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UNITED STATES LAND PORT OF ENTRYVan Buren, Maine, United States
of America
US Land Ports of Entry, border crossings, are part of expanded
American security efforts. The port designs support immigration and
inspection services, maintain officer safety and welcome visitors
to the US. The ports convey the dignity, enterprise and stability
of the US government in a durable, 100-year structure complying
with the US Energy Independence Act. The new port and site meets
rigorous operational and security demands. Officers are provided a
panoramic view of the secure area from their primary workspace,
including vehicles entering as well as exiting the secured
perimeter. Reduced staffing availability during inclement weather
demands operational security with minimal on-site staff. Enhanced
visual surveillance allows as few as two officers to operate the
port. Comfort and safety in the heavy snow and icy conditions
required a canopy configuration to provide shelter as officers move
about the site. The Z form supports port operations and creates a
coherent, sleek configuration, protecting officers from wind, sleet
and snow.
The port design fuses an abstraction of the cultural and
landscape context with concepts essential to port operations:
surveillance and camouflage. The St John River Valley is profoundly
influenced by its roots in the Acadian culture, a heritage visible
in the original settlement of long narrow plots oriented toward the
river. Forests still cover much of the area and provide another
layer to the design genesis. As the repetition of trees in a forest
provides camouflage, the building uses a patterned repetition of
joints, columns and mullions to provide the officers with
concealment and direct visual site surveillance. To provide maximum
visual surveillance, the main work areas are largely clad in glass.
A silkscreened pattern on the glass provides both camouflage and
glare protection.
LANDSCAPE CONTEXT
Van Buren
St. Leonard
NORTH ELEVATION
REGIONAL MAP
Latitude 47 9 53 N
Longitude 67 56 27 W
Elevation: m ASL 143
PROJECT LOCATION
CULTURAL CONTEXT
CUSTOM & BORDER PROTECTIONDual Mission:
These are our twin goals: border security and facilitation of
legitimate trade and travelCBP operates at the nexus of national
security and American economic security.W. Ralph BashamFormer
CommissionerU.S. Customs and Border Protection
SURVEILLANCE
Photos Courtesy of CBP Photography
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UNITED STATES
CANADA
12
4
53
MAIN STREET / ROUTE 1
ST. JOHN AVENUE
FRAN
KLIN
STR
EET
COOL
IDGE
ST
REET
ROUTE 1AN
64 128 320
N N3 Commercial Building2 Secondary Inspection Building1 Primary
Inspection Building 4-5 Reserved for Future DevelopmentSITE
PLAN
LANDSCAPE STUDIES
SITE
Van Buren
St. Leonard
N
Van Buren
St. Leonard
Van Buren
St. Leonard
1
1
144
2
165
1 144
17
2
Van Buren
St. Leonard
Van Buren
St. Leonard
Waterways Forests & Agriculture Topography Land Plats
Roadways
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Fibonacci Sequence
Division of Fibonacci Sequence
Metal Panel
Glazing
Precast Panel
Facade Composition
Concept Image
PROFICIENCYContextual & Aesthetic Impact
Sleek architectural forms are tautly wrapped and detailed with
patterns derived from the regions natural and cultural context.
Abstracting Acadian land divisions and regional agrarian landforms,
the site design consists of a series of mounds that simultaneously
create a bio-swale system for filtering water and a cohesive
experience of the site. Similar to the buildings patterning, the
sites rhythmic elements blur the distinction between secured and
unsecured areas. Architecture and landscape combine to create a new
cultural and ecological amenity from a former rail loading
facility.
Circulation design is tailored to specific regional traffic
needs and rigorous national inspection protocols. Improved traffic
flow, clear pedestrian movement, increased commercial vehicle
capability, and the unique needs of snowmobile traffic are
accommodated safely and efficiently. The design conveys a welcoming
experience, responsive to the local context while conveying federal
dignity and stability.
Concept Image
Basic Pattern
Division of Pattern
Metal Panel
Glazing
Pre-cast Concrete
Faade Composition
Fibonacci Sequence
Division of Fibonacci Sequence
Metal Panel
Glazing
Precast Panel
Facade Composition
Concept Image
Fibonacci Sequence
Division of Fibonacci Sequence
Metal Panel
Glazing
Precast Panel
Facade Composition
Concept Image
Fibonacci Sequence
Division of Fibonacci Sequence
Metal Panel
Glazing
Precast Panel
Facade Composition
Concept Image
Fibonacci Sequence
Division of Fibonacci Sequence
Metal Panel
Glazing
Precast Panel
Facade Composition
Concept Image
Fibonacci Sequence
Division of Fibonacci Sequence
Metal Panel
Glazing
Precast Panel
Facade Composition
Concept Image
Fibonacci Sequence
Division of Fibonacci Sequence
Metal Panel
Glazing
Precast Panel
Facade Composition
Concept Image
MAJOR BUILDING ELEMENTS
ENLARGED BUILDING ELEVATIONBUILDING ENVELOPE
CAMOUFLAGE/SURVEILLANCE STRATEGY
WALL VENTILATION
Skylights
Roof Plane
Structure
Aluminum Rainscreen
Pre-Cast Concrete Back-up Wall
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40 Wells @ 200 deep
Geothermal Supply to SlabHeat Exchanger
PROGRESSInnovation & Transferability
Located in remote sites, the land ports require proven, easily
maintained systems. Thus, passive strategies, natural ventilation,
daylight harvesting and water conserving fixtures and low VOC
materials, are employed. The ports typically occupy large sites
with intensive hardscape requirements. For this reason the Van
Buren port invested in a site water filtration strategy preserving
water quality in the St. John River. Site water movement across the
site is slowed by a series of landforms and then collected by a
system of swales and planted check dams to promote on-site
infiltration while filtering runoff. Site patterns are developed
from regional cultural and landscape patterns as referenced in the
building envelope. This site strategy sets a new precedent for
ports in filtering pollutants from site water runoff.
