Landscape Pin Up: With Jason King

Current Site Plan 

I was finally able to start fleshing out the Boardwalk/ Swale Idea that is being used in my project as the continuity between the modes of transit and acts as this piece of infrastructure that future building can plug into.  

I have been unsure what the relationship of the boardwalk was to the bioswale, meaning is it two separate entities or are they the same thing?  After the discussion it seems like the best solution is if they are implemented together but are actually independent functioning.  What will be the true deciding factor is a simple rule of thumb calculation that roughly says that 10% of non-permeable surface should be permeable.   After I crunch some numbers the relationship of swale to Boardwalk will become much clearer.  

I was glad to hear that the idea of using the swale to charge a wetland proposal of mine is reasonable. 

I also found another comment from Mr. King fascinating that I might want to take into consideration that I dont necessary need to treat the water at the actual point of entry.  this water could be taken somewhere else and then the treatment architecturally expressed.

Week 15 Update:

This week I worked on the design of the Transit Plaza.  I began by re-evaluating the location for my cafe.  Intuitively I placed it under the large LRT covering, but decided that it actually works the best when it is located to the north.  In this position it gets people to move out from the covers (both bus and LRT) and it is able to create a third boundary to the plaza, really starting to close it in.

My critique with Suenn on Friday was interested in trying to bring back the Performing art Center Program for my site.  I have begun entertaining that idea, with the hopes that it will tie my project together and have the ability to utilize my design efforts these past quarters.  I think I have been struggling to develop the PAC because I have never really been interested in the design of that,  it was kind of a weird thing I decided on over spring break.

Im hoping this upcoming week I will be able to make some real break throughs.  I am excited that this three week focus is landscape/sustainability.

Model Making Shots

Here are a few shots of the casts I did for my section model.  The idea to document this process photographically didnt come to mind until I was almost done. Sorry there are not more pics of the actual form making or pouring.

one mast done,  and one to go

masking tape works great as form ties

mast with footing. Two separate pours

pealing of the form work

wooden embed to glue structure to

wha la! perfect cast.  looks good with 6 am sun light on it

just have to sand down that top edge and it will be good to go.

4/18 : Structure Review

SECTION THROUGH MAST

Reinforcing the ‘Gateway’ concept and needing to provide shelter for both public transit commuters and plaza events the implementation of a large roof structure felt the most appropriate.  In order to create a large column free space allowing for the trains to pass through and to frame views, a cantilever structures has been employed.

The structural model and concept were well received by my reviewing group.  We first discussed what the appropriate strategies for securing the large concrete masts to a footing would entail.  The width and depth seemed to be spot on, but they were concerned with overturning do to unexpected snow loads.  To help add a little insurance they suggested tying the footing down with piles or extending the footing further into the plaza. 

Another thing they noticed were the tension rods connected to the masts.  In the model the do not line up suggesting that they are independent of one another.  They mentioned that most likely this would be continuous from one side through to the other.  They said this would be a good opportunity to use a fenestration to accentuate this connection.

They were disappointed that the pin connection holding the primary tapering I-beam structure was expressed above the roof, out of view from pedestrians.  They suggested moving the roof above to reveal that connection below.

Another great tip was to tilt the roof facing the free way higher up.  This way the underside could be viewed from the I-205.  An interesting fact mentioned is that structures of this nature are usually hung higher then the desired height because over time they will slowly settle into place.

A comment made about Gateway and not the structure was that they thought there was an issue with trying to find parking spaces.  If was suggested incorporating a parking structure below the plaza to provide the spaces necessary for the future density.

Overall they were impressed by the design and felt that the sizing, spacing, connections and massing of the different structural components were done very accurately.   That was a bit relieving because I was a little worried that the masts were not big enough and that the spacing for the beams was too large.   I am going to try to test out what the aesthetic benefits will be by making correction to my design based on their suggestions.  I will certainly increase the footings just to be safe and look into how the tension rods get detailed.  I am afraid that moving the roof above the structure to reveal the pin connection will ruin the clean continuous surface plane above the alignment but I am willing to take a stab at it. 

covering over market: view from child

covering over platform: view from train

wooden slats overhang

pin connection detail

41' mast...epic!!!

view from plaza to platforms if you were 20 feet tall

tension rod connection concealed into mast

exposed top of footing to break up paving and reinforces perpendicular movement

roof detail.  Primary Secondary and tertiary structure

gods view

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Page Layout: Thesis Summary Draft

Week 14 Update:

http://inkbottle.hauntedink.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Elizabeth_Gilbert_at_TED-275x2851.jpg

CLICK to watch: Elizabeth Gilbert: On Genius

I share this with you(click on link above to watch) because it has been extremely helpful and liberating for me in watching it.  It might provide a little solidarity as we conclude this very stressful quarter.

Week 13: Update Structure

Building Context : Backdrop/Promenade/Plaza

North/South section Through Interior courtyard and plaza

Structural Plan corresponding to Sectional Model

This week I really got into my project via a Model.  I started it as a spatial model  looking at the relationship of the spaces that surround the central courtyard and looking at  the volume of the lobby adjacent to the plaza.  By adding detail to this model I was able to double it as a structural model.

My strategy in regards to structure for this building is to use the performance halls as for lateral strengthen making some of their walls from concrete and then infilling the rest of the building using a simple structural grid.

Most performance halls are very expressive and loud.  I would like  it if this project could do something like this.  however,  I feel like I am leaning more towards a building that is a backdrop for a urban plaza and is on the quite side.  In making the lobby a very public space and transit oriented and have been experiencing the most trouble with my circulation and program organization.

For the review on the 18th I am planning on making a bigger model of just the south facade.  I am certain on a large glass facade and want to understand the details that go into supporting and attaching it.

A more developed plan is in the works and will be helpful in describing my structural systems for this upcoming review.

section model 1/4"

plaza face large public seating

Lobby with community art display

large columns on to interior to reduce the civic feel

south facade

three floor lobby. Program blocks views of central court yard to make the lobby relate to the plaza 

soffit/roof detail

Week 12: Update/ 1st week back from spring break

1/8" section model(scheme2)  thinking about structure and space relationships.

This week was a busy one.  It got me to start thinking about structural systems, both how they exist in my present scheme and what systems I plan to utilize.

This week I was able to develop the promenade/bio-swale connection between the two transit terminuses.  Its just beginning to look how I've pictured it.

Since i have decided on doing a performing art center (for both theater/music)  I ran through a few schemes this week.(surprised?) I was looking at the different ways I could articulate this building to not only reinforce my transit concept but also make the evocative building this transit stop needs in order to give character to gateway.  

My first scheme was organizing the program into its respective parts and ordering them around a central courtyard.

My second scheme was to sink the entire building except for the front of house and back of house.  Both parts would straddle the plaza creating this notion of a "gateway".

Other schemes predominately exist in my sketchbook.  

What has been frustrating is that I have really only been thinking about my project as being a performing art center for about a week.  And this semester isn't really structured to allow me to feel my way through a scheme.  I have got to get this building figured out asap.

I also was able to meet with Mr. James McGrath of ZGF this week.  We discussed the parti of my building as to how it relates to the urban space I am trying to create.  He was not very thrilled with my subterranean scheme. (no was I)   It seems like the solution this building is leaning towards is one where it is an object building in the middle of future fabric building. (which is what I presented at my mid term.) 

This week I plan to nail my floor plan and massing.  As I develop the structure I will use that to start to break down the massing/ elevations of the building.