IMAGES OF PUBLIC HOUSING: A Design
Exploration Addressing the Intrinsic
Relationship between Individuals
and the Living Environment
By Joann Stephanie Staton
B.S. Civil Engineering
Howard University
Washington, D.C.
May 1980
Signature of author
epartme t of Architecture
Februar 6, 1984/
Submitted to the Department of
Architecture in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the
Degree of Master of Architecture at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
June, 1984
Cyfti4Zed
/
M.
-
I
David Lee, Ass jstt Professor
Architecture and rban Planning
Thesis Superviso1
Joann S. Staton
1984
Accepteg by
The author herby grants to M.I.T.
permission to reproduce and to
distribute copies of this thesis
document in whole or in part.
Chester Orgue, Chairman
Department Commitee for
Graduate Students
~S7iTUTE
OF TECHNLOCY
JUN 11984
~tGU
1
Images of Public Housing:
A Design Exploration
Addressing the Intrinsic Relationship Between
Individual and the Living Environment
by
Joann Stephanie Staton
Submitted to the Department of Architecture on January 27, 1984 in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Architecture
ABSTRACT
The architecture of public housing is generally lacking.
It reflects a deterior-
ated national image of low-income housing and holds far-reaching consequences for the
poor who have their own image of public housing.
This thesis is an architectural
investigation, and because it deals with images--what people see and feel-- the sociological influences are strong as well.
The concern of this thesis is creating positive images of public housing from
both the residents' and the public's perspectives.
To do so, it points out specific
architectural devices which promote an improved image and better quality homes.
The relationship between the individual and the living environment is critical
An examination of the meaning of the
to the process which yields the final design.
house defines the parameters of this relationship as it initiates a user-oriented
The result demonstrates that a process deeply rooted this way and based
design theme.
on
step-by-step
design
decisions,
ultimately satisfies user needs without solicit-
ing the usual stigma public housing carries.
Thesis Supervisor: M. David Lee
Assistant Professor of Architecture and Urban Planning
Title:
2
FOREWORD
to
and
neighborhoods
Cohesive
live.
places
wholesome
and
attractive
generally
are
cities
American
lively public places characterize our
Unfortunately
environments.
urban
though,
is
there
everything,
public
and
side
dark
a
to
can
housing
usually be found in these shadows.
Modern
logical
provide
for
my
urge
ment
to
the
the
human
abilities
point
Illustrating
built
spirit,
to
satisfies
this
demonstrate
of
to
environments
thesis
architecture.
techno-
the
capacity
living
This
importance
creative
some
pleasant
to
has
economic
and
everyone.
through
the
society
environfrees
provide
our
whole-
living environments for the poor
as well as the rich.
3
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
To the people I owe my deepest
gratitude:
I've spent many hours in the last
waking nights, thinking
chunks of quality time; I learned many
new things under your guidance. I
am grateful for your concern, and your
reassuring sense of humor which
About the efforts that produced this
thesis, the friendships that paved
helped me to "press on" through
frustrating times.
To John Washington and Lauren Seymour,
these last few years,
And the encouragement that guides
my life.
But, still, it is difficult to
describe the depth of my gratitude.
I am indebted to you all for so
many reasons.
To Gail Epp,
thank you for introducing
me to Mission Hill and sharing with me
your expertise. I will remember
your generosity.
To Jan Wampler, thank you for
constructive criticism, your advice and
patience throughout a busy semester.
To David Lee, thank you for so many
my dearest friends, it would have
been miserable without you. Thanks
Ricky Marshall for the crash course
in photography and for taking many of
photos for this project.
To Frank Tollett, my closest friend,
thank you for supplying the optimism
and kindness that brightens my cloudy days.
To my family, your endless faith
has sustained me throughout the years.
Thank you for everything Mom and
Dad....I love you!
4
CONTENTS
ABSTRACT..............................
........
FOREWORD.................
.. *
2
3
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS....................
4
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
The Problem with Public Housing.
The Thesis.........
.
The Site........................
8
14
15
22
23
23
23
30
CHAPTER 2 NEIGHBORHOOD ANALYSIS.....
Residential Development.........
Institutional Expansion.........
Character of Neighborhood.......
Clues for Mission Hill Extension
CHAPTER 3 SITE ANALYSIS
Adjacent Land Use...............
Built Condition of Site.........
Pro's and Con's of the Location.
.......
...........
Microclimate ....
.
.
.
35
39
41
42
CHAPTER 4 PROGRAM & PRINCIPLES
......................
.
Program. ..
. .
Principles ......
....
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
48
50
Programmatic Translation to the
Site..
........................0
57
CHAPTER 5 SITE DEVELOPMENT
Derivation of the Site Plan.......
The Product
65
78
5
CHAPTER 6 BUILDING DESIGN
Building Plans...
...
The Townhouses....................
........
97
105
The Hi-Rises......................
123
CHAPTER 7 CONCLUSION
Summary of Findings ...............
130
Social Problems...................
131
APPENDIX
...........
.
135
WORKS CITED........................
138
SOURCES CONSULTED......................
141
6
CHAPTER
1
INTRODUCTION
7
THE PROBLEM WITH PUBLIC HOUSING
In recent decades, the subject of
public housing has received considerwell-warranted
and
able
a
to
public
housing,
social
discord
the problems.
unemployment,
crime.
some
education,
race,
and
transportation,
circumstances,
their
Lack of amenities. Source: The Empty
Pranise.
these burden-
architects
others are now realizing a
of
centered
problems
In the tide of
awareness
some
"Housing involves
poverty,
of
aggravate
to
continue
the
and
political
but
social
difficult
around
understanding
new
public
bringing
are
documents
Numerous
attention.
among
heightened
roles
in
the
struggles of this system.
Architectural design is generally
lacking
in
present
public
projects.
The designs of the past had arrived at
new
frontiers
of
blandness,
and
by
8
gentlemen's
agreement,
retained
this institutional signature as the
precedent for projects around the
nation. 2
Identical structures were stamped
onto "the site, foreclosing rational
spatial sequences and any hopes to
impart individuality or dignity to the
units. These buildings were not built
cheaply; the frills had just been
Construction costs for
forbidden.3
low income housing rivaled the costs
Still, costs and
for luxury hi-rises.
financing were given as the rationale
for the grossness in public housing.
Local housing authorities were losing
money and pointing to high operating
expenses along with limited income
from rents and ineffective management
Sommerville Projects showing poorly organized
landscape for early housing developments.
strategies.
Crime is a problem. It is often
believed to reflect the destitution of
Criminals
surrounding neighborhoods.
are
residents
the
outsiders;
are
particularly
vulnerable
and
often
9
their prey.4
The
housing
blighted
is
complex
invincible.
of
but
cycle
of
public
far
Moreover,
perpetuating
low
scenario
from
the
costs --
high
maintenance --high
self
crime --and
increasing vacancies is indicative of
a missing link in the housing process.
This link has to do with the relationship
between
the
individual
and
the
structures
of
living environment.
The
residential
traditional
Samoa
the
in
house
Furthermore,
of
the
perhaps
its
they
represent
simplest
provide
relationship
an
form.
example
between
Deteriorating housing stock. Source:
The Empty Promise.
the
individual and the living environment.
The
Samoan
thatched
heavy
the
houses
roof
posts
at
perimeter
supported
the
of
elliptical plans.
by
decorative
consisted
by
center
their
of
a
several
and
along
circular
or
Joints were secured
sennit
lashings
and
protection from moisture provided by a
raised
platform .of
pebbles
from
the
10
beach.
Still,
in
a
simple
issues of
Samoan house addressed
and
way,
pebble platform and territorial
and
rank
through the height of
status
human
expression
the
the
claim
through
the
attractiveness of an adjacent garden.
What is most important about this
example
is
the
role/relationship
people had with the dwelling.
as
the
details
naled
the
function
obscure
of
status
of
to
the
outsiders.
sig-
owner,
building
the
As much
construction
of
the
the
alone
was
Instead
the
building was dependent on the ute the
The Samoan Round House
Plan and Section
Pebble Platform
Q
'o0
owner
had
setting.
tionship
for
it
This
at
any
the
o
0
0,
o o 0
.
particular
interdependent
between
00
user
rela-
and
lashings for
joints
the
dwelling makes clear that people often
look to built forms to reaffirm their
position
in
society
and
to
reinforce
The Samoan Long House
Plan and Section
their self images.
Today's
planners
officials are
finding out
ous
housing
programs
the
relationship
and
that previ-
lacked
between
housing
the
Fine Details address human concerns
in
simple designs.
room for
indivi-
11
BROOKLINE VILLAGE- Examples of how private
territories are established for high density
housing complexes. Left, fenced yard for ground
floor apartment. Right, backyards for townhouse
units.
12
dual
and
the
They
dwelling.
lacked
room for creative personal expression,
individual
key
definition,
decisions,
and
control
over
opportunities
for
territorial claim --just a few prerequisites for satisfactory housing.
Of
all
decision-makers,
archi-
tects make the key impressions on the
These impressions --
housing product.
the image --are seen from two perspec-
tives,
the
tenant's
images
public's
view.
held
view
and
Moreover,
by
one
the
negative
group
induce
negative images for the other and vice
versa.
