rah: revitalizing a post industrial community
DESCRIPTION
An Architectural ThesisTRANSCRIPT
Urban Renewal _ Reintegrating a post industrial city
Katie Renner
Thesis
Fall 2012 - Spring 2013
URBAN RENEWAL:Reintegrating a Post Industrial City
URBAN RENEWAL:Reintegrating a Post Industrial City
by:
Katie Renner
Thesis presented to the Faculty of the Department of Architecture
College of Architecture and the Built Environment
Philadelphia University
In partial fulfillment of the requirments for the degree of
BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE
Thesis Research Faculty&
Thesis Studio Instructor
Susan Frosten
Academic Advisor:Armando Plata
Professional Advisor:Janice Woodcock
Philadelphia, PACompletion | May 2013
Table of Contents
Abstract
Position Paper
Appendix : An Early Writing Exploration
Research Conclusion: A Methodology
Case Studies
Selected Site: Site Analysis
Program Analysis
Process Documentation
Final Design
Reflection
[ 1 ]
[ 3 ]
[ 11 ]
[ 15 ]
[ 21 ]
[ 35 ]
[ 49 ]
[ 59 ]
[ 87 ]
[ 105 ]
Abstract
Post-industrial cityscapes, Philadelphia in particular, are an example of how rapid growth and immediate
demands trumped long-term design-thought at a time when the prevailing mindset assumed never-
ending resources existed. The zoning of single-use areas that arose as a result of industrial growth had
a domino effect, out of which evolved changes to the population, culture and ultimately the fabric of
urban life. Just as suburban areas tend to grow at a faster rate than cities, their infrastructure is quicker
to adapt to revitalization to address the changing demographics, which at the time of industrialization
called for the separation of live space from work space. Principles can be extracted through the study of
suburban intensification that can be applied to how we approach the rejuvenation of urban conditions.
By applying methods of New Urbanism, Smart Growth, and ways of retrofitting suburbia; traditional
ideologies applicable to suburban areas can be adapted to how we design for the future of our urban
areas.
1
Position Paper
Rejuvenating Urban Areas with Subruban Methods
Introduction Both urban and suburban areas are evaluated and rejuvenated for changing demographic populations, it is important to realize similarities in the approach for revitalization for suburbs and for cities.
BackgroundPhiladelphia is a city where industrialization became the defining factor in urban growth. Despite William Penn’s plan for Philadelphia, including many larger lots with single-family dwellings located in a strict grid-like pattern, growth was more heavily influenced by specific culture types or industry types. Its city center became a centralized location for economic
activity. As the city expanded, it wove together the old and new communities. In these, you see large groupings of industrial sites adjacent to densely populated residential areas comprised of row homes. This proximity of row homes to industrial sites is a direct result of industrialization.1
As the streetcar developed, the grid like pattered defined by Penn was extended from the city center into areas that were considered rural, even though they were within the city limits. As suburbs sprawled and immigration continued, sections of the city
1 Adams, Carolyn, David Bartelt, David Elesh, Ira Goldstein, Nancy Kleniewski, and Wil-liam Yancey. Philadelphia: Neighborhoods, Division, and Conflict in a Postindustrial City (Comparative American Cities). Temple University Press.
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became relegated to different groups of immigrants. Simultaneously, as this occurred, it helped to prompt the white flight from the city. This movement is typified by mid- to upper class blue- and white-collar workers fleeing to suburban areas, leaving the city, which was becoming full of immigrant ghettos.
The shift to suburban areas was also driven by affordability. The Federal government was partially responsible for increasing affordability by making financing new construction of individual, single family homes outside of the city more easily attainable. This allowed people to escape the city atmosphere, while maintaining easy access to the amenities of city living from the comfort of a ‘rural’ setting. These amenities consist of being close to work, not having to travel far for food or other necessities. Just as new construction became more affordable, so did buying a car. Henry Ford and his method of assembly line manufacturing caused a drastic decrease in the typical cost of buying and maintaining a car. Affordable car-ownership contributed to the feasibility for workers to make commuting back to the city from suburban areas a viable alternative.1
Development _Sprawling issues There has always been a portion of building efforts that sprawl away from existing developed areas. People desire these new areas of development because they typically provide opportunity for private single-family home
1 Duany, Andres, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, and Jeff Speck. Suburban Nation, The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream. New York: North Point Press, 2000. [p.5-20]
ownership. Though these areas are in high demand and grow at a high rate, in fact a faster rate than that of cities, there is a need for their sprawl as well as a need to consider their implications. Moreover, the framework built by industrialization that created large zones of industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential development separated from one another has left holes in the urban fabric.2 As suburban areas were developed in a similar single-use pattern in the same way cities grew through industrialization, both the cities and suburbs face a future where they will suffer unless their problems are identified and addressed.
To varying degrees, both the majority of urban and suburban condition carry similar concerns. These concerns include poor balance between pedestrian, car, cyclist, live, work, and play. They also include limited or no consideration for environmental-impact and contribution back to the environment. As an additional concern, the use of land is typically single-use and underutilized. Although each environment may suffer similar problems resulting from their own, unique issues; the suburban condition has been criticized and has few prescriptive solutions to the issues.
