Go Green! Planet 4-H Design Plan

Here is the 1st challenge for all 4-H volunteers and youth who are interested in helping to design Planet 4-H. Please take time to think about this program, and jot down some ideas to bring with you to the next 4-H Go Green Meeting, February 7, 2010, 1pm at the Sanilac County MSU Extension office (37 Austin Street, Sandusky, MI):

Go Green! Planet 4-H Design Plan:
Sanilac Country 4-H in conjunction with Michigan State University has commissioned you to develop this site located on Lake Huron in Sanilac County, Michigan. The site is relatively undeveloped and was chosen for its natural features. The features consist of a hilly topography, heavily wooded, Lake Front property with a large raven bisecting it. The design youth team must develop both the site and building, incorporating sustainable design while addressing drought resistant landscaping, perennials, native species, bio-diversity, water conservation, soil erosion, wave power, wind power, solar power, electric cars/machinery - and much more.

The intent of this project is to develop the following program while having a minimal impact to the existing site and its natural features. The following items must be provided in your design:

1). 7000 sq ft. Go Green Research Facilities and Visitors Center

Including:
3000 sq. ft. Research Facilities:
i.e. laboratory for testing plant, soil and other natural resources.
Laboratory
Storage Room
Two Restrooms
Lab tech Office
Conference Room
Two Class Rooms
10’x12’ over head door and service entrance for deliveries.

4000 sq. ft. Visitors Center:
i.e. Center to display bio-diversity ideas, conservations techniques, wave, wind and solar design. This partition of the facilities would be open to the general public.
Large display area
Two Restrooms
Curator office
Conference Room
Storage Room
200 seat Auditorium
1000 gallon fresh water Aquarium
Sales Area
Staff lounge. This is shared with research facilities.
Mechanical Room

2). Provide a main entry from the existing North Lakeshore Road. The drive must accommodatetwo way traffic movements and be twenty-five feet wide.

3). Provide a parking area that will accommodate for One hundred cars. The buildings, walkways and parking area must meet handicap standards and promote for safe pedestrian movement. A handicap ramp built form renewable recourses connecting the main building to the Lake shore.

4). Provide a 3000 sq. ft. Livestock building. This structure must accommodate for a wide verity of livestock. Innovative ways for promoting a health livestock environment should be incorporated in the design of this structure.

5). Provide a one acre food plot to grow a verity of plants. This will be an outdoor area and will feature organic growing techniques.

Additional Notes:
All supporting utilities, i.e. electricity, water, heating and cooling, for this project will be produced on site by means of natural, clean renewable recourses.

All waste produced on site shall be recycled and reused on site.

You will be furnished with a scaled site plan that highlights the existing features.

The completed project will include a completed 3-D architectural model scaled at 1” = 10’, schematic design display boards, a power point presentation, and a video.