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Elvis Herrera

Elvis Herrera

Nampa, ID, US

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This kind of project is great for showing the public the opportunities that could take place in there city. The wetland boardwalk it truly unique to the Jr. high school and is accessible for all students of ages and could be used year round. In the long term this solution should be cost effective compared to the existing conditions of the waste water treatment. The project itself could help reduce the cost of pumping and treating the runoff. This site is a first of its kind in a retrofitting...
This kind of project is great for showing the public the opportunities that could take place in there city. The wetland boardwalk it truly unique to the Jr. high school and is accessible for all students of ages and could be used year round. In the long term this solution should be cost effective compared to the existing conditions of the waste water treatment. The project itself could help reduce the cost of pumping and treating the runoff. This site is a first of its kind in a retrofitting site and displays the uniqueness of a well integrated wetland boardwalk into a middle school. Reworking of the parking lot is more accessible and pedestrian friendly. The wetland is a opportunity to showcase a range of plant material and create a greener, healthier environment for the local community of the site.
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Thesis Studio Project

Priest River, Idaho is a small community located in Bonner County.  The community has been working with the University of Idaho to come up with different strategies to revitalize downtown.  This project was project were to contain snow melt within the site, integrate snow melt utilization for public use and promote safety at the junior high school.

 
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Status: School Project
Location: Priest River, ID, US

 
On the south end of the site there is the lowest point. If the water does not infiltrate into the soil it will slowly penetrate into the lowest point of the site. There is canna plants planted at the bottom of the pond to help with cleaning the water before it goes into the soil. This will help stop the peak flow hitting the waste water treatment plant and save the city money in the long term. Other pounding areas such as under the outdoor classrooms will help with cleaning the water before it...
On the south end of the site there is the lowest point. If the water does not infiltrate into the soil it will slowly penetrate into the lowest point of the site. There is canna plants planted at the bottom of the pond to help with cleaning the water before it goes into the soil. This will help stop the peak flow hitting the waste water treatment plant and save the city money in the long term. Other pounding areas such as under the outdoor classrooms will help with cleaning the water before it penetrates into the soil. During the summer they will be dry however if the plants are given a two year start up period they should be able to continue growing without feature maintenance. During the winter the ponding areas will have snow from all the hard surface areas.
The parking lot will have swales that provide more green space and less grey space. Part of the snow will be plowed into the swales on the east side and allow it melt slowly in the existing drains. The parking space has been reconfigured so that more spaces are allowed. A pathway will provided for pedestrians to promote safety contain from vehicles. The main road for cars in the parking lot is shorter to make automobiles to slow down and provide safety for students. The grasses in the swale...
The parking lot will have swales that provide more green space and less grey space. Part of the snow will be plowed into the swales on the east side and allow it melt slowly in the existing drains. The parking space has been reconfigured so that more spaces are allowed. A pathway will provided for pedestrians to promote safety contain from vehicles. The main road for cars in the parking lot is shorter to make automobiles to slow down and provide safety for students. The grasses in the swale are drought tolerant to with stand the extreme conditions by the summer.
 The pathways are connected throughout all the doors that go into the buildings. This makes students to interact with the site at all times. The pathway surrounds the building so that during certain months of the year the building is being cooled by the net zero energy. The winds from the east will cool the building with more green space rather the grey space surrounding the building. The pathway goes over parts of areas that are ponding, plant material. There is not railing on the boardwalk...
The pathways are connected throughout all the doors that go into the buildings. This makes students to interact with the site at all times. The pathway surrounds the building so that during certain months of the year the building is being cooled by the net zero energy. The winds from the east will cool the building with more green space rather the grey space surrounding the building. The pathway goes over parts of areas that are ponding, plant material. There is not railing on the boardwalk because this allows the students and public to feel as part of site and not feel away but instead as if they were in an actual wetland. Seating is also provided if people decide to seat and look outward to the good view I noticed while visiting the site. The zig zag path forces people to stop for a second and let them notice the view captured by the curve in the path.
The classrooms provide access throughout the site. They allow students to interact with the wetland riparian plantings. Once the snow melts in the months of March and April, the wetland will be filled up until the months during the summer were it will remain dry. There will be information about the plants and how they the help clean the water and let it filter into the soil. If students choose to sit and hang out in the outdoor classroom there will be seating provided. Quaking aspen tree will...
The classrooms provide access throughout the site. They allow students to interact with the wetland riparian plantings. Once the snow melts in the months of March and April, the wetland will be filled up until the months during the summer were it will remain dry. There will be information about the plants and how they the help clean the water and let it filter into the soil. If students choose to sit and hang out in the outdoor classroom there will be seating provided. Quaking aspen tree will be planted inside the outdoor classroom to provide shading inside while at the same time not allowing the water to evaporate. This should allow it to ponder in certain areas so the wetland can last longer through certain months.