The book, Suburban Nation, by Andres Duany, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, and Jeff Speck, was written to criticize suburban sprawl. The books’ comparison between traditional European towns and the way that sprawl unfolds is key to understanding the successful growth of the first over the failure of the
2 Duany. p.5-10
-Provide a Variety of Transportation Choices-Make Development Decisions Predictable, Fair and Cost Effective
-Encourage Community and Stakeholder Collaboration in Development Decision2
Similarly, Ellen Dunham-Jones and June Williamson wrote the book, Retrofitting Suburbia, that introduces New Urbanism and Smart Growth Principles as well as a similar, revisited list of proposed ways to redevelop or improve the existing suburban setting over time. In addition to the Smart Growth principles, there are a few additional principles introduced by Retrofitting Tactics to consider such as:
-Using appropriate street and sidewalk sizes-Keeping block sizes walkable-Revising zoning codes, and -Provide environmental repair.3
These principles encompass the broad ideas that arise as our suburban areas are criticized. As time passes and we begin to revitalize those unsuccessful suburbs, it is important to realize that many of these ideas can be transient to our urban environment as well. Urban renewal - Why? It is important to continuously revitalize our urban centers because they encompass inherent physical traits of some of the important ideas that 2 NCAT (North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University). Environmental Protection Agency, “Smart Growth Online.” Last modified 2012. Accessed December 11, 2012. Smartgrowth.org.3 Dunham-Jones, Ellen, and June Williamson. Rettrofitting Suburbia, Urban design solu-tions for Redesigning Suburbs. New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons, 2011. [p.ix]
later. Along the way, it touches on key factors such as transit, development practices, and peoples’ idealistic impressions about the perfect place to live. Out of their own criticism, the authors develop a ‘checklist’ of traits, or features that a new town must have in order to be considered a successful community. The resulting new prescriptive set of rules that they developed while evaluating what additions would create a successful suburban community was referred to as New Urbanism.1
The authors of New Urbanism, a framework for the design and development of towns, continuously reworked those ideas into what is now called Smart Growth. Containing a more broadly defined set of principles than the ones that New Urbanism are comprised of, Smart Growth Principles are to be considered when planning or building a new neighborhood. The principles for Smart Growth are as follows:
-Mix Land Uses
-Take Advantage of Compact Building Design
-Create a Range of Housing Opportunities and Choices
-Create Walkable Neighborhoods
-Foster Distinctive, Attractive Communities with a Strong Sense of Place
-Preserve Open Space, Farmland, Natural Beauty and Critical Environmental Areas
-Strengthen and Direct Development Towards Existing Communities
1 Duany. p.257
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support a prosperous future. The national census from the year 2000 showed growth trends in both city and suburban areas. Although both cities and suburbs grew, suburban areas tended to show growth rates much higher than those of the nearby cities that they surrounded. These trends are partial fueled by the issue of urban sprawl.1 As areas grow, they are likely to continue to build malfunctioning suburbs that will, through time, have to undergo some additional re-planning development, or ‘retrofitting’ to become more functional, just at existing suburban areas are now. Because sprawl is less sustainable, it takes a huge toll in terms of the financial impact and use of resources to expand current infrastructure. One way to limit its growth is to focus investments into urban centers.2 As smaller, older suburban areas are ‘Retrofitted’, many begin to take on the feel and functions of small town centers and they begin to integrate multiple uses of land.3 This restructuring of land use is one of the most common retrofitting tactics, These are traits that are utilized in parts of cities, moreover, just as Suburban areas can be retrofitted, these methods can be applied throughout the urban fabric to integrate uses of land to reweave parts of the city together. How to Measure Success - Ecology, Economy, Equity In taking on projects their goals can be set and their successfulness can be measured or projected based on different scales. The Sierpinski tile is a triangle measurement tool that was
1 Katz, Bruce, and Robert E. Lang. Redefining Urban and Suburban America. Washing-ton D.C.: Brookings Institution Press, 2003. [p.33.45]2 Williamson, Thad. Sprawl, Justice, and Citizenship; The Civic Costs of the American Way of Life. New York: Oxford University Press, 2010. [p.65]3 Ellen Dunham-Jones
developed by William McDonald in his book, Cradle to Cradle: Rethinking the Way we Make Things. The triangle embodies the three elements of ecology, economy, and equity, creating a scale or framework for project goals to be compared against. The goals and comparisons made will result as the designer asks questions and concludes ideas about the project. They will determine where the project lands on the triangle.4
The bottom right corner of the triangle is the Economy division. This is the corner that most developer’s interests would be evaluated in. It measures the direct financial return that a project would produce. This fractal in the triangle is evaluated by pure capitalism and evaluates everything though a pure economic lens.5
The bottom left corner of the Sierpinski Triangle, 4 Benkert, Micheal. “Architect as Developer A Model for Triple Top Line Development.” MS thesis. University of Cincinatti, 2008. Print. <http://www.mbenkert.com/Benkert_Fin-alThesisDocument.pdf>. [p.3-12]5 Benkert. p.3-6
Ecology - Evironmental concerns
Economy - Financial benefit and stability
Equity - Social, idividual or community benefits
grounding it, is the equity division. This division is framed around pure socialist ideas. It considers how a project effects, adds to or degrades the overall health and well being of its stakeholders. Evaluating how a project respects its benefactors is a broad objective of the equity division of the triangle.1
The third and top point of the triangle is primarily focused on evaluating a project through an environmentalism lens. The top point of the triangle is the ecology division. This division is directly linked to McDonough’s triple top line thinking, a direct response to the triple bottom line. His approach to design, the triple top line, puts ecological and social concerns at the forefront of the design process to make it integral to the success of the project. Typically projects with these ideas guiding the process create financially lucrative results in a way that is unconsidered when only looking at project planning through a wholly economic lens.2 Where the Principles fall _ Seirpinski Triangle. The design principles set forth through the Smart Growth initiative and Retrofitting Suburbia can be evaluated for their holistic approach by using the economic, equitable, and ecological lens to gain and understanding of what stakeholders’ interest they address the most. Each stakeholder, the main ones being, residents, merchants, real estate developers, and city government officials, carries their own agenda that weigh each point of the triangle differently and for different reason.
1 Benkert. p.3-62 Benkert. p.3-6
Residents, for instance, will likely, first and foremost, consider the equity that would be added to their neighborhood though the development initiatives. Their interest lies in how the development will improve their quality of living, lift their property value, how it facilitates future growth, and how it builds neighborhood commonalities that they can take ownership over through living in the area. By providing a community benefits they want, you as the designer, can promote the upkeep of those improvement by the community as a whole. Other concerns such as economic considerations come into play. not only in property value for current owners, but for prospective residents. Ecologically, residents may overall be more attracted to an area if they believe they are investing in something that gives back, or relies minimally on depleting resources. The economic considerations are typically considered the most by real estate developers. Consistently wanting the most immediate financial gain for the least amount of investment up front, real estate developers in past and more traditional models give less consideration to the worth of what they are providing to a community, and even less so to ecological considerations. Understanding that by looking at both social equity and ecological concerns at the forefront of their development could bring them a unprecedented amount of economic success because buyers will be willing to pay more for the project.
