UNITED STATES LAND PORT OF ENTRYVan Buren, Maine, United States of America

US Land Ports of Entry, border crossings, are part of expanded American security efforts. The port designs support immigration and inspection services, maintain officer safety and welcome visitors to the US. The ports convey the dignity, enterprise and stability of the US government in a durable, 100-year structure complying with the US Energy Independence Act. The new port and site meets rigorous operational and security demands. Officers are provided a panoramic view of the secure area from their primary workspace, including vehicles entering as well as exiting the secured perimeter. Reduced staffing availability during inclement weather demands operational security with minimal on-site staff. Enhanced visual surveillance allows as few as two officers to operate the port. Comfort and safety in the heavy snow and icy conditions required a canopy configuration to provide shelter as officers move about the site. The Z form supports port operations and creates a coherent, sleek configuration, protecting officers from wind, sleet and snow.

The port design fuses an abstraction of the cultural and landscape context with concepts essential to port operations: surveillance and camouflage. The St John River Valley is profoundly influenced by its roots in the Acadian culture, a heritage visible in the original settlement of long narrow plots oriented toward the river. Forests still cover much of the area and provide another layer to the design genesis. As the repetition of trees in a forest provides camouflage, the building uses a patterned repetition of joints, columns and mullions to provide the officers with concealment and direct visual site surveillance. To provide maximum visual surveillance, the main work areas are largely clad in glass. A silkscreened pattern on the glass provides both camouflage and glare protection.

LANDSCAPE CONTEXT

Van Buren

St. Leonard

NORTH ELEVATION

REGIONAL MAP

Latitude 47 9 53 N

Longitude 67 56 27 W

Elevation: m ASL 143

PROJECT LOCATION

CULTURAL CONTEXT

CUSTOM & BORDER PROTECTIONDual Mission:

These are our twin goals: border security and facilitation of legitimate trade and travelCBP operates at the nexus of national security and American economic security.W. Ralph BashamFormer CommissionerU.S. Customs and Border Protection

SURVEILLANCE

Photos Courtesy of CBP Photography

UNITED STATES

CANADA

12

4

53

MAIN STREET / ROUTE 1

ST. JOHN AVENUE

FRAN

KLIN

STR

EET

COOL

IDGE

ST

REET

ROUTE 1AN

64 128 320

N N3 Commercial Building2 Secondary Inspection Building1 Primary Inspection Building 4-5 Reserved for Future DevelopmentSITE PLAN

LANDSCAPE STUDIES

SITE

Van Buren

St. Leonard

N

Van Buren

St. Leonard

Van Buren

St. Leonard

1

1

144

2

165

1 144

17

2

Van Buren

St. Leonard

Van Buren

St. Leonard

Waterways Forests & Agriculture Topography Land Plats Roadways

Fibonacci Sequence

Division of Fibonacci Sequence

Metal Panel

Glazing

Precast Panel

Facade Composition

Concept Image

PROFICIENCYContextual & Aesthetic Impact

Sleek architectural forms are tautly wrapped and detailed with patterns derived from the regions natural and cultural context. Abstracting Acadian land divisions and regional agrarian landforms, the site design consists of a series of mounds that simultaneously create a bio-swale system for filtering water and a cohesive experience of the site. Similar to the buildings patterning, the sites rhythmic elements blur the distinction between secured and unsecured areas. Architecture and landscape combine to create a new cultural and ecological amenity from a former rail loading facility.

Circulation design is tailored to specific regional traffic needs and rigorous national inspection protocols. Improved traffic flow, clear pedestrian movement, increased commercial vehicle capability, and the unique needs of snowmobile traffic are accommodated safely and efficiently. The design conveys a welcoming experience, responsive to the local context while conveying federal dignity and stability.

