Douglas Mclouth | ARCH 4601 Summer, 2015

The Urban Stage

Plaza Pumarejo y La Etapa Urbano

Plaza Pumarejo and

Existing Conditions

Civil unrest No cohesive design Disrepair and poor maintenance Lack of defined focal element

N

Plaza Pumarejo has been the site of numerous social activities. Beyond the typical plaza, this site has been the location of civil unrest. Originally the entrance to a palace, it now serves as the entrance to a community center. However, the plaza itself has degraded over time and is now populated by homeless, vandals, and drug users. The community has responded by using the site as a location of social demonstrations and civil pro-test. Plaza Pumarejo’s fall from its royal origin to its current state of disrepair is an unfortunate reflec-tion of the state of many urban spaces in Spain. Therefore it is essential that Plaza Pumarejo be revi-talized.

Design Development

Sketch of the existing tree location and area usage by existing restaurants

Sketch of pedestrian pathway

Sketch of permanent seating that enhances the narrative of an amphi-theater

Sketch of potential shading structure

Design Narrative

The revitalization of Plaza Pumarejo began with a study of the existing conditions of the site. The formation of the existing trees were used to generate form. The schematic profile they form is that of an amphitheater that faces west towards the community center. Looking at the contextual history of the site, as a location of civil and social movements, a design narrative of an urban stage was developed.

This idea of Plaza Pumarejo being a stage for social unrest is the driving force behind its revitalization. The new image of Plaza Pumarejo will celebrate this history of demonstration. Plaza Pumarejo has become a metaphor of a stage. It is treated as an amphitheater for the community center. The plaza is a stage for activity, expression, intrigue, a link between the public and the city.

Site Plan

1234567

Outdoor Event SpaceFixed SeatingShade Structure / LightingLeasable Permanent KioskAdvertisment / Community InformationBike ParkingBike Rental

5mN

10 20 30

14

3

2

5

2 2

67

Calle San Luis

Calle Fray D

iego de CadizC

alle Aniceto Saenz

Calle Torreblanca

Floor Plan

1234567

Outdoor Event SpaceFixed SeatingShade Structure / LightingLeasable Permanent KioskAdvertisment / Community InformationBike ParkingBike Rental

5mN

10 20 30

1

4

3

2

5

2 2

67

Calle San Luis

Calle Fray D

iego de CadizC

alle Aniceto Saenz

Calle Torreblanca

5m 10 20

East Section

West Section

5m 10 20

South Cross Section

5m 10 20

North Cross Section

5m 10 20

Design Rendering

View of the kiosk open and in use. This is a 20 sq. meter leasable kiosk with included counter top.

Design Rendering

Permanent seating and shade structure. The canvas shade unit can be removed during the winter with the structural elements serving as lamp posts.

Diagrammatic Study

Traffic Flow

Movement through the plaza is divided into two parts: pedestrian and vehicular. The vehicular traffic form the perimeter of the plaza space. A promenade like path is placed on the east end at the entrance of the community center.

Space Division

The plaza is divided into three key zones: promenade, seating, and event. These zones are deto-nated with the use of surface materials.

Event

Seating

Promenade

Conflict Zones

As the plaza serves a number of uses, there rises the issue of a con-flict of space. This is addressed by distributing the various accom-modations of the plaza into groupings that do not interfere with their neighbors.

Restaurant Seating

Community Space

Services

Surface Materials

Granite TileThe existing site material for both the street and sidewalks.

White MarbleUsed as a transitional material, the marble separates the plaza from the existing context as well as denote space within the plaza itself.

SlateThis is the primary material used within the plaza. The dark tone and color reflect that of the site material but clearly defines it as separate.

Brick TileThe event space posses a com-pletely different material from that of the plaza or site, the red bricks stimulate intrigue and encourages activity.

Sun and Shade Study

11 am 2 pm 6 pm

11 am

WinterDecember, 21st

SummerJune, 21st

2 pm 6 pm

In addition to the community center, Plaza Pumarejo is the location of two popular restaurants in the north east and south west corners. Starting in the late afternoon, temporary tables and chairs are erected in the plaza in two distinct areas of the plaza. These restaurants are so popular that visitors often exceed capacity of the seats and will sit on permanent benches or remain standing to eat.

The revitalization of Plaza Pumarejo accounts for this by allowing for generous space between the restaurant entrances and the permanent fixtures to place seating. Visi-tors can sit at both the temporary and permanent seats and enjoy dinning, conversa-tion, and night time events.

Adaptive Use: Restaurant Seating

The plazas of Spain are often host to seasonal markets and street vendors. On special occasions, merchants will arrive at a plaza early in the morning, unload their trucks, and erect temporary shop tents. During the day, these plazas become highly active with pedestrians shopping for various wares.

The main space of the revitalized Plaza Pumarejo can serve as jut such a location. The shade structure provides an enclosed space for the placement of a market. The spacing between each lamp post can easily fit an average size tent. A seasonal market in Plaza Pumarejo will not only allow for day time use of the plaza, but provide an economic bust to the area from shopping locals and tourist.

Adaptive Use: Seasonal Market

Within Spanish plazas, events of all kinds can take place. Rather on a formal stage or spontaneously, these events draw the attention of the public. These stage events often place themselves in a location that is framed by their surroundings. The east end of Plaza Pumarejo is just such a location. Two trees form the outline of a stage with an unobstructed view from the whole plaza. Here stage events, rather planed or impro-vised, can find an audience.

Adaptive Use: Stage Events

Design Elements

Design Rendering

View of the kiosk from the back. This side features television screens that can display advertisements and community infor-mation.

Design Rendering

A view of the promenade space in front of the community center.

Douglas Mclouth | ARCH 4601 Summer, 2015