A Functional Update for the Gammage Landscape

Erin Torchia | Spring 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Site Parking and Circulation

Gathering Spaces

Details

01 02 03 04 05

+ Goal

+ Basic Constraints

+ Site Analysis

+ Proposed Plan

+ Parking

+ Automobile Circulation

+Overview+Road

Sections

+ Pedestrian Circulation

+Diagonal Link to Campus

+Gammage+Bridge

Engings

+ ASU Herb Garden

+ Northeast Grassy Area

+ North and South Entrances

+ Southwest Grassy Area

+ Historic Fountains

+ Birchett Park

+ Design Details and Notes

Introduction So What?

06

+ Implications of Proposed Design

The goal is to update the site so that it functions more as a pedestrian-friendly space.

Introduction

Basic Constraints

• Changes must be distinct yet compatible with the historic structure.

• The following elements must be preserved: • Gammage Auditorium• The historic fountains

and curved lights• Circulation around the

entire building• At least 80% of the

existing parking• Views of the building

from Apache Boulevard

Pictured: Existing Conditions of Gammage

Goal

Site Analysis - Conclusion: There are many areas that are currently inefficient and can be improved.

Site

Site

Proposed Site PlanThe proposed plan aims to solve the major issues with circulation and shade, along with some minor issues like adding crosswalks.

The parking currently forms curved lines that appear to ripple away from the building; unfortunately, this means that people must walk between cars (rather than on a clear path) to get to the building.

This is inefficient and tiresome for pedestrians.

Parking and Circulation

Parking

The proposed design maximizes efficiency while providing large amounts of filtered shade via trees that are planted in a gently curving line; thus, from above, the design retains rippling lines.

Most of the proposed design involves realigning intersections and making the traffic lanes inside the site two-way; this minimizes driver confusion.

Two traffic circles are proposed along Gammage Parkway to decrease speed and increase efficiency of vehicles attempting to enter or circumnavigate the site.

Automobile traffic is maintained along Forest Avenue and Gammage Parkway, but only the theater trucks may continue to use the road directly behind Gammage.Parking and Circulation

Automobile Circulation - Overview

The current speed limit is 35 mph, but cars frequently travel at 50 mph; this is unsafe for the cyclists in the bike lane and pedestrians, who are only provided a narrow sidewalk adjacent to the road.

VisionParking and Circulation

Automobile Circulation - Road Sections: Apache Boulevard

The proposed design aims to improve the bike lanes, sidewalks, and crosswalks.

Parking and Circulation

Automobile Circulation - Road Sections: Gammage Pkwy and Forest Ave

Forest Avenue was given bike lanes at the expense of one of the lanes of on-street parking; pedestrians and cyclists alike will now feel safer traveling in this area. Buses will continue to service the stops along this route.

Gammage Parkway received two traffic calming circles and an intersection realignment to reduce traffic speed and volume.

The sidewalk is currently too wide- the lack of shade and intimidating amount of paved surface is not welcoming.

The sidewalk will be reduced to 8 feet on either side of the planted median, and the historic lights will be moved inward to regain the intended sense of enclosure along the pathway.

VisionParking and Circulation

Pedestrian Circulation - Diagonal Link to Campus

Pictured: One side of the walkway, with the historic lights nearly hidden amongst the trees.

The current circulation around Gammage is overwhelmingly auto-centric; there is very little shade and a frighteningly large expanse of pavement.

The proposed plan narrows the automobile lane while providing raised crosswalks for pedestrians.

Pedestrians are free to circumnavigate the building, but cars are restricted; only trucks may pass behind the building, and they are reminded it is a pedestrian zone with raised concrete pavers.

New gathering spaces are shown in purple, pedestrian circulation in green, and large scale gathering spaces are hatched in pink.

VisionParking and Circulation

Pedestrian Circulation - Gammage

The proposed design provides space around these endings so that people are not forced to walk through the parking lot to use the bridges.

The current bridges, while striking, do not take into account pedestrian comfort where the bridges touch the ground.

VisionParking and Circulation

Pedestrian Circulation – Bridge Endings

The space will remain secluded, but visitors who find it will be welcomed with a fragrant and shady place to stop and rest.

The herbs will be placed in tiered planters with decorative plants at the back so that visitors can have access to the herbs. More seating will be provided so that the area can be used as a café space.

Gathering Spaces

ASU Herb GardenThe ASU Herb Garden is currently hidden by a bus stop and a series of pomegranate trees. Some of the herbs have labels, but they are all planted at ground level, so visitors cannot easily learn about them.

Large expanses of grass are inefficient in Arizona. Nonetheless, this grass is useful because students stop and rest or gather in the space.

Thus, this area will remain mostly as it is, with only minor alterations.

The arborvitae hedges/trees will be removed because they pose a safety hazard at night, and the African Sumac trees will be removed because they are known to be invasive. Replacement trees will be added to provide adequate shade, and some seating will be added.

Gathering Spaces

Northeast Grassy Area

Gathering Spaces

Both spaces will become more welcoming and therefore will attract more pedestrians.

The Northern entrance has excessively deep shade and is underutilized; the existing trees will be replaced with Blue Palo Verde trees (Parkinsonia florida). The southern entrance (near the ticket booth) will be provided with improved seating arrangements. (The bench planter will feature Portulacaria afra.)

North and South Entrances

The current situation features a large expanse of grass that is unwelcoming and exposed to more than its fair share of harsh southwestern light.

Native plants will be planted in the area, and a path will lead pedestrians directly to the building.

Small, lightly shaded gathering spaces will be added on either side of the path to invite people to rest and relax in the space.

Gathering Spaces

Southwest Grassy Area

The views of the building will not be impeded at all points; the trees will frame the view and liven up the pedestrian experience along Apache Boulevard.

Gathering Spaces

Historic Fountains

Seating will be provided around the fountain so that visitors may enjoy the rippling water.

Underwhelming and nearly hidden, the historic fountains are an excellent opportunity to create a gathering space for those who step out for air during or after the show.

Gathering Spaces

Birchett Park is an underutilized memorial park that would has a great view of Gammage. This design updates it by adding more planters and seating walls, along with a sidewalk that features more connections to the park.

Birchett Park

Details

DetailsThe building presents an elegant façade to Apache Boulevard, but it is oriented so that the large expanse of glass is vulnerable to the intense afternoon sun- trees planted near the windows will block some of this light and heat without detracting from the views. Below is an abbreviated plant palette.

The proposed design aims to improve the parking, circulation, and gathering spaces in and around the Grady Gammage Auditorium.

So What?

So What?

This design will increase safety in and around the site while fixing the most inefficient areas; overall, it will make the space more appealing to visitors without disrespecting the legacies of Frank Lloyd Wright and Grady Gammage.

The large quantity of trees added to the parking lot will help mitigate the site’s urban heat island effect. Planting low maintenance native vegetation that is drought and heat tolerant will reduce both the water bill and the maintenance costs.

This design features multiple elements of low-impact and sustainable design, such as parking stalls with permeable paving.