urban investigation

Urban Investigation:Revealing Forgotten Spaces

North Chinatown/Callowhill NeighborhoodPhiladelphia, PA

Project Prepared for:EPA BROWNFIELDS CONFERENCE 2011

By:CCP STUDIO: ADC 259 DESIGN STUDIO IV, CCPSpring Semester 2011

Department of Architecture, Design & Construction

Community College of Philadelphia

Book Created by Seyed Mahdi Alavizadeh and Lena Voyevoda. Drawings and photographs produced by ADC 259 Studio Spring 2011.

Copyright 2011.



STUDIO DIRECTOR:Elizabeth C Masters, AIAAdjunct Faculty CCP

TEACHING ASSISTANT: Thomas Monk

CCP STUDENT TEAM: Catrice Phillips Deja Spigner Domera Agu Edmira Stefani Jennifer Morales Lena Voyevoda Marluis Mejia Mathias C Robinson Seyed Mahdi Alavizadeh Sina Solati Tamyra Marie Mont Robert Victor Gibson Jr Wendy Jacqueline Forde Wudasse B Berke

Urban Investigation: Revealing Forgotten Spaces

PROJECT GOALS:

The theme of this Community College of Philadelphia Design IV Studio in the Architecture Design and Construction Department for the spring semester will be urban revitalization in North Chinatown, Philadelphia. The exploration addresses urban issues at a number of scales, from urban to architectural. This project was created as a response to a request for local academic institutions to provide design ideas for brownfi eld sites in Philadelphia. It also responds to a need expressed by the Folk Arts Cultural Treasures Charter School (FACTS) for development of vacant land adjacent to their current facility on Callowhill Street. The urban phase of the project identifi es some of the urban problems and opportunities for this northern section of Chinatown, an area that overlaps with what is known as the Callowhill Neighborhood. The area is dominated by a raised railroad viaduct, no longer in use. The Philadelphia grid in this area is cut by Ridge Avenue, as well. There are many loft structures previously used as industrial sites. In the architectural phase of the project, students have investigated some forms and uses that respond to site conditions and to the request by FACTS to reveal solutions that will create “more of a campus” for them. The studio has met three times with representatives from the Asians Americans United and FACTS. Design work is on-going.

Some questions raised and explored are: How should urban neighborhoods with large numbers of abandoned buildings and vacant sites be redeveloped? Can we develop strategies that

may be transferred to other sites? How to design and build under/above the abandoned RR line….??? Can this become an active place with new uses? How do you redevelop small, triangular sites caused by diagonal roads and the viaduct crossing the area? Brownfi elds and Environmental justice issues: What relevance here? Philadelphia and many other urban areas are beset with the paired problems

of urban decline and suburban sprawl. These phenomena are directly linked to each other. Brownfi elds sites are ones that have been damaged. Can they be reused? How do we stop the cycle? Is this part of a natural evolutionary cycle of

all cities? Can the site may be modifi ed to “knit” the neighborhood together more? The transformation may build on existing neighborhood strengths and

patterns of people, economies, institutions, and built/natural environments. Can FACTS become a neighborhood magnet for future renewal? Design interventions near the FACTS site are intended to raise questions about formal possibilities and programmatic needs.

Student Lessons Learned:-Role of architect as citizen-The responsibilities that the profession has to create places that support public and private life-Necessity for architects to participate in public dialogue-Need to generate architectural ideas and to communicate those ideas clearlyAwareness of the capacity of architects to visibly manifest a new vision-Awareness of the power differential that exists between individuals and the government and large landowners-Understanding that executing a design requires complex negotiations that are always a part of design at all scales

Historical Aspects Community College of Philadelphia Studio Instructor: Elizabeth C. Masters, AIA

1795 1895 2010

1870 19181917 1930 1945 1948 19681950

Then and now

1875

Lena Voyevoda

Panorama and Immediate Area Community College of Philadelphia Studio Instructor: Elizabeth C. Masters, AIA

