OBSERVE
FALL 2018 | Coastal Heritage Preserve | Galveston Island TX
Project Team: Jacob Castine, Alejandro Davilla, Micayla Garza, Joseph Hernandez, Aaron McMurry, (Fiona) Yee Sang Wong, Zichao XU
This Oppenheimer Observation Platform marks our third partnership at the Coastal Heritage Preserve (CHP) for Artist Boat. The Galveston non-profit’s mission is to help protect the Gulf Coast through land conservation, educational and inspiring adventures that spark creativity, awareness and action. While GCDL’s two earlier projects FRAME and STORE are for curated use, OBSERVE is the first project that Artist Boat is making open to the public.
The project is located on Stewart Road that accesses the bay side of the island. Visitors will have the opportunity to observe up close a salt marsh environment frequented by shore and migratory birds. In addition, there is a twenty-minute walking path planned through the coastal prairie to begin at the new project, offering further chances for observation.
After working with the stakeholder and spending time on the site, students began their design on a six-foot wide, two-level platform to face north toward a salt marsh. The lower deck is two-feet above grade and the upper deck six-feet high. With the platform sited about mid-point of the island, views to the bay and ocean can be seen from the higher level. The marsh facade of 2 x 4 cedar provides camouflage for visitors and has a variety of opening heights for all ages. There are built-in shelves at the viewing portals to help visitors steady their binoculars and an overhead screen at the upper deck to further help with shade. There are areas specified for wheelchair viewing and a six foot wide wheelchair accessible ramp.
One particular feature the stakeholder requested was that the project be clearly seen from Stewart Road. To achieve this, students chose white polycarbonate (Polygal) sheeting contrasting with the landscape and easily seen by passersby. These south orientated panels help shade the platforms interior and reflect sunlight changes throughout the day, particularly at sunset.
The project is an officially designated site on the Texas Coastal Birding Trail.
The City of Galveston recognized this project with a Design & Planning Award for 2019