11_09.13

the GREAT LAKES ECOLOGY CENTER at northerly island

//[the project will be about: the people of Chicago, significance of the great lakes to the world, region, and to chicago, this particular parcel of land as relative to lake michigan and chicago, furthering ecological sciences communications and education to the public]//


 * IMPETUS**
 * there is a current global water shortage, which is projected to be exponentially worse soon; The great lakes freshwater system is an important source of potable water in North America. [ to be refined with actual statistics/sources]
 * the water quality and the ecological condition of the great lakes region (GLR) is “terrible”. Various and disparate international, national, and regional/local agencies are tasked with improvement.
 * Northerly Island is a significant site in Chicago’s history, and in the conservation, lakefront, and parks system today
 * contact with nature is critical to human function & quality of life


 * 0. GOALS**
 * //potential design response (pdr)//
 * 1) foster Chicago’s place as a [responsible] global leader in [fresh water] ecology & environmental sciences
 * //create a world-class facility design, that scientists and visitors will “want to see”, to see what Chicago is doing//
 * //building should include state of the art construction& sustainable design techniques, technologies, information systems, and communication systems//
 * 1) the facility is important to highlight the significance of water quality/ecological/sustainability issues and to give physical form to the grand international collaborative undertaking to improve the GLR’s ecology
 * //the facility should be an important building, that will capture attention//
 * //deploy quality construction techniques, to illustrate the commitment to the issues.//
 * //the facility should present itself like both a science research center, and a public institution//
 * //the grounds should to make a statement about the state of the environment//
 * //the facility should be experiential, and have a unique “sense of place”//
 * 1) the project will serve as a foci, focusing the energies of various international-to-local entities interested in GLR ecology; the project should serve as both a repository and disseminator of collective knowledge, current and future issues and activity flows.
 * //facility should represent and welcome various organizations both regionally & internationally//
 * //both the architectural design & technology systems of the facility should store information in an easily accessible way//
 * //the conference center within the project should facilitate both on-site and remote participation//
 * //educational displays should be easily up-dateable to always present current information, as well as tailor displays to any particular group visiting.//
 * 1) the project will be successful by elevating the public’s awareness of GLR ecological issues and their role in addressing those issues
 * //facility design itself as well as integrated changeable educational displays illuminating big-to-small picture issues. while in the context of the international issues, participation and potential roles of the individual or local community should be clear.//
 * //media opportunities should be abundant & encouraged by facility design & programming//
 * //facility design & programming should support interactive programs & activities//
 * //provide opportunity to “connect with nature“ on a personal level, physically and intellectually//
 * //explore the relationship of the xx cities of the great lakes to the great lakes ecosystem.//
 * 1) the project will clarify the island’s role in the lake michigan lakefront and chicago park system
 * //illuminate the history of chicago, the re-shaping of the lakefront/harbors, and today’s state of parks//
 * //site & landscaping design should make an environmental statement and/or proposal//


 * PRINCIPLES**
 * 1) STEWARDSHIP OF RESOURCES. Stewardship of the earth’s natural resources adn teh center’s financial resources are fundamental. All activities and policy will maintain a high degree of scrutiny and transparency to ensure
 * 2) PERSPECTIVE . Global, regional, and local perspectives are to be evaluated, considered and balanced concurrently . a long-term perspective (i.e.: big-picture) is be considered over “trends” or media-driven popularity.
 * 3) NIMBLENESS. the institutions and it’s manifestations will easily adapt to new data, science,and societal reconfigurations.
 * 4) CIVIC VITALITY. the cities located in the GLR have deep relationships with the great lakes and their ecology. the vitality of the Lakes resources is inextricably linked to that of the cities of the GLR.
 * 5) **STAKEHOLDERS**
 * 6) everyone . the global water shortage will affect everyone one way or another
 * 7) cities of the great lakes- these cities are dependent on the GLR in various ways: tourism, recreation, shipping, beyond freshwater supply
 * 8) midwest region- the entire region is dependent on the GLR for freshwater, as well as the ecology (TBV?), the ecology of the entire region would change with changes to the GLR
 * 9) institutions, regulatory agencies, and community groups that are responsible for and interested in the environmental quality of the GLR.
 * 10) government: federal, state, local. EPA??
 * 11) recreational users - fishing, boating, swimming, sunrise/sunset gazing, etc.
 * 12) benefactors - those underwriting the cost of the project.
 * 1) benefactors - those underwriting the cost of the project.