11th and Noble Street Ridge and Noble Street 10th and Noble Street

Ridge Street Ridge and Callowhill Street

Blatt Tire and Services Shamokin Street

Vacant Lot

Noble and Ridge Street

Catrice Phillips

Panorama and Immediate Area Community College of Philadelphia Studio Instructor: Elizabeth C. Masters, AIA

Callowhill Street

Ridge Avenue

North 10 th street Callowhill Street Callowhill Street North 10 th street

North 11th street

Triangular Site

Seyed Mahdi Alavizadeh

Edmira Stefani

FACTSFolk Arts-Cultural Treasures School

- Charter school serving grades K-8- Founded by Asian Americans United (AAU)- Over 400 students of all backgrounds- 1023 Callowhill Street

Edmira Stefani

FACTSFolk Arts-Cultural Treasures School

Issues:-Now shares space with commercial enterprise- Tight site constraints- Limited opportunity for expansion- Health and Safety: - Industrial surrounding - Viaduct - Heavy traffi c on Callowhill and Ridge

GOOGLE EARTH MAP OF CHINATOWN/CALLOWHILL DISTRICT

BROAD ST.

BROAD ST.

N. 13th ST.

N. 12th ST.

N. 11th ST.

N. 10th ST.

N. 9th ST.

N. 8th ST.

N. 15th ST.

E. M

ARK

ET

ST.

VIN

E ST

REET

EXP

RESS

WAY

E. S

PRIN

G G

ARD

EN S

T.

City Hall

FACTS School

North

Thomas Monk

Deja Spigner

Stakeholders

PRIMARY CONTACT:FACTS AAU (Asian Americans United)

OTHER STAKEHOLDERS:Callowhill Neighborhood AssociationPCDC (Philadelphia Chinatown Develop-ment Corp)Businesses and InstitutionsResidentsChinese ImmigrantsArtists and Galleries

CCP students working with FACTS and AAU in Studio.

CITY HALL

READING VIADUCT

VINE STREET EXPRESSWAY

FACTS SITE

Overlapping Communities: Callowhill District & North Chinatown

1840’s: Chinese began to immigrate to Philadelphia

Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882: Prevented Chinese people from establishing families in Philadelphia,the residents were mostly consisting of single men, a “Bachelor Society”.

Lacking many opportunities the Chinese immigrants operated hand laundries, worked in restaurants and ran small specialty shops. Many workers sent their wages home to their families as they continued to work.

After World War II, a new wave of immigrants helped transformed Chinatown into a family community.

The Philadelphia Chinatown Develop-ment Corporation (PCDC) formed in 1968

Chinatown first consisted of 6 mere city blocks: from Vine to Race streets and 8th to 11th streets.

STAKEHOLDERS IN AREA:PCDC (Philadelphia Chinatown Development CorporationCallowhill Neighborhood AssociationAsian American UnitedReading Viaduct ProjectF.A.C.T.S (Folk- Arts Cultural Treasures Charter School)Warehouses BusinessInstitutions : churchesLoft ResidentsChinese ResidentsArtist & GalleriesHomeless People

Callowhill District:*William Penn plan for farming area.*Early 19th Century- residential*Late 19th century- Reading Railroad, area became industrial district* 20th century- Depopulation and abandonment, leaving loft and industrial buildings.

o

Convention Center

CALLOWHILL DISTRICT

CHINATOWN CENTER CITY DISTRICT

Chinatown & Callowhill District Community College of Philadelphia Studio Instructor: Elizabeth C. Masters, AIA

Tamyra Marie Mont

BROWNFIELD vs. GREENFIELD

Brownfield-Definitely recommended Phase I evaluation for ID possibility brownfield

Potential Green Space-Rooftops-Brownfields-Vacant Lands

To support health, economy and vegetation

Trees can filter polluted air

-Create more planted areas

10th

str

eet

12th

str

eet

13th

str

eet

.

