Interactive Typologies

ABSTRACT

This thesis is a study of the interaction between built and natural systems. These

interactions are becoming more important as the world population grows and continues

to concentrate further within cities that typically supplant rather than develop within

ecosystems. Through immersion in a series of typological environments and ecologies a

more thorough understanding of the systems and components of these typologies can be

gained by the occupant. The St Johns River system and Jacksonville, FL are the natural

and built bases for the various interactive typologies. These typologies are expressed in

the development of a mixed-use urban development anchored by an ecological center

exhibiting and researching the St Johns River basin. The typologies create a varied

level of enclosure or immersion from fully closed research biomes to completely open

natural areas. The immersion of the occupant into the St Johns River and its ecologies

is intended to trace the path of the river system. By following the river from its fresh

headwaters to the brackish mouth and into the ocean beyond the hydrological and

ecological connections that span hundreds or even thousands of miles can be condensed

and experienced.

Project Site Alternative Sites Alternative Sites Alternative Sites

Proposed Naval Museum Friendship Park Museum of Science & History

Jacksonville History Center Public Riverwalk

Jacksonville Maritime Museum

River Taxi Stops Project Site

Comfortable Walking Distance 5’ Topo Line

Proposed Ecological Center

1320’ Radius from Transit Station

Site Access

5. tropical reef

1. fresh water 2. brackish

4. occulina reef

3. bivalve

ecology

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4

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1

2

St. Johns River

outreachcafe, store,

exhibit,auditorium

circulation paths

support, ticketing, mechanical systems,storage, restrooms

tropical reefaquarium

occulina reef aquarium

bivalve aquarium

fresh water biome

brackishbiome

outreachcafe, store,

exhibit,auditorium

circulation paths

support, ticketing, mechanical systems,storage, restrooms

tropical reefaquarium

occulina reef aquarium

bivalve aquarium

fresh water biome

brackishbiome

1 fresh water biome2 brackish biome3 bivalve aquarium4 occulina reef aquarium5 tropical reef aquarium

offices

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

Sensory EnviornmentNatural Path

Non Critical PathAll Senses Active

Sensory EnviornmentCovered PathCritical Path

Senses Limited by Distance

VisionPosition allows

greater access to foliage

SmellNatural aroma’s

of flora prevelant

TouchMost flora and

fauna out of reach

Sensory EnviornmentPartially Enclosed Paths

Critical & Non Critical PathsSenses Inhibited by Structure &

distance

VisionPosition allows

greater access to foliage

SmellNatural aroma’s

of flora prevelant

TouchMost flora and

fauna out of reach

Sensory EnviornmentBiome Tunnel

Critical & Non-Critical PathsRestricted to Vision