Newsletter of the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University
Students in a spring 2010 studio designed a small, self-sustaining settlement for a 250-acre site along the east side of the Brazos River approximately five miles from Easterwood Airport.
"Over-consumption, energy inefficiencies, outdated technologies, suburban design, ubiquitous highway systems, dependence upon the automobile, low density, functional zoning and inefficient building practice, have all contributed to climate change," said Phillip Tabb, professor of architecture, in the class syllabus.
To counter the negative effects of this gloom and doom, Tabb asked students to create designs for a sustainable ark, or community-based settlement, designed for survival, maximum sustainability and an enriched relationship to place.
Designs for the ark included 100,000 square feet of housing for 100 families, 75,000 feet of space for those families to produce goods and services appropriate to the sustainable lifestyle and areas for community gatherings, banking and town hall meetings.
Their designs also included approximately 50,000 square feet for farming, gardening, an equestrian center, hunting, fishing and boating.
Multiple methods to produce energy from the wind, sun and water were also in their designs.
Dayna Finley and Sasha Azbel's design included areas for grass-fed cattle, pastured horses, and crops such as cotton, long grain rice, sweet yellow corn and seasonal vegetables.
Their design included the ark's sacred site in a wooded area and a burial place in a nearby clearing, as well as a bed and breakfast on the Brazos River.
Chris Atnip, Dustin Matula and Alex Raasch included a port in their masterplan adjacent to a field of maize and another field for a mix of vegetables.
- Posted: June 10, 2010 -
