Joseph Michael Kelly, Architect

JOSEPH MICHAEL KELLY

BET, PD, MSc, RA, CEng, NCARB, MCIBSE

A R C H I T E C T a n d E N G I N E E R

jmkelly@hotmail.com

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Ramsey Creek Preserve Chapel, Westminster, SC

1998

What is Restoration Ecology? "The practices we now call conservation are, to a large extent, local alleviations of biotic pain. They are necessary, but must not be confused with cures. The art of land doctoring is being practiced with vigor, but the science of land health is yet to be born." Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac.

Memorial Ecosystems is an ecologically conscious death care company creating and maintaining nature preserve cemeteries. The challenge was to create a chapel at the Ramsey Creek Memorial Nature Park that fit into the natural environment. JMK used salvaged historic railroad masonry from the Civil War era and horse logged beams to create the space. The exposed wood beams reveals JMK's carpentry roots and his attention to detail. The oval shaped open air chapel is designed to be located in the center of the Ramsey Creek Preserve.

The environmental design of buildings is complex but absolutely necessary. The design took advantage of natural ventilation as openings were located to provided excellent cross ventilation. Numerous wind and lighting studies were made of the chapels orientation to the site. The figures below show examples of the studies made by JMK to accurately size and position overhangs, shading devices and louvres. JMK considers the extent of solar penetration into buildings, overshadowing or the most appropriate means of shading a window or opening. Utilizing sophisticated computer software the design included studies of both shading and solar penetration as well as sun-path diagrams, sun angles, shade dimensions and study of solar tables.

Design Awards and Publications

The Ramsey Creek Preserve project was awarded an Honor Award, Outstanding Protection of Natural Resources from the South Carolina Department of Land Resources.

Ramsey Creek Preserve project was published in the October 2002 issue of Landscape Architecture Magazine. Ecology, A Natural Death.

To learn more about the Ramsey Creek Preserve project and Memorial Ecosystems please visit their web site at http://www.memorialecosystems.com.