In
the
past,
the
image
of
public housing was negative
for both
groups.
projects
Deteriorating
coupled with
the
tics
residents
of
public
the
image
uniformity
blandness
tion
poor
and
and
and
left
image
social
characteristarnished
fueled
a
trust
In
durability.
the
absence
residents
and
An extreme example of personal expression for
a house on Mission Hill.
with
little
the
for
turn,
of
defini-
an
equally
desire
to
13
pro-
the
maintain
or
with
identify
perty.
THE THESIS
architectural
images
amenities
that
and provide
tenants
to
of
this
devices that
to explore the
improve
would
image
and
The purpose of
public housing.
thesis is
available
are
moves
quality
the
improve
Definite
positive.
be
should
and
housing can
public
image of
The
the
This
value.
thesis will emphasize the relationship
between the individual and the living
environment
and
design
same
that
demonstrate
for
principles
the
private
Buffer zone created by strip of trees helps to
define the territory belonging to the houses
behind it.
housing can be used as precedents for
the
ascribed
image
new
to
public
housing.
This
explore
as
will
thesis
through
design
territoriality
and
implement
such
and
concepts
defensibility,
both laboriously investigated by Oscar
Newman
in
Defensible
Space.
Similarly, the surveys and findings of
14
countless
other
authors
additional
reference
ples
definitions
and
lished.
this
will
provide
the
princi-
for
to
be
estab-
The vehicle for establishing
thesis will
public
housing
Mission
Hill
be
the design of
development
Extension
site
a
at
the
in
Rox-
bury.
THE SITE
Mission
Hill
Extention
consists
of five seven story hi-rise buildings,
six three story walk-ups, a gym, and a
central
three
heating
of the
five
plant.
At
present,
seven story hi-rise
View 4- Early morning view of Mission Hill
Extension.
buildings are slotted for demolition,
while
the
remaining
completely
Sixty
gutted
two
new
constructed
space.
to
two
and
will
renovated.
townhouses
occupy
be
will
the
be
cleared
The renovations of the hi-rise
buildings include duplex apartments on
the lower
and
two
two
floors and smaller one
bedroom
units
on
the
upper
15
the
of
border
Southwest
The
floors.
site along Columbus Avenue is attached
to
Southwest Corridor Improvement
the
the building exteriors and the streets
and
playgrounds.
However,
The
are
issues
require
and
diverse
con-
issues.
rehabilitation
and
struction
new
of
combination
interesting
an
offers
site
particular
a
great deal of attention to achieve the
solution.
a
allows
would
alone
the
Since
thesis.
struction
surrounding
problems
rehabilitation
hi-rise
fill
The
coherent
a
for
necessary
balance
con-
new
to
freedom
greater
exercise new ideas, the design will be
centered
only
sixty
hi-rises
The
townhouses.
addressed
the
around
new
will
be
of
terms
in
two
site
refer
to
person's
"home".
vision?
thesis,
the
thought that
mind
What
This
includes more
image
when
does
can
comes
just
the
struc-
people to
the
seriously
quality
propose
of
life
for
the point of offering some
positive
psychological
designers
must
message,
understand
not
just
from whose point of view an
image is
perceived
are
but
also
what
the
specific qualities of built form that
provide
This
the
thesis
most
will
efficient
be
limited
clues.
to
the
discussion
and manipulation of public
housing's
architecture.
examination
of
the
It
potential
is
an
sensi-
tivity of an architectural solution to
the
housing
needs
of
ization
and
design
people.
There-
building organ-
that
affect
image
a
will be identified first, and it will
says
be determined which moves are afford-
en-
able and which provide the most bene-
to
person
interpretation of
than
simply
someone
the
influencing
to
fore, the elements of
planning and facade design.
In this
includes
tural quality, light, and views.
plan.
This
It
image
looks
of
fits.
Each aspect of design will be
analyzed
in
terms
of
the
qualities
16
that
affect
the 'public's
view
and
much is economically feasible.
those that affect the resident's view.
An
emphasis
effective
will
be
placed
manipulation
on
of
the
these
qualities.
The
and
Materials,
of
spaces
the
The
resident's
issues
the
are
physical
of
all
same
and
the
facilities
the
that
the
few
Based on these ground rules,
a
set of
the
other
that state the needs and wants
users.
The
design phase
of the
includes its
own set of evaluative criteria.
criteria
are
based
architectural
private
qualities
and
and
represent
on
the
given
to
traditional
organizations
acceptable
forms
part
housing and other
residential
are
in
These
since
cost
these
effective
the
values
which poor people often aspire.
to
Much
namely,
emphasis will be placed on maximizing
of
spatial
space,
and
bound-
compositions
needed
materials and techniques.
adequacy
to
are
public
affect
a
the
outdoor
residents
degree
are
of
to
but
general
and
factors
allotments --territories
aries,
the
issues
view,
of
organization
buildings
relevant
concern
nature
range
concepts.
distribution
specifically
view.
a
and buildings,
and
activities
involve
intangible
attractiveness
nature
analysis of the neighborhood and site.
guiding principles will be established
issues
tangible
The ground rules are laid with an
which
provided -- recreation,
quality
Due
to
using
construction
these
and
traditional
the complex circumstances
day care, and the quality of space -climate control, soundproofing. Small
surrounding
architectural
solution
scale,
inefficacious.
Several other relevant
are
variety,
desirable
and
personalization
traits,
determination must
be made
but
as
some
to
how
issues
the
must
global
public
housing,
be understood
solution.
As
a purely
would
be
as
part
of
part
of
the
17
conclusion,
to
the
public
a
social
housing
brief
commentary
problems
and what
talks
surrounding
effects
they
have on the lives of the tenants.
18
Notes
1.
Robert
Liston,
(New York, 1974),
2.
Oscar
p.
Newman,
The
7
Ugly
Palaces
.
Defensible
Space
(New York, 1973), p. 1 0 8 .
3.
Newman, p.105.
4.
Liston, p.72.
is
taken
from
a
5.
This
example
paper written by the
author,
"The
Samoan Residential Landscape," a study
of cultural influences on architecture.
(Partial requirements for the
course 4.696,
Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, December 17,
1982.)
19
CHAPTER
2
NEIGHBORHOOD
ANALYSIS
20
H
I-4
P.4
0<
0
PP
~cza-Q-cz
N
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
The
early
residents
of
Mission
Hill were prosperous settlers attracted to
the Hill
by the unique view
it
offered of Boston and what was then a
rolling
countryside.
families
oped
Working
soon populated
suburb
services
were
Hill
in
the
grew
to
of
Catholic
Boston
extended
late
become
the
into
the
community.1
built
cohesiveness
siveness stemmed
character
later
of
the
challenged
Mission
The
area
Much
of
from the
the
guidance
throughout
that
cohe-
homogeneous
population
by
Irish
around
Mission Church which offered
fostered
city
closely-knit,
community
and
undevel-
when
1860's.
a
class
changes
and
was
in
the
The sub-areas of Mission Hill. Source:
Mission Hill/Medical Center Area, District
Profile and Proposed 1978-1980 Neighborhood
Improvement Program.
social make-up of the area.
22
Throughout the 1950's, the church
was
the
center
community.
housing
of
the
In 1940,
projects
Mission
Hill
the Mission Hill
were
erected
and
quickly taken into the guiding arms of
In
the church.
added
but
1952,
remained
an
extension
apart
from
concentrated
(1)Public
Hill
three
housing
Main
Whitney
major
projects
and
Bank
Manor, and
at
Apartments,
the
persisted,
families
were
and
growing
institutional
(2) The
sometimes
population.
of
the
new
a
result,
or
bought
actualized
not.
With
influences
Not
students
housing
and
only
the
came
had
starting to
projects,
professionals
compete
ing housing stock.
Back
institutional
(3)Mission Park.
univer-
the
races integrated upon the construction
Projects:
Bay
of
an
the
areas:
medical
as
for
and
been
new
displaced
out -- sometimes
new
of
expansion
project
Mission
Extension,
Redevelopment
Charles
has
and
sities
a
development
in
centers
installation
was
auspices of the church.
Residential
The
were
for the diminishThese instances of
encroachment
blamed for the upheaval
nity of old.
but
were
of the commu-
2
INSTITUTIONAL EXPANSION
The
along
New England
with
the
Baptist Hospital
Robert
Breck
Brigham
Hospital were the
progentitors of
intense
of
ities
community
and
establish
were
the
among
strong
medical
THE PHYSICAL QUALITIES OF
THE NEIGHBORHOOD
an
The
facil-
produced
latter
a
part
large
frame
houses.
These
institutional
three
family,
triple
first
presence now felt on the Hill.
the
number of
to
the
of
were
1800's
low cost
two
deckers
and
built
along the slopes of rural estates that
23
4> Catalogue
of Materials,
Styles, and
Architectural
Elements
in Mission Hill.
Townhouses
on Fort Hill.
...
U'l
large windows....
clapboard facades...
arched & square
entryways...
enclosed and
elevated
...
projections
brick facades...
24
were
once
Mission
Hill.