Ridge Ave

8th

stre

et

Possible Brownfield-Industrial uses (correct and previous

building)

-Viaduct (railroad)

-Contaminated area

-Warehouse

-Open sites

Brownfield -Phase I Analysis

-Clean contamination

-Viaduct

-Rehabilitate warehouse

-Provide more green space

What is a Brownfield?

Brownfield sites are abandoned, idled, or under-used industrial

and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is

complicated by real or perceived environmental contaminations (EPA,

2000). Brownfield sites are almost always found in urban areas,

particularly near highways, railroads and low income areas of a

city. The size of a site varies and has no limitations. A Brownfield site

could be a single building or an entire industrial development. One acre

of Brownfield offsets 4.5 acres of Greenfield development

Brownfield restoration:

Unfortunately Brownfield sites are expensive to clean up, this

makes the potential site for redevelopment unattractive to developers.

Hiring an environmental consultant and testing the contaminated soil

can add additional cost to a budget.

Advantage:

One acre of Brownfield can offsets 4.5 acres of Greenfield in

rural areas.

Viaduct

Trigen

Industrial building

Abandoned

industrial build-

ing

Open site

viaductAband. buil.Open site

Viaduct Industrial build.

Warehouse

-Possibly recommended Phase I

-Empty site

To support health, economy and vegetation

Trees can filter polluted air

-Create more planted areas

viaductAAAbanAAAAAAAAAAAAA d. buil.Open iisite

VV ddVVVViVi dddVVVVViViaduct II ddddIIIII ddIII dI ddddddIndustrial build.

Warehouse

Community health and Economic Growth

The motivation behind brownfields is concerned with the

health of the community—not just physical health, but

economic and aesthetic health as well. By reducing the

number of commercial and industrial sites contaminated with

hazardous substances, a community reduces the risk of

exposing its residents to harmful pollutants. Through

redevelopment of these sites, a community can attract more

private investment and job creation.

Domera Agu

Pubic /semi-public buildings

Schools & Churches

Empty lots

Parking lots

Private spaces

Major streets

Secondary streets and driveways

Expressways

DPWSCHOOL

FACTS

CHURCH/SCHOOLSCHOOL

Strengths and Opportunities for Chinatown North

Threats and Weaknessesincludes commercial use, illegal dumping and deriliction

public/ semi-public buildings, parking/ empty lots

Mid Autumn Festival performance at 10th & Arch

PUBLIC SPACESCCP Student: Wendy Forde

public parkingBlack arrows: traffic patterns Green: opportunities for redevelopmentRed: strength in rebuilding the areaYellow: secondary streets east to westBrown : weaknesses to public safety

Street Heirarchy in Chinatown North

public/semi-public buildingsNorth

Spring Garden st.

11th

st.

vehicular path

1th

st.

11th

st.

11th

st.

h

Vine Street Exp.way

Broa

d S

treet

I-476 I -95

NORTH PHILADELPHIA

SOUTH PHILADELPHIAPedestrian path Nodes

Edges of the site

Down town

China town

Old city

North Philadelphia

callowhill industrial district

18th

South street

Landmarks

City Hall

Church of the Assumption

Reading train tracks

Holy redeemer church

The Friendship gate

Perceptual District

Boundaries Map

SITE EDGES IN 3-D

SITE EDGES IN 3-D

Major routes and site edges - Vine St., Broad St., Market St., Spring garden St. Minor edges

Dirt-Neglected side walks filled with trash

unmaintained roadsnot promoting vehicular movement

Vine street Exp. way -psychological and physical barrier-Source of pollution and noise

Vacant lots-become trash dumping sites

Train tracks-Vertical barrier-Source of contami-nants (brownfield)

Potential site for affordable housing Public facilities

( food stores,schools, medical facilities)

Public gathering ,Community area

Cover underground road and use space as a gather-ing place, market...