Concept Image

Basic Pattern

Division of Pattern

Metal Panel

Glazing

Pre-cast Concrete

Faade Composition

Fibonacci Sequence

Division of Fibonacci Sequence

Metal Panel

Glazing

Precast Panel

Facade Composition

Concept Image

Fibonacci Sequence

Division of Fibonacci Sequence

Metal Panel

Glazing

Precast Panel

Facade Composition

Concept Image

Fibonacci Sequence

Division of Fibonacci Sequence

Metal Panel

Glazing

Precast Panel

Facade Composition

Concept Image

Fibonacci Sequence

Division of Fibonacci Sequence

Metal Panel

Glazing

Precast Panel

Facade Composition

Concept Image

Fibonacci Sequence

Division of Fibonacci Sequence

Metal Panel

Glazing

Precast Panel

Facade Composition

Concept Image

Fibonacci Sequence

Division of Fibonacci Sequence

Metal Panel

Glazing

Precast Panel

Facade Composition

Concept Image

MAJOR BUILDING ELEMENTS

ENLARGED BUILDING ELEVATIONBUILDING ENVELOPE CAMOUFLAGE/SURVEILLANCE STRATEGY

WALL VENTILATION

Skylights

Roof Plane

Structure

Aluminum Rainscreen

Pre-Cast Concrete Back-up Wall

40 Wells @ 200 deep

Geothermal Supply to SlabHeat Exchanger

PROGRESSInnovation & Transferability

Located in remote sites, the land ports require proven, easily maintained systems. Thus, passive strategies, natural ventilation, daylight harvesting and water conserving fixtures and low VOC materials, are employed. The ports typically occupy large sites with intensive hardscape requirements. For this reason the Van Buren port invested in a site water filtration strategy preserving water quality in the St. John River. Site water movement across the site is slowed by a series of landforms and then collected by a system of swales and planted check dams to promote on-site infiltration while filtering runoff. Site patterns are developed from regional cultural and landscape patterns as referenced in the building envelope. This site strategy sets a new precedent for ports in filtering pollutants from site water runoff.

A ground-coupled heat pump reduces off-site energy resource demands. Evacuated tube solar heats hot water. The back ventilated cavity of the exterior wall tempers intake air. Zoned lighting and occupancy sensors maximize efficiency. A bio-diesel boiler provides peak demand heat. LED lamps provide the majority of the site lighting. Early in the project, the design team was asked to study how the port might achieve a net zero energy status. This study resulted in a design that will take advantage of newly developing technologies to scale co-generation to the small energy demand of this project. The project is also positioned to take advantage of higher and higher proportions of bio- fuel as they become available regionally. For us, this exercise of imagining net zero and building in that capability is now part of how we design every building.

All strategies are composed of easily maintainable and applicable to all new US ports. The project is committed to sharing actual whole-project energy and water usage data for at least 5 years. further, the US General Services Administration conducts Lessons Learned on all its projects, assuring that the innovations employed at this project will be transferred to GSAs entire project portfolio.

OVERALL GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM

Supplemental

Primary

BIO DIESEL & GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS

IN FLOOR RADIANT HEATSOLAR WATER SKYLIGHTSSOLAR WALLS

SOLAR THERMAL WALL DIAGRAM

Outside (cold) Air Intake

Radiant Heat from Dark Metal Panel Cladding

Insulated Rainscreen Cavity

Naturally Heated Convection

INSPECTION LANES LOOKING TOWARDS MAIN OFFICER WORK AREA MAIN OFFICER WORK AREA LOOKING TOWARDS INSPECTION LANES

MAIN OFFICER WORK AREA LOOKING TOWARDS INSPECTION LANES WORK AREA

PLANETEnvironmental Quality and Resource Efficiency

With large remote sites and unusually large energy demands, land ports of entry are required to address site water management and strategic energy independence in durable, accessible technologies. The Van Buren port design pursued a sustainable strategy with a broad range of solutions, focused on site water filtration, energy efficiency and reduced carbon footprint. We entertained a net zero energy goal; while unfunded, this study led to a design that can accommodate eventual net zero or better, energy producing status.

The current design reduces purchased energy by 48% from the national standard by employing innovative, integrated, energy saving design. Daylight is employed in all spaces. Solar tubes provide daylighting to secure spaces. The ports inspections require extraordinary site lighting levels. LED fixtures, and simple lighting control systems radically reduced the ports lighting energy use.

The envelope is super insulated and solar walls on the south facade tempers outside ventilation air. Glazing is silkscreened with a pattern to allow officers unrestricted surveillance while reducing the cooling load. Most glass is shaded by canopies, as well.

Ground source heating and cooling meets most of the buildings heating and cooling loads. Bio-diesel boilers provide heating during peak loads only. In floor heat distribution provides even and efficient heat distribution. The building automation system allows remote browser and set point maintenance.

Given its proximity to the river, water quality management is particularly important. Site water quality is managed using landforms, swales, and a retention pond to filter runoff. Land forms slows water as it moves across the site in a pachinko type movement. Water is collected in a series of swales lined with lapped slate to slow water. Planted check dams filter the water as it moves toward the final filtration pond at the bottom of the site, and is slowly released into the river. The system not only manages on site water but water that sheets across the site from the town above.

0 115 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135

kBtu/sq.ft.*yr

ASHRAE BASECASE

CURRENT DESIGN

47% IMPROVEMENT60% IMPROVEMENT

2030 CHALLENGE YEAR 2010 TARGET

42

67

CURRENT DESIGN ADJUSTED FOR AVERAGE WORK HOURS

48

89

NATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION POLICY (15% Reduction)

58

EISA 2007 - 2010 TARGET (55% Reduction of Fossil Fuel generated energy)

ENERGY USAGE TARGETS

WATER DIVERSION STRATEGY

WATER FILTRATION STRATEGY

UNITED STATES

CANADA

NATIVE PLANT SPECIES USED

SITE WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

Amelanchier Cornus Stolonifera Carex Vulpinoidea Festuca Rubra Grass Pinus Strobus Larix Laricina Acer Saccharum Betula nigra

Rock/Aggregate

Filter Layer

Draintile

Rock/Aggregate

Filter Layer

WORK AREA SECONDARY INSPECTION AREA

PROSPERITY Economic Performance & Compatibility

Van Burens economy is largely based on timber, agriculture and tourism. The town is struggling with declining population, 12% unemployment and an annual median household income of just over $28,000. The improved port will provide both permanent jobs and temporary construction jobs. As security is a primary government function, the port is resilient to economic fluctuation.