Housing
in
Mission Hill today is characterized by
these
triple
percentage
made
of
up
Several
deckers.
of
the
Only
housing
single
masonary
lings
were
Avenue
but were
a
small
stock
family
homes.
multi-family
built
along
still
is
dwel-
Huntington
few
in
number
compared to the wood frame structures
in
the
neighborhood.
The
recent
decades have brought extensive
tutional
growth
and
insti-
negligible
res-
idential development. 3
With
distinctly
different
MISSION PARK- Above, One of the three towers at
Mission Park. The townhouse units at Mission
Park are shown below.
three
and seven story buildings, the Mission
Hill
projects
became
a
separate
sub-area.
represent
These public housing units
over
three-fourths
of
the
units in the immediate vicinity.
The
housing
concept
installed
with the construction of Mission
illuminates
a
future
direction
housing in Mission Hill.
Park
for
This devel-
opment is a publicly subsidized, mixed
income neighborhood of 775 units.
It
25
health
day
recreation,
includes
care
and
care,
resi-
The
facilities.
dences consist of two to three story,
wood
townhouse-type
frame,
structures
and hi-rise buildings.
Other hi-rises
the neighborhoods
but were vehe-
dot
mently opposed by the residents since
so many families were evicted to make
way for the structures.
Five
are
playgrounds
with public funds.
operated
Two are located at
the Mission Hill Main Extension sites.
When
not
utilizing
youths
play
school
grounds.
and
on
Extension,
the
playgrounds,
sidewalks
the
or
At Mission Hill
where
there
on
Main
is
the
greatest concentration of children and
teenagers,
congregate
youths
at
building entrances.
Corner stores and small neighborhood shopping areas are plentiful, but
the main neighborhood shopping area is
the
Brigham Circle
Brigham
many
Circle
Mission
is
Hill
business district.
a
convenience
to
but
is
residents,
Public Playgrounds, 1968-1977, Source:
Mission Hill/Medical Center Area, District
Profile and Proposed 1978-1980 Neidhgborhood
Improvement Program
26
LAND USE
MAP
key:
INSTITUTIONAL
EIRESIDENTIAL
4'
I-'
PARK or
OPEN SPACE
COMMERCIAL
N
27
Mission Hill ResidentialLoose, suburban-type
organization.
Mission Hill ProjectsLarge, industrial-size blocks
with no particular organization.
South End ResidentialTightly-knit, orthogonal arrangement of streets forming distinct
blocks.
COMPARISON OF STREET PATTERNS
FOUND IN
BOSTON NEIGHBORHOODS
28
Hispanic.
and
it's clientele and money to
losing
larger outlying shopping centers and
diminishing
offering
consequently
service and quality.5
and
universities,
Hospitals,
numerous industrial buildings account
for the balance of the structures in
The institutions had
Mission Hill.
but
lation.
Hence, most of the non-white
acquiring
of
a pattern
developed
houses, making no significant investments in the buildings, and demolishing them once they were vacated. This
families
were
practice left numerous patches of
vacant land among residential commuNow, any redevelopment of
nities.6
this land leads to major consequences
for the character of Mission Hill.
At
significantly Black
half
the
of
time
the
poverty
level
Mission
Hill
Black
popu-
Hispanic poputhese
in
concentrated
characteristics
encouraging
the
institutional
their
class
middle
old
thrusts
major
were
entourage
were
presence
for
to
the
and
residents
New
out.
assert
group
These new social and racial
projects.
move
the
of
of the
52%
lation and
This
Projects.
70%
represented
the
in
living
and
below
were
families
area's
the
over
census,
1970
slow
to
same
the
reasons.
Today's neighborhood is progressive
and dynamic.
A
new-found
cohe-
siveness is germinating in the heteroThe Mission
THE RESIDENTS OF MISSION HILL
The population characteristics of
Mission Hill have shifted drastically
geneity of the community.
Team(MUNIT)
has
banded
in thirty years, from predominantly
Irish Catholic families to a populace
which is still predominantly White,
regulation
of
institutional
sion.8
Improvement
Neighborhood
United
to
insure
the
expan-
Other neighborhood groups are
tackling the
problems of
poor police
29
protection,
lems
poor
lighting,
the
involving
and
delivery
private
and
prob-
of
home
lack
repair
The central
companies.
by
services
issue
now is preserving what is left of the
neighborhood
and
decent and good.
making
something
9
CLUES FOR MISSION HILL EXTENSION
As the
instances of small groups
organizing to protect their neighborhoods increase,
it is clear that any
new
will
development
these
same
feelings
need
of
to
summon
community
to
succeed as a place to live or just to
survive
as
a
as a built
major
entity.
residential
1898 View of Huntington Avenue showing the
original, wood-framed triple deckers of
Mission Hill. Source: Boston 200 Corporation,
Mission Hill.
Moreover,
development,
Mission Hill Extension can and should
be a major contributor to the
neigh-
borhood forces that are rising.
Images
because
people
environment
they
can
are
as
important
have
see
their
a neighborhood
before
respond
with
to
simply
group
efforts.
30
Once this happens, regaining the image
respectable
and
assertive
an
of
community is facilitated, and problems
it
was
because
designing
can
neighborhood
qualities
the
of
much
concerned,
Extension
Hill
Mission
to
pattern
that
reconstruct
to
be
help
emphasis
provide
a
the
feelings
engender
In
observed
three
summary,
of
A
the
old
qualities
community
a
created
homogeneous
an
second
community
they
atmosphere
neighborhood
for
ties, but once integrated,
were
dents
left
vulnerable.
have
community
of community.
found
and
A Population with Common Goals
is
in
they
decision
could care about there.
are more quickly resolved or repelled.
Where
their
in
found
the
a
goal
community
these ties
Today's
new
to
resi-
sense
keep
of
the
neighborhood alive and good.
which
might somehow be incorporated into the
plan for
the new development
include
the following.
A Focusing Element
This was a church in the case of
the
old
where
neighborhood.
people meet
and
It
is
a
identify
place
as
an
appropriate place to congregate.
A Choice Place to Live
The
early
residents
came
to
Mission Hill because the area afforded
certain
physical
amenities.
Their
relocation was favorable first because
31
Notes
1.
Boston 200 Corporation,
Hill (:Boston, 1976), pp. 1 - 2 .
2.
Boston 200,
Mission
p. 8 .
3.
Boston Redevelopment Authority,
Neighborhood Planning Program, Mission
Hill/Medical
Center
Area,District
Profile and Proposed 1978-1980 Neighborhood
1977),
Improvement
Program
(Boston,
p.l.
4.
B.R.A.,
p. 4 .
5.
B.R.A.,
p.
6.
B.R.A., p.13.
7.
B.R.A.,
8.
Boston 200, p.8.
9.
Boston 200, p. 2 4 .
16
.
p.2.
32
CHAPTER
3
SITE ANALYSIS
33
People interact with the environment to
that
form communities.
occurs
is
The 'action
supported
in
turn
by
the organization of the environment.
Ultimately, the site plan affects how
people
other
act
toward
things.
For
one
another
and
this
reason,
the
following description of site responses is also oriented to human purpose
and the physical setting.
Typical urban sites must respond
to:
existing
patterns --
building
massing and footprints;
adjacent land
usage --commercial,
industrial;
and
residential,
existing
terns --circulation
and
Mission
Hill
Extension
account
for
similar
use
zoning.
site
issues,
specifically, it must respond to:
Adjacent
land
use
(b)
The
pat-
View 2- Building One. The gym is in the bottom
right corner
The
must
but
(a)
built
condition of the site (c) The microclimate at the location.
34
ADJACENT LAND USE
The
Mission
located
Roxbury, a
going
the
in
northwest
section of
extensive
whole,
Hill Extension
the
urban
site
is
is
of
portion
the city underrenewal.
located
As
with
a
the
Southwest Corridor on one edge, a boys
trade
school, Wentworth
Northeastern
Institute and
University
along
edges
and
light
industry along the other
The
Mission Hill Main
northwestern
overlooks
an
belonging
to
border
of
expansive
two
and
some
edge.
the
site
parking
Northeastern
lot
University
but culminates in a view of the Museum
of
Fine
Master
Arts.
The
Artists
in
View 1-
Entrance for a three story walk-up
Afro-American
Residence
Pro-
gram(AAMARP) building flanks the north
edge
too.
school
The
offers
the
northeast
six
foot
high
an
back
of
the
unpleasant
partly
because
chain-link
trade
view
of
fence
to
the
that
35
View 6- A panoramic view to the east of the site
from the AAMARP building to the Museum of Fine Arts.
View 7-
View of the Boys' Trade School.
36
borders it.
be
completion of
be
interposed
Orange
line
east.
This
vehicular
traffic
busy Ruggles
the
immediate
and
already
the
along
This street
Street.
to the
it
important
extremely
an
promises
the main entrance
is
new
pedestrian
both
in
and a
north
positioning
increase
line
Green
to
Station
will
site
the
between
to the
stops
Transit
scheduled construc-
the
this project,
for
tion
By
map.
site
the
on
seen
can
boundaries
construction
The
is
hence
site,
in
this
discussion of images since it will be
the public's first
impression of
The railway
newly developed housing.
edge will make
the
a similar though less
View 9- Rear view of site from across
Ruggles Street near site of new Orange
Line station.
profound impression on passersby using
the newly planned landscaped deck over
the
will
Orange
provide
ational
needs
Mission
Hill
for
new
This
line.
much
of
the
feature
recre-
of
the
residents- of
Main
and
Mission
Hill
Extension as well as the needs of the
37
L
L
/Parker
Street
38
surrounding educational institutions.