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One of a Merchants’ main concerns might be having an affordable space to run their business in, therefore they are mainly concerned economically as well. Furthermore, they rely on a group of consumers. Being in an area that is considered socially equitable, helps their business because it would attract consumers. A business would also add equity to the surrounding area providing convenient goods or services to the community. Ecologically - being in an area or operating from a structure that helps the environment or has minimal environmental impact attracts a certain consumer group. Relate_Ecology Equity and Economy to the principles To incorporate many uses of land a community can improve the Equity of the area. By incorporating near by shopping to the area it improves the worth of the area, making it more convenient. This Also bring economic value to the area.1 Intertwining land uses gives members of the community many options nearby limiting their need to travel for a specific use, whether it is for work, shopping, or for recreation. Limiting travel time is best for the environment, improving the community in the ecology division. Overall, this method of design makes a neighborhood desirable, in turn benefitting the new project in the economic division.
Compact building design is one way to maximize the use of building resources and is another way to create convenience. Ecologically it is an efficient use of resources and its compactness creates a 1 NCAT
thoughtful use of land, reducing footprint and protecting open space. 2Economically getting the most out each morsel of land is important and is a way to gain the most financial return from a project. The density has to be balanced to be sure to maintain the social equity of the community. As places become too dense quality of living decreases which would counteract the maximizing of land utilization. Through compact building design and creating functioning neighborhoods in smaller land usage open space, farmland, natural beauty and other critical environmental areas. Preserving land contributes highly to the improvement of the environment. Through creating a variety of housing types and opportunities, aside from the negative connotations of “high density” development, studies have shown that this commands higher market value areas.3
Creating infrastructure with highly considered walking components, and a variety of transportation choices and living opportunities make an area highly equitable. A variety of living conditions that can cater to a wide demographic make an area more desirable to a higher percentage of individuals. Other benefits from walkable neighborhoods are lower transportation cost, increased social interaction, and improved environmental and personal health of the community. However, a pedestrian friendly community starts with land use planning and the design of the built environment. A framework must be set up through planning that fosters walkability
2 NCAT3 NCAT
and encourages public transit.4
Lastly Smart Growth Principles encourages the revitalization of suburban areas to take on a vision that they can continuously revisit as they grow. By creating a set of standards to maintain as they develop by a community can grow while still providing residents a strong sense of place that they are confident to call home for generations. While creating this vision, it is important to encourage all community stakeholders to take part in development decisions. It’s their neighborhood, therefore their input should be valued and sought out when making decisions about growth.5
Conclusion As our nation is continuously growing it is essential to realize that our cities were the foundation of our countries development. For centuries they have been the economic hub, housing the most job opportunity and economic boom. Cities have not, however, always been the most desirable places to live. Not only have they been less desirable to live within, while displaying strong attributes of social equity and economic strength, they have had a history of lacking in ecological concern and benefit. In a growing nation it is important to maintain strength in the cities, so as growth occurs focusing more on the ecological and socially equitable aspects of our cites they can be transformed into a more enticing place to reside. Through Primarily integrating land uses, as well as integrating other Smart Growth Principles, and retrofitting techniques 4 NCAT 5 NCAT
our cities can be revitalized to be desirable to live in and can also be designed to have a more minimal impact on the environment.
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Position Paper_Appendix: An Early Writing Exploration
Architect | Developer
Introduction | Architect_ Developer
For many years Architects have not been
considered the master builder; they simply provide
design services for developers who ultimately
finance and build the buildings. Architects are not
the risk takers, developers are. Sure, Architects carry
the responsibility for the safety and welfare of all
people who occupy their designed buildings but
it is not their own money they are risking on their
architecture. Because developers first priority is
financial return, sometimes this compromises the
quality of their projects. (Benkert 2)
Because financial gain many times becomes the
decision making factor in the design process, not
only does the overall quality of the project sometimes
suffer but its attributes contributing to sustainability
also suffer. Architects frown upon traditional
development practices because they typically are only
interested in building a successful building. In this
case successful being determined by terms of being
functional for its users and the purpose for which they
are using it. (Benkert 3)
There are a number of ways to talk about the
successfulness of a project in terms of income and
sustainability. One is the idea of Eco – efficiency is a
process where more goods or services were made
using less materials and producing less waste. More
progressively there is Eco – Effectiveness that evaluates
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how a project is using its materials to achieve a
desired outcome. Parallel to these ideas there is the
triple bottom line and the triple top line methods
of building. Triple bottom line process becomes a
method in evaluating the social and environmental
impact of a building in a quantitative and qualitative
way similar to how the economic gain is measured.
In these cases typically the environmental and
social conditions become an afterthought and are
evaluated after design and construction are done.
(Benkert 3) The Triple top line is a method that is
largely defined by William McDonough using the
Seirpinksi tile which is fractal triangle that can be
used as a tool throughout the design process to
consider the Equity, Ecology and Economy output
of a project. Equity Ecology and Economy are
each represented on the point of the triangle and
questions asked through out the design process will
help determine where the project will land while
considering all aspects. (Benkert 3)
As projects go over budget, because the owner,
developer and contractor have financial investments
in the project they are the ones who carry out the
discussion about what aspects of the design or
project to cut. The Architect is not usually a key
decision maker because they have no financial
investment in the project. This is unfortunate
because the contractor or developer ultimately alters
their design intent when they could have possibly
provided alternative methods to alter the design or
building methods to make the project come under
budget that may be less invasive to the original
project. (Benkert 12)
Architects and developers tend to butt heads
because typically architects main concerns are the
comfortability and the environmentally responsibility
that their projects express. While expressing these
concerns their passivity to budget and financial gain
is what Developers dislike. Reversely, Developers talk
about how to maximize financial return of projects
and sometimes refuse the parts of an architect’s
design that seems extraneous, limiting their gain.
Architect As the developer
To cut costs the architect development
model would assume the architect take on more
responsibilities. (Benkert 19). Regardless of what
roles the architect takes on as more responsibilities
– each of these people’s responsibilities’ need to get
accounted for.
In order to stay in control as an architect there
are a few things to be sure you always consider.
Although your primary concerns may be overall
quality of design, there has to be a balance between
design and decision making that is socially and
environmentally responsible. Always be aware of
financial concerns and how to maximize gain over
specific periods of time. What you have to know to
stay in control:
- There has to be a balance between design decisions
that are socially and environmentally responsible –
this includes taking an eco-effective approach.
- You have to be aware of financial concerns and how
to maximize gain.
- Understand all parties involved and how to utilize
them in their traditional roles, those parties include:
The developer, Marketing consultant, Real estate
broker, Architect, CPA, Attorney, Investors, Mortgage
broker, Banker, General Contractor/Builder,
Advertising, Management
To cut costs the architect development model would
assume the architect take on more responsibilities.