High line Park

Increase vehicular and pedestrian movement in the site by improving Roads and sidewalks

Public

Residence

Pedestrian route

Vehicular routes

GreeneryPedestrian route

Vehicular routes

Vacant lots

Brown fields

Dirt and TrashLegendLegend

SITE CONCLUSIONFOR NORTHERN CHINA TOWN, PHILADELPHIABY WUDASSE BERKE, CCP SPRING 2011

PROBLEMS SOLUTIONS

Wudasse B Berke

Chinatown North Character Community College of Philadelphia Studio Instructor: Elizabeth C. Masters, AIA

Robert Victor Gibson Jr

Location

Strengths

Viaduct

Strengths Community College of Philadelphia Studio Instructor: Elizabeth C. Masters, AIA

NodesFACTS

Community

Transportation

ViewsCulture

~0.5 mi~1.5 mi

~1.5 mi

Rittenhouse Square15 min walk

Washington Square17min walk

Penns Landing 20min walki

nn

Girard Ave.

Washington Ave.

40th St

City Hall

Independence Mall

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Market-Frankford Line

Broad Street Line

Kimmel Center

PATCO

Study AreaLocation


Original drawing source: Philadelphia 2035 Plan, Philadelphia City Planning Commission

Weakness and Threats Community College of Philadelphia Studio Instructor: Elizabeth C. Masters, AIA

Blatt Tire Lot Prohibits FACTS Expansion

N

B

R O

A D

S

T R

E E

T

V I N E S T R E E T E X P R E S S W A Y

E. S P R I N G G A R D E N ST.

E. M A R K E T S T R E E T

ULack of Sanitation Maintenance

City Hall

The Abandoned Reading Railroad Viaduct

The Vine Street Expressway

PA ConventionCenter

Viaduct Prohibits FACTS Expansion

Abandoned Public TransportationRails hinders Vehicle Movement

GalleryMarketplace

Gentrification takes place in cities throughout the United States and other countries. It is the process of moving low income residents out, and replacing them with residents of a higher social class. Buildings and businesses in gentrified areas are also revamped. Gentrification is a controversial issue because while it improves cities and offers a brighterfuture, there are negative effects placed on displaced families who remain in poor livingconditions just as before gentrification took place. Many also feel gentrification creates anew neighborhood and the old neighborhood is no more - when a neighborhood isgentrified it loses a bit of its history and a false, artificial neighborhood is created.

GENTRIFICATION

EExisting PECO Generation Site #1 EExisting PECO Generation Site #2

Weakness and Threats

Blatt’s Tire ServiceFACTS ViaductViaduct PECO EnergyPECO Energy

Poor InfrastructureConditions

Commercial Traffic

The Viaduct has become a haven homelessness for people in close proximity of FACTS.

Thomas Monk, Robert Victor Gibson Jr

Open Courtyard above Vine St. Expressway

Potential site for affordable housing Asian American

Museum ofHistory and Art

Vertical Gardensurrounding PECO

High line Parkand Brightfield

Road Impovements

SOLUTIONS

New Streetscape

New Buildings on ends of courtyard

Opportunies Community College of Philadelphia Studio Instructor: Elizabeth C. Masters, AIA

Location

Viaduct Repurposing and landscaping is least costly option

Adds character to existing areaConnect two communities

Expansion could be built intopedestrian pathways along Vine St up to Ben Franklin Pkwy.

Opportunities for the Future

Vacancies Opportunities for green space

Opportunity to develop unique cityattraction to produce development

Museum Space Uses

Correct aesthetic issues (e.g. facades)

Add spaces to attract local and tourist/guest uses

Increase retail and residential presence to build real community

Conditions Clean up

Repurpose unused warehouses in a way that retains character

Bridge addition over Vine St to connect to Viaduct.

Vine Street Expressway could be enclosed from 12th St. to 10th St. Chinatown andcreating much needed public space.

Spring Garden St. serves as a natural border but obtaining newly opened vacancies could further expand its realm by establishing a strong pres-ence here.

