Clean River Boathouse (Fall 2012)
Site: Allegheny River, Strip District, Pittsburgh, PA
Collaborators: Leeyan Shun
This project focused on a kayak recreation facility that promoted clean water and a healthy river through a performative building envelope. To achieve water filtration via the envelope, we came up with a system that would allow rainwater to flow along and down into a wetland surrounding the building. The wetlands are aerobic and contain limestone; we were also interested in exploring limestone and casting for our facade panel that would be the facilitator of the filtration process. Essentially, the envelope became a composite structure, comprising of a base tensile cable net that holds thin, lightweight limestone components. The tool bits used for prototyping the component created micro ridges on the surface of the component. This was achieved through careful CNC toolpathing and allowed for an increased contact period between the water and the panel, which in turn would theoretically increase filtration efficiency. For the final mold, we used a wax mold because it is easy to tool (cut) and does not require a mold release agent, and hydrocal for the casts for its quick drying quality and its strength.
