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Show 185 THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH Throughout this research project we surveyed the existing barn structure at Rio Mesa Center and documented the quantity and quality of the material. We traveled to Rio Mesa in Southern Utah for a field survey of the barn to assess the material and surroundings. After two days of survey we conclud-ed that although most of the wood we surveyed in the barn was in good condition, the most crucial structural members all have severe water damage and possibly some termite damage at their base. Because of this damage we concluded it necessary to take down the barn rather than re-inhabit in the structure as it stands. This conclusion meant we found no need to perform tests to find the structural capacity of the barn. The wood can and should be reused on site either for Rio Mesa Center needs or as part of a future research project. We then researched the benefits of reusing materials compared to new construction costs and concluded that reusing the barn wood will save up to 3000 MJ of embod-ied energy, 760 kg of CO2 emission, and 1,246,000 liters of water. Beyond these savings, reusing the barn material will help preserve the rich human history of Rio Mesa. We compiled a portfolio docu-menting the barn and each of its members, which has since been used for research for a potential future use project. RE-APPROPRIATING THE RIO MESA BARN Jessica Gilmore, Joshua Weber (Ryan E. Smith) Department of Architecture + Planning University of Utah rio mesa Jessica Gilmore Joshua Weber Ryan E. Smith |
