Justin LiebermanJustin Lieberman is a Masters of Architecture (M.Arch) Candidate at MIT.  He grew up in Manitoba, Canada, and earned a bachelor of architectural science and co-op specialization degree at the Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). He has worked at 5468796 Architecure in Winnipeg and D’Arcy Jones Architects in Vancouver.

Justin designs many things across many scales and modes of representation. Enjoy exploring the website.


Email: justin74@mit.edu
Instagram: justin_l.ca ; lieber.main
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Hygromorphic Lookout

TMU Architecture
Tools: Blender 4.0, Adobe Suite, Rhinoceros 7, AutoCad, Grasshopper
Location: All of Canada


Adaptive Reuse of Abandonded Fire Lookout Towers 

Distinctions: DAS Year End Show 2024, FEAS Poster Day 2024

Converting the Fire Lookout Tower to a nature observation tower allows visitors to experience the natural forest cycle rather than suppressing the forest cycle.

Giving a new life to these abandoned wood framed buildings allows visitors to visit a place of solitude in the great outdoors surrounded by Canadian history.

Timber is a major industry that is an integral part of Canada's economy and therefore hundreds of towers were built across Canada to have surve ilance over the stock. The goal of the Fire Lookout Tower was to view the landscape in a certain, specific, highly regulated way that frames this act of disciplined sureveillance. New technologies like drone scanning and satalite images have left these structures completely abandoned. The hiking community adopted these deserted buildings, and without upgrade, they will inevitably be destroyed by the harsh environments that surround them.


New Envelope
The main floor gets an inserted new envelope while the second floor gets an exterior addition.
Hygromorphic Facade
There is no need for 360 degree views anymore.
Views are based on humidity, it closes when its dry and a fire is possible.
Look Up, Not Out
The asymetrical plan favours a corner. By making this roof clear, you can watch the weather.

Site Study
Forests are designed to use fire as a tool. From fire, forests create resilience and adaptability. Fire lookout towers were built to control and supress these nessasary wildfires, cutting the cycle and stopping the forest from naturally adapting and evolving.
Exploded Axonometric
This is a variety of abandoned fire lookout towers across Canada. Although all of these towers are abandoned, the timber framed structures are the most at risk for demolishion. Therefore these towers require adaptive reuse otherwise they will be destroyed by the harsh conditions of their environments.

PlansSectionTopography Study Model
Large Scale Model
Details

Passive House inspired details.