PYROSTRUCTURE
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is well known for its applied research on the Central Texas landscape. Their longest running research program looks at the impact of prescribed fire on Central Texas ecosystems, and has helped grassland stewards across Texas develop management plans for over 20 years. This fort sought to highlight the importance of fire as part of the landscape and ecological system to those beyond the scientific community.
PYROSTRUCTURE represents a grassland wildfire, and provides an accessible, playful, and exciting way to explore the concept of fire, and highlight the prescribed burns demonstrated at the Wildflower Center.
Bright colors symbolize the various stages of a burn - unburned, active burning, and charred. The installation facilitates various levels of play, allowing individuals to define their pace of exploration - climb, dangle, crawl, balance - and engage in controlled risk along the way. Three interactive panels feature graphics representing the elements of the fire triangle - spark, oxygen, & fuel.
Bright colors symbolize the various stages of a burn - unburned, active burning, and charred. The installation facilitates various levels of play, allowing individuals to define their pace of exploration - climb, dangle, crawl, balance - and engage in controlled risk along the way. Three interactive panels feature graphics representing the elements of the fire triangle - spark, oxygen, & fuel.
DESIGN & FABRICATION
The design and fabrication is straightforward. 4x4s were joined with exterior-grade timber screws. Posts mimic grass, while rungs provide structural support and provide a climbable surface. There are three platforms, set at various heights that provide users a place to rest and prospect.
The fabrication process was straightforward, but was time-intensive, due to the size of the installation. We strategized cut patterns to use the least amount of wood, and purchased 8', 10', and 12' 4x4s.
Boards were cut to length using a miter saw. The tops of vertical components were routed with a 1/2" chamfer bit. All of the pieces were primed and painted with exterior-grade paint, according to the predetermined painting pattern.
The modules were assembled on-site, due to the existing grade. We used multiple levels and heavy-duty clamps until the components were secured using timber screws.
ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center sits within the Edwards Plateau ecological region. Commonly known as the Hill Country, this area is characterized by shrubland and dominant species including Ashe Juniper, Oaks, and Honey Mesquite. Prior to European settlement, this ecosystem was maintained by grazing animals, and frequent natural and man-made fires. This landscape evolved from grassland to shrubland because of fire “control”. In order to maintain the landscape or restore it to savanna conditions, fire must be strategically embraced.
