This document presents an abstract for a thesis about the interaction between built and natural systems. As populations grow and concentrate in cities, these interactions are becoming more important. The thesis will immerse occupants in a series of built typologies expressing different levels of integration with natural ecologies. The St. Johns River system and Jacksonville, FL will serve as the natural and built contexts. A mixed-use development anchored by an ecological center will exhibit and research the river basin through typologies ranging from closed research biomes to open natural areas. The goal is to condense and experience the hydrological and ecological connections of the river system from freshwater headwaters to the brackish mouth.

2. ABSTRACT
This thesis is a study of the interaction between built and natural systems. These
interactions are becoming more important as the world population grows and continues
to concentrate further within cities that typically supplant rather than develop within
ecosystems. Through immersion in a series of typological environments and ecologies a
more thorough understanding of the systems and components of these typologies can be
gained by the occupant. The St Johns River system and Jacksonville, FL are the natural
and built bases for the various interactive typologies. These typologies are expressed in
the development of a mixed-use urban development anchored by an ecological center
exhibiting and researching the St Johns River basin. The typologies create a varied
level of enclosure or immersion from fully closed research biomes to completely open
natural areas. The immersion of the occupant into the St Johns River and its ecologies
is intended to trace the path of the river system. By following the river from its fresh
headwaters to the brackish mouth and into the ocean beyond the hydrological and
ecological connections that span hundreds or even thousands of miles can be condensed
and experienced.

3. Project Site Alternative Sites Alternative Sites Alternative Sites

4. Proposed Naval Museum Jacksonville Maritime Museum Friendship Park Museum of Science & History
Jacksonville History Center Public Riverwalk River Taxi Stops Project Site

5. Proposed
Ecological Center
1320’ Radius from Transit Station
Comfortable Walking Distance 5’ Topo Line Site Access

7. St. Johns River
3
2 4. occulina reef
4
5. tropical reef 3. bivalve
ecology
1
1. fresh water 2. brackish
outreach
cafe, store, tropical reef
exhibit, aquarium
auditorium occulina reef
aquarium
bivalve
aquarium
circulation paths
fresh water
biome
support, ticketing,
mechanical systems, brackish
5 storage, restrooms biome

9. outreach
cafe, store, tropical reef
offices aquarium
exhibit,
auditorium occulina reef
5 aquarium
bivalve
aquarium
circulation paths
4
fresh water
biome
support, ticketing,
mechanical systems, brackish
storage, restrooms biome
3
1
2
5
4
1 3
1 fresh water biome
2 brackish biome
3 bivalve aquarium
2 4 occulina reef aquarium
5 tropical reef aquarium

23. Sensory Enviornment
Natural Path
Non Critical Path
All Senses Active

24. Sensory Enviornment
Covered Path
Critical Path
Senses Limited by Distance

25. Vision
Position allows
greater access to
foliage
Smell
Natural aroma’s
of flora prevelant
Touch
Most flora and
fauna out of
reach
Sensory Enviornment
Partially Enclosed Paths
Critical & Non Critical Paths
Senses Inhibited by Structure &
distance

26. Vision
Position allows
greater access to
foliage
Smell
Natural aroma’s
of flora prevelant
Touch
Most flora and
fauna out of
reach
Sensory Enviornment
Biome Tunnel
Critical & Non-Critical Paths
Restricted to Vision