A ground-coupled heat pump reduces off-site energy resource
demands. Evacuated tube solar heats hot water. The back ventilated
cavity of the exterior wall tempers intake air. Zoned lighting and
occupancy sensors maximize efficiency. A bio-diesel boiler provides
peak demand heat. LED lamps provide the majority of the site
lighting. Early in the project, the design team was asked to study
how the port might achieve a net zero energy status. This study
resulted in a design that will take advantage of newly developing
technologies to scale co-generation to the small energy demand of
this project. The project is also positioned to take advantage of
higher and higher proportions of bio- fuel as they become available
regionally. For us, this exercise of imagining net zero and
building in that capability is now part of how we design every
building.
All strategies are composed of easily maintainable and
applicable to all new US ports. The project is committed to sharing
actual whole-project energy and water usage data for at least 5
years. further, the US General Services Administration conducts
Lessons Learned on all its projects, assuring that the innovations
employed at this project will be transferred to GSAs entire project
portfolio.
OVERALL GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM
Supplemental
Primary
BIO DIESEL & GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
IN FLOOR RADIANT HEATSOLAR WATER SKYLIGHTSSOLAR WALLS
SOLAR THERMAL WALL DIAGRAM
Outside (cold) Air Intake
Radiant Heat from Dark Metal Panel Cladding
Insulated Rainscreen Cavity
Naturally Heated Convection
INSPECTION LANES LOOKING TOWARDS MAIN OFFICER WORK AREA MAIN
OFFICER WORK AREA LOOKING TOWARDS INSPECTION LANES
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MAIN OFFICER WORK AREA LOOKING TOWARDS INSPECTION LANES WORK
AREA
PLANETEnvironmental Quality and Resource Efficiency
With large remote sites and unusually large energy demands, land
ports of entry are required to address site water management and
strategic energy independence in durable, accessible technologies.
The Van Buren port design pursued a sustainable strategy with a
broad range of solutions, focused on site water filtration, energy
efficiency and reduced carbon footprint. We entertained a net zero
energy goal; while unfunded, this study led to a design that can
accommodate eventual net zero or better, energy producing
status.
The current design reduces purchased energy by 48% from the
national standard by employing innovative, integrated, energy
saving design. Daylight is employed in all spaces. Solar tubes
provide daylighting to secure spaces. The ports inspections require
extraordinary site lighting levels. LED fixtures, and simple
lighting control systems radically reduced the ports lighting
energy use.
The envelope is super insulated and solar walls on the south
facade tempers outside ventilation air. Glazing is silkscreened
with a pattern to allow officers unrestricted surveillance while
reducing the cooling load. Most glass is shaded by canopies, as
well.
Ground source heating and cooling meets most of the buildings
heating and cooling loads. Bio-diesel boilers provide heating
during peak loads only. In floor heat distribution provides even
and efficient heat distribution. The building automation system
allows remote browser and set point maintenance.
Given its proximity to the river, water quality management is
particularly important. Site water quality is managed using
landforms, swales, and a retention pond to filter runoff. Land
forms slows water as it moves across the site in a pachinko type
movement. Water is collected in a series of swales lined with
lapped slate to slow water. Planted check dams filter the water as
it moves toward the final filtration pond at the bottom of the
site, and is slowly released into the river. The system not only
manages on site water but water that sheets across the site from
the town above.
0 115 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135
kBtu/sq.ft.*yr
ASHRAE BASECASE
CURRENT DESIGN
47% IMPROVEMENT60% IMPROVEMENT
2030 CHALLENGE YEAR 2010 TARGET
42
67
CURRENT DESIGN ADJUSTED FOR AVERAGE WORK HOURS
48
89
NATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION POLICY (15% Reduction)
58
EISA 2007 - 2010 TARGET (55% Reduction of Fossil Fuel generated
energy)
ENERGY USAGE TARGETS
WATER DIVERSION STRATEGY
WATER FILTRATION STRATEGY
UNITED STATES
CANADA
NATIVE PLANT SPECIES USED
SITE WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
Amelanchier Cornus Stolonifera Carex Vulpinoidea Festuca Rubra
Grass Pinus Strobus Larix Laricina Acer Saccharum Betula nigra
Rock/Aggregate
Filter Layer
Draintile
Rock/Aggregate
Filter Layer
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WORK AREA SECONDARY INSPECTION AREA
PROSPERITY Economic Performance & Compatibility
Van Burens economy is largely based on timber, agriculture and
tourism. The town is struggling with declining population, 12%
unemployment and an annual median household income of just over
$28,000. The improved port will provide both permanent jobs and
temporary construction jobs. As security is a primary government
function, the port is resilient to economic fluctuation.
