OREGON RIDGE NATURE CENTER: Conceptual Design METCALFE ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN • October 3, 2016 Introduction This document describes the proposed changes and additions to the exhibit program at Oregon Ridge Nature Center (ORNC). Based on our site visit and kick-off meeting on February 13, 2016 and subsequent conversations, we propose an approach that honors the building and site, your existing audience, operational requirements, and staff preferences while breathing new life into the visitor experience of the Center. The new exhibit will provide: • An orientation experience for all audiences; • Minor reorganization of the display of the collection of taxidermy specimens and live animal enclosures; • Reuse, to a great extent, of the existing exhibit components as well as improve ments to some of those components (particularly the mobile exhibit); and, • An improved and updated visitor experience, but familiar to long-time visitors. This narrative description is intended to accompany the illustrations showing the proposed design of the new space. General Approach and Givens Audience We understand that the ORNC primary audience is children between the ages of 6 to twelve. The secondary audience, and nearly as important, are the adults who come with them as par- ents and teachers, and who come independently for a wide range of programs. This project will not change the emphasis of audience segments. Duration of Visit The typical family stay in the visitor center is generally less than one hour. Home school groups often spend as much as two hours with periodic groups remaining for as long as four hours. Learning The ORNC is devoted to exploring the human impact on the natural environment, specifically the Piedmont ecosystem of central Maryland. Examining invasive species of both flora and fauna are a particular emphasis. The human history of the site is also a central part of the ORNC identity. Our proposed changes to the exhibit program is intended to strengthen these elements of the ORNC mission. Page 1 of 25
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OREGON RIDGE NATURE CENTER: Conceptual Design
METCALFE ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN • October 3, 2016
Introduction
This document describes the proposed changes and additions to the exhibit program at Oregon Ridge Nature Center (ORNC). Based on our site visit and kick-off meeting on February 13, 2016 and subsequent conversations, we propose an approach that honors the building and site, your existing audience, operational requirements, and staff preferences while breathing new life into the visitor experience of the Center. The new exhibit will provide: • Anorientationexperienceforallaudiences; • Minorreorganizationofthedisplayofthecollectionoftaxidermyspecimens andliveanimalenclosures; • Reuse,toagreatextent,oftheexistingexhibitcomponentsaswellasimprove mentstosomeofthosecomponents(particularlythemobileexhibit);and, • Animprovedandupdatedvisitorexperience,butfamiliartolong-timevisitors.
This narrative description is intended to accompany the illustrations showing the proposed design of the new space.
General Approach and Givens
AudienceWe understand that the ORNC primary audience is children between the ages of 6 to twelve. The secondary audience, and nearly as important, are the adults who come with them as par-ents and teachers, and who come independently for a wide range of programs. This project will not change the emphasis of audience segments.
Duration of VisitThe typical family stay in the visitor center is generally less than one hour. Home school groups often spend as much as two hours with periodic groups remaining for as long as four hours.
LearningThe ORNC is devoted to exploring the human impact on the natural environment, specifically thePiedmontecosystemofcentralMaryland.Examininginvasivespeciesofbothfloraandfauna are a particular emphasis. The human history of the site is also a central part of the ORNC identity. Our proposed changes to the exhibit program is intended to strengthen these elements of the ORNC mission.
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OREGON RIDGE NATURE CENTER: Conceptual Design
METCALFE ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN • October 3, 2016
WELCOME TO THE NEW EXHIBIT!
Visitorsenterthefrontdoorastheyalwayshave.Astheypassthroughthesecondvestibuledoor,theyfaceanew“Welcome Wall,” introducing them to the center. This wall is hinged to the existing wall, to allow it to be moved aside during events demanding more floor space.
The new Welcome Wall steers visitor circulation toward the reception desk and provides a partial block of the view beyond, creating a dramatic reveal as visitors round the corner. Visitors attending presentations in the auditorium must pass in front of the reception desk, so the person staffing the desk can welcome them and direct them either to explore the exhibit while waiting for the presentation to begin, or proceed directly to their destination.
Visitors see, even before they enter the exhibit space, a series of three aquariums set in a row set within a faux stream bed. The tanks appear as if they are connected, creating a single stream environment, but they are sepa-rate (with water spilling from tank to tank) allowing staff to maintain appropriate housing for different animal and plant life.