(Benkert 19). Regardless of what roles the architect
takes on as more responsibilities – each of these
people’s responsibilities’ need to get accounted for.
If an architect can be educated about the
development process and execute it then it should
ultimately present a product of higher quality for the
end user. By taking developer responsibilities as an
architect you become in complete control and the
first line of contact between all parties involved. As
the designer you would directly hear all concerns
and be able to address them from a design stand
point.
In the architect developer model it is discussed that
the architect become the developer not the other
direction where the developer become the architect.
Ultimately what needs to be achieved is higher-level
of design decisions and awareness so that the most
articulated and fitting solutions can be found for the
projects at hand. Because architects are the people
who are educated about design and articulation
of buildings should they not be the ones looked
to for innovative solutions? Or, is it that because
Developers typically are tasked with making design
alterations because of cost, should they be more
highly educated in how to design than in simply
learning business models? Or should Designers
be more educated and aware of how their design
choices have an effect on price?
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Position Paper
Bibliography & Works Cited
15
References
Adams, Carolyn, David Bartelt, David Elesh, Ira Goldstein, Nancy Kleniewski, and William Yancey. Philadelphia: Neighborhoods, Division, and Conflict in a Postindustrial City (Comparative American Cities). Temple University Press.
Alexander, Christopher. A Pattern Language. New York: Oxford University Press, 1977.
Benkert, Micheal. “Architect as Developer A Model for Triple Top Line Development.” MS thesis. University of Cincinatti, 2008. Print. <http://www.mbenkert.com/Benkert_FinalThesisDocument.pdf>.
Dunham-Jones, Ellen, and June Williamson. Rettrofitting Suburbia, Urban design solutions for Redesigning Suburbs. New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons, 2011.
Dunker, Peter. The Effective Executive. New York Harper Bussiness. 1986
Duany, Andres, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, and Jeff Speck. Suburban Nation, The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream. New York: North Point Press, 2000.
Elkies, Lauren. “How Much They Make.” The Real Deal. Korangy Publishing Inc., 1 Dec. 2006. Web. 31 Dec. 2009. <http://therealdeal.com/newyork/articles/how-much-they-make>.
Farr, Douglas. Sustainable Urbanism, Urban Design With Nature. New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons, 2008.
Grant, Donald P. The Small-Scale Master Builder: Selected Readings on Professional Practice as an Architectural Designer - Builder - Investor at the Personal Scale. San Luis Obispo: The Small-Scale Master Builder, 1983. Print.
Gulley, Karen L. “Repositioning Urban Corridors.” Urbanland Jan. 2011: 52-55. Print.
Hillman, James. Kinds of Power: A Guide to It’s Intellectual Uses. New York, Doubleday 1995, p33-44.
I.M., Goodovitch. Architecturology. New York: AD Publishing, 1967.
Jacobs, Jane. The Death and Life of Great American Cities. New York: Modern Library. Print.
Jacobs, Jane. Systems of Survival a Dialogue on the Moral Foundations of Commerce and Politics. New York Vintage Books, 1992
Katz, Bruce, and Robert E. Lang. Redefining Urban and Suburban America. Washington D.C.: Brookings Institution Press, 2003.
Kelbaugh, Douglas S. Repairing the American Metropolis, Common Place Revised. Seattle and London: The Washington Press, 2002.
Lym, Glenn Robert. A Psychology of building. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-hall, 1980.
Lynch, Kevin. Image of the City. MIT Press. 1960.
Mau, Bruce. “Manifesto #08.” 23 Aug. 2009 <http://www.iconeye.com/>.
McDonough, William. “Design for the Triple Top Line.” William A. McDonough, FAIA. Web. 10 Jan. 2010. <http://www.mcdonough.com/writings/design_for_triple.htm>.
McDonough, William, and Michael Braungart. Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things. New York: North Point Press, 2002. Print.
Miller, Robert L., ed. The Architect as Developer: a Summary of the American Institute of Archi-tects National Housing Committee Conference, AIA Headquarters, Washington DC, April 10, 1987. Washington D.C.: The American Institute of Architects, 1987. Print.
Morris Charles W., The Foundations of the Theory of Signs, Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 1938.
NCAT (North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University). Environmental Protection Agency, “Smart Growth Online.” Last modified 2012. Accessed December 11, 2012. Smartgrowth.org.
Pastier, John, [1939-]. “A One-Architect Movement for Affordable Housing.” Architecture: The AIA Journal 77, (1988): 64-71. http://ezproxy.philau.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/55017075?accountid=28402
Popkin, Nathaniel. Song of the City An Intimate History of the American Urban Landscape. New York: Four Walls Eight Windows, 2002. Print
Portland Sustainability Institute, “The Ecodistricts Framework, Building Blocks of Sustainable Cities V1.1.” Last modified June 2011. Accessed Nov 20,2012.
Portman, John, and Jonathan Barnett. The Architect as Developer. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc, 1976. Print.
Sato, Toshiro. “A Sato, Toshiro. “Architect Vs. Developer: Interview with Wayne Ratkovich.” Space Design no. 48-50 (1987): 48-50. http://ezproxy.philau.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/55018447?accountid=28402 17
Segal, Jonathan. Architect as Developer, Web. 31 Dec. 2009. <http://www.architectasdeveloper.com/about. html>.
Schmidheiney, Stephen. “Eco-Efficiency and Sustainable Development.” Risk Management 43:7 1996, 51.
Upton, Richard. “Looking for Mr. Right: What Makes the Perfect Architect for a Developer?” RIBA Journal 117, no. 10 (2010): 78-78. http://ezproxy.philau.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.pro-quest.com/docview/857285934?accountid=28402
Williams, Katie, Elizabeth Burton, and Mike Jenks. Achieving Sustainable Urbanism. New York: Routledge, 2001.
Williamson, Thad. Sprawl, Justice, and Citizenship; The Civic Costs of the American Way of Life. New York: Oxford University Press, 2010.
