Although some of these projects are not currently in usable form, they are still quite the marvel to look at, built by students of Auburn University’s Rural Studio.
Perry Lakes Park Birding Tower: Standing exactly 100ft. out of the ground the tower offers birders the unique opportunity to view birds in their habitats above the tree canopy. A decommissioned fire tower purchased for $10, four students deconstructed, re-galvanized and re-built the tower in its new surroundings. In addition the tower was given new stairs and a carefully designed boardwalk and handrail that zig-zags between the trees and over the adjacent lake.
Perry Lakes Park Covered Bridge: Seeking to open the under-explored east side of the park to pedestrian visitors, a bridge was deemed necessary to span a creek. The resulting covered bridge comprises three steel and wood triangular sections: the outer two sections supporting the central section. When joined together, and covered with salvaged tin, the 3 sections create one long “floating” truss that allows a catwalk of milled cypress to hang below its length.
Perry Lakes Park Restrooms: Following the materials palette of the pavilion at Perry Lakes, the students designed three unique toilet “experiences”. The first is a fifty-foot “Tall toilet”; the second is the “Long toilet” with 2 cantilevering walls that capture and frame a tree; the third is known as the “Mound toilet” captured in the earthen septic system of the bathroom complex.