ARCH 171 - Final Project Watchtower at the UIUC Arboretum
1’ = 1/8”
For this project, I selected a site overlooking the UIUC Campus Arboretum. This site includes a main top view point and 3 landing viewing platforms to provide people a break from the stairs and a chance to encourage them to look at the sights at different heights. With thought of accessibility for all, the tower also includes a central elevator shaft to each of the 4 viewing platforms.
This site is in close proximity to the Japan house and the pond and functions as an observatory that’s parametric cladding frames distinct views at every opening, encouraging the interactant to explore more of the tower to find their favorite perspective of our beautiful Arboretum. Inspired by the natural forms surrounding the site, the tower’s internal beams bend out to create the three landing viewpoints, emulating the way birds weave and curve twigs to form their nests to create organic, shelter-like spaces that bring interactants closer to nature and to one another.