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Research Conclusion:
A Methodology
21
Ecology
Equity
Mix Land Uses
Take Advantage of Compact Building Design
Create a Range of Housing Opportuniti es and Choices
Provide a Variety of Transportati on Choices
-Create Walkable Neighborhoods
-Shared corridors with pedestrian, bike, car and public trasit
Foster Disti ncti ve, Att racti ve Communiti es with a Strong Sense of Place
Preserve Open Space, Farmland, Natural Beauty and Criti cal Environmental Areas
-Air Quality and Carbon
-Water managment
-preserve or restore local habitat or ecosystem
Strengthen and Direct Development Towards Existi ng Communiti es
Provide a Variety of Transportati on Choices
Make Development Decisions Predictable, Fair and Cost Eff ecti ve
Encourage Community and Stakeholder Collaborati on in Development Decisions
A Look at Methodology:
Economy
Ecology
Mix Land Uses
Take Advantage of Compact Building Design
Create a Range of Housing Opportunities and Choices
Provide a Variety of Transportation Choices
-Create Walkable Neighborhoods
-Shared corridors with pedestrian, bike, car and public trasit
Foster Distinctive, Attractive Communities with a Strong Sense of Place
Preserve Open Space, Farmland, Natural Beauty and Critical Environmental Areas
-Air Quality and Carbon
-Water managment
-preserve or restore local habitat or ecosystem
Strengthen and Direct Development Towards Existing Communities
Provide a Variety of Transportation Choices
Make Development Decisions Predictable, Fair and Cost Effective
Encourage Community and Stakeholder Collaboration in Development Decisions
Economy
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Case Studies
A Look at Architects and Developers and Projects
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Plumbob _ [Onion Flats]
Onion Flats, Plumbob, and Jig are collectively
a development design build entity. They
collectively bring all stakeholders to the table,
meaning the developer, the architect, and the
contractor. (Parton gb&d) Their three distinctly
separate entities of development, design, and
build come together in the process to “turn
their attention to the art of making buildings
rather than covering our asses.” (http://www.
onionflats.com/#/Firm/Mission) As a whole
the development, design, build group that is
Onion Flats, is dedicated to making buildings
who effectively manage their own resources and
communities that can sustain themselves.
Post Green Postgreen homes is a development company
that doesn’t aim to please all homeowners
but has a set of simple predesigned row home
layouts that are slightly customizable. They
have a set of select green amenities that can be
chosen by the buyer to add into their homes.
Postgreen’s mission is to build energy efficient,
healthy and well-designed homes. They work
with a number of partners to carry out their
development. In particular they with interface
studios as the architect behind their operation.
Similar to Onion flats they have a consistent
set of partners who contribute to their build
process.
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Housebrand is a one-stop-shop that provides
real estate, architecture, construction and
interior design services with the simple goal
of helping people design build and furnish
great places to live in Calgary’s inner city. We
undertake projects on a variety of scales from
interior renovations and additions to new
homes. Our firm is founded on the belief that
good design should be available to everyone.
Our retail Design Store is located in the busy
shopping 4 Street district of Mission and sells
furniture, lighting, books and home accessories
to both the public the Trade.
Our Slow Home Studio is a design education
website that provides relevant easy to
understand residential design information
for homeowners, homebuyers, and design
enthusiasts. It is an opportunity for people to
learn about our Slow Home Design Principles
and how to apply them to their own situation.
House Brand
Erdy McHenry
Erdy McHenry has been able to create many
fully reconized buildings for diverse client
types; developers and socially conscious
non-profit organizations. They use a unique
business model and Design Philosophy:
Integrated Decision Making as a Design Tool,
where Budget, Program and Schedule are
reconciled each in terms of the other with
each design decision. This approach enables
them to create a “value proposition” on all
projects regardless of budget and still produce
cutting edge work.
All Erdy McHenry projects embrace
construction technology, systems integration
design, and material cost as the primary
methods for creating critical design projects.
By using in-depth, digital synthesis to
coordinate the process of both design and
construction, their designs evolve real-time as
a result of systems design.
29
On a Separate Note, Jonathan Segal is an architect
developer who does it all. His endeavors started by
learning about architecture in general. When he was
young he dove in and took on his first development
project where he bought designed and developed
the project and paid back the investors within a year
and he himself made a significant process. (Bernstein
64). From an economical standpoint this type of
expertise is development. It gave him the design
control while also awarding him the profit. He states
that “by being your own client you’re doing your own
architecture, you’re teaching others by example, and
you’re doing great things for the city.”
Jonathan SegalArchitect_Developer Model
Tower investments take on projects that are
retail, entertainment, mixed use and residential
commercial properties. Their projects are
finding opportunities in areas that are
overlooked and under served by traditional
development firms.
They have experience in Planning design,
construction, financing, and leasing
Tower investments is best Known for “aggressive
and creative urban projects”
and they are committed to creating mixed-use
urban projectd that enhance the cityscape,
improve the City’s tax base and create
employment and business opportunities.
Tower’s development projects are typically
on vacated industrial land have created more
business locations, business opportunities,
permanent jobs, and millions of dollars in
annual sales and real estate taxes.
Tower has extensive experience with
environmental permitting, remediation and land
reclamation, and has coordinated closely with
the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection.
Tower Investments
Piazza at Schmidts _ Northern Liberteries, Philadelphia
31
The Michaels Organization is a privately-owned group of companies that work together to provide
affordable, mixed-income, military, and student housing. As a group they foster a corportate culture
that is focused on people. Their professionals are hired based around those who can best support and
portray their mission and values that consist of integrity commitment focus, creativity and dedication.
Over the past four decades include capabilities in the following areas :
Development
Property Management
Asset Management
Social Services
Construction
Construction Management
Tax Credit Syndication
Mortgage Financing
The Micheals Organization
Westhaven Park_Chicago, IllinoisRutgers Student Housing
John Westrum who is the CEO of Westrum
Development Company, continues to apply
a proven platform for success: determining
under-served market niches, while
simultaneously creating growth opportunities.
These niche markets have, in the past,
included upscale active adult communities,
new, market-rate housing in the
neighborhoods surrounding center city
Philadelphia for the first time in 10 years,
entry level single homes and town homes
in growth locations, and high-end singles in
affluent zip codes. Additionally, title company
was formed and at the discretion of our
customers may be utilized, which assists with
the conveyence process.
Westrum Development
33
Selected Site
RAH Preliminary Site AnalysisExemplifying a divide between Inustrial and residential land use, the Ridge, Allegheny, Huntington Park community suffers a lack of identity and overall sense of community.
35
The site located within the bounds of Ridge Avenue, Allegheny Avenue, and Hunti ng Park Avenue suff ered from the problems I identi fi ed in my resarch. This area will be my chosen site to begin to apply my research to existi ng conditi ons.