Convert station into under-ground artist space.

Green Opportunities

View South on Viaduct

Viaduct Vs. Highline


Viaduct Options Community College of Philadelphia Studio Instructor: Elizabeth C. Masters, AIA

N

Viaduct

School

Arts

Retail

Construction Supply

Food Distribution

Auto/Chemical

Vacant Lot

Parking/Asphalt

Residential

Green space

Other

Pros Cons DEVELOPING VIADUCT Historically significant structure

Obtrusive

Unique, full of character Safety beneath viaduct Opportunity for elevated spaces

Limited connections up to viaduct

Least costly No control over its program REMOVING PARTS OF VIADUCT Flexibility in managing costs

Inhibits viaduct development for park

Removes grade-level barriers

Still need to address security issues

Creates opportunity for building development

REMOVING ENTIRE VIADUCT Removes grade-level barriers

Most costly

Creates opportunity for building development

Viaduct Conclusion – landscape and develop viaduct; build beyond Spring Garden to bridge access into neighboring areas

Options:

Retail market o Open air market o Partially covered o Fully covered

Outdoor park/garden o Garden plots o Running paths o Flanking parks

Brightfield o Solar panels o Wind turbines o Vertical gardens o Rainwater management system

Hybrid approach

Deja Spigner

Community College of Philadelphia Studio Instructor: Elizabeth C. Masters, AIA Problems and Precedent Solutions

SOLUTIONIndustrial Browfield site turned into a park -Duisburg-Nord Landscape Park, Germany

PROBLEM Dark underpass and bridges

SOLUTIONIndustrial buildings into lofts- The Lofts at Logan View, Philadelphia PA- Loft conversion to residential, Philadelphia PA- The Packard Apartments, Philadelphia PA

PROBLEM-Triangular sites left by the viaduct

PROBLEMSLarge stock of industrial site

SOLUTIONUnder pass lighting -Amsterdam, Netherlands -Houston, Texas

SOLUTION Vertical Gardens-Parabienta living wall, Japan-Embassy of Finland, Washington, DC- Toutnesol Site works Green Wall

SOLUTION Abandoned Railroad into Park-The High Line New York City, NY

PROBLEMS-PECO sub station fence

PROBLEM- The Reading line abandoned viaduct

SOLUTIONBuilding on the site-Flat iron building, New York City, NY-Gastown housing , Vancouver, BC

PROBLEMIndustrial loft shells

Wudasse B Berke

FACTS Gymnasium

Design concept-To provide public space on viaduct-Provide a gymnasium-Provide extra space for the school-Improve safety of the area

Design Proposals Community College of Philadelphia Studio Instructor: Elizabeth C. Masters, AIA

Community CenterOn triangular site across FACTS

The concept is to create a community center that is directly linked to the FACTS school. This design keeps the Reading viaduct and it uses it as a bridge for connection between the two buildings. In addition my design also includes a green roof at the community center which introduces more green space to the community.

- Connects by viaduct to FACTS- No public on the viaduct- Viaduct used as bright field only- Green roof- Serves the Callowhill and Chinatown community

Asian American Community Center

Community Center Engages Viaduct Viaduct can be used as a public garden

This place of gathering for the Callowhill and Chinatown communities will promote a more cohesive and active neighborhood. Having a place to gather, community members and even immigrants can have a rich dialogue concerning common problems and future opportunities. This center can embrace programs that include the immigration process, language and culture, community meetings, political forums, classes, and social parties.

Concept -Outdoor space for the school -Empty lot into green spaces and activities area -Solar film covered metal cocoon -Large scale features for shielding

LIGHTS AFTER SCHOOLsolar screen and night lights for Viaduct

Questions Raised - What else might the school need? - What possible businesses can be placed on the viaduct? - How can we use the viaduct to promote sustainable design? - What is land and building ownership? - What is the level of contamination?