The remaining portion of the site
the
of
part
not
are
buildings
These
walk-ups.
story
three
of
consists
remodeling and are well occupied.
BUILT CONDITION OF THE SITE
seven
(7)
occupy
the
Five
presently
only
first
floors
the
of
distiguishable
barely
The
buildings
are
has
six
building
Each
unoccupied.
remaining
the
occupied.
partially
three
are
Two
site.
and
and boarded
vacant
buildings
story
except
entries
View 8- Vandalized entrance
for the obtrusive bright orange color
of
the
signs
All
doors.
in
vandalism
of
form
the
graffiti bearing messages of
that
could
protect
These
the
entry
have
been
building
points
buildings
are
zones
as
formed
obviously
of
nature
to
intruders.
from
serve
a
intended
for children and teenagers.
intermediary
show
entrances
hangouts
The
four
by
the
intended
for
39
- -M
use by young children but are void of
is
safe playing equipment
and over-grown
images
the
walls.
with
are
Cars
weeds.
at
parked
outer edges of these zones.
They
air
to
places
become
have
rugs
They are a means to
and dry clothes.
They are
cool off over-heated units.
also occasionally used to store small
milk
resident
(One
items.
outside
crate
had
secured
kitchen
the
a
win-
dow.)
The
sits
above
These
hi-rise.
middle
ible
entrances
two
basketball
the
graphic
players
on
it's
It too has received it's share
Access
into
the
interior
of
the
site is obscure and complicated with a
series
of
dead end.
90*
turns
that
lead
to
a
This situation has forced a
predominantly pedestrian northern edge
characterized
buildings.
by
views
Along
of
this
run
down
path,
on
Annunciation Road and between the
gym
are
the
for
inaccess-
flowers
well-kept
somehow
but
of
by
vegetation
cultivated
only
recognized
of graffiti.
a variety of uses.
Windows serve
only
growing in plant boxes.
recreation building
The
is
a
single story concrete block structure
that
houses
center.
a
gym
and
a
day
care
This is a frequented building
for both it's intended uses, but it is
sandwiched
between
the
eastern-most
abandoned hi-rise and one of the three
story buildings.
In this position, it
View 3- The Gymnasium.
40
and one of
is
the three
patch
a
of
land
a
The site's location across from a
story buildings
has
that
communal
been
turned
into
vegetable
garden;
in November, the remnants of a
rugged-looking parking
vast,
lot
and
the back of a trade school reinforces
the
image
of
public
housing
as
the
worst part of the city and adds to the
recent harvest were still apparent.
institutional appearance of the site.
The
surrounding
PROS AND CONS OF THE LOCATION
While
against
the
site
land
gives
tioned earlier,
site
is
of
the
ately,
way
to
the
As
southern
bound by
Orange
this
deck
the
equally
circumstances.
compromised
deck
testimony
planning,
inappropriate
adjacent
the
bears
to
Boston
and
the
two
it's
site
are
important
proximity
limited
to
museums
in-
to
a
major
mass transit station.
men-
edge
of
the
landscaped
Line.
Unfortun-
is
views
circumstances
amenable
elevated
and
limits the only escaping views to the
south
to
third
those above.
ed use as
and
a source of recreation, it
as
a
barrier
to
the
tive
residents
In spite of it's intend-
serves
Hill
story
physical
Extension
images
to
residents
and
an
offers
and
visual
of
Mission
more
already
nega-
critical
View 5- The vegetable garden.
situation.
41
MICROCLIMATE
Wind
At
tower
the
During
critical.
scale,
the wind
winter,
the
is
wind
effects should be minimized and during
the
The
maximized.
summer,
WINTER
AIR
FLOW
hi-rises
SUMMER
AIR FLOW
on this site are oriented 46* east of
south.
In
winter winds
England
New
come
from the Northwest
and summer winds come from the
west.
the
At
area,
the
their present
south-
orientation,
hi-rises can act a wind channels
during the
summer, but for the units
blocks
themselves
this
during
the
winter
and
wind
Winter
orientation.
short
SUMMER
WIND
could
side of
the
be
the
hit
winds
building
optimum
the
and cause
lesser heat losses than they would if
they
the
hit
of
sides
longer
the
buildings.
Summer breezes through the
individual
units
are
also
maximized
this way.
The
WINTER
WIND
coexistence
structures
presents
of
tall
another
and
low
problem
42
mfe
LEt
fkuzo
rAd.a
Twj
&
fb-ti
TrtO ITb1Fmret
-
IaA kWALLE(
Microclimate &
Site Analysis
43
for
barrier
a wind
However,
structures
lower
the
act
can
structure
tall
the
cases,
many
In
wind.
with
where
the tall structure is a solid barrier
such as a seven story building, large
vacuum
draws
sides
of
alleviate
To
conditions.
turbulent
cause
and
buildings
the
and
top
the
around
air
The
created.
are
vacuums
partial
leeward
and
pressures
over
windward
the effects on lower objects, the low
be
can
structure
enough
far
located
behind the wind break to a point where
wind
velocities
have
not
point
is
slowed but
been
sufficient
had
regain original
the
have
This would be
speed.
maximum protection,
of
to
distance
and
located any where from two to five
times the height of the wind break.3
On
still
and
more that 50%
bors
will
problem
a
poses
structures
side,
windward
the
the
nearby
for
pedestrians.
tower
Wind conditions on the leeward side
of a tall wind break.
The protected zone is within two to
five times the height of the wind
break. The hi-rises are oriented
along the direction of strong winter
winds, so the effect of a windbreaker
is important for activities that occur
between the hi-rises.
A
tower
taller than it's neigh-
cause
velocities --called
high
a
ground
wind
reverse
wind
44
of
vegetation
wind
speeds,
stop
the
uniform
relatively
alleviate
heights
and
buildings
Although
vortex.
pedestrian
wind
turbulent
done
to
effects
of
be
can
little
level
tall buildings.4
Sun
A large south facing perimeter is
a
of
quality
this
by the
the
advantages
south
Although
precedent does allow opportunities
man-made
sitting.
10'x8')
tures,
seasons
sun
for
traps
Large
walls
playing
(greater
can moderate outdoor
extending the
and
carry
spring
daytime
The reverse wind vortex.
preclude
directly
of
its
direction
hi-rises
structures.
facing
although
the
and
configuration
established
site
this
sun in the evenings.
Road gets direct
therefore
flat,
the
only
The
and
objects in the sun path are the trees
than
fall
radiation
into the night. 5
The railway edge and the Prentiss
Street edge represent the south facing
perimeter. Ruggles Street gets direct
and
site
is
for
tempera-
and
sun on summer mornings and Annuciation
the
shadows
buildings
by
created
important.
The
themselves.
The
the
are
shady
hi-rises
side
of
the
hi-rises are those closest to Ruggles
Street
though
during
some
may
be one
all
part
way
to
sides
of
the
justify
receive
year.
the
sun
This
skewed
orientation of these buildings.
45
Vegetation
Only a handful of trees sprinkle
At least two trees flank
the site.
the two ends of each hi-rise building.
The open space between the buildings
is the only other unpaved opportunity
for plant growth, and again, these
pressure
differences
and
larger protected zone.
would
be
planted
ground up to
through the canopies.
a
Such barriers
densely
keep wind
generate
from
the
from slipping
6
spaces are overgrown with weeds.
Vegetation can help modify air
temperatures by reducing wind velocities, producing shade, and cooling
through the transpiration of water on
leaves. Grass can act as an insulator
for soil and a good insulator for soil
and a good reflector of solar energy.
Mature trees can be used to shield new
seedings from high wind and water
runoff velocities. Ideally, the trees
that do exist can be planted in
conjunction with seedlings and evergreens for beautification but also to
Unlike
form permeable wind breaks.
solid wind breaks, permeable barriers
leeward
and
windward
the
relieve
46
Notes
1.
The method used
to
locate
south
is described by Timothy E. Johnson in
Solar Architecture
(Cambridge,
1982),
Chapter Three.
It involved hanging a
weight on a piece of string from a
At
pole driven into level ground.
solar
noon,
the
direction
of
the
shadow is the true north-south orientation.
2.
Timothy E. Johnson, Solar Architecture (Cambridge, 1982), p. 5 6 .
3.
Johnson, pp.56-57.
4.
Johnson, p. 6 4 .
5.
Johnson, p.60.
6.
Johnson, pp.57-58.
47
CHAPTER
4
PROGRAM and
62
PRINCIPLES
/
48
Program
The
overall program involves
the
hi-rises
and
five
the
of
demolition
the complete renovation of the remain-
combines
the
with
the
of
new
rehabilitation
biases
of
unique
creative
construction.
allowances
following
The
plan
should lead to maximum user satisfac-
new
Sixty-two
structures.
two
ing
it
problem;
practical
a
to
ideals
theoretical
current
tion as well
interesting archi-
as an
townhouses will be built to occupy the
tectural exercise.
site of the demolished buildings.