Selected Site
37
RAH
Segragated Land Use
As described in my positonpaper Ridge, Allegheny, Hunti ngton Park has a divison of land use between residenti al and industrial land use. This site will give me the opportunity to start to explore the integrati on of the divide.
The site will also allow me toexplore the implicati ons ofrejuvenati ng a low incomeneighborhood
History
The Ridge Allegheny Hunti ngton Park Ave site has a residenti al area that was primarilly buit between the 1860s and 1900’s. The industrial porti on of the site was developed in the southern secti on of the site later in the mid to late 1940’s
39
Site Att ributes
Gateway
Gateway
Gateway
Connecti on to Tioga and N. Philadelphia Neighborhoods
Connecti on to Center City
Connecti on to East Falls
Pep Boy’s - Donates to the community anually
St. James School
Brownfeild site that is vacant and iinterest in being sold.
There are a number of opportuniti es and advantages that contribute to community eff orts.
Economics: Bus Access and Incomes
- median household incomes about $32,000-majority of households are head by women.-many have children.-many elderly in the neighborhood-avergae house sells for $40-70K
Decent bus access to the city. A bus to Broad St. provides access across city
41
Hydrology
Storm Water Drain
High point and drain directi on
Evaluati ng the current ares with tree coverage can help to identi fy the areas that are more pervious than others.
Having trees can improve theenvironment of a neighboorhood as it helps purify the air qualityand makes
Tree Coverage
43
Bakers Centre:new commercial area
Hilltop Development:New Mixed Income
housing
Hunting Park development plan
Currently residents travel to city ave or Lehigh for
food or services
There are a number of events that are occuring that will eff ect the standards of living in the RAH neighborhood. This diagram shows where and in what directi on those things are happening.
Contextual Surroundings
Hilltop Development is a neighborhood that is built to cater to a mixed income community. Westrum has implemented a first time home buyers morgage deal and has set some low, but reasonable, standards for low income and first time home buyers.
Hilltop Development
This shopping center Initiated by ShopRite is one area that is on the rise. The owner, Jeff Brown has built 11 urban superstores and describes this area as a perfect urban site, with moderate crime and steady residency. Not only will the ShopRite address this area’s problem of being one of the cities food destert, but it will also include a social services location and a medical clinic.
Bakers Centre
Hunting Park civic association has created a redevelopment plan they they are using as a framework for the direction of their neighborhood. It has a complete set of neighborhood analysis and draws conclusions based on the analysis of the information.
Hunting Park Development Plan
45
Site Observations | Thoughts | Conclusions
The word I would use to best describe the current state of the Ridge Avenue, Allegheny Avenue, and Hunting
Park Avenue community, otherwise known as Paradise, is exhausted. Pysically this section of the city is run
down and lacks communal aspects. The residential parts of the community lack connecting features that
would make the streetscapes more inviting and build an identity within the neighborhood. The members of
the community are not provided a strong sense of place with the current conditions of the neighborhood.
RAH is divided between north and south where there is a notable segragation of land uses. While there is
public transportation, there is no direct connection to a transportation hub and while there are sidewalks
in the neighboorhood, they are barren and uninviting with swift traffic conditions. At night streets are not
well lit; the darkness adding to the danger of having to cross the wide, main throughfares. By taking a look
at the community and comparing it to the techniques of Smart Growth and retrofitting it has the underlying
framework that a strong community could be built around.
47
Program Analysis
Addressing the Needs of RAH
49
Community Vision
One way to build community aspects in the Ridge, Allegheny, Huntington Park neighboorhood is to
create a vison for the direction of future development of the neighboorhood. Before looking at specific
wants and needs of the community members, it is important to evaluate what they already have and
what they like and disike about those amenities . Furthermore, to push the future of the neighborhood
in a a direction that the residents desire, the neighborhood should identify a clearly stated idea of their
intentions.
Creating this vision will lay a framework that can be used as the neighboorhood has new development
peices throughout it. A framework is important to drive the development is ways that will promote
future prosperity in all three corners of the triangle - Ecology, Equity, and Economy.
Mixed Use Program opportunites
-Create a town center to rejuventate the area -bring new commercial and residential opportunity -provide new community engagment area -create transportation hub -Create community space-By bringinging more commercial to the area it could help the local economy-Could incorporate greenspace to preserve land-Parts of the program could function as a community Center
Residential Program Opportunites
- Create new, different living typologies to attract new residents- By bringing in new residents it could boost local economy and bring new bussiness *It has been Proven that by providing a variety of differeny types of dwellings that it can make an area more marketable as it caters to a wider variety of people.
Program Types to Spur New Development:
Library- Could foster new afterschool programs near St James school- Could provide community more access to technology. - Parts of library could act as a community gathering space- Library activities could cater to all demographics of the neighboorhood.
Community Center / Outdoor Space
The community is very concerned with having a place for the community association to meet. By fostering a stronger community association, they could build interest and foster more growth and improvement within the community.
Designing Pieces of the Vision:-Pedestrian experience -relationship of person to car to bike. -Steetscape -Residential streetscape -Commercial streetscape-Open Space-Development Plan
51
RAH | PARADISE Desires:
-- Community Cohesion \ Identity
-- A safe neighborhood
-- Access to computers and technology
Kids - for school / homework
Adults - job searching / applying
-- Access to fresh food and grocery
-- Access to other services
-- Improved Neighborhood streetscapes
-- Community Center
Neighborhood Association
In declaring what program would be most successful within this neighborhood A conversation with the neighborhood association provided some insight... 53
DEVELOPMENT VISON
A walking trail through the community landscaped with street trees and sinage indicated distance markers etc.
Utilize the empty lot for community enhancment and rejuvenation
Use intersection of Ridge and Allegheny for gateway park and storm water managment
Reconstruction of Allegheny Ave with curb bump outs, street trees, lighting, bile lanes etc. to make it pedestrican, bike and car friendly. Allegheny would also develop as a comercial corridor and incorporate new storm managment system.
