Aiken Audubon Research Outpost

Studio VI Project (Graduate, DesignBuild) • Spring 2025

The Aiken Audubon Research Outpost is a bird banding station designed and built by a team of 26 students and 2 instructors including myself. The project was designed from January to April 2025, and constructed in just 4 weeks throughout May. I participated in early design teams to develop its gable structure and ultimately became vital in the production of the building's roof and cladding. My central role was on the building's hot-rolled steel apertures, where I designed and directed their production.

This 1,000 sq. ft. open-air research station, located on a ranch in southeastern Colorado, serves to support migratory bird research conducted by the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies. During spring and fall migrations, this banding station is used for data collection, public engagement, and environmental education for local school groups.

The station includes an open-air classroom, secure storage, and seasonal bunkrooms, entirely designed and built by two faculty and 26 graduate students, including myself. The design includes two facades composed of cordwood screens, which serve to filter light, shield users from wind, and mitigate bird strikes by diffusing reflections on windows.

The building was constructed using cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels sourced from Colorado Engelmann spruce. The timber was harvested using sustainable forest management practices, including selective thinning and pest mitigation.