The Boston Housing Authority has
plan
devised a
for the
and
groups
from tenant
input
on
based
site
study
a
PROPOSED UNIT AND HANDICAPPED MIX
Unit
Mix
of the density requirements surrounding
the
set
of
The
site.
quantitative
relatively generous
Property
Minimum
plans
result
includes
which
guides
a
are
compared to HUD's
Standards.
These
are accepted as a reflection of
realistic
housing
are
These
details
appropriate
and will
in
needs
serve
as a
MI
*
*
SI
lBR
2BR
30
90
1
1
1
2
1
3BR
63
1
1
-
4BR
5BR
17
6
1
-
-
1
-
206
4
4
2
Total
Boston.
generous
and
W
WA
base
for
*
WA -
Wheelchair Accessible
MI -Mobility Impaired
SI -Sensory Impaired
the design.
Important challenges are unveiled
in the following program.
it
provides
an
Basically,
opportunity
to
fit
49
to
of each hi-rise
two floors
-First
be duplexed to provide large family
units with front and back entries and
private yards.
reserved for
-Units on upper floors
BOSTON HOUSING AUTHORITY PROGRAM
small families.
-Lobbies and elevators
Overall Development Plans
Substantial rehabilitation
units
144
New Construction
62
206
Total
Acreage
Site Density
units/acre
visible
from
street.
-Laundry hook-ups provided.
Non -Residential Facilities
7.8
26.4
Recreation CenterDay Care Centers:
'25 infant capacity
- Kitchen provided
New Construction -Townhouses
Sixty two(62) new townhouses
45
three bedroom @
1000 s.f.
11
four bedroom
@
1250 s.f.
6
five bedroom
@
1400 s.f.
designed
be
to
total
of
-5%
handicapped
-Laundry hook-ups for each unit
for
Gymnasium:
'Basketball court
'General recreation space
Task Force Offices'3 offices
* Conference room
',Reception area
-Storage area
Substantial Rehabilitation
One
hundred
forty
four(144)
rehabil-
itated apartments
30
90
18
6
one bedroom
two bedroom
three bedroom(duplex)
four bedroom(duplex)
50
Administrative FacilityManagement Facility:
-Reception area
-Manager's office
-Second office
-Conference room
-Rent collection facility
-Storage area
- Toilets
Maintenance Facility:
-Project stores
Principles
To
suggest
that
a
intrinsic
relationship exists between people and
their dwellings obligates some explan-
ation
of
how
this
relationship
is
-Work shop and tools
exhibited.
It will be through such an
-Supervisor's office
- Staff facilities:
Lunch room
Kitchen
Showers
Closets
* Mechanical storage
explanation
that the basic principles
for this design are laid.
The
between
relationship
an
individual and the dwelling is multifaceted -- some
far
those
critical
more
Throughout
of
the
investigation,
early
three
facets
others.
than
stages
being
of
different
this
facets
of this relationship were consistently
given the most emphatic consideration.
First, that
tion
of
statements
the
dwelling
about
decora-
the physical
status
clear
makes
and
rank was
confirmed by the Samoan example.
Second, the dwelling is often the
extention
of
or
link
to
the
natural
51
and
protects
and
defines
useful for only a fraction of the life
territorial
claim of
the
inhabi-
of most private developments, it seems
environment
the
tants.
only
Third, the dwelling is a vehicle
for human expression, and it's charac-
or
gains
logical
psycho-
tremendous
offer
teristic's
the
for
drawbacks
inhabitants.
three
in
viduals
of
indicators
to
adopt
the
principles that guide private developments -- if
durable
but
only
and
achieve
to
valuable
also
hopefully
a
housing
to
more
stock,
gain
greater
private
housing
user satisfaction.
dwellings
short,
In
then
reasonable
serve
indi-
capacities:
status
and
rank;
Inevitably,
as
market
as
tural
inspires
the
different
than
responses
architechousing.
public
indicators of protection zones; and as
Many more
vehicles for human expression.
such as dishwashers, air conditioners,
The
this
of
private
housing
market
in
country offers the best example
how
to
satisfy
developments
housing
user
needs
simply
in
because
developers build what people want and
buy.
The public housing market lacks
a similar economic dictate, therefore,
satisfying user needs poses
threat
to
though,
nately
millions
public
full
of
occupancy.
when
dollars
a lesser
Unfortu-
amenities might be included
A variety of
and garages.
materials
for building facades might be possible
with more concern for a unique appearance.
The
houses
all
might
arranged around cul de sacs and tucked
away
be
from
the
posted
streets.
at
the
main
Guards
to
screen visitors.
Still
more
similarities
hundreds,
dissimilarities
spent
on
necessary to
any present day
that
are
development
are
housing developments
might
entrance
of
are
be
exist
as
than
amenities
recognized.
housing
The
52
M
following concepts and principles will
be familiar to many of us; but for low
income families that rely on publicly
must
be
these
housing,
assisted
reinstated
principles
customized
and
to
accommodate the special needs of these
families.
Develop a street pattern similar to
traditional residential patterns and
with a recognizable organization.
traditional
The
row-house
street
is considered by residents and police
to
be
superior
in
design
entrances
are
easily
patrolling
cars
since
lit
paths
Front
configuration.
superblock
and
entrances.2
surveyed
can
well
lights
over
be
View of row house street. Source: Oscar
Newman's Defensible Space.
by
are
there
individual
Streets
the
to
designed
to create territorially defined areas,
to restrict certain types of vehicular
flow, and to make parking more acces3
sible to residents.
53
Develop a site plan that establishes a
hierarchy of spaces and encourages
proprietary attitudes --
Symbolic
Ownership.
The development can be subdivided
in
a
manner
grounds
that
are
influence
under
of
attitudes
the
help
some of the
suggests
the
deter
plays
an
important role
a
a
These
and
inhabitant.5
The
dwelling
through
of
shift
responsibility of mainte-
the
to
sphere
crime
to
access.
the
resident.4
nance
of
that
ideal
is
Hierarchy
in
the
form of
from
a
semi-private
issue
access
public
zone
Above, renovated landscape at Commonwealth
sets up clear hierarchy of spaces. Below,
window boxes in Sommerville add personality
to windows.
transitional
space to a private entrance. 6
Develop a scheme that allows
personalization
A
spaces
scheme
and
that
details
includes
that
private
accommodate
expressions of individuality will help
alleviate
an
institutional
image.
Families should have control over some
outdoor
space
which
provides
opportunity for individuality.
the
Avoid
54
an emphasis on
trim which
superficial
not
affect
does
not
accommodate
the
and
life
day-to-day
does
resident's
own additions but uses up funds which
could be better used elsewhere.
Develop a scheme with lends to visual
variety.
differences
height,
in
to
the
for
the
access
opportunities
make changes.
size,
color,
by
achieved
be
can
goal
This
building
and
buildings
to
residents
8
Accommodate use patterns which are
indigenous to the area.
The
use
of
housing
types,
mate-
rials and use patterns that are common
to
a
is
important
stigma
of
public hous-
relieving
ing.
in
particular area
the
For example, how are the streets
used?
Are
they
used
for
access?
Incorporate a variety of outdoor areas
for all age groups and levels of
ability.
Space should be provided for the
group activities of infants, children,
teenagers, adults and the elderly.
Many of these areas will overlap.
Since children will use the site to a
far greater extent than other age
special consideration should
groups,
be given to their outdoor play. 9
Use traditional compositions and
materials that are energy conscious
and avoid grade appearances.
Clare Cooper notes in Easter Hill
Village that the lower the income
the
avant -grade
less
the
group,
appeararchitecture --that unusual
Traditional
ances are undesirable.
construction materials and techniques
not to the extent that the differences
will help to save time and money.
Materials like wood, masonry, concrete
and standard insulating fibers can be
arranged to take advantage of new
become conspicuous.
found concepts in solar architecture.
Parking?
to
Play?
playgrounds
Or is play restricted
and
open
lots?
Some
differentiation might be welcomed, but
55
Encourage through design the casual
surveillance of street and gathering
spots from within the house.
Knowledge that someone is watching will have positive effects on the
type of activities that go on in the
area
under
scrutiny.10
Bordering
streets should be open to natural
surveillance by residents, and communal areas should be overlooked by
residents inside their homes.
Employ a variety of landscaping
techniques to soften and help define
the environment.
Earthmoving, decorative fences,
and/or continuous hedges can reduce
harsh building
lines
and
enhance
entrances,
roads and parking areas.
Symbolic barriers such as plantings,
changes in surface textures and level
changes should replace real barriers
such as chain-link fences or U-shaped
buildings.
A courtyard at Mission Hill Main. Demonstrating
Oscar Newman's Defensible Space diagram
below.
p-w-k
a
:
pniAm
56
Enhance some sense of community
without invading privacies or
inducing feelings of being crowded.
The organization of buildings are
a chief means of inspiring feelings of
community,
putting
too
close
Concentrating
areas
number of
visual
should be done without
neighbors
other.
small
but
each
around
concentrates
the
children and challenges the
and
families.
also
units
to
acoustical
Well
used
privacy
common
of
spaces
instead could help to inspire a sense
Renovations at Commonwealth.
of community.
