should be installed tongue upwards. Ensure counter-battening is done to provide ventilation.
Maintenance and durability
Finally, consider what decorative finish is required:
1) Think about the final visual appearance you want when choosing preservative treatment
2) The correct timber preservative and finishing will enhance the service life of the cladding and keep maintenance to a low, practical level
3) In areas of low pollution, ultraviolet light will turn untreated boards silvery grey. This will not affect their strength or durability, and in many instances is a desired aesthetic effect. Oak is susceptible to ‘surface checking’, as its moisture content varies, but again, with no effect on its durability. Timbers that are classified ‘moderate to durable’ or better can be used without being preservative treated, but must contain no sapwood. If a coloured finish is required, good quality microporous exterior stain or paint systems should be used. Consider using pre-finished timber cladding.
Mitreing boards at corners is not recommended, as natural movement of the timber will allow the joint to open, causing failure of the surface coating and water ingress. Mitreing the ends of boards can be considered, but it is advisable to provide a gap between any adjoining surfaces. Internal and external corners are more easily detailed on vertical boarding. These can be jointed by ‘tonguing and grooving’ to give added stability and protection.
Treatment against fire
Fire protection is a requirement under UK Building Regulations and must be taken into consideration when using wood cladding. Wood cladding can be protected from fire by the application of flame retardant chemicals. These can be applied by an impregnation process, similar to preservative treatment. For external use, a leach-resistant type
gotten from: http://www.1stchoicetimberframe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/external-wood-cladding.pdf
The design
MY DESIGN PROPOSAL
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/9/9/23992806/1391399286.jpg)
On the day the project was introduced we went to the arboretuma and mapped out a square format of the design. we formed a square of area 25 meter square. We also mapped out where the sun rises and sets on the longest days of winter. On the longest day of summer which is the summer solstice, the sun rises at the north east and sets in the north west. In the winter solstice, the sun rises south east and sets at the south west. the direction og the sun in these different days should be used as a base for the designs.
1
Initially, the design was to make a round tower on a long stand and have circular staircases rising to the top. As i developed my structure i began to figure out that if people could be seen going up the staircases, it will distract the birds in their natural habitat. Also being able to immediately see the birds and the pond disrupts the element of surprise and visual satisfaction that could be gained if they were in an initially enclosed environment and later brought to a space where they could enjoy a precise view. These are some of my sketches of my design for the observational tower. Initially i wanted a design that looks like a beehive but later it was refined to look more simplified and perform the designs function.
Initially, the design was to make a round tower on a long stand and have circular staircases rising to the top. As i developed my structure i began to figure out that if people could be seen going up the staircases, it will distract the birds in their natural habitat. Also being able to immediately see the birds and the pond disrupts the element of surprise and visual satisfaction that could be gained if they were in an initially enclosed environment and later brought to a space where they could enjoy a precise view. These are some of my sketches of my design for the observational tower. Initially i wanted a design that looks like a beehive but later it was refined to look more simplified and perform the designs function.
2
I later decided to make it a hexagonal structure and have a rectangular base. This is the same design i used for the technological testing of the design. The plans were not very precise and still needed design and structural refinement.
I later decided to make it a hexagonal structure and have a rectangular base. This is the same design i used for the technological testing of the design. The plans were not very precise and still needed design and structural refinement.
After a lot of thought on aesthetic and design I ended up with the design below. The initial test of how it is to be constructed with wood is below: To make stronger joints, the beams have to run from up to down of the observation tower. Also i rethought the position of the beams and post to make it suitable to be able to support the structure. Also the observation tower has to be designed as an environmental filter, sheltering the occupants from sun, rain, wind, etc.
