Rampart Shelter - Design 8

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THIS SITE IS LOCATED IN RAMPART, CO. IT IS THE SITE OF A DISASTER SHELTER
AND ZERO NET ENERGY ARCHITECTURE. THE SPECIFIC SITE WAS CHOSEN
ALONG A HIGH ELEVATION WITH VERY LITTLE VEGETATION. THE DISASTER SHELTER
IS A PLACE OF REFUGE DURING A WILDFIRE. THE FORM WAS ORIENTED TOWARDS
THE SOUTH TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOLAR GAIN MOST OF THE YEAR.
THE VIEWS OF RAMPART RESERVOIR, PIKES PEAK AND THE MAJESTIC ROLLING
HILLS ARE CELEBRATED THROUGH DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE PROGRAM. TWO
ARCHED WINGS FORM A PROTECTIVE COURTYARD WHICH IS USED FOR OVERFLOW
SPACE IN THE EVENT OF A DISASTER. THE JOINT OF THESE TWO INTERSECTING
WINGS CREATE A BLENDED AREA FOR OBSERVATION AND LEARNING,
AS THE NATURE CENTER INTEGRATES ITSELF ONTO THE WALLS, WHILE ALWAYS
FRAMING VIEWS OF THE SITE. THE CURVATURE OF THE ROOF EMULATES THE
SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE THROUGH THE ELEGANT MANIPULATION OF THE
MOUNTAINS. DURING ITS DAY TO DAY USE, THE BUILDING SERVES AS A NATURE
CENTER FOR THE COMMUNITY TO LEARN AND ENGAGE THEMSELVES INTO THE
OUTDOORS. THE PROGRAM ALSO OFFERS A GYMNASIUM FOR RECREATIONAL
USE. THIS SPACE BECOMES THE TRANSFORMATION PIECE WHEN DISASTER OCCURS,
SERVING AS THE SLEEPING QUARTERS FOR PEOPLE IN NEED OF SHELTER.