TILLMAN DESIGN
Architectural & Graphic Design
Providing a platform for experiencing the beauty and serenity of the natural Kansas landscape, this structure acts as both an escape into nature and a platform upon which the client can educate the public.
Natural Resource
The Overlook was only the first step in a varied series of projects at the KU Ecological Reserves, all intended to draw the public to this beautiful site and educate the public on the many benefits of the native prairie. In 1957, KU began a long-term prairie experiment on the 160 acres of former farmland that continues to this day, testing four methods of management: use of burning, grazing, mowing and no treatment. along with research and teaching programs.
While native prairie like this was once prevalent across the midwest, it has become exceedingly rare as farmland and development spread. The client’s goal with this project was to create an evocative space for sharing this natural beauty with the public, educating them on its myriad environmental and ecological benefits.
Over 13 weeks, our studio rapidly produced a series of varied and imaginative conceptual designs, which were narrowed down to two main options. We then presented these to the client in order to gather feedback, with the two options merging into the final design. Because of the remote nature of the site, our design was limited to modules that could be loaded in a standard trailer, and any tools had to be powered by a portable generator. These constraints led to the highly modular design, which also has maintenance benefits. We refined the construction detailing, verified the cantilever’s structural requirements, and sourced materials. The wood slats were repurposed from retired utility poles - the client appreciated that no new lumber was used for the project, and the wood was pretreated for outdoor use.
From there, we fabricated the various elements off-site in a warehouse. A large focus of the studio was learning the various skills necessary, such as welding, woodworking, and pouring concrete. The overlook’s deck surface, which is prominently cantilevered over the edge of a bluff, is comprised of a grid of steel structure and smaller Unistrut frames, each of which supports a varied pattern of recycled wood planks.
The wood decking is separated into small, similarly-sized panels that can be easily removed and carried by a pair of workers, allowing them to be repaired quickly and efficiently. Considering the prominent cantilever over the bluff and possible number of occupants, we designed the deck to be three to four times stronger than was structurally necessary through a combination of concrete and steel construction methods.