3
This is the final design and the projects refinement. Here i have put into consideration the effects of timber cladding, lightening and ventilation from all the previous research i had done. Also her i thought about the methods of joining timber and the ones i think will be most efficient in my design. I have also undergone some design changes to allow effective ventilation and movement. The round staircase that used to be in the design was changed to a square staircase so it fits the context of the building. After my tutorial and testing i discovered that the post in the middle were unnecessary in the design and the ones that support the main structure needed to extended from top to bottom to make them more efficient. I refined the shape of the roof to make it have an aesthetic nature and at the same time, perform its function as an environmental filter. The roof was extended so as to have an overhang. I looked into the size of staicases and ramps and how they fit into buildings. I also di the sun path testing for lightening of the tower the images are below:
This is the final design and the projects refinement. Here i have put into consideration the effects of timber cladding, lightening and ventilation from all the previous research i had done. Also her i thought about the methods of joining timber and the ones i think will be most efficient in my design. I have also undergone some design changes to allow effective ventilation and movement. The round staircase that used to be in the design was changed to a square staircase so it fits the context of the building. After my tutorial and testing i discovered that the post in the middle were unnecessary in the design and the ones that support the main structure needed to extended from top to bottom to make them more efficient. I refined the shape of the roof to make it have an aesthetic nature and at the same time, perform its function as an environmental filter. The roof was extended so as to have an overhang. I looked into the size of staicases and ramps and how they fit into buildings. I also di the sun path testing for lightening of the tower the images are below:
In order for the wood to match with its environment, I researched about types of wood and their colour still considering the site and how the land is marshy. The best option found was the grey oak.
These are other types of wood and their uses:
OAK: Oak is the most widely used hardwood. There are more than 60 species of oak grown in the U.S., which can be separated into two basic varieties; white and red. The red variety is also known as black oak (a reference to its bark).
Properties: Oak is a heavy, strong, light colored hardwood. It is ring porous, due to the fact that more and larger conductive vessels are laid down early in the summer, rather than later. Prominent rings and large pores give oak a course texture and prominent grain. Oak also has conspicuous medullary rays which can be seen as "flakes" in quarter sawed oak lumber.
Uses: Oak is the most popular wood used to craft American and English country designs. It is also used for Gothic and William & Mary reproductions, as well as many transitional and contemporary pieces.
MAPLE: There are 115 species of maple. Only 5 commercially important species grow in the U.S. Two of the five are hard rock maple and sugar maple.
Properties: Maple is so hard and resistant to shocks that it is often used for bowling alley floors. Its diffuse evenly sized pores give the wood a fine texture and even grain. Maple that has a curly grain is often used for violin backs (the pattern formed is known as fiddleback figure). Burls, leaf figure, and birds-eye figures found in maple are used extensively for veneers. The Birds eye figure in maple is said to be the result of stunted growth and is quite rare.
Uses: Maple is used extensively for American colonial furniture, especially in medium and lower priced categories. It can also be stained to simulate cherry wood, which it resembles.
MAHOGANY: Mahogany, also known as Honduras mahogany is a tropical hardwood indigenous to South America, Central America and Africa. There are many different grades and species sold under this name, which vary widely in quality and price. Mahogany which comes from the Caribbean is thought to be the hardest, strongest and best quality. Logs from Africa, though highly figured, are of slightly lesser quality. Philippine mahogany has a similar color, but is not really mahogany at all. It is a much less valuable wood, being less strong, not as durable or as beautiful when finished.
Properties: Mahogany is strong, with a uniform pore structure and poorly defined annual rings. It has a reddish - brown color and may display stripe, ribbon, broken stripe, rope, ripple, mottle, fiddleback or blister figures. Crotch mahogany figures are widely used and greatly valued. Mahogany is an excellent carving wood and finishes well.
Uses: Mahogany is used extensively in the crafting of Georgian, Empire and Federal reproduction furniture. Mahogany is also used in styles ranging from Victorian furniture reproductions to Contemporary.
CHERRY: Cherry is grown in the Eastern half of the U.S.. It is sometimes called fruitwood. The term fruitwood is also used to describe a light brown finish on other woods.
Properties: A moderately hard, strong, closed grain, light to red-brown wood, cherry resists warping and checking. It is easy to carve and polish.
Uses: Cherry veneers and solids are used in a variety of styles. Cherry has been called New England mahogany and is often used to craft 18th century, Colonial and French Provincial designs.
