Project name: BioSpine
Building type: Botanical Gardens + Research Center
Location: Houston, Texas
Programs used: ArchiCAD, Illustrator, Photoshop, Artlantis
The Buffalo Bayou’s edge is surrounded by industrial factories and developments that pollute the water and leave abandoned brown sites along the bayou.To help solve this issue the botanical garden uses three main aspects to help contribute clean water to the bayou: Bayou Swales, Rain water collection, and Green Algae.
To focus on the view of the Buffalo Bayou and Japhet Creek the building was pushed away from the waters edge. This creates a prime outdoor area that aligns with the water. Specific portions along the building plan are extruded to provide celebrated views to Japhet creek, Buffalo Bayou, and the natural growth.The extruded sections are covered by living algae tubes and planters.
The bio-swales are aligned with both the algae extrusions and the rain water collection drainage. The native plants growing in the swale help purifiy runoff water and put clean water back into the Bayou. This also informs the visitors about native plants and runoff.
The algae provides the building with solar energy while also helping clean the water and air on the site. The spine-like structure and unique shape are designed to let natural light into the building threw slits in the skin of the building.This structure works like a spine with the separate sections connecting as a whole.
Botanical Garden and Bayou Research Center. The site is designed as an example as to how a brown site can be cleaned and revamped through the use of sustainable design and native plants.
These drawings highlight the five viewing decks and the main entrance into the Research Center.
The buildings levels are separated according to its functions. Ground Level 1: Botanical garden, Level 2: Museum + Viewing Decks, Level 3: Research Center + Library.