AsthevisitorsroundthecorneroftheWelcomeWalltheygetafullviewofthenewexhibitspace.Ontheirrightisa new environment to create a context for the most dramatic of the ORNC specimen collection. The look and feel of the installation is designed to evoke the natural world directly outside the building without competing with it. It is an abstraction of the landscape within view, but at a low level of detail, allowing the taxidermy specimens it hosts to be the focus of visitors’ attention.
Alarge-scalemural,ontheeastwalloutsidethefurnaceroom,offersabeautiful,abstractedinterpretationofthelandscape outside the windows. The mural is bound by the physical structure giving form to the wall and hosting the largest taxidermy specimens in the collection, out of reach of the visitors.
The large iconic tree that has existed in the space for many years remains, but now has a new setting. It is planted in a “peninsula” base emerging from the stone wall forming the south side of the furnace room. The peninsula is designed in the same manner as the rest of the new environment wrapping that wall and the corner, including the aquariums. Separating the tree from the stone wall is a fabricated log tunnel for young children to crawl through. Inside the tunnel they can discover small “burrows” protecting the ORNC smallest taxidermy specimens that lived underground or in real hollow logs.
The solarium at the south side of the building is opened up to the exhibition space, with existing glass wall interior partitions removed, allowing visitors to move freely between the exhibit and solarium. This space is outfitted with comfortable seating for visitors to enjoy conversation and the view outside before or after their walk through the woods.
The collection of woodsmen’s tools currently on display on the south wall outside the furnace room, will be con-solidated and relocated to the south wall of the auditorium, allowing all the wall surfaces near the water tanks and taxidermy specimens to be devoted to the natural environment. The new location of the woodsmen’s tools will cre-ate an area with an emphasis on the cultural heritage of the site.
The current displays on wheeled graphic panel carts will be remounted to new carts. The new carts will accommo-date as much interpretive panel space as the current ones, but can be wheeled aside and pushed together during special events occupying much less the floor space.
The hallway leading to the southeast exit from the building and the restrooms will remain unchanged, with the exception of a new coat of paint.
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OREGON RIDGE NATURE CENTER: Conceptual Design
METCALFE ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN • October 3, 2016Page 4 of 25
Project DirectorProject ManagementDetailing / Shop EngineeringAssistant PMGraphics CoordinationAdmin / ClericalExpensesExpenses - Site visit Truck rental and expenses Pick up exhibits to be refurbished, remounted, or repurposed. Shop Labor - Site visit to pick up exhibits
Base Building Prep and Coordination -$ Wall prep for mural Removal of existing exhibits not being reused or repurposed by othersRemove Solarium interior walls By ownerRepair base building as required by removal of exhibits By ownerSolarium seating By ownerPaint existing hallway to southeast exit By ownerRemove wood stove and iron access doors on south wall of furnace room By ownerRemove exhibit surrounding the existing tree By ownerElectrical distribution By ownerProject ManagementDetailing / Shop Engineering All budgets are preliminary pending final design
Wall Mural (East wall of Furnace Room) 4,830$ Vinyl wall mural applied to existing wall. Mural wraps around NE corner and continues several feet on the wall facing reception.
Materials - graphic production Assumes wall prep by Owner. Vinyl graphic wall mural approximately 15' x 17'.
Tree Stump (relocate) -$ Relocate existing tree stumpAssumes Tree stump is not anchored to the floor. No shop labor required.
Base cabinetry (at new scenic rockwork and tanks) 11,411$ Painted plywood base cabinets supporting the three new aquaria and scenic landscape at the furnace room. The base cabinets will house and provide access to the aquaria life support systems
Shop Labor - Base cabinet at south wall of furnace roomShop Labor - Base cabinet at east wall of furnace room provisions for 3 aquaria stepped into the scenic landscapeMaterials - Base cabinets at south wall Painted plywood cabinetsMaterials - base cabinets at east wall Painted plywood cabinets
Rock / Mountain , scenic landscape at furnace room walls 38,852$ Stylized scenic landscape will top the base cabinets and support a selection of taxidermy specimen. The landscape will create the illusion of a steam bed flowing from one aquarium to the next.
