WEEP [WATERTON ENVIRONMENTAL PAVILION] | 2012

The pavilion, located in Waterton Canyon, serves as an outdoor classroom for environmental groups involved in Bird Banding, Pond Ecology, and Wildlife Habitat.

The structure is a pragmatic response to the various constraints of the site. The tilted columns were conceived to triangulate the lateral loads associated with a structure that, by floodplain regulations, were not allowed to have walls. Off the backside of the structure, a small cantilever celebrates the release of captured birds back to nature. The roof drains to a central skylight (fondly referred to as the oculus) to capture rainwater and filter it through vegetation, soil, and rock before returning it to the floodplain.

2013 AIA Colorado YAAG Project of the Year