Biotope | Architecture Studio

Academic | Spring 2023 | Louisiana State University | Individual

Lake Charles, the fifth-largest city in Louisiana and the seat of Calcasieu Parish, lies on the Calcasieu River’s banks, flowing into the Gulf of Mexico.
The fifty-year resilience master plan for Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes outlines ten catalytic projects, part of a long-term strategy to bolster the region’s resilience to natural disasters and other challenges. The inaugural project, the Bayou Greenbelt, aims to establish a network of green spaces and trails alongside regional bayous. This initiative fosters recreation, enhances residents’ quality of life, and bolsters area resilience by serving as a natural flood and hazard buffer.
This studio’s focus centered on six plots of land along the Bayou Greenbelt, with particular attention to the southernmost section bordering Contraband Bayou. These plots are viewed as potential entry points into the greenbelt, integral to the city’s green infrastructure network.
My design choice involves an Agriculture Hub to combat the food desert issue in this area. This innovative building is self-sustaining, generating its energy, food, and water through smart farming techniques based on square root principles. Additionally, it offers outdoor farming opportunities, educational programs, and well-being initiatives for both children and adults.
01- Site Mass
01- Site Mass
02- Site mass splited by the Bayou
02- Site mass splited by the Bayou
03- Imitating the Topography to have a view toward the bayou and guid the rainwater , the other mass become a water reservoir
03- Imitating the Topography to have a view toward the bayou and guid the rainwater , the other mass become a water reservoir

Considering the natural topography of the site and the need to guide rainwater towards the bayou to protect the surrounding community from flooding, a strategy emerged that shaped the design. The shopping entrances are located on the side of the more populated neighborhood, while the car park and entrance are situated on the other side of the bayou. This necessitated the design of a bridge to connect the two neighborhoods and provide access to the building from the parking lot.

Furthermore, a programmatic approach was adopted for the building, incorporating gardening, fresh food distribution, education, agricultural waste composting, wellness promotion, and administrative offices, all within 20 ft by 20 ft modules. This approach seamlessly harmonizes with the concept of smart vertical farming cubes.

1. Fish Tank for Nutrients
2. Pipe with Nutrient Enriched Water
3. Used Water
4. Used Water Treatment
5. Clean Water For Fish Tank 
6. Rain Water Catchment
 Resource: SPARK Proposes Vertical Farming Hybrid to House Singapore’s Aging Population
Water recycle Diagram.
Water recycle Diagram.
Biomass plant with agricultural waste Diagram.
Biomass plant with agricultural waste Diagram.
Structure Diagram: Concrete Core, Podium, and green roof beams, Mass timber Structure with 20 * 20 bays.
Structure Diagram: Concrete Core, Podium, and green roof beams, Mass timber Structure with 20 * 20 bays.
Second Floor Plan
Second Floor Plan
Third Floor Plan
Third Floor Plan
Fourth Floor Plan
Fourth Floor Plan
1- Bike Storage
2- Fresh Market
3- vertical Farm
4- Open to below
5-Bathroom                              6- Event room\ Educational 
7- Meeting room
8- Office
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