THE CHALLENGE: Design an aviary for homing pigeons, all within Knoxville's Sunsphere - a renowned and unused space from the 1982 World's Fair exhibition.

THE PROGRAMS: Entry and reception, conference rooms, break room, research lab, aviary, restrooms, camera lab, storage, and axillary support room.

THE DESIGN: The project takes a look at the dynamic integration between two species—humans and birds—and how their blending can be achieved through multi-purpose functionalities and cross-sectional extrusions affected by meteorological conditions. HVAC and piping tucked between platform support also act as places for pigeons to nest and perch. An extracted stairway leading up the base of the Sunsphere allows human circulation to merge with swarming aviation. Metal louver systems enclosing the theater not only allow for temperature and daylight control, but they also give us the freedom to dictate our own integration, and to what degree we will integrate into our natural surroundings. Steel-wire glass comprises the highly trafficked gallery space, since it is a low relief surface that emphasizes 3d qualities; this means that birds will recognize it as an object rather than something transparent to fly through and unfortunately collide with. The apex mesh in the aviary allows for filtration of light, air movement, and visibility through to the human eye to connect both species once again. All such features take place in two key forms that bleed from interior to exterior, where wind patterns fluctuate in speed and rate from Jan-Dec, meaning that the spaces adapt from wind tunnels to sheltering/nesting spaces accordingly. Though not every practicality can be addressed and there is no perfect solution to the integration of species, this project aims to interpolate the two amidst Knoxville’s diverse ecology through its connection to the atmosphere therein.