Katy Langstaff, Principal, Sustainable Systems Design, LLC
Stuart Cowan, Principal, Sustainable Systems Design, LLC
Michael Mehaffy, President, Structura Naturalis, Inc.Planning Meetings & Tenative schedules
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Rainbow and mists above Elk Creek |
March 6-7, 2007 Happy Camp Tour (working date)
Team members will hike, and drive in Happy Camp environs with community members to get to know the area. Visit Orleans and Yreka communities.
Friday, March 8, 2007 (working date):
First Community Workshop: Town Planning Workshop I
Working Title: “Weaving Knot Community Design Process”
Weaving is a tradition that has been practiced in the Klamath River basin for thousands of years. We hope to weave a complex ecological community and a diverse human community in a participatory process to improve the health of the human and ecological communities in and around Happy Camp, California.
(Note: workshop will be one day only; afternoon only attendance possible)
Summary: We will conduct an initial design workshop for the area. We will identify ecologically significant features of Happy Camp that will inform the subsequent design process. Considerable time will be devoted to this, as the area (known as the Klamath Knot) is extremely complex.
A knot is an area of earth made up of extremely diverse minerals, terrain, weather and life forms such as trees, plants, insects and animals. Seven such knots exist in North America. Our home is in the heart of the Klamath Knot in Siskiyou County of far Northern California. (From the Klamath Knot Arts Council)
There is a confluence of waterways in Happy Camp, California. The Klamath River and Indian Creek meet in Happy Camp. Biological diversity is enhanced at ecotones or meeting places such as this. Similarly, the residents of Happy Camp are diverse and varied. We will explore the opportunities for the residents of Happy Camp and its environs to come together and express their ideas about the community space needs, spatial organization in terms of town layout and solicit input for the future development of the town of Happy Camp.
confluence – Klamath River and Indian Creek
1) The point or juncture of two or more streams. 2) A gathering flowing or meeting together; a joining.
weave – 1) “weave something into” include an element in such a story or pattern. 2) to make basketwork by interlacing rods or flowers. 3) to make a complex story or pattern from a number of interconnected elements.
Objective: An invitation for the residents and community of Happy Camp to bring their gifts and visions to create new community centers. To determine a site or possible sites for the new Klamath Siskyou Arts Center [KSAC] building and other community development efforts. Presentation from the local groups that are seeking new facilities and their location/site needs, as well as, developers who are currently developing projects in Happy Camp. Topics might include: economic development; eco-tourism; “main street” concept, commerce center, educational areas, “town center”, places of interest for visitors; places of interest for residents; seasonal gathering places; protect ecological habitats, protect cultural resources, etc.
Method: Present the historic background and environmental assessment information for Happy Camp as a way to identify the possible site locations for the KSAC community center. SSD will present initial ideas about town planning and opportunities to place new development that will help the town grow in a holistic and a unified vision as the businesses and townspeople begin to create new structures.
[Note: This is a study in itself and a new scope of work for SSD. This information will assist the Happy Camp Collaborative and all residents for future planning efforts. This is an excellent opportunity to join efforts with the Ford Family Foundation and utilize additional funds for services available from the Technical Assistant Grant. Facilitators Roi Crouch and Mary Ward could assist with the small group Open Space facilitation. SSD will employ Michael Mehaffy, Structura Naturalis, Inc. as part of this workshop and town planning effort.]
Outcome: Identify several possible sites that would suit the needs of the KSAC as well as other current building needs in Happy Camp, CA. Develop a feeling map or sensory map for use in subsequent design. Identify committed community members to participate in the KSAC design and building process. Document output in a written report.
Saturday, March 9 2007 (working date):
Workshop II: Pattern Language for the Klamath Siskiyou Arts Center
9:00a.m. – 12:00p.m. or 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Objective: We will define a vision of the Happy Camp Community art/science/culture center with community members who will use this facility. We will identify the uses of this new center. This would include activities, seasonal uses, ceremonies, workshops, exhibit spaces, classes, etc. We will identify space requirements to support uses. We will provide a framework for the ecological design of the art center.
