The Rockport State Recreation Area is located in the state of Michigan of the United Stated of America. Rockport is situated on the eastern half of Michigan along the shore of Lake Huron. The site is between the two northern Michigan counties of Alpena and Presque Isle. The state park is comprised of 4,237 acres of land ranging from dense forests to sandy beaches, as well as an expansive limestone quarry that is no longer in operation.
The closest city to the recreation area is Alpena, MI about 15 miles to the south. The area is rich with history and culture with attractions such as the Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary and Middle Island Lighthouse.
Published in 2008, this long-range general management guidance focused on the specific natural resources, historic-cultural resources, recreation opportunities and the education-interpretation opportunities of the Rockport property. The project was funded, in part, by the Michigan Coastal Management Program, Department of Enviornmental Quality, and the Atmospheric Administration U.S Department of Commerce. The project was directed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division with assistance from Birchler Arroyo Associates. Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division with assistance from Birchler Arroyo Associates.
Over the course of over 200 years, Rockport's landscape has been shaped by human industrial activity. what were once wetlands are now expansive quarry fields that support minimal coniferous vegetation. Future design strategies strive to maintain ecological sustainability.
Rockport's recreational opportunities extend throughout all four seasons. Access, safety, designation, and possible expansion of these activities would provide visitors of Rockport with an eclectic experience.
After discussing the future of Rockport community members and DNR officials, a “Mind Map” was created. This diagrammatic process helped mold a concept that addresses the need for a balance between the dynamic relationships that make up Rockport.
In an area that once was a busting harbor of machinery and equipment, only shadows remain of it’s former self. The deep-water pier, harbor, and limestone gravel pile are cultural remnants that give Rockport it’s distinct identity. Limestone extraction was a vital industry in Northeast Michigan during the early to mid 20th century. The design incorporates passive design strategies as well as combining an industrial architectural aesthetic that recognizes the site’s past. A “Neo-Rustic” approach was created to combine modern forms with traditional material, balancing the vernacular nature of the site with future design strategies.
The master plan design went through many phases to complete. After several juried critiques, a consideration of spacial relationships between the boat launch, pier and gravel pile was revised and refined to accomodate the mix of recreational activities within the space.
Parking lot design that provided for the amount and types vehicles that entered and exited rockport was integral to the design process. adequate circulation and parking for RVs, buses, campers, and trucks with trailers was needed to bring the program together.
01 Limestone Gravel Pile
02 Deepwater Pier
03 Interpretative Center
04 Subsurface Wetland
05 Picnic Area
06 Limestone Riprap Shoreline
07 Improved Pier Parking
08 Open Area Event Space
09 Steel Sculpture
10 Pavilion & Amphitheater
11 Improved Harbor Parking
12 Kayak Launch
13 Boat Docks
The existing pier offered potential as an artful feature that signified the area’s historical legacy. Early watercolor drawings attempted to reflect characteristics of the former limestone elevator (top left and bottom) and the site’s contribution to Mackinac Bridge construction (top right).
Visitors are welcomed by an Interpretative Center that, through sustainable design, contributes to the park’s purpose of protecting nature, and educating the public of Rockport’s evolution over time. The building includes an exhibit area, offices, audiovisual/multipurpose rooms, a water quality lab/classroom and restrooms.
Passive solar design strategies consider the building’s orientation and latitude and include fenestration, solar panels, shading devices and light shelves. The long axis of the rectangular building is oriented east-west, and clerestory windows along the south façade provide abundant daylight to the building interior. Interior light shelves along the south clerestory bounce light deeper into the main exhibition space.
Shallow vegetated storm water infiltration basins are integrated into the site design to reduce visual impact. Combined with rain harvesting on the roof and water-retaining vegetated roofs. Although the building serves as the physical and ceremonial gateway to the park, it was designed to blend with the site’s natural topography. The roof along the north side of the building follows the natural grade toward Lake Huron.