4TH YEAR SCHOOL - Cliffside Fossil Excavation Dwelling

The site for this project was a vertical shear cliff, containing interesting whole intact fossil deposits in matrix. The structure I developed was a set of 3 interconnected elevators that could access any vertical point below the top anchor foundation. Each elevator module could contain 2 or more stories, in which all vertical circulation from level to level would be transferred by actually moving each elevator up or down in relationship to it's neighbor.


Initially, each elevator would contain separate modular programmatic spaces, such as a bathroom, kitchen or sleeping quarters for paleontologist to work on excavations. Later, each elevator module could be converted into guest service spaces for tourist interested in seeing the excavation and fossil displays.

I used a couple of plastic fossil models of dinosaurs that I modified as inspiration. The ribbed skeletal framework is reflected in each elevator cage that is simply covered in glazing for maximum viewing capacity from the cliff side.