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A research institute for sustainable environmental and economic development in Ucluelet, British Columbia

Due to recent closures and down sizing within the logging and fishing industry on the periphery of the
Clayoquot Sound region of Vancouver Island, economic sustainability for the permanent inhabitants who depend
on this activity has become sporadic and inadequate. A thriving tourist industry contributes a limited income to
the area due to seasonality and offshore ownership. This project proposes a research facility that would develop
diversified industries that would preserve existing ecosystems while supporting the economic rights of the
inhabitants. The project would supply immediate and direct benefit to the town of Ucluelet and surrounding area
through complete integration of the facilities and program into an existing economic environment. Involvement in
construction and supply of materials, income from billeting students and parking, involvement in research strategy,
and employment benefits from the research being done, are essential targets.
The institute should operate as a satellite graduate program facility in conjunction with existing research
colleges and, be the headquarters for other "satellite campsites" incrementally set up and established in the
surrounding area; sites chosen for their uniqueness in ecological existence and economic viability. The outdoor
nature of the academic program sets the precedence for a lifestyle that is comfortable being exposed to outdoor
elements. Courtyards and work areas are created by strategic setbacks, by fragmenting and staggering the facility
and by exaggerating roof overhangs and gutters necessary to channel extreme winter rains. The external
circulation of the back spine of the main building suffuses throughout the site developing a central circulation core;
the pivoting point for access to the administration, the research shed, the "campsite" dormitory, and for the knuckle
of the institute, the central courtyard. The courtyard which evolves has public access from the walkway that starts
at the public sidewalk of Peninsula Street, cuts diagonally past the main entrance at the south-western corner of the
archival gallery, and continues past terraced research gardens to the seminar room. An external stairwell
facilitates the final descent to Lyche Street, a public restaurant, and the proposed community hall near the
government docks of Ucluelet Harbour; a linkage designed to activate and encourage pedestrian traffic at Lyche
Street. The public/private overlapping of the project insures that the integration attitude is in place while
presenting unique design opportunities. The building typology exploits local post and beam construction
knowledge and uses common materials from local sawmills to provide a rough, unfinished cladding left subjected
to weathering. The roof surface is punctuated with translucent skylights to facilitate a condition of light and life
under the eaves. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA), School of / Graduate

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:UBC/oai:circle.library.ubc.ca:2429/8194
Date11 1900
CreatorsPalchinski, Wayne Earl
Source SetsUniversity of British Columbia
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeText, Thesis/Dissertation
Format17424917 bytes, application/pdf
RightsFor non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.

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