57
Programmatic Translation
to the Site
(1)Distinction
is
important
at
point
this
ings;
nature
(3)The
each
of
these
tural parts that affect the
established.
ways
This
parts.
to
is
neces-
sary in order to translate the preceding
principle
site.
to
the
design
architectural
Several
for
Moreover,
a
for
list
of
can
be
manipulation
of
the
elements
-Circulatory SystemPedestrian
paths are
ing
with
Their
townhouse
build-
Distinction of Territories
affecting the image can be identified
reference
of
distribution
elements,
their
private
these
manipulate
consideration
and
outdoor activities.
tools
economical
and
(2)Placement
is the identification of the architecimage and
public
territories;
of
What
of
to
the
site plan,
design,
and
the
the
appearance
of the hi-rise buildings.
and
vehicular
instruments
public
and
boundaries
and
in defin-
private
placement
as
paths,
zones.
dividers,
places
help
to
distinguish public from private.
-Proximity to BuildingsGenerally,
private
are closest
to
territories
the dwelling and
public territories further away.
THE SITE PLAN
Where
site
is
the
organization
concerned,
site planning
the
-Plantings-
image
four
elements
are observed
of
the
of
the
of
Plants
also help to distinguish
public from private territories.
to affect
development:
58
The Placement of Buildings -
-Walls and fences-
-Access to dwellingsThe
the
of
position
To
can
entry
vary from rowhouse to rowhouse.
-Groupings of buildings-
and
space
to
from
to
access
to
the
space
open
dwellings
the
from
street.
Nature and Distribution of Outdoor
-Tot lotsTo
accomunodate
tinct
private
infant
play
and
lounging for elderly residents.
-Public gatheringprovide
community
space
and
safe place for hanging out.
yards
back
and
block
views, contain sun.
To
- TerritoriesFront
boundaries
Activities
grouped
visual
accommodate
open
be
can
Buildings
define
are
dis-
territories
for
rowhouses and duplexes.
-Parking AreasTo
store automobiles,
children's
Landscaping -
play,
can
often
be
for
made
attractive.
- Trees and shrubs-
-Sports facilities-
To beautify, block wind, buffer
To
zones, or define territories.
organized activities and a place
- EarthmoundsTo
soften
views,
define
need
for
terriTHE TOWNHOUSE DESIGN
For
- Circulatory system-
define
the
to
tories, channel/block wind.
To
accommodate
territories,
organize access.
or
design
the
new
construction,
considerations
leading
six
to
a
successful image are identified:
59
(1)Differentiation
between
units;
(2)Attractiveness of
facade;
(3)Ade(4)Sepa-
quacy of spatial allotments;
ration
of
private
and
public
zones;
(5)Provision of opportunity to person(6)Visual
alize;
privacy allowances.
and
acoustical
For each of these
design considerations economical moves
are listed which would help to achieve
a successful image.
Differentiation between Units
Differentiation
by
color,
affected
building
in:
variation
height,
can be
position
of
entrance, and building set-back.
Attractiveness of Facade
Differentiation in individual units
for a private housing development.
'Choice of materials-
Assuming,
for
economy,
a
restricted palette of materials,
the choice would depend on color,
durability,
texture,
identifiability as a residential
form.
For
example
concrete
cinder blocks are economical and
60
durable,
but
unless well
tained they project
main-
an institu-
tional image and
suggest a more
temporary
than permanent
rather
tenure.
&Organization of FenestrationContemporary
interpretations
traditional
organizations
help
achieve
a
stylish
of
can
effect
without being unusual.
Adequacy of Spatial Allotments
Residents
need
spacious
and
furnishable areas for; sleeping,
dining, family sitting, cooking,
and bathing.
Adequate
also
for
needed
space
storage
Variety in entrances at Brookline
Village.
is
and
laundering.
Separation of Public and Private Zones
oEntryways and doorways-
Can be isolated to avoid imposing on private zones.
-Circulation-
Halls can define as well as link
zones.
61
hi-rises;
Personalization
Massing
hangings
wall
for
space
-Roofline-
and furnishings.
Slight
*Facadeof
Provision
greenhouses
hi-rises
furniture and unit addresses.
Bays
these
personalize
help
to
zones.
a
the
uses
the
of
to
function
add
room
more
as well as
Dimensioning
on
are
the
affect
affect
help
and
make
loca-
visible
this
space
read
as a safe collective space.
these
development.
design
and
-Lobby-
pets
furniture,
THE HI -RISES
greatly
and
individuals units
tion
structures
possible
Entry
help personalize these zones.
Since
are
or open
Gardens,
view.
units,
storage
space
private
public
to
and
portions
give relief to flat facades.
-Backyardsbe
roof,
'Addition of bays-
Plants, grass, and lawn furnish-
May
the
roof.
'Frontyards-
ings
to
help redefine the imagery of the
for
porches
trinkets,
additions
pitched
some
for
boxes
window
plants, window shelves and sills
for
and
(3)Facade.
*Interior rooms-
Walls
(2)Entry;
(1)Massing;
site,
the
Three
the
the
they
image
basic
largest
of
will
the
elements of
appearance
of
the
'Number of entry portals-
Consolidating entries
security
risks
and
minimizes
heightens
through intense usage, the sense
of
territory
belonging
to
the
62
hi-rise.
Facade
'MaterialsIn
case,
this
materials
colors,
diversifying
introduce
can
new
add relief
textures and
to endlessly flat facades.
-FenestrationAccentuating
openings
can
and
consolidating
liven
up
and help make windows
facades
recogniz-
able.
*s-
Greenhouse additions to windows at
Roosevelt Towers in Sommerville make
a nice place to display items.
63
Notes
1.
Bernard
Rudofsky,
Without Architects
preface.
2.
Oscar
Newman,
(New
Architecture
York,
Defensible
1964),
Space
(New York, 1973), p.80.
3.
Boston Housing Authority, Cathedral Comprehensive Redevelopment Plan,
Phase Three:
Proposed Redevelopment
Plan (Boston, 1982), p. 3 .
4.
Newman, p.53.
5.
Clare Cooper, Easter Hill Village
6.
Cooper, p. 2 2 5 .
7.
Cooper, p.9 & 81.
8.
Cooper, p.142.
9.
Cooper, p.103.
10.
Newman, p. 7 8 .
11.
Newman, p. 6 4 .
64
CHAPTER
SITE
DEVELOPMENT
5
0
65
Derivation of the
Site Plan
INVESTIGATING ALTERNATIVE HOUSING
has been established
it
far,
So
status
indicate
to
functions:
basic
and rank, to indicate protected zones,
and
provide
to
expresan
plays
development
Site
sion.
personal
for
important part in satisfying the basic
and
at
is
it
user -oriented
of
functions
manipulative
tools
unveiled
tion
Three,
point
this
in
and
Chapters
are
respectively,
a
organize
site
site
housing,
the
that
informaand
Four
utilized
'which
to
generates
positive images for public housing.
chapter
This
two
parts.
the
site
First,
plan
is
is
it
organized
into
describes
derived.
A
three
housing has
user -oriented
that
TYPES
Then
how
major
problem
public
with
housing is in what it looks like. The
early projects of the 1950's stuck out
sore
like
thumbs,
and
their
charac-
teristics went on to stigmatize public
housing.
In many cases,
the
physical
J
I'1
r
it
discusses the product and how the plan
The five seven-story buildings at
Mission Hill Extension.
responds to programmatic issues.
66
appearance
of
the
site
tive arrangement of
and
the
the buildings
instant
identifiers of
housing
ects.
Modernization
is
improve
physical
the
never
projto
and
standard
It is
restore an aesthetic
and dynamic balance
perhaps
are
meant
appearance to the development.
even possible to
rela-
quite
that has faded or
actualized
for
a
Creating a entirely new balance
site.
for a site is often thought to be the
most
suitable
quality
ment.
to
the
means
of
residential
restoring
environ-
The demolition of three of
the
Surveillance of lobby from street
five hi-rises is a way to achieve new
balance at
site.
the Mission Hill
Extention
Sixty two new townhouses are to
The lobby at Tilden Houses
in Brooklyn,NY is
surveyable from the
street.
Source: Defensible Space,
Oscar Newman.
67
be
However,
remain.
to
are
the old hi-rises
two of
built and
indicators
instant
are
hi-rises
the
of
characteristics
physical
the
if
of
public housing, perhaps a new building
the creative
at
aimed
is
exploring
devices available to the
designer before assuming
the program-
matic constraints for the site.
The
ved
are
constraints
practical
invol-
the provision
and
density
territories
private
II
This part of the
institutional image.
investigation
the
dispel
to
utilized
be
can
type
for
Diagrammatic site plan of
rowhouse solution
of
families.
Possible housing types to choose from
rowhouses walk -ups, or some
include:
combination
-- row
housing
devoted
above
of
to
the
row
house/
where
some
single
other
or
story
two
walk -ups
portion
units,
story
is
. ...
...
-
-
one
units
above a single story flat.
The
row house
scheme
illustrated
is monotonous and does not provide the
required density.
68
Garden
areas of
large
apartments
require
as did
the hi-rise
land
and
raises questions as to the futility of
for
structures
high
several
down
tearing
more
several
F771
density
......
