ORCHARD HILL COMMUNITY CENTER

This semester’s site analysis of Orchard Hill on the UMASS Amherst campus has allowed for myself to come across a new understanding of site reciprocity and the ability to relate a building to a site. Through studying a network of hiking and mountain biking trails near the site, these ideas of motion and fluidity became a priority throughout my design process. I wanted to create a experience of constant movement throughout the hiking visitors center, whether that be through the network of ramps that run alongside the separate built forms, or the bikeable roof that reaches from the bottom of the site to the top. One can approach the center from every direction, which is again encouraging this ongoing feeling of advancement. The center is equipped with public restrooms, a sloping central patio to encourage outdoor activities, a bike rental and repair shop for those taking use of the nearby trails, an information center regarding the site and it’s surroundings, an public indoor event space, and other amenities.