Three (3) tanks (aquaria) 26,100$ Three (3) new aquaria set into the base cabinets and set off by the scenic landscapeShop Labor - Scenic connection for three (3) custom aquaria tanksMaterials - Three (3) custom aquaria Allowance for three (3) new aquaria, lighting and life support. Assumes OR staff will fit out and decorate the interior of each tank.Materials - Scenic connection treatment Materials - graphic production Graphics and ID information
Iconic Tree - New scenic / casework 19,158$ Replace current planter box with new base and stylized scenic landscape. Shop Labor - Base cabinet Two-piece base cabinet to support scenic landscape. Fit around existing tree.Shop Labor - Scenic treatment Assemble and support abstract geometric landscapeShop Labor - Reader rails Wood reader rail with paint or powder coat metal supports. Materials - Base cabinet Painted plywood cabinetMaterials - scenic treatment Abstract geometric landscape. Panels with paint or powder coat finish.Materials - Reader railsMaterials - for fabricationMaterials - graphic production Reader rail graphics. Direct print on wood or Sintra panels
USA Project #16017 10% Contingency 36,203$ Updated: 10/10/16 Total Recommended Budget 398,228$
Subtotal Total Notes / Questions / Assumptions
Tunnel (with burrows) 17,241$ Children's crawl though log tunnel with lighted burrows for taxidermy Shop Labor - Handle materials. Prepare for mounting.Shop Labor - Lighting for burrowsMaterials - Log tunnel with burrows Wood structure coated with urethane inside and out. Acrylic covered burrows for supplied taxidermy Materials - Scenic treatment in burrows Burrow Scenic treatment and taxidermy by ownerMaterials - Lighting for burrows LED lighting and internal wiring. Power feed to the source by others.Materials - graphic production Labels
Woodsman's Tools and graphic (relocate to Auditorium south wall) 7,564$ Relocate and reorganize this existing exhibit. Move graphics to a reader rail, and update the header with dimensional letters. Shop Labor - New tool case Remove from current location and prepare for artifact mounts. No casework included.Shop Labor - Mount artifacts in new case Assumes approximately 20 toolsShop Labor - Wood reader railShop Labor - mount graphics on reader rail, dimensional letters panelMaterials - Reader railMaterials -case materials Plywood, lumber, acrylicMaterials - artifact mountsMaterials - hardware and anchorsMaterials - graphic production reproduce tool graphics, ID labelsMaterials - Dimensional letters 3/4" thick Dimensional letters painted (9) 3" letters, (18) 6" letters
Bird Silhouettes (ID exhibit) 3,545$ Life size bird silhouettes and bird ID graphicShop Labor - Fit silhouettes with mounting hardware Assumes five (5) life size bird silhouette graphics on standoffs on east auditorium wall.Materials - mounting hardwareMaterials - graphic production Bird ID graphicMaterials - graphic production Contour cut black bird silhouettes
Animal enclosures (two, relocate to adjacent wall) -$ Relocate two (2) existing animal enclosuresNo shop labor required.
Movable displays (two, incorporate some existing components) 35,581$ Two (2) new wheeled triangular exhibit carts incorporating four (4) existing exhibits and two (2) new exhibits tbd. Carts roll into position or nest out of the way to provide added floor space for activities
Shop Labor - Cart structure, siding, and panelsShop Labor - Repurpose existing and make additional exhibitsShop Labor - Finish SidingMaterials - Lumber and plywood structuresMaterials - SidingMaterials - Hardware, castersMaterials - Repurpose and additional exhibitsMaterials - graphic production
Taxidermy - location preparation 1,648$ Reinforced areas in the scenic landscapes to support ORNC taxidermy displaysShop Labor - Prepare locations for all taxidermy installations Assumes 10 specimen locations. All taxidermy and taxidermy installations by ownerMaterials - for fabrication
Update lighting (add/alt) 24,088$ Modify and add lighting. Allowance for additional lighting design, fixtures, and installationShop Labor - Materials - Design Allowance for new lighting designMaterials - Fixtures and installation Allowance for new lighting fixtures and installation
Installation on Site 44,067$ Shop Labor - wrap/pack/loadMaterials for packingDeliveries to SiteReturn shipment to USATravel time - USA supervisor and personnelSite SupervisionSite Labor - Load in / stage for installSite Labor - Install STSite Labor - Install OTSite Subcontractor - Mural installationEquipment RentalMaterials on site
The Conceptual Design Estimate is a good faith estimate based on the Conceptual Design drawing package prepared by Metcalfe Architecture and Design, dated October 3, 2016, and included in this submittal. Its purpose is to establish a preliminary budget to accompany the design package for fund raising activities.All budgets are preliminary pending final designno sales and/or use taxes are included in the budget noted aboveno bonding costs are included in the budget noted aboveno image acquisition or reproduction rights are included in the budget noted aboveno union labor is included in the budget noted above unless otherwise notedall demo, wall prep for murals, flooring, electric, and data by others as neededUSA will place all debris into trash/recycling dumpsters provided by others and/or remove trash daily
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