Electric Highway: December 2010

Highway I-15

(Photovoltaic Solar)

Highway I-15 has the potential to become one of the leading electric highways in the future. Along this long stretch of road that intersects six states there can be a number of different renewable resources that can be used. This project was focused on simple renewable sources that are already being placed around the world. Down in the southern part of California and Nevada there is a high concentration of sun exposure that can be captured and turned into energy. More up north in central Idaho and Montana there is a higher concentration of wind speed that can accommodated wind turbines. These ways of gaining renewable energy are going to be placed along I-15 to create inspiration of using self sustainable energy as every next day is the future.

Electric Rest Stop (CAVADA)

Between Barstow, California and Las Vegas, Nevada is a long stretch of highway that is somewhat in the middle of the desert. This location is great for simple solar array systems that can capture the sun's rays and convert it into renewable energy. In the future we expect there to be more electrical automobiles that can run for several miles at one time, or at least we hope so. This site was chosen for its practical travel time, being in the center of Barstow, CA and Las Vegas, NV this rest stop is approximately 1hr30min from either city.

The creation of CAVADA started with a series of sketches, mainly sections and elevations. These sketches were inspired from an earlier electric highway project. The task was to transform a semi-complex organic structure into a simpler form, while still keeping its basic shape. Here are some sketches that were made from the inspiration of the first project.

(Study case)

Final Proposal

Creating a series of study cases has led to the final building and ideas. The simpler organic form that has been abstracted has been used as a sloping ground, wall, and roof system. The folding of the form allows for a new abstract space. Although it is kept to a minimum, the spaces work well with the open desert environment. Adding skylights to the roof system gives the feeling of being indoors when really being outside. Solar array systems are placed in a simple manner on the roof system, collecting the sun's rays from any angle. The solar array system will supply the rest stop with off the grid energy.

(Section)

(Perspective inside one of the rest rooms)

Highway Maintenance Housing, Idaho

Just a little south of Idaho Falls, ID there is a great opportunity for renewable energy to be designed. There are long spans of farm land that can hold home to wind turbines. Combining housing with wind and solar can create a sustainable site. Already having a well modeled simple and elegant house from the first electric highway project, the idea was to keep the same simple and elegant approach. A series of plans were developed to produce the final model. The housing unit is meant to be duplicated in a location of green grass hills where wind turbines can interact with it. Having quieter wind turbines than the normal on the same site as the housing units will create a sustainable neighborhood, as solar array systems can be added to the roof system of the house. While wind turbines are near I-15 to help make it a self sustainable highway.

First Project

(House Plan)

(Housing Sections)

Final Proposal

(Sections and Plan)

(Elevations)

Additions

While thinking about stations that recharge electrical cars, a series of quick sketches has led one of many proposals to a recharging station. This station is meant to occupy one car at a time, but if multiplied and spread throughout a parking lot or rest stop there can be an aesthetic that the future brings. This addition was added in the CAVADA project that is shown in the renderings of the rest stop in the earlier viewings. Solar array systems are added to the roof of the structure to capture energy from the sun. This awning is meant to be mass reproduced and can be customized with different materials to fit the site or location.

Study Cases

(One of the Study Cases)

Final Proposal

These Ideas have been worked on with a fine manner - with a series of drawings, sections and re-drawings. Renewable energy has always been pleasing to the eyes, now we just have to design it and create it.