ABSTRACT

Hyalite Pavilion, a multi-use pavilion completed by the School of Architecture at Montana State University, offers an inventive construction-based Live Project template. The intent of architecture to fit harmoniously within a national forest context has its roots in the founding of the United States Forest Service. The ongoing facility design goals of the US Forest Service are documented in the Building Environmental Image Guidelines (BEIG), which are used by all districts of the Forest Service. Current US Forest Service design should aspire to synthesize rustic style precedents with contemporary realities and needs. The design goal was to reinforce the positive image of the Forest Service as good stewards and conservationists by making sustainable choices in the built environment. Hyalite Pavilion is unique compared with other US Forest Service projects. Its strategy challenged traditional design approaches, yet remained consistent with the US Forest Service's role as land steward and extended the architectural potential in highly sensitive national forest contexts.