........
high
X.
%...
density structures.
x.
The row house combination walk-up
is
scheme
interesting pos-
most
the
Elevation illustrating the rowhouse/
walk-up solution.
It is not hard to envision
sibility.
the same kind of architectural subtlety for high density housing here that
was achieved at Mission Park where at
least
type
two
units
into
fit
However,
structure.
townhouse
a
to
achieve
the density required for this project,
four
stories
would
be
many
units.
This
is
since
there
is
no
necessary
not
sloping
absorb four stories.
feasible
terrain
Zoning and
to
fire
eration.
Kevin Lynch's residential density
chart summarizes the densities various
can
types
further
demonstrates
accommodate.
that
Type of
Families
Unit
per acre
for
safety requirements are also a consid-
housing
Densities by Residential Type
It
Single Family
Two- Family
Row Houses
Combined Row house
and walk-up flats
Three-story walk-up
Six-story Elevator
Thirteen-story
Elevator
5
7
12
16
20
28
31
Site Planning, Kevin
Source:
Lynch, MIT Press.
retaining
69
these hi -rises
to
the
achieve
in order
is necessary
of
goal
twenty
six
units per acre.
J
CHOOSING THE HI -RISE TO BE KEPT
choice of
The
it's
to keep has
the
hi -rises
two
roots in the obser-
vations made in the site analysis and
in the organic design philosophy that
I
1/I
underlies the preceding design principles.
views
approach
organic
The
,
grounds and buildings as an interrelaThe primary concern is the
ted whole.
in
way
which
define
break
and
Locating
the
the
serve
buildings
up
hi-rises
is
a
since
their form and orientation
are
such
powerful
subsequent definition and use
grounds.
an
IDENTIFICATION OF BUILDINGS
critical
step
signals
J
to
grounds.1
the
150
for
of
the
the
From the site analysis comes
equally
important
set
of
guides.
70
It has already been observed that not
much
way
of
affects
the
the
in
precedents
architectural
it
as
site
is
bounded by parking lots, industrial looking buildings, and more public
Ruggles
housing.
Street
is
.a
busy
artery and the public's first impression
the
of
be
must
site,
the
on
objects
Also,
site.
to
tall
hi -rises
the
distanced
carefully
adjacent structures
as
from
Given five identical structures,
one
can
examined
be
suitability of it's location.
this
process,
and
I1 --------...
alleviate wind
effects.
each
J
for
the
Through
virtually by
ination, the two hi -rises
Building 5 is too close to street
edge and blocks any communication to
the rest of the site.
to be
elimkept
can be pin -pointed.
Consider first, any choice of two
buildings
that
number five.
includes
building
This building is located
at Ruggles Street.
From the public's
point of view, it is a visual barrier
to the
site.
Coming from the Orange
line station especially, this building
71
J
Building 1 is too close to gym which
is also too close to the threestory building. Three different
building types within one small
dimension.
Townhouses between buildings 2 and 4
would always be under the scrutiny
of the residents in the hi-rise
buildings.
72
public
the
communication
the
blocks
would have this new development,
building
other
whichever
of
Since building five threat-
remains.
ens the exchange of positive informaa good
is not
it
the public,
to
tion
first impression for the site.
The
buildings number
argued
similarly.
argument
made
is
and
two
In
four can
be
case,
the
this
for
the
organic
approach to design and the concern for
the
land
uses
allow.
will
the
location
building
Buildings
divide the remainder of
two
consider
hi -rises
one.
that
any
choice
include
of
building
The problem with building one is
that it's too close to the gym and the
three
story
squeezed
walk -up.
between
the
The
two
gym
is
buildings;
recreation.
The choices
remaining are build-
ings two and three or buildings three
and
four.
Both
these
alternatives
involve adjacent hi -rises.
It can be
argued
hi -rises
that
having
two
and
four
together enhances the
opportunity
for
the site
into
a community about the
hi -rises.
The
two
separate zones -- one at
three
Finally
the result is a very cramped space for
keeping
of
consequences
of these units are minimized.
it
the site regard-
encloses the rest of
less
length,
and
size
it's
of
because
and,
the chances for privacy out -of -doors
Ruggles
territory
between
them
is
easily
Street the other next to the gym, and
defined as belonging to the hi -rises,
hi -rises.
and many more opportunities exist for
These locations are problematic since
linking the two buildings within that
the
they
third
between
dictate
houses
will
residents
in
the
that many
always
the
be
two
of
the
town-
observable
hi -rises.
by
Hence,
space.
depends
given
In
any
event,
the
choice
in part on the considerations
to
the
organization
of
the
townhouses which is discussed next.
73
ORGANIZING PATTERNS FOR THE TOWNHOUSES
The arrangement of the townhouses
no
plays
small
part
of
organization
in
the
patterns
Organizing
overall
the
site
plan.
the
towns-
for
houses also conform to clues from the
the
in
discussed
issues
program
Four
Chapter
In
principles.
and
on
that
chapter, such issues were discussed as
traditional
and
recognizable
street
patterns, territoriality and symbolic
ownership,
lance,
visual
variety,
privacy.
and
surveil-
Each
these
of
objectives will have some part to play
in the organization of the townhouses.
The
houses
organization
can
levels.
On
possible
to
tionship
of
other
and
be
a
dealt
smaller
just deal
the
the
of
the
with
on
scale,
with
townhouses
street.
town-
On
two
it
is
the
rela-
to
each
the
larger
scale, it is possible to talk about an
overall organizing scheme on the city
block scale.
74
The Residential Module
other
the
town-
and
the
street
as
classified
be
can
each
to
houses
of
relationship
The
Lynch,
Kevin
module.
ning,
diagrammatically
range
of
residential
in
Site
a
these
for
modules
few
a
Only
Plan-
describes
possibilities
relationships.2
are
a
necessary to describe the applic-
able
relationships
Four
basic
cul
units,
facing
at
units
courts,
street
apply:
modules
end -on -
sacs,
de
site.
this
for
Street Facing Units
Optimizes surviellance opportunties.
Maximizes street frontage required.
end -on -units
and
front to back.
Street Facing UnitsHouses
facing
onto
street
single
within
house.
the
provide
* .0
opportunities
surveillance
optimal
from
a
entrances
their
with
Should
the
pedestrian paths coincide with vehicular rights of way, a very direct and
clearly defined
results.
system of circulation
However,
repetition of
maximizes
module
type
street
frontage,
and
the
street
this
required
Cul de Sac
Maximizes opportunites to socialize,
but could be forcing unwanted
associations.
frontage
75
is
costly
money
of
terms
in
in
and
terms of the limited land available.
Houses Around a Cul De Sac-
to
share
involved
families
common
space
unlike
tional
common
space
finite
two
direc-
by
gesture
toward increasing sociability may be a
mistake.3
0-
the
street
the
of
architectural
strong
a
a
afforded
0
E
*1
the
Clare Cooper warns that
facing units.
such
the
arrangement
linear
that
dictates
but
socialize,
invites residents
sac
The cul de
End on Units
Units facing each other creates
intimate setting . Entries placed
on semi-private court diminishes
surveillance opportunites from the
street.
People should have a choice
as to with whom they will be sociable.
the
requires
a much
of
real
Extention
larly
site.
shaped
forgiving piece
more
than
estate
the Mission
small,
This
lot
arrangement
sac
de
cul
Besides,
Hill
.
Houses placed end -on with their
onto
0
0
0
0
0
accommodate
cannot
End on Units-
opening
0
irregu-
such a land intensive, rural form.
entrances
.0
a
pedestrian
Front to Back Units
The most compact way to place houses
on the site. Front to back views
are unpleasant though.
court creates a very intimate setting.
This
organization
diminishes
the
76
capacity
surveillance
the
street
bordered
by
continually
side
observ-
The court is now the protected
able.
zone
now
not
is
and
walls
is
as
the units
of
secured for
peaceful
activities,
although it may face the same problems
of confinement as the cul de sac.
End on Units Front to Back-
Houses arranged such that fronts
face backs with
pedestrian
some opportunity
between
traffic
might
for
be
study area
S--
C3 house
the
most
efficient
onto
units
certainly
site,
the
be
way
the
most
to
but
squeeze
it
Middle Income Block
pprty K""
Pedstrian Use
would
uncomfortable.
high
Intensrft
medum
low
A front to back orientation insures a
The only hope
poor view for everyone.
for this type of arrangement would be
PEDESTRIAN USE INTENSITY
EJn
Pedestrian use intensity
varies in low income and
in middle income neighborhoods. Source: Neignborhood
Space
to expand the pedestrian path so that
it is wide enough to become a public
place.
improved,
The
but
views
may
repeating
be
this
greatly
module
C-c1
would be impractical.
The City Block
Following the directives of early
planning
manuals,
many
housing
Low Income Block
77
projects
have
been
intentionally
designed to look inward on themselves.
Medium density
rowhouse type
projects
have only the ends of buildings on the
windows
S
0
S
the
of
interior
the
face
and
Entries
streets.
bordering
0
project, and the bordering streets are
closed to natural surveillance by the
City Block Diagram 1.
residents.
