Our studio traveled to Newbern, Alabama to see a collection of the projects completed by Auburn's, Rural Studio. It was inspiring to see successes and failures, utilized and unutilized student projects. The projects we saw and experienced will be helpful in our endeavors as a design build studio. 
The projects that influenced me the most were the architectural interventions at Perry Lake Park. Rural Studio reclaimed a 600-acre park in Perry County, Alabama which was the only public recreational park in the county. The park was closed in the 1970s, because of neglect, and a drowning in the lake. The park was reopened in 2002 after being untouched for 30 years. The park includes natural resources such as plants and trees along Cahaba River and an oxbow lake. The main highlights of the park are the cypress trees growing in the water and Spanish moss hanging off the branches which creating a swamp feeling. There are also hiking trails for the public to view and be immersed in the beautiful setting.
The projects at Perry Lake Park included a pavilion, 3 outhouses, a series of pathways, a bridge, and an observation tower. I enjoyed all of the projects, however, the pavilion is what I’d like to talk about. The Pavilion and Perry Lake Park are very different from our site at Jaycee Park, however, I believe many connections can be made. The multi-use pavilion is situated in a natural clearing amidst trees. It is visible from the pathway and holds views towards the water. The pavilion allowed for many types of functions and gatherings.
The materiality is very complimentary to the surroundings. The concrete which anchors the structure into the ground, was cast with grooves to imitate wood. This technique makes the concrete seem to blend and belong in the environment. The platform itself is cedar wood, and it is floating off the ground. This gives the structure a lighter, airy feeling, and it also is functional because the threat of flooding. Cedar wood is very durable, and it was harvested locally to be used for the floor. It was also used to cast the concrete footings and was cut into chips to repel mosquitoes around the pavilion. The surrounding cypress trees are a light gray color which compliments the sheets of aluminum used for the roof plane. The roof plane undulating roof aids drainage, and mimics the shape of the surrounding tree line.
This project was a lot simpler then the other projects in many ways, but I believe that it is unobtrusive to the beautiful natural settings. I think that the cause of improving this park, which had been untouched for thirty years, was an interesting cause and feat. There were many challenges in the surroundings such as the threat of flooding, the non-convenient location, and the public memory of the drowning in the lake. I feel like the Perry Lake Park interventions were very successful and make the park a very enjoyable space. Each of the projects offer challenges and invent unique solutions, which make an extra attraction to viewing the park land.
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The projects that influenced me the most were the architectural interventions at Perry Lake Park. Rural Studio reclaimed a 600-acre park in Perry County, Alabama which was the only public recreational park in the county. The park was closed in the 1970s, because of neglect, and a drowning in the lake. The park was reopened in 2002 after being untouched for 30 years. The park includes natural resources such as plants and trees along Cahaba River and an oxbow lake. The main highlights of the park are the cypress trees growing in the water and Spanish moss hanging off the branches which creating a swamp feeling. There are also hiking trails for the public to view and be immersed in the beautiful setting.
The projects at Perry Lake Park included a pavilion, 3 outhouses, a series of pathways, a bridge, and an observation tower. I enjoyed all of the projects, however, the pavilion is what I’d like to talk about. The Pavilion and Perry Lake Park are very different from our site at Jaycee Park, however, I believe many connections can be made. The multi-use pavilion is situated in a natural clearing amidst trees. It is visible from the pathway and holds views towards the water. The pavilion allowed for many types of functions and gatherings.
The materiality is very complimentary to the surroundings. The concrete which anchors the structure into the ground, was cast with grooves to imitate wood. This technique makes the concrete seem to blend and belong in the environment. The platform itself is cedar wood, and it is floating off the ground. This gives the structure a lighter, airy feeling, and it also is functional because the threat of flooding. Cedar wood is very durable, and it was harvested locally to be used for the floor. It was also used to cast the concrete footings and was cut into chips to repel mosquitoes around the pavilion. The surrounding cypress trees are a light gray color which compliments the sheets of aluminum used for the roof plane. The roof plane undulating roof aids drainage, and mimics the shape of the surrounding tree line.
This project was a lot simpler then the other projects in many ways, but I believe that it is unobtrusive to the beautiful natural settings. I think that the cause of improving this park, which had been untouched for thirty years, was an interesting cause and feat. There were many challenges in the surroundings such as the threat of flooding, the non-convenient location, and the public memory of the drowning in the lake. I feel like the Perry Lake Park interventions were very successful and make the park a very enjoyable space. Each of the projects offer challenges and invent unique solutions, which make an extra attraction to viewing the park land.
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