With improved wait times, the port will attract travelers, increasing trade and travel. Further the new port will be capable of inspecting commercial traffic attracting new commercial trade. The community was concerned that traffic might bypass local business, but our studies showed that as port traffic increases, trips through Van Burens Main Street will also increase.

The port is designed to easily incorporate technological security improvements and avoid obsolescence, a key factor in ensuring durability. The project documents are scrutinized for durable well constructed assemblies and systems, as Federal standards mandate 100 Year building standards. The port was designed well within the congressional appropriated budget, strategically directing resources toward functional and sustainable goals, while providing a powerful design experience. As the port is constructed with Federal funds, design decisions carried a mandate to wisely use natural and fiscal resources.

VEHICULAR CIRCULATION

Commercial Circulation

Privatly Owned Vehicle Circulation

Outbound Circulation

Total Vehicles = 216,351 per year*

POV (92%) = 198,498 per year*Average = 593 per day

Commercial (8%) = 17,853 per year*Average = 49 per day

Pedestrians = 2,085 / year**Average = 6 per day

Snowmobiles = Approx. 100 per festival dayAverage = 2 per day winter traffic

* 5-yr average, 2005-2009 **5-yr average, 2004-2009

TRAFFIC COUNTS

J U L I E S N O W ARCHITECTS, INC.

US LAND PORT OF ENTRY VAN BUREN, MAINE

1875

6025

6820

6990

6645

5275

32752105

EXSITING TRAFFIC VOLUMESTRAFFIC VOLUME PROJECT SITE

J U L I E S N O W ARCHITECTS, INC.

US LAND PORT OF ENTRY VAN BUREN, MAINE

4800*(EST.)

7025

7820

7990

7645

6275

38003105

PROJECTED TRAFFIC VOLUMES TRAFFIC VOLUME PROJECT SITE GREEN SPACE

EXISTING TRAFFIC VOLUMES

Traffic Volume

Project Site

Green Space

PROJECTED TRAFFIC VOLUMES

Average Annual Income = $28,573 per year

Total Population: 2,589

Households: 1,107

Median Age: 51.5

Source: American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau.

ECONOMIC CONTEXT

CONSTRUCTION SITE

REGIONAL AGRARIAN LANDFORMS & WATER MANAGEMENT

TWIN TOWNS ACROSS THE BORDER WITH SHARED CULTURE

TRADITIONAL PLOT ORIENTATION TO RIVER & TREE ROWS

CanadaUS

Madawaska-EdmunstonVan Buren-St. Leonard

Fort Kent-ClairEstcourt-Pohenegamook

Lubec-Campobello

Vanceboro-St. CroixCalais-St. Stephen

Eastport-Deer Island

Houlton-Woodstock

Norton-StanhopeDerby Line-Rock Island

PEOPLE Ethical Standards & Social Equity

The port is located on 20 acres between the town of Van Buren, Maine, and across St John River, the Canadian town of St. Leonard. Like many communities along the northern border, the two towns act as one, sharing a regional identity based on their common Acadian culture. The culture is maintained in historic artifacts, museums, festivals and, in Van Buren, the reconstruction of an Acadian village. The architecture of the port abstracts the proportioning of banding on tradition weaving patterns, land ownership divisions and natural patterns in the landscape.

The design process engaged citizen input. Workshops engaged the community, addressing their concerns and aspirations for the port. The new port is sensitively inserted, enhancing and expediting the crossing experience, an important part of the communities family and work lives. Strict occupational health and safety and gender and minority hiring equity quotas are mandated, A healthy indoor environment improves staff experience. Design and construction costs are reported quarterly, scrutinized for fairness, accuracy, and waste, a level of ethical transparency mandated by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.

After a flood compromised the previous port, a new, higher site was procured. To access the new site traffic from Canada was routed across the town access to a park at the rivers edge. An underpass maintained this access. In addition, the ports secure area occupied only 9.4 acres of the 21 acre site. Thus 10 acres become a virtual new park, maintained by the port, but with open access to residents and visitors to the area. Planted with trees, swales and landforms, as well as with art, visitors experience a landscape based on traditional regional agrarian landforms.

GREEN PEDESTRIAN CORRIDOR CONNECTS TOWN TO EXISTING CITY PARK

MINIMIzE SECURE PORT AREA TO MAXIMIzE PUBLIC SPACE

CULTURE & COMMUNITY

Existing City Park

New Public Space

United States land port of entrySite planProficiencyProgressPlanetProsperityPeople