33rd Street can be transformed into a safe place for children to play as well as a number of other pocket parks
“A neighborhood that generates all its energy from on site renewables, collects and recycles rainwater
and waste, and prioriti zes pedestrian, bike, and transit access. It combines mixed use, mixed income
development, neighborhood scale parks, schools, community centers and services, and enhanced IT
infrastructure.” Rob Bennett , the founding Executi ve Director of the Portland+ Oregon Sustainability Insti tute (POSI),
ECODISTRICT Collaborati on:
All Stakeholders are involved and take initi ati ve together
-- On-site Energy Generati on
-- Harness District Thermal Energy
-- On Site Wastewater Treatment
-- Transportati on
-- Community
ECODISTRICT PRINCIPLES
A Development Idea Explored
55
2003 City of Philadelphia Allegheny Neighborhood Stragetic Development Plan Overview:
The strategic Plan for the Allegheny West Neighborhood by the city touches on a few of the neighborhood
aspects that were observed in the analysis of the neighborhood. Their plan highlights RAH as having a few
issues. One issue they suggest addressing in the development of the neighborhood is the low residential
density. To resolve this they suggest that the reason the density is so low is because there is no multi-unit
residential buildings in the neighborhood, therefore there might be a market for this housing type. By
increasing the density of people it will suggest the fesibility for commercial bussiness opportunity. This would
contribute to the cities suggestion of nuturing economic growth through commercial and industrial growth
while also addressing the cities observation of the lack of jobs in the area. It is also a concern of the city
about the social fabric of the neighborhood. They suggest this could be improved by increasing accessibility
to more services, improving childrens education, after school programs, tutoring programs, and work
based learning opporunities. Also noted by the city is the delapidated streetscape and its cause of lack of
identity within the community.
Mixed Use Program Opportunites
- Multi unit residential to increase density- Create a town common area -bring new commercial to area -provide new community engagment areas- Create community center and outdoor space- By bringinging more commercial to the area it could help the local economy- Goods and services brought to the area will make the neighborhood more marketable, desireable, provides convenience to residents and gives non-community members a reason to visit the neighborhood. - Incorporate greenspace to preserve land/greenspace
Community Center
- Giving current residents a place to
gather, organize, and hold activities
-This includes indoor and
outdoor space
- Grow and maintain community
engagment
- Small gathering spaces for classes,
tutoring, meetings, computer room
space
Residential Tower
- Minimum number of units = 60
- currenly in the area
3-4 bed room homes are
most desirable.
- 1 + 2 Bedroom units could attract
a different demographic to the
neighborhood.
Commercial / Service Space
- Health / Wellness Center
- Deli / Restruaunts
- Convenience store
- Bank
- Laundromat
And other commercial services....
3 Program Components
57
A Compilation of Work:
Process Documentation
59
Mixed Use Program opportunites
-Create a town center to rejuventate the area -bring new commercial and residenti al opportunity -provide new community engagment area -create transportati on hub -Create community space-By bringinging more commercial to the area it could help the local economy-Could incorporate greenspace to preserve land-Parts of the program could functi on as a community Center
Residenti al Program Opportunites
- Create new, diff erent living typologies to att ract new residents- By bringing in new residents it could boost local economy and bring new bussiness *It has been Proven that by providing a variety of diff ereny types of dwellings that it can make an area more marketable as it caters to a wider variety of people.
Program Types to Spur New Development:
Library- Could foster new aft erschool programs near St James school- Could provide community more access to technology. - Parts of library could act as a community gathering space- Library acti viti es could cater to all demographics of the neighboorhood.
Community Center / Outdoor Space
The community is very concerned with having a place for the community associati on to meet. By fostering a stronger community associati on, they could build interest and foster more growth and improvement within the community.
Designing Pieces of the Vision:-Pedestrian experience
-relati onship of person to car to bike. -Steetscape
-Residenti al streetscape -Commercial streetscape-Open Space-Development Plan
Program Development Preliminary:
Program Proposed:
A Mixed Use Program for the Neighborhood
- Residential: - Total 150 Residential units
- Small
- Medium
- Large
- Community Center - Gymnasiam | Large Multi purpose space
- Class Rooms
- Access to computers | Technology
- Commercial Spaces - Flexible commercial spaces to be leased providing a variety of good and services to
the comunity
-Marketing possibilities to: food services, Pharmacy, Laundry, Cafe,
-# units
- Flexible size possibilities
61
RAH ANALYSIS RAH ANALYSIS
RAH ANALYSIS RAH ANALYSIS
Final Site Analysis
Sun
Directi on of water runoff
Wind rose
Bordered by industrial
Bordered by residenti al
Acti ve truck loading dock
Long blank cinder block wall
Barren lot
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXTUAL CHALLENGES
Immediate Site Analysis
63
A Typical Block of Rowhomes
= 60 Homes Mixed Use Proposal = 153 Homes+
-Commercial Space- Community Center
-Health and Wellness Facility- Community Green Space
153 Homes+
-Commercial Space- Community Center
-Health and Wellness Facility- Community Green Space
Building a Case for Residential Density
65
Program Distribution and OrganizationPreliminary Sketches
67
Program Distribution and OrganizationPreliminary Ideas
North of site relates to community
South of site focuses on economic development
Massing Axonometric
Program Distribution Iterations
69
Residential Community Commercial Health and Wellness
Program Distribution and Organization3D Massing
71
Through my conversations with the community organization, they highlighted wanting to
build sustainability ideas into RAH’s future identity. To me, this translated into ways that
sustainablity could be expressive in the way that the community views and interacts with my
proposed project. This is what prompted the reseach of Ecodistrict components.
Realizing though my design process that Ecodistrict rinciples were unacheivable within
an established community I began to diagram other ideas around how to understand the
relationship of an individual consumer of resources effects a greater whole. In the case of
my project I focuesed on how water and energy could be harvested and redistributed.
Exploring Conceptual IdeasEnergy and Resources
Exploring Conceptual IdeasEnergy and Resources
Neighborhood Loop
Individual Loop
Contribute + Consume
Each industry, business and family plays a roll in the neighborhood-wide
sustainability ideals
73
Ground Level Development
Ground Level Development
In developing the Ground level, I realized this was the first location that the sustainability awareness
could be brought about. As I started designing the ground level, I began to consider how and
where the stormwater would run off my building, how it could be celebrated or emphasized to the
community, and how would interact with it. This diagram begins to show how I considered the sites
north to south drainage pattern as well as the drip line of the building overhead to begin to develop a
dyanmic way to express water on my site.
75
Residenti al Development
The residenti al tower was designed by
exploring diff erent unit relati onships,
they they relate to access and verti cle
circulati on.
