Millvale Boathouse
In Collaboration with Richard Chou
Project Description and Details
Our project was to design a new boathouse that would replace the existing one. Some things to keep in mind were (1) the Three Rivers Heritage Trail that runs through the site, (2) the constraints of maneuvering and launching crew boats, and (3) the different types of people that will be accessing the boathouse for various activities and purposes such as high school students, college teams, and individuals.
VR Render
Background and Site Information
Pittsburgh’s history has often been violent and turbulent from colonial times to the Industrial Revolution. The one constant, however, has been the river which provided protection, resources, and recreation for people then and now. As a response to its history, the Millvale Boathouse serves as a living photograph of Pittsburgh culture.
Site Context
Structure
Formal Diagram
The boathouse recognizes the existence and importance of the river, and alludes to the ecosystem surrounding this site. On this site, the Three Rivers Heritage Trail weaves through the heart of the boathouse, and the design responds to it in a harmonic manner.
The structure is the space-making tool for housing the programmatic parts of the boathouse. The materials of the structure pay homage to the history of Pittsburgh’s steel industry while adding a contemporary touch with wooden roof slats, and the form of the roof reflects the flowing characteristics of the river.
Section - Boat Storage and Trail
Section - Patio and Admin Space
Plan - Ground Level
Plan - Water Level
Axonometric Diagram
Joint Detail