DANGERMOND PRESERVE

Ecological Urbanism

Professors Maryam Eskandari & Luis Hoyos

Location:
Lompoc, California

In order to truly embrace this site, it is essential for the public to have a glimpse into what makes the Dangermond Preserve so important for biodiversity efforts along the California coast. Preservation succeeds through the understanding and commitment of the people, and allowing the public to experience and see the work of the researchers will do just that. Strategically placed research centers and public forums for exploration create a connection with the landscape, where the architecture does not overpower nor does it bury itself into the topography. The built environment at Dangermond will create a marriage between built and natural, through the use of courtyards and acknowledgment of topography.

Architecture on site is sequential, and the separation between locations vvill be mediated through bike and hiking paths. The locations for design and expansion take into account all climatic and habitual elements, where the overall human footprint will be orchestrated accordingly. It is

unnecessary for creating new roads, and will utilize existing paths as well as Jalama and Cojo Road. The creation of bike/golf cart rental locations throughout Dangermond will create alternatives to the automobile, and will create a dynamic experience for the public to learn and engage with controlled areas of the 64,000 acre site.

COJO GATE TRANSPORTATION STATION

Cojo Gate Transportation Center acts as a mediation zone for the scientists to limit public access to Dangermond Preserve. Centrally located off of Jalama Road, it is an opportunity for visitors or staff to drop off their vehicles and find alternative, greener methods of transportation. This location was previously utilized as a cattle ranch, however all operations have ceased. Sensitive and endangered plant and wild life make this location so significant, providing a location that harvests natural energy while simultanoeusly curbing carbon

emissions. This location is proposed in phases, in which phase one will utilize the existing contours while utilizing permeable pavers, a cheap fix. However, phase two will include escavation, the only time this occurs at Dangermond, creating a rammed earth form that includes addition program that will help in faciliting circulation and providing alternative modes of transportation. This will act as a basecamp due to its proximity to the public beach. There is a full service bus system which will be used by the public to get to other areas of the preserve will leaving a minimal footprint.

JALAMA RESEARCH CAMPUS

Jalama Research Campus, located directly off of the main public road, is easily accessible to both the public and scientists. This site is proposed in four phases, the first being the Jalama Research Center, which will serve as the primary research station due to its proximity to all plant and wild life. The second phase is the Dangermond Lodge, which will house all staff, scientists, as well as temporary visitors. The third and final phase will encompass a conference center for lectures as well as an educational visitor center in order to engage the public.

This is crucial for the preservation of the Dangermond Preserve because public solidarity will allow for the continuation of all restoration and exploratory projects.

The existing site has already been run down due to centuries long ranching, so the overall environmental impact is minimal. There is a direct connection with Jalama Creek as well as connecting to various service roads that allow scientists to access all 64,000 acres of the preserve.