Marluis Mejia

Seyed Mahdi Alavizadeh Wudasse B Berke

Sina Solati

ConceptUrban wind turbines and solar panels

Brightfield:Viaduct as energy generator and public garden

CHALLENGES FOR FACTS: -Small school -Viaduct -Parking -School bus -Playground -Green space -Sidewalk

Triangle Park: FACTS

MY DESIGN IDEAS -Extend school to triangle site -Building addition Indoor sport Field -Use Viaduct for public space -School garden -Connecting bridge

Triangle Park: FACTS

-

Asian American Museum of History and Art


Asian American Museum of History and Art

Concept

Uses the ancient art of origami as a precedent or as an formal inspiration.

Origami is the art of paper folding. It was first developed by the Chinese, but was later adopted by the Japanese. Origami brings extra meaning to a piece of paper by shaping it into a form that has symbolism.

Origami from ori meaning "folding", and kami meaning "paper" is the traditional Japanese folk art of paper folding, which started in the 17th century CE and was popularized in the mid-1900s.

How will this museum affect the people and the community of China-town?

This Museum will bring more visitors and attract a lot of atten-tion for the area of Chinatown. It is Located 11th and Vine St. and approx. Three blocks from the FACTS school. Here children, young adults, and people of all ages will come and learn more about the Asian culture and heritage of China-town. Hopefully this design will bringMore activity, creativity, and a spontaneous attitude to this community.

Mathias C Robinson

Lena Voyevoda Domera Agu

Mathias C Robinson

Northen Park

Design concept-Remove the viaduct-Expand north Chinatown-Family clinic-Playground-Parking for FACTS-Public garden

Concept- enhance public space- Use space under the viaduct as retail-land scape viaduct and include a climing park

Viaduct ParkRock climing and shopping

ZEN GARDEN

pervious paving

stormwater management basin

MODEL shown with rain water

Design Concept:The Zen Garden will operate with the purposes of providing courtyard areafor the FACTS campus which will filter and recirculate stormwater into the basin.

G

MODEL

adjust wall ht. for context


Welcoming Center for New Immigrants

The Welcoming Center will connect new arriving immigrants to economic opportunities in the area to help them integrate into the new neighborhood and ease their transition.

Wendy Jacqueline Forde

Jennifer Morales Catrice Phillips

Edmira Stefani

Discussing development at the charette at the EPA Brownfi elds Conference. ADC 259 Studio portrait at the AIA Center for Architecture.

Delivering ADC 259 Studio presentation. Drawing conclusions and establishing next steps at the end of the charette.

CONCLUSIONS FROM CHARETTE

F.A.C.T.S: Develop green space adjacent to school:

PrioritiesLearning space for children/ studentPublic green space

Support/ strengthen intergenerational connections.Gardening Engaging young people in creating changeCommunity/ self empowermentConnecting school with communityCapacity- building for greening of the community

Actions/Next StepsLand acquisitionsFinancingCommunity involvement/buy-inVolunteer organizationClean up Indentify government agencies with resourcesMapping out community organizations and stack hold-ersBlog/ website to exchange informationDevelop design ideas to present to communityEngage elected offi cialsEngage zoning/DVPC/ PECO

Design elementsLightingPicnic spacesRecreational spaceCreating connection between space & schoolGarden plots

VIADUCT:

Brightfi eld energy: Must have off-taker: Either PECO or a business Need approval for solar project: Formal agreementsFunding: Secure fi nancing or lease the land and have an installer who would build, maintain, etc.PA is diffi cult for solar because of lack of payback: 7-9 years in PA for payback right now

Greening the Viaduct:How can FACTS work be part of larger greening of viaduct?

Reclaim green space ChildrenNeighborhoodNeed access to green space

Reading ownership: Have a liability; polluters must clean up where they’ve polluted.

Zoning remapping and community development is needed:

Building studies and potentialConduct market studiesNeighborhood Improvement District is under discussion

Stakeholders need to be at policy table when decisions are being made.

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