Branchpoint:
Environmental Resilience Center
The project called for the design of a community resilience center in Dahlonega, Georgia that would unite education, ecology, and social infrastructure within a single, adaptable framework. The goal was to create a facility that not only supports daily community use but also functions as a place of refuge during emergencies. The program required flexible spaces for exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and outreach, as well as outdoor learning environments that extend engagement beyond the building. Ultimately, the project sought to demonstrate how architecture can serve as both a civic anchor and a living system—resilient, regenerative, and deeply connected to its environment. The assignment was made over a twenty week period using Revit, Rhino, Twinmotion, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Procreate. The final deliverable included two boards and a full design development drawing set.
Statement of Intent
BRANCHPOINT is a dynamic, nature-inspired hub rooted in the city’s identity as a Tree City. Drawing on the adaptive qualities of native species like the black willow, the center embodies principles of biomimicry to foster resilience, education, and connection. Its design mirrors the intelligence of forest ecosystems—offering layered canopy-like gathering spaces, branching pathways for circulation, and interiors infused with natural light and airflow. Serving as a “Community Tree,” the center functions as a shared resource for learning, refuge, and connection, branching into the landscape without displacing it. Modular rooms support evolving programming for education, wellness, and collaboration, while interactive exhibits and outdoor learning plazas invite visitors to engage with ecological systems firsthand. Carefully nestled into its site, the center preserves and celebrates local ecology, integrating native landscapes and minimizing disruption to natural patterns. More than a building, it is a living classroom, a cultural anchor, and a demonstration of how built environments can evolve in harmony with the land and the lives they support.