With improved wait times, the port will attract travelers,
increasing trade and travel. Further the new port will be capable
of inspecting commercial traffic attracting new commercial trade.
The community was concerned that traffic might bypass local
business, but our studies showed that as port traffic increases,
trips through Van Burens Main Street will also increase.
The port is designed to easily incorporate technological
security improvements and avoid obsolescence, a key factor in
ensuring durability. The project documents are scrutinized for
durable well constructed assemblies and systems, as Federal
standards mandate 100 Year building standards. The port was
designed well within the congressional appropriated budget,
strategically directing resources toward functional and sustainable
goals, while providing a powerful design experience. As the port is
constructed with Federal funds, design decisions carried a mandate
to wisely use natural and fiscal resources.
VEHICULAR CIRCULATION
Commercial Circulation
Privatly Owned Vehicle Circulation
Outbound Circulation
Total Vehicles = 216,351 per year*
POV (92%) = 198,498 per year*Average = 593 per day
Commercial (8%) = 17,853 per year*Average = 49 per day
Pedestrians = 2,085 / year**Average = 6 per day
Snowmobiles = Approx. 100 per festival dayAverage = 2 per day
winter traffic
* 5-yr average, 2005-2009 **5-yr average, 2004-2009
TRAFFIC COUNTS
J U L I E S N O W ARCHITECTS, INC.
US LAND PORT OF ENTRY VAN BUREN, MAINE
1875
6025
6820
6990
6645
5275
32752105
EXSITING TRAFFIC VOLUMESTRAFFIC VOLUME PROJECT SITE
J U L I E S N O W ARCHITECTS, INC.
US LAND PORT OF ENTRY VAN BUREN, MAINE
4800*(EST.)
7025
7820
7990
7645
6275
38003105
PROJECTED TRAFFIC VOLUMES TRAFFIC VOLUME PROJECT SITE GREEN
SPACE
EXISTING TRAFFIC VOLUMES
Traffic Volume
Project Site
Green Space
PROJECTED TRAFFIC VOLUMES
Average Annual Income = $28,573 per year
Total Population: 2,589
Households: 1,107
Median Age: 51.5
Source: American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau.
ECONOMIC CONTEXT
CONSTRUCTION SITE
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REGIONAL AGRARIAN LANDFORMS & WATER MANAGEMENT
TWIN TOWNS ACROSS THE BORDER WITH SHARED CULTURE
TRADITIONAL PLOT ORIENTATION TO RIVER & TREE ROWS
CanadaUS
Madawaska-EdmunstonVan Buren-St. Leonard
Fort Kent-ClairEstcourt-Pohenegamook
Lubec-Campobello
Vanceboro-St. CroixCalais-St. Stephen
Eastport-Deer Island
Houlton-Woodstock
Norton-StanhopeDerby Line-Rock Island
PEOPLE Ethical Standards & Social Equity
The port is located on 20 acres between the town of Van Buren,
Maine, and across St John River, the Canadian town of St. Leonard.
Like many communities along the northern border, the two towns act
as one, sharing a regional identity based on their common Acadian
culture. The culture is maintained in historic artifacts, museums,
festivals and, in Van Buren, the reconstruction of an Acadian
village. The architecture of the port abstracts the proportioning
of banding on tradition weaving patterns, land ownership divisions
and natural patterns in the landscape.
The design process engaged citizen input. Workshops engaged the
community, addressing their concerns and aspirations for the port.
The new port is sensitively inserted, enhancing and expediting the
crossing experience, an important part of the communities family
and work lives. Strict occupational health and safety and gender
and minority hiring equity quotas are mandated, A healthy indoor
environment improves staff experience. Design and construction
costs are reported quarterly, scrutinized for fairness, accuracy,
and waste, a level of ethical transparency mandated by the American
Reinvestment and Recovery Act.
After a flood compromised the previous port, a new, higher site
was procured. To access the new site traffic from Canada was routed
across the town access to a park at the rivers edge. An underpass
maintained this access. In addition, the ports secure area occupied
only 9.4 acres of the 21 acre site. Thus 10 acres become a virtual
new park, maintained by the port, but with open access to residents
and visitors to the area. Planted with trees, swales and landforms,
as well as with art, visitors experience a landscape based on
traditional regional agrarian landforms.
GREEN PEDESTRIAN CORRIDOR CONNECTS TOWN TO EXISTING CITY
PARK
MINIMIzE SECURE PORT AREA TO MAXIMIzE PUBLIC SPACE
CULTURE & COMMUNITY
Existing City Park
New Public Space
United States land port of entrySite
planProficiencyProgressPlanetProsperityPeople