Work From Park: Small Buildings with Big Impact and Zero Footprint
The world became more mobile, more isolated. Work From Home has benefits, but it took a toll on mental/ physical health. WFH staff used basement or attic spaces that removed them from community. NIH found severe mental health problems among those who quarantined and isolated, particularly high-risk populations.
The Clermont County Park District (CCPD) recognized this problem; this design is their response.
Work From Park gives the public access to today’s technology while being surrounded by nature and reinforcing community. The design focuses on engaging the site’s history, topography, flora and fauna while creating unique meeting spaces for residents, families, co-workers and guests. The park will be a restorative habitat to enhance CCPD’s bird watching clubs and pollinator enthusiasts. Each pod will be Carbon Neutral utilizing mass timber and cedar.
Gravel paths connect to a larger trail network. An edible orchard is for residents and wildlife while sequestering carbon. Due to area soils, pervious surfacing is a problem; rain gardens and splash pads slow and filter rain from the lot. Check dams slow rain events while enhancing habitat.
Work pods range in sizes for small work groups or team collaboration. Each responds to the land and users’ needs differently. One pod works with small mounds while providing a sense of enclosure, refuge and prospect for private work. Another pod acts as a covered raft on a sea of prairie grass open to the environment. Another pod is perfect for WFP parents with a view to the natural playscape.
A resource center for supplies, restrooms, recycling and waste is open for all. The building uses home scale, regenerative features to educate/ advocate for green living such as compost toilets, solar for NZE and rain capture. An accessible observation tower offers unique views above the native field to attract aviary and pollinators. Native vines that turn red will climb the lattice work to provide a natural sculpture and icon in the distance.
Net Zero/ Positive Energy design
Solar/ photovoltaics
Zero Carbon footprint
Observation deck
Natural playscape
Each pod has electric and wifi
Rain water capture
Low flow fixtures/ Waterless urinals
Vegetated roofs
Native plant species
Habitat restoration
Check dams in swale
Healthy building materials
FSC wood
Edible garden/ orchard
Restrooms, recycling and compost center

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