“The expeditions are not my main goal in life. They are consuming at times like this one has been. My real goal is to build a wilderness center and teach.”
Steger Wilderness Center Mapping
As an introduction to ideas of site and its relationship to architecture, we look to our client, Will Steger, and his 50-year relationship with the land at the Steger Wilderness Center.
The goal of this project was to help the client re-zone his property, a large off-grid homestead in Ely, MN. The final result shows the new construction and septic systems to be placed on the property, while mapping out the existing and new construction in three phases.
Overview & Project Concept
This project was unique in that our class was selected to create and present our work to the Steger Wilderness Center board and the Ely, MN community zoning board. We were able to oversee the progress of the project from start to finish.
Construction and septic are two very important aspects of the Steger Wilderness Center. As the Center grows so does the need for new gathering spaces and cabins. Our idea was to create new cabins and community buildings to be placed throughout the property with minimal impact on the land. The future buildings will be spaced out to give each its own sense of “wilderness” to live in. In addition to new buildings, new septic systems will be introduced to accommodate the large volume of people visiting and working at the Wilderness Center.
Photo credit: HAF
Phase One
Phase Two
Phase Three
Holding Tank Septic System
Vaulted Privy
Mound Septic System