Arboretum Observation Tower

The Illinois Arboretum is a large park south of the UIUC campus, and its beauty can be enhanced through new perspectives. For my first semester final project, I designed an observation tower with five floors, each offering distinct views of the landscape. The building is accessible via both stairs and elevators, ensuring inclusivity for all visitors. I drew inspiration from the Kaktus Towers in Copenhagen, incorporating five floors that rotate at different angles with walls that adjust to accommodate varying ceiling and floor planes. To achieve this, I created a diagonal divide in each wall: the upper half angles toward the ceiling plane while the lower half angles toward the floor plane, creating a seamless transition between the two. I also strategically oriented the building to interact with the southwest winds, allowing air to travel through the structure in unique patterns on each floor. This creates distinct experiences depending on where visitors are positioned within the tower. The design is both minimalist and open, accommodating people seeking not only panoramic views of the arboretum but also an appreciation of the architecture itself.