Youngmeyer/Hutton Field Post

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Description submitted by the project team. The Flint Hills of Kansas are one of the last examples of tallgrass prairie in North America. They were formed more than 250 million years ago on a subsurface of different layers of limestone and slate. The shallow, rocky soils made the land largely unsuitable for agriculture and challenging for development, effectively preserving the natural state of the tallgrass ecosystem, its unique fauna, and its expansive, undulating views in perpetuity.

The Youngmeyer Ranch includes nearly 4,700 acres of the Flint Hills. Today, the property is an active cattle ranch and field research site for Wichita State University, used by multiple departments for the study of plants, animals, soils and waterways. The Youngmeyer Field Post provides 3,400 square feet of meeting, laboratory, and housing space for six researchers. The facility is completely independent, without connection to public or rural services. Primary energy is generated and water is collected directly on site.

The location and function of this project requires both integration with the natural environment and the strength to resist natural forces. The form, materials, and interior details are inspired by the layered stone beneath the Flint Hills and other natural wonders that can be seen from the building. The field post is partially embedded in the ground to protect the facility from northerly winds and to improve contextual camouflage. The building’s form folds toward eastern sunrise and water views, opening the main gathering space to the panoramic landscape.

The interior materials are all natural hues, arranged in patterns to evoke layers of sediment, grain heads, or even the night sky. Four varieties of limestone wrap around the exterior and seep inward in stratified bands, mimicking the subterranean layers of sediment that lie beneath and peek out the sides of the surrounding hills. One variety of stone – Prairie Shell – includes (as the name suggests) many fossilized shells that tell the story of a prehistoric era. Visitors can search around the building to look for fossils preserved and displayed on the walls, including a perfect nautilus right by the front door.

To protect against wind and wildfires, the entire structure, including the roof, is made of in-situ concrete, clad with a palette of durable, non-flammable exterior materials: concrete, limestone and glazing systems. Being a good neighbor in the Flint Hills requires minimizing any impact on natural views, so maintaining a clean roofline was a priority. To maintain a discreet profile, the cantilevered concrete roof reaches its maximum height at the edge and virtually disappears when viewed from the nearest property, a few kilometers away.