Fall 2021
Harvard University STU-1301 Between Wilderness and Civilization: Monson, Maine
Professor: Toshiko Mori
TA: Rachel Coulomb
This design proposal seeks to inspire residents of Piscataquis County and hikers from the Appalachian Trail through engagement with bird life local to Maine. The proposal highlights the impact of the built environment, forest conservation, and climate change on the diversity and longevity of the 292 different bird species in Maine while promoting local tourism and commerce in the modest town of Monson.
Straddling the boundary between land once cleared for agricultural use and new-growth forest, the site has a 70-foot drop from the top of the site to the tree line. Inspired by the organic flightpath of the broad-winged hawk, an elevated walkway on the site affords visitors a unique bird’s eye perspective of the forest.
There are nine birdwatching pavilions along the serpentine elevated walkway; each act as hinging point that invites visitors to slow down and take in a 360° panoramic view of the site and bird life. The height of each pavilion varies with the changing topography across the site, and thus corresponds with a specific tree canopy level. The masonry core of the pavilions offers structural support for the timber framing but also functions as a dovecote that would provide natural housing for birds all year round.
The Ornithology Lab anchors the serpentine birdwatching path at the smallest radial turn near Gilford Road at the top of the slope. The public circulation corridor splits the Ornithology Lab into two buildings housed under the same roof. The smaller of the two spaces accommodates guest researchers while the larger serves as a public gallery, museum, and lab. The entire structure is shrouded by a delicate wooden screen to protect birds from flying into the glass windows, producing covered porches which mediate between the interior and exterior environments. The multipurpose lab has an aerodynamic design which reflects the structure of a bird’s wing and is constructed using materials and building techniques local to Monson, Maine.