WALNUT: Walnut is one of the most versatile and popular cabinet making woods. It grows in Europe, America and Asia. There are many different varieties.
Properties: Walnut is strong, hard and durable, without being excessively heavy. It has excellent woodworking qualities, and takes finishes well. The wood is light to dark chocolate brown in color with a straight grain in the trunk. Wavy grain is present toward the roots, and walnut stumps are often dug out and used as a source of highly figured veneer. Large burls are common. Walnut solids and veneers show a wide range of figures, including strips, burls, mottles, crotches, curls and butts. European walnut is lighter in color and slightly finer in texture than American black walnut, but otherwise comparable.
Uses: Walnut is used in all types of fine cabinet work, especially 1 8th century reproductions.
ROSEWOOD: Very hard and has a dark reddish brown color. It is fragrant and close grained. It is hard to work and takes high polish. Used in musical instruments, piano cases, tool handles, art projects, veneers and furniture.
TEAK: True teak is indigenous to Southeast Asia, but similar wood species also grow in Africa.
Properties & Uses: Teak is a yellow to dark brown hardwood which is extremely heavy, strong and durable. Often strongly figured, teak may show straight grain, mottled or fiddleback figures. It carves well, but because of its high value, is often used as a veneer. Scandinavian modern, and oriental furniture styles are often crafted of teak.
SOFTWOODS
PINE: Pine is a softwood which grows in most areas of the Northern Hemisphere. There are more than 100 species worldwide.
Properties: Pine is a soft, white or pale yellow wood which is light weight, straight grained and lacks figure. It resists shrinking and swelling. Knotty pine is often used for decorative effect.
Uses: Pine is often used for country or provincial furniture. Pickled, whitened, painted and oil finishes are often used on this wood.
ASH: There are 16 species of ash which grow in the eastern United States. Of these, the white ash is the largest and most commercially important.
Properties: Ash is a hard, heavy, ring porous hardwood. It has a prominent grain that resembles oak, and a white to light brown color. Ash can be differentiated from hickory (pecan) which it also resembles, by white dots in the darker summerwood which can be seen with the naked eye. Ash burls have a twisted, interwoven figure.
Uses: Ash is widely used for structural frames and steam bent furniture pieces. It is often less expensive than comparable hardwoods.
HICKORY: There are 15 species of hickory in the eastern United States, eight of which are commercially important.
Properties: Hickory is one of the heaviest and hardest woods available. Pecan is a species of hickory sometimes used in furniture. It has a close grain without much figure.
Uses: Wood from the hickory is used for structural parts, especially where strength and thinness are required. Decorative hickory veneers are also commonly used.
BEECH: The American beech is a single species which grows in the eastern half of the United States.
Properties & Uses: Beech is a hard, strong, heavy wood with tiny pores and large conspicuous medullary rays, similar in appearance to maple. This relatively inexpensive wood has reddish brown heartwood and light sapwood. Beech is often used for frames, a variety of bent and turned parts. Quarter sliced and half round cut beech veneers are commonly used.
BIRCH: There are many species of birch. The yellow birch is the most commercially important. European birch is fine grained, rare and expensive.
Properties & Uses: Birch is a hard, heavy, close grained hardwood with a light brown or reddish colored heartwood and cream or light sapwood. Birch is often rotary or flat sliced, yielding straight, curly or wavy grain patterns. It can be stained to resemble mahogany or walnut.
CEDAR: Several species of cedar grow in the southern United States, Central and South America.
Properties & Uses: Cedar is a knotty softwood which has a red-brown color with light streaks. Its aromatic and moth repellent qualities have made it a popular wood for lining drawers, chests and boxes. Simple cases and storage closets are also constructed from this light, brittle wood.
REDWOOD: Indigenous to the Pacific United States, redwood trees grow to more than 300 feet tall and 2,500 years old.
Properties & Uses: The best quality redwood comes from the heartwood which is resistant to deterioration due to sunlight, moisture and insects. It is used to craft outdoor furniture and decorative carvings. Redwood burls have a "cluster of eyes" figure. They are rare and valuable.