Presentation: SSD will present ecological design framework, including overview of ecological approaches to integrated building design of energy, water, waste, materials, etc.
Open Space Topics: local materials palette; activities for the arts building; qualities for desirable location; renewable energy; artists in residents; gallery space; educational workshop area; demonstration of sustainable systems; sustainable water and greywater systems; building as an educational experience of ecological design such as building with local materials and fostering local economies, and healthy building; role of KSAC in the community; extra rooms for lodging to experience first hand being in a clay building; micro-business enterprise for new building systems, etc.
Outcome: Initial building program including a “pattern language”. Additional community participants identified for the entire process; eco-business opportunities highlighted that may arise in connection with the building. Goals established for the ecological design of the art center.
April 9-11, 2007 (Working Date):
Workshop III: Site Planning and Building Design
Present schematic design concepts .
Objective: Get community feedback to initial designs. Stake-out building footprint on site. Locate and test window placement test views.
Method: Massing study 3-dimensional study, flow of movement and service of spaces in 2-dimensional study. Finalize materials palette.
Outcome: Refine the pattern language and spatial arrangement of the KSAC building. Establish its connection to the site. Character of the building emerges.
During Happy Camp Visit, interview local engineers, general contractors and timber framers and make selections one for the next phase of the design process. Identify design team members prior to Ecological Design Workshop IV.
June 25-28, 2007 (Working Date):
Workshop IV: Ecological Design
Refine site design and building design based on the input of technical ecological designers. This is the design development phase where building structure, materials and the character of the building emerges.
Objective: To identify ecological design opportunities and develop goals and strategies for a fully integrated whole building design, focusing on the building and site, but including the community in terms of economic development (resource management and material and system production) and social/cultural/spiritual integration. Identify financing and possible eco-business opportunities.
Method: Create a study model to test ecological design opportunities.
Outcome: Ecological design goals and strategies; conceptual building and site design.
October 1-3, 2007 (Working Date):
Final Building Presentation
Construction techniques and building systems.
Objective: Present the building design which will be 25% of construction documents. Receive final input from the community about the Klamath Siskiyou Art Center.
Method: Make a detailed model or drawings which illustrate in detail the design decisions that are agreed to, including window sizes & sill heights, roof overhang, interior design.
Outcome: Finalize all building and site decisions.
October – January 2008 (Working Date):
Construction Documents.
Coordinate ecological design consultant’s details for the permit drawings. Prepare final construction documents.
February 2008 (depending upon when the funding is in place):
Permit Submittal
General Outline of Construction Schedule (Leichtlehmbau Construction):
Once our team goals for ecological design are established we will have to include water, waste, energy and material strategies into this timeline. In regards to using and developing a local materials palette, we will have to include the harvesting and procurement of these materials in support of this construction timeline.
Site work (April 2008)
Foundation (April 2008)
The foundation must have a 3’ stem wall of impermeable material. This protects the leichtelehmbau walls.
Framing & Electrical & plumbing stub-out (May 2008)
Frame walls and floor deck. Stub in electrical, plumbing and mechanical as required for leichtlehmbau wall system.
Leichtlehmbau Walls (June 2008) roughly 2 weeks
Note: These must be installed in the dry season. At roughly 12” thick the woodchip and clay mix will need 1” per week to dry, or 12 weeks. This process does not impede the rest of the construction process.
Roof framing (mid-June 2008)
It is important to close-in the building. The roof design will have a 3’ overhang to protect the exterior walls from driving rain if they are made of lime or earth plaster. It is less necessary if they have a cladding of some kind.
Interior walls: if these will be made of leichtlehmbau, they will be approximately 4” thick and would need 4 weeks to dry. It might be better to build them before the roof is completely closed in, depending upon the building design.
Building completion (November 2008)
Plumbing, electrical, mechanical, flooring, trim, windows and doors, interior finishes, furniture and landscaping.