BioSpine
       
     
Bayou Perspective
       
     
Street Perspective
       
     
Research Facility Entrance
       
     
Site Diagrams
       
     
Sustainable Aspect Diagrams
       
     
Functional Diagrams
       
     
Site Plan
       
     
Ground Level
       
     
Level 1
       
     
Level 2
       
     
East Section + Elevation
       
     
Building Section
       
     
Wall Sections
       
     
3D Building Section
       
     
FINALmodel3.jpg
       
     
finalmodel4.jpg
       
     
BioSpine
       
     
BioSpine

Project name: BioSpine

Building type: Botanical Gardens + Research Center

Location: Houston, Texas

Programs used: ArchiCAD, Illustrator, Photoshop, Artlantis

Bayou Perspective
       
     
Bayou Perspective

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.

Street Perspective
       
     
Street Perspective
Research Facility Entrance
       
     
Research Facility Entrance
Site Diagrams
       
     
Site Diagrams

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.

Sustainable Aspect Diagrams
       
     
Sustainable Aspect Diagrams

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.

Functional Diagrams
       
     
Functional Diagrams

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.

Site Plan
       
     
Site Plan

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.

Ground Level
       
     
Ground Level
Level 1
       
     
Level 1
Level 2
       
     
Level 2
East Section + Elevation
       
     
East Section + Elevation

These drawings highlight the five viewing decks and the main entrance into the Research Center.

Building Section
       
     
Building Section

The buildings levels are separated according to its functions. Ground Level 1: Botanical garden, Level 2: Museum + Viewing Decks, Level 3: Research Center + Library. 

Wall Sections
       
     
Wall Sections
3D Building Section
       
     
3D Building Section
FINALmodel3.jpg
       
     
finalmodel4.jpg