HEMLOCK: Light in weight, uniformly textured. It machines well and has low resistance to decay and nonresinous. Used for construction lumber, planks, doors, boards, paneling, sub flooring and crates.
FIR: Works easy and finishes well. Uniform in texture and nonresinous. Has low resistance to decay. Used in furniture, doors, frames, windows, plywood, veneer, general millwork and interior trim.
SPRUCE: Strong and hard. Finishes well and has low resistance to decay. Has moderate shrinkage and light in weight. Used for masts and spars for ships, aircraft, crates, boxes, general millwork and ladders.
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OAK: Oak is the most widely used hardwood. There are more than 60 species of oak grown in the U.S., which can be separated into two basic varieties; white and red. The red variety is also known as black oak (a reference to its bark).
Properties: Oak is a heavy, strong, light colored hardwood. It is ring porous, due to the fact that more and larger conductive vessels are laid down early in the summer, rather than later. Prominent rings and large pores give oak a course texture and prominent grain. Oak also has conspicuous medullary rays which can be seen as "flakes" in quarter sawed oak lumber.
Uses: Oak is the most popular wood used to craft American and English country designs. It is also used for Gothic and William & Mary reproductions, as well as many transitional and contemporary pieces.
MAPLE: There are 115 species of maple. Only 5 commercially important species grow in the U.S. Two of the five are hard rock maple and sugar maple.
Properties: Maple is so hard and resistant to shocks that it is often used for bowling alley floors. Its diffuse evenly sized pores give the wood a fine texture and even grain. Maple that has a curly grain is often used for violin backs (the pattern formed is known as fiddleback figure). Burls, leaf figure, and birds-eye figures found in maple are used extensively for veneers. The Birds eye figure in maple is said to be the result of stunted growth and is quite rare.
Uses: Maple is used extensively for American colonial furniture, especially in medium and lower priced categories. It can also be stained to simulate cherry wood, which it resembles.
MAHOGANY: Mahogany, also known as Honduras mahogany is a tropical hardwood indigenous to South America, Central America and Africa. There are many different grades and species sold under this name, which vary widely in quality and price. Mahogany which comes from the Caribbean is thought to be the hardest, strongest and best quality. Logs from Africa, though highly figured, are of slightly lesser quality. Philippine mahogany has a similar color, but is not really mahogany at all. It is a much less valuable wood, being less strong, not as durable or as beautiful when finished.
Properties: Mahogany is strong, with a uniform pore structure and poorly defined annual rings. It has a reddish - brown color and may display stripe, ribbon, broken stripe, rope, ripple, mottle, fiddleback or blister figures. Crotch mahogany figures are widely used and greatly valued. Mahogany is an excellent carving wood and finishes well.
Uses: Mahogany is used extensively in the crafting of Georgian, Empire and Federal reproduction furniture. Mahogany is also used in styles ranging from Victorian furniture reproductions to Contemporary.
CHERRY: Cherry is grown in the Eastern half of the U.S.. It is sometimes called fruitwood. The term fruitwood is also used to describe a light brown finish on other woods.
Properties: A moderately hard, strong, closed grain, light to red-brown wood, cherry resists warping and checking. It is easy to carve and polish.
Uses: Cherry veneers and solids are used in a variety of styles. Cherry has been called New England mahogany and is often used to craft 18th century, Colonial and French Provincial designs.
WALNUT: Walnut is one of the most versatile and popular cabinet making woods. It grows in Europe, America and Asia. There are many different varieties.
Properties: Walnut is strong, hard and durable, without being excessively heavy. It has excellent woodworking qualities, and takes finishes well. The wood is light to dark chocolate brown in color with a straight grain in the trunk. Wavy grain is present toward the roots, and walnut stumps are often dug out and used as a source of highly figured veneer. Large burls are common. Walnut solids and veneers show a wide range of figures, including strips, burls, mottles, crotches, curls and butts. European walnut is lighter in color and slightly finer in texture than American black walnut, but otherwise comparable.
