GBN
—
—
Ministry of Parks
Gabon Natural Ecosystems

Ministry of Parks

Map of Gabon illustrating the 13 national parks that cover 10% of the countryMap of Gabon illustrating the 13 national parks that cover 10% of the countryMap of Gabon illustrating the 13 national parks that cover 10% of the countryMap of Gabon illustrating the 13 national parks that cover 10% of the country
Map of Gabon illustrating the 13 national parks that cover 10% of the country

The identity of ‘Ministry’ reinterpreted as an entity that mediates the public and the government while presenting an optimistic future. Buildings do not last long in the rainforest. Regardless, as a series of pedestrian bridges and a gateway to Libreville, the building serves as the link between park systems and established neighborhoods and will remain a useful part of the built fabric instead of a privatized workplace. Dedicated in 2002, Gabon’s 13 national parks cover 10% of the country. As 'Africa's Eden', Gabon is trying to modernize while simultaneously preserving some of the most unique and last remaining rainforest habitats on the planet.

Map of Gabon illustrating the 13 national parks that cover 10% of the country

Diagrams

Plans

Landscape

Institutional

RELATED RESEARCH IMAGES

RELATED PROJECT IMAGES

Aerial of the corner of the GBN model showing the layers of gardens and public spaces and the stacked ecotourism helipadsAerial of the corner of the GBN model showing the layers of gardens and public spaces and the stacked ecotourism helipadsAerial of the corner of the GBN model showing the layers of gardens and public spaces and the stacked ecotourism helipadsAerial of the corner of the GBN model showing the layers of gardens and public spaces and the stacked ecotourism helipads
Plan drawing animation showing the various occupiable spaces within the triangulated GBN Ministry of Parks footprintPlan drawing animation showing the various occupiable spaces within the triangulated GBN Ministry of Parks footprintPlan drawing animation showing the various occupiable spaces within the triangulated GBN Ministry of Parks footprintPlan drawing animation showing the various occupiable spaces within the triangulated GBN Ministry of Parks footprint
Aerial image of the GBN Mass straddling the highway, the public plaza, and the waterfront beachAerial image of the GBN Mass straddling the highway, the public plaza, and the waterfront beachAerial image of the GBN Mass straddling the highway, the public plaza, and the waterfront beachAerial image of the GBN Mass straddling the highway, the public plaza, and the waterfront beach
Layered animation showing the circulation and programs of the GBN within the massing shell created by the urban forcesLayered animation showing the circulation and programs of the GBN within the massing shell created by the urban forcesLayered animation showing the circulation and programs of the GBN within the massing shell created by the urban forcesLayered animation showing the circulation and programs of the GBN within the massing shell created by the urban forces
Collection of GBN massing study models for forms that straddle the highway intersection with a single multi-functional massCollection of GBN massing study models for forms that straddle the highway intersection with a single multi-functional massCollection of GBN massing study models for forms that straddle the highway intersection with a single multi-functional massCollection of GBN massing study models for forms that straddle the highway intersection with a single multi-functional mass
Drawings of the Libreville avenue masterplan and the selected site for the GBN Ministry of Parks at the intersectionDrawings of the Libreville avenue masterplan and the selected site for the GBN Ministry of Parks at the intersectionDrawings of the Libreville avenue masterplan and the selected site for the GBN Ministry of Parks at the intersectionDrawings of the Libreville avenue masterplan and the selected site for the GBN Ministry of Parks at the intersection
Model showing the GBN located at the intersection of the highway, park, and neighborhood reacting to each forceModel showing the GBN located at the intersection of the highway, park, and neighborhood reacting to each forceModel showing the GBN located at the intersection of the highway, park, and neighborhood reacting to each forceModel showing the GBN located at the intersection of the highway, park, and neighborhood reacting to each force
Diagram animation of the various required components of the new GBN Ministry of Parks headquarters within the triangle formDiagram animation of the various required components of the new GBN Ministry of Parks headquarters within the triangle formDiagram animation of the various required components of the new GBN Ministry of Parks headquarters within the triangle formDiagram animation of the various required components of the new GBN Ministry of Parks headquarters within the triangle form
Unrolled section perspective drawing of the triangulated massing of the GBN Ministry of Parks showing the continuous usesUnrolled section perspective drawing of the triangulated massing of the GBN Ministry of Parks showing the continuous usesUnrolled section perspective drawing of the triangulated massing of the GBN Ministry of Parks showing the continuous usesUnrolled section perspective drawing of the triangulated massing of the GBN Ministry of Parks showing the continuous uses
Chart showing the relationship of demand and population of Forest Elephants requiring protecting by the GBN Ministry of ParksChart showing the relationship of demand and population of Forest Elephants requiring protecting by the GBN Ministry of ParksChart showing the relationship of demand and population of Forest Elephants requiring protecting by the GBN Ministry of ParksChart showing the relationship of demand and population of Forest Elephants requiring protecting by the GBN Ministry of Parks
Model photo of stacked and flexible visitor spaces to be programmed by the GBN Ministry of Parks for various usesModel photo of stacked and flexible visitor spaces to be programmed by the GBN Ministry of Parks for various usesModel photo of stacked and flexible visitor spaces to be programmed by the GBN Ministry of Parks for various usesModel photo of stacked and flexible visitor spaces to be programmed by the GBN Ministry of Parks for various uses
Back reveal of the vertical circulation that ends the public museum trail of the GBN before descending back to the plazaBack reveal of the vertical circulation that ends the public museum trail of the GBN before descending back to the plazaBack reveal of the vertical circulation that ends the public museum trail of the GBN before descending back to the plazaBack reveal of the vertical circulation that ends the public museum trail of the GBN before descending back to the plaza
Entrance and public open space of the GBN museum program looking out on large beach boardwalk belowEntrance and public open space of the GBN museum program looking out on large beach boardwalk belowEntrance and public open space of the GBN museum program looking out on large beach boardwalk belowEntrance and public open space of the GBN museum program looking out on large beach boardwalk below
Animation comparing the importance of linking the National Parks with ecotourism to preserve parksAnimation comparing the importance of linking the National Parks with ecotourism to preserve parksAnimation comparing the importance of linking the National Parks with ecotourism to preserve parksAnimation comparing the importance of linking the National Parks with ecotourism to preserve parks
Animation showing how the GBN Ministry massing reacts to the various related forces of Libreville as an extension of the cityAnimation showing how the GBN Ministry massing reacts to the various related forces of Libreville as an extension of the cityAnimation showing how the GBN Ministry massing reacts to the various related forces of Libreville as an extension of the cityAnimation showing how the GBN Ministry massing reacts to the various related forces of Libreville as an extension of the city
Trio of elevations of the three unique facades of the triangular final form of the GBN Ministry across the intersectionTrio of elevations of the three unique facades of the triangular final form of the GBN Ministry across the intersectionTrio of elevations of the three unique facades of the triangular final form of the GBN Ministry across the intersectionTrio of elevations of the three unique facades of the triangular final form of the GBN Ministry across the intersection

