c l i m a t e a c t i o n c e n t e r --
-- project created with -- Mae Murphy -- Nominated for ISU Hansen Prize 2020
Before we begin, we would first like to address two points that inspired our work:
1. As designers we must acknowledge that design has a political role in society. Buildings are not neutral. Architecture without context is nonexistent -- and frankly very ignorant.
2. Climate change is happening. It is our responsibility to have knowledge and intent to address climate change and the impacts it has on the world.
Fourmile Creek Lake - Pleasant Hill - Des Moines - Iowa - U.S. - Earth
The Fourmile Creek site is located in the threshold of many different convergences within the city of Des Moines, Iowa. It is located on the intersecting point of the city’s voting precincts, distinguishing the space between political boundaries.
Our project, The Climate Action Center, is built using pre-fabricated panels and locally sourced materials. These temporary structures are curated towards each site’s individual experience of climate change. The buildings are easily constructed and destructed, a modular process, of providing meeting spaces, equipment and storage within. These spaces provide the square footage to foster a new government structure focused on placing themselves exactly within the suburban areas of the midwest. The current community action groups advocating to implement change within sites are provided with on-site spaces to gain feedback and listen to local voices.
The wall panels arearranged one way to allow for more private alcove spaces, but can be pushed out to accommodate for large group meetings. This versatility is adaptable depending on the event/program within the building. This allows for the collaboration of working items and knowledge passed on from one site to the next. The Climate Action Center utilize transportable panels containing nontoxic materials such as cellulose fiber insulation and FSC approved formaldehyde-free plywood. This temporary governmental building structure advocates for on-site specific spaces to implement policies from the Green New Deal (or a policy similar) to engage the local community and obtain important feedback within the new governmental facilities.
