Ecological Monitoring Center

This project was designed for the Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Foundation under the auspices of Northern Arizona University (NAU). The goal of this project is to be designed to be as sustainable as feasibly possible with a final goal of being able to remove the complex leaving no trace. The building is located on a remote site in Northern Arizona and must generate its own power collect its own water and treat its own wastes. The energy systems were designed in conjunction with engineering students at NAU. The goal is to use as many materials as possible from the immediate area in the construction of the project.

The 25-acre site for this project was donated by Babbitt Ranches to the EMA foundation. Students spent 3 days surveying the site for energy access, flora and fauna and its history. The visit also included a meeting with EMA and a survey of vernacular architecture in the Northern Arizona region.

A 200-page initial site and project document was prepared to analyze the information provided by NAU. The document also included additional research conducted by our students this research documented the history, biology, geology, wind and solar resources of the site.

Site model was prepared showing buildings location. The location and the organizing principle of the site design was echoing the old historic logging railroad spur on the site.

The complex is designed to be self-sustaining in energy, water and is intended to be capable of dismantling and removal with almost no site impact. All materials are from the local area and the walls are constructed from small diameter logs obtained in the thinning of the local forest .

Ecosa Team with Northern Arizona University Clients – from left to right: Dr. Tom Rogers (NAU), Casey Oberle, Brittany Barsky, Kristi Ennis, Karen English (NAU) and Megan Clark.

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