Uses: Walnut is used in all types of fine cabinet work, especially 1 8th century reproductions.
ROSEWOOD: Very hard and has a dark reddish brown color. It is fragrant and close grained. It is hard to work and takes high polish. Used in musical instruments, piano cases, tool handles, art projects, veneers and furniture.
TEAK: True teak is indigenous to Southeast Asia, but similar wood species also grow in Africa.
Properties & Uses: Teak is a yellow to dark brown hardwood which is extremely heavy, strong and durable. Often strongly figured, teak may show straight grain, mottled or fiddleback figures. It carves well, but because of its high value, is often used as a veneer. Scandinavian modern, and oriental furniture styles are often crafted of teak.
SOFTWOODS
PINE: Pine is a softwood which grows in most areas of the Northern Hemisphere. There are more than 100 species worldwide.
Properties: Pine is a soft, white or pale yellow wood which is light weight, straight grained and lacks figure. It resists shrinking and swelling. Knotty pine is often used for decorative effect.
Uses: Pine is often used for country or provincial furniture. Pickled, whitened, painted and oil finishes are often used on this wood.
ASH: There are 16 species of ash which grow in the eastern United States. Of these, the white ash is the largest and most commercially important.
Properties: Ash is a hard, heavy, ring porous hardwood. It has a prominent grain that resembles oak, and a white to light brown color. Ash can be differentiated from hickory (pecan) which it also resembles, by white dots in the darker summerwood which can be seen with the naked eye. Ash burls have a twisted, interwoven figure.
Uses: Ash is widely used for structural frames and steam bent furniture pieces. It is often less expensive than comparable hardwoods.
HICKORY: There are 15 species of hickory in the eastern United States, eight of which are commercially important.
Properties: Hickory is one of the heaviest and hardest woods available. Pecan is a species of hickory sometimes used in furniture. It has a close grain without much figure.
Uses: Wood from the hickory is used for structural parts, especially where strength and thinness are required. Decorative hickory veneers are also commonly used.
BEECH: The American beech is a single species which grows in the eastern half of the United States.
Properties & Uses: Beech is a hard, strong, heavy wood with tiny pores and large conspicuous medullary rays, similar in appearance to maple. This relatively inexpensive wood has reddish brown heartwood and light sapwood. Beech is often used for frames, a variety of bent and turned parts. Quarter sliced and half round cut beech veneers are commonly used.
BIRCH: There are many species of birch. The yellow birch is the most commercially important. European birch is fine grained, rare and expensive.
Properties & Uses: Birch is a hard, heavy, close grained hardwood with a light brown or reddish colored heartwood and cream or light sapwood. Birch is often rotary or flat sliced, yielding straight, curly or wavy grain patterns. It can be stained to resemble mahogany or walnut.
CEDAR: Several species of cedar grow in the southern United States, Central and South America.
Properties & Uses: Cedar is a knotty softwood which has a red-brown color with light streaks. Its aromatic and moth repellent qualities have made it a popular wood for lining drawers, chests and boxes. Simple cases and storage closets are also constructed from this light, brittle wood.
REDWOOD: Indigenous to the Pacific United States, redwood trees grow to more than 300 feet tall and 2,500 years old.
Properties & Uses: The best quality redwood comes from the heartwood which is resistant to deterioration due to sunlight, moisture and insects. It is used to craft outdoor furniture and decorative carvings. Redwood burls have a "cluster of eyes" figure. They are rare and valuable.
HEMLOCK: Light in weight, uniformly textured. It machines well and has low resistance to decay and nonresinous. Used for construction lumber, planks, doors, boards, paneling, sub flooring and crates.
FIR: Works easy and finishes well. Uniform in texture and nonresinous. Has low resistance to decay. Used in furniture, doors, frames, windows, plywood, veneer, general millwork and interior trim.
SPRUCE: Strong and hard. Finishes well and has low resistance to decay. Has moderate shrinkage and light in weight. Used for masts and spars for ships, aircraft, crates, boxes, general millwork and ladders.
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