OTHER PROJECTS

The Craft School is a participatory design and construction initiative that places students at the center of creating their own learning environment. It recognizes that education is not only about what happens inside the classroom, but also how the classroom comes to be.
Planes, frames, and volumes are fundamentals to all assembly logics. With the proliferation of additive production methods, the possibility of volumetric prefabricated components has the potential to radically alter the way that we conceive of construction and the permanence of building parts.
The RACA project must meet two demands: A. REFLECTION (museum) or B. CONTINUATION (practice + addition). The current program and its stagnancy has left the site forgotten—it is a typical static museum on a living site. The site and addition must constantly change through the participation of people.
Space has become redundant again. Popular culture is uninterested in the goings-on in space. Once achieved, mans absurd relation with space becomes yesterdays news. To become relevant to the public, CASIS must be an amenity and not a mission. Instead of promoting an HQ, make it a public interface.
The challenge of creating a pair of studio apartments that can fill a lifted 16'x16' void necessitates the creation of a quick, mobile, and opportunistic building system that can react to the found conditions of the site. Access to the site is limited and the ground must be free.
Coney Island will remain a MUTANT appendage at the farthest shore of New York City. Coney is an agglomeration of all of its histories and should continue to simultaneously move each agenda forward. Coney will continue to evolve through mutations— this vision will accelerate its hybridity.
Dimensions.com is an ongoing reference database of dimensioned drawings documenting the standard measurements and sizes of the everyday objects and spaces that make up our world.
University Island is a swirling shapeshifter, in both the landscape and the architecture, that offers it’s undefined field of opportunities to the students and anticipates that each will discover and produce their own individual relationship with the island and their education.

OTHER RESEARCH