To do this, my method was exporing unit
relati onships in a module that embodied
diff erent size units. As my residenti al tower
developed my goals for my unit modules
changed as well.
By deigning a module it allowed me to
view my project at not only a large-scale
residenti al viewpoint, but also look at the
individuality and exact interrelati onships
between each unit, and each module.
Residenti al Plan - Unit Relati onships
Module Iterati on
77
Residential Development
Module Development
79
Residential Development
81
Module Development
Residential Development
83
Structure Diagram
85
A Compilation of Work:
Final Design
87
Plan - Ground Floor
Plan - Units
89
Large: 2420 sqft .
Small: 970 sqft .
Medium B: 1720 sqft .
Medium A: 1340 sqft .
Medium A: 1340 sqft .
Final Module
Final Module
Unit Entry Module Lower Module Upper
91
Final Section
93
Residenti al
Commercial
Community
Green Space
Residenti al
Commercial
Community
95
97
99
101
RAHRidge | Allegheny | Hunting Park
REVITALIZING A POST INDUSTRIAL COMMUNITY
Sun Bordered by industrial Barren lot
Direc� on of water runoff
Wind rose
BBBBBooorrrrdddddeeeerrrrreeeeed by inndduusstttrrriiiiiaaaaallll BBBBBaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeennnn llllllooott
Bordered by residen� al
Ac� ve truck loading dock
Long blank cinder block wall
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXTUAL CHALLENGES
Gateway Park
Walking Trail
33rd Street - Green Medians
Renovation of Allegheny Ave. - a Green Street and Commercial Corridor.
The vacant site highlighted as the next stage of development in the neighborhood.
Allegehny West Strategic Development Plan Highlights for RAH:- Increase of residen� al density - they suggest mul� -unit residen� al complex- Build children’s educa� on and tutoring programs - work-based learning- Overall streetscape improvements and neighborhood ownership and iden� ty- Improve social fabric by addressing lack of services- Nurture economic growth through commercial and industrial growth- Provide more job opportuni� es in the area
Proposal:
North of site - Community Focused
South of site - Commercial and activating the industrial area
Commercial
Community Hub
CommercialCommunity HubResidential Density
Philadelphia Map - Highlighted Selected Site Neighborhood Framework Plan
Building Section - Unit Diagram 1/16” = 1’
Program Distribution Iterations
Ground Plan 1/16” = 1’ Unit Entry Plan 1/16” = 1’
Flexible Layout for Unlimited Options
Spaces can be divided to
accomodate service needs
gymnasiam / large muti- use space with removable
wall opening to outdoor plaza
Classrooms and meeting rooms with fl exible layouts
for a variety of uses.
Community common area with a technology bar and
gathering space
Water Diagram
Final Review Board
Axonometric Program Diagram
Residential Density
Commercial OpportunityGiving the Ground-space back to the community
Community Hub
Residential Density Residential Unit Module Plans
Module Exploded Axonometric
Large Unit - 2420 Sqft.
Small Unit - 970 Sqft.
Medium Unit A - 1340 Sqft.Medium Unit b - 1720 Sqft.
RAHRidge | Allegheny | Hunting Park
REVITALIZING A POST INDUSTRIAL COMMUNITY
Sun Bordered by industrial Barren lot
Direc� on of water runoff
Wind rose
BBBBBooorrrrdddddeeeerrrrreeeeed by inndduusstttrrriiiiiaaaaallll BBBBBaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeennnn llllllooott
Bordered by residen� al
Ac� ve truck loading dock
Long blank cinder block wall
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXTUAL CHALLENGES
Gateway Park
Walking Trail
33rd Street - Green Medians
Renovation of Allegheny Ave. - a Green Street and Commercial Corridor.
The vacant site highlighted as the next stage of development in the neighborhood.
Allegehny West Strategic Development Plan Highlights for RAH:- Increase of residen� al density - they suggest mul� -unit residen� al complex- Build children’s educa� on and tutoring programs - work-based learning- Overall streetscape improvements and neighborhood ownership and iden� ty- Improve social fabric by addressing lack of services- Nurture economic growth through commercial and industrial growth- Provide more job opportuni� es in the area
Proposal:
North of site - Community Focused
South of site - Commercial and activating the industrial area
Commercial
Community Hub
CommercialCommunity HubResidential Density
Philadelphia Map - Highlighted Selected Site Neighborhood Framework Plan
Building Section - Unit Diagram 1/16” = 1’
Program Distribution Iterations
Ground Plan 1/16” = 1’ Unit Entry Plan 1/16” = 1’
Flexible Layout for Unlimited Options
Spaces can be divided to
accomodate service needs
gymnasiam / large muti- use space with removable
wall opening to outdoor plaza
Classrooms and meeting rooms with fl exible layouts
for a variety of uses.
Community common area with a technology bar and
gathering space
Water Diagram
Axonometric Program Diagram
Residential Density
Commercial OpportunityGiving the Ground-space back to the community
Community Hub
Residential Density Residential Unit Module Plans
Module Exploded Axonometric
Large Unit - 2420 Sqft.
Small Unit - 970 Sqft.
Medium Unit A - 1340 Sqft.Medium Unit b - 1720 Sqft.
103
Reflection:
A Synthesis of Semesters
Synthesis: Through much investigation of how to explore the interconnectedness of professions that are involved in the creation of the built environment; this thesis proposal represents a steadfast effort towards interpreting that research into design goals. I believe my original Intent was to educate myself in a way that guided a more thorough understanding of professional practice surrounding the architectural profession. Although some of the realities of cost, material availability, time and scope limitations were lost moving into design phases; social concerns and other development ideals, such as density, arose as higher priorities. Critique: To summarize the critique that was delivered at my review, an overarching theme was the through design ideals displayed in the residential tower. While the interlocking residential
modules were convincing, the jury was skeptical of the feasibility of my building being located at my identified site. The skepticality arose from simply a “difficult” site for any program to be designed.
Reflection: As I reflect on this last year of my academic architecture career, I see deep exploration into the meaning of what architecture, as a field of work, will mean to me as I move forward. This thesis has provided me the opportunity to explore all avenues of architecture and given me the flexibility to do some self exploration. While my physical project had many successful attributes, it also had some less successful moments. These moments provide learning opportunites moving forward in my career. Regardless of the end product the learning process has been invaluable.
105