Where
the
statement
of
program
and principles calls for a traditional
and
street,
no
other
of
organization
recognizable
organizing
form
is
0
0
S
0
the city block.
more appropriate than
Likewise the designer who abandons the
planning
institutional
the
traditional
city
approach
block
for
opens
City Block Diagram 2.
the
door not to archaic and rigid patterns
but
to
a
classically
adaptable
and
accepted form.
The
city
block
is
known
every-
where and in several variations of the
main theme.
a
rectangular
It is popularly known as
arrangement
onto which townhouses face.
of
streets
Three
City Block Diagram 3.
78
The
first
diagram
a
single
line
with
block
a
pedestrian/
of
behind
access
vehicular
shows
houses.
the
At each corner is the opportunity for
open
space,
larger
or
plazas,
parks,
The second diagram shows a block
pedestrian/vehicular
access
encircling
some
the
behind
units
and
open space in the center.
The zone is
hidden from public view and becomes a
for
territory
semi -private
the
is
consideration
of
city
is
a
form in many ways, as
it
this
from
obtained
spaces.
hierarchy of
ety, and
Having
decision
the
understanding,
vari-
visual
defensibility,
of
require-
programmatic
the
satisfies
this
Clearly,
block.
significant
this
site
the
on
impose
townhouses
ments
commercial structures.
with
the
dictates
spatial
the
of
sense
better
main city block types are observed.
of
which two hi -rises to keep is easily
physical
the
on
based
justified
examined and
constraints
possible
the
arrangement of the townhouses.
residences.
The third diagram depicts a block
The Product
form that is commonly referred to as a
The Streets outline a central
square.
public
able
space all of
from
the
"givens"
the
is,
what
lining
streets.
The
city
variations
residential
can
block
be
in
any
exciting environment.
to
for
are
the
constraints
of
have
site
the
the
to
discussed,
and
constraints
with
the
firm decisions can be made.
create
an
Furthermore,
a
ground
physical
key
its
Figure
that
Three
site.
been
identify
plan,
accepted
of
combined
modules
possible
now
is
which is observ-
units
the
It
diagram
1. points
out the accepted physical constraints.
79
exist
opportunities
to
view,
public
to
site
up
the
place
the
open
to
is
more
since
townhouses
the
to
given
edge
Street
Ruggles
the
First,
street under the territorial jurisdicof
tion
ate
area
largest
of
land
kept
will be
three
combination
this
since
and
two
hi -rises
to
making
a
for
ization of
establish
be
up
near
Ruggles
arranged
townhouses.
a
very
The
strong
the
together,
coherent
more
the
opens
Street and allows the majority of
townhouses
the
Second,
buildings.
new
of
through
information
positive
use
and to' gener-
townhouses,
the
organ-
hi -rises
directional
field that is better to accept than to
try
to
alter.
Third,
the
city
block
organization will be used to organize
the townhouses since
desirable
traits
it optimizes
necessary
for
Figure Ground Diagram 1.
the
these
units.
Figure ground diagram 2. depicts
an arrangement of
the townhouses that
conforms to the orthogonal orientation
80
established
units
by
and with
directionality
the
Ruggles
Street
subtlety
picks
up
the
of
hi -rises
by
the
staggering the rows.
Figure
cates
it
a
ground
more
diagram
comprehensive
3.
indi-
response;
addresses both orientations estab-
lished by the Ruggles Street units and
the
hi -rises.
In
addition,
this
arrangement loosely starts to organize
the townhouses into city block form.
Both
the
ground
tions,
second and
diagrams
the third figure
offer
viable
Figure Ground Diagram 2.
L
solu-
but a better organization lies
somewhere in the middle.
Figure Ground Diagram 3.
L
81
U)
0
0
K
F
82
path
This
path.
be
can
of
HI-RISE BLOCK
varying
a
TOWNHOUSE BLOCK 3
sequence
from one
closure
accessed
at
and is composed
any number of points,
TOWNHOUSE BLOCK 1
pedestrian
major
a
by
interlocked
of openess
and
to
the
extreme edge
other.
2-
community
and
residents
townhouse
two
represent
four blocks
The
communities --a
basic
hi -
of
one
of
rise residents.
The townhouse blocks are comprised
of streets onto which townhouses face,
although the street dividing the two
is
blocks
BLOCK ORGANIZATION OF THE SITE
than
strictly
vehicular.
consists
of
The
front
a
townhouse
lots
the
unit
yard,
Not all yards
itself, and a backyard.
are
resulting
same
size,
but
of
much
the
site has been placed under the sphere
The
of influence of the residents.
THE SITE PLAN
The
the
rather
pedestrian
site plan combines
the second figure ground scheme
the third figure ground scheme.
organized into
is
1-The site
with
four
general blocks which are connected and
varying
yard
sizes
accommodate
those
families who do not want or need much
yard space as well as those who do.
As
stated before, placing more of the
public
property
into
private
83
............
..............
................
................
.............
..........
SCHEMATIC
SITE PLAN
in context
with unit
distribution
key:
3 Bedroom Unit
i 4 Bedroom Unit
5 Bedroom Unit
0004 Likely pedestrian
route from Mission
Hill main
0
100
84
responsibilities
to
the
from management
away
may
three
user -oriented
shift
in
satisfy
two
functions
of
This
tenants.
the
maintenance
of
maintenance
shifts
territories
directly
basic
Having
housing.
control over the space adjacent to the
house
allows greater
and
expression
reflect ones
The
pedestrian paths
for
trash
opportunity
an
status
backyards
freedom of human
community.
in the
empty
that
collection,
to
serve
as
roller
skaters,
activities.
northern
enclose
a
bicyclists,
and
similar
the
case
block,
private
the
tot
play
of
the
backyards
lot
that
is
able from the units.
3- The
Ruggles Street border is built
up
townhouses
on
toward
to
depots
culminates
which
step
main
entrance
path.
This
the
pedestrian
may
for
screened from public view but observ-
wide
and
In
most
onto
lead
raceways
in
a
symbolic
back
of
the
stepping
gateway
to
also
85
that the
a
site is a hospitable but not
the
from
apart
distinctly
remains
and
also
here
provided
are
Street units
Ruggles
the
for
Some
be.
to
place
defenseless
parking
passersby
to
suggests
and
site
the
pedestrian
right of way.
4-
Having
around which
treed
and
court
trian
have
immediately to
leads
pathway
older
families
along
a whole.
front
yards,
area
those
or
in
the
life
living environto
the
throughout the
site
contributes
it
aesthetic variety
as
sitting
residents
furthest
while
a pedes-
This arrangement
cycle a more intimate
ment
the
three bedroom townhouses
been arranged.
offers
site,
the
entered
These
but
townhouses have no
planters
at
the
entrance are well-suited for residents
who might prefer to
just raise a few
flowers than tend to an entire lawn.
5-
The courtyard leads out to the
main vehicular street in the interior
86
20
Pathway at
Court
87
Parking
Section through townhouses, the new avenue,
and the hi-rises showing relationship
of hi-rise to townhouses. Trees buffer
views between buildings. Courtyard serves
as focus for hi-rise buildings.
June 21
7Q0
35'
5-
4Dec 21
230
Longitudinal section through
townhouse blocks showing sun access
at court and backyard zones.
5
Site Sections
0 10
25
50
88
of
the
along
site.
the
the
and
The
direction
houses
is oriented
street
of
the
hi -rises
onto
facing
it
are
staggered in order to accommodate this
The center of the street
direction.
is
an
that
and
elongated
serves
and
trees
view of
two
earthmound
One,
purposes.
earthmound enhance
the
the
treed
units
facing
the
of
a
seven
is made
foreground
the
potential
harshness
Two,
the
many
tree -lined
such
as
narrow
plaza.
strip
is
entry
and
of
streets
Square,
wide
and
in
the
the
most
the
landscaped
deck
of
the
green
the
leading
South-
mail
plaza
room,
the
paved,
large,
is
7-
treatment
The
themselves was
tive
a
as
well
as
a
flea
for
spot
sphere
about
to
proximity
into
the
defining
the
of
the
Their
hi -rises.
another
the
original
two
atmo-
community
a
one
main
territory
strictly under the
allowed
twelve
and
entries
between
influence of
Two entries
tenants.
hi -rises
inspired by the objec-
establish
to
as
those
are more secure
than twelve especially with the aid of
electronic
calling
monitoring
are
maintained
locations
original
center,
and
the buildings.
devices
Parking
systems.
the
care
is
community oriented activities.
associated with
day
The
place.
location
corner
meeting
is easily
it
public
hangout
teen
prime
hi -rises
west Corridor.
6- The
a
entries
a
street ends at a large paved plaza and
to
as
with
importantly
stairs
hi -rise
consolidating
interior
aligns itself with the
recognized
the
Boston,
Some parking is provided along
but
to
entries
residential
the
to
markets, voter registration, and other
the view.
of
adjacent
the
buffers
reminiscent
Worcester
artery
this
green
not
is
it
Since
office.
community
street.
story building,
management
the
Rather than looking squarely onto the
face
the
at
and
for
the
in
the
either ends
of
89
and
front
and
entries
private
their
with
provided
are
ings
first
story build-
seven
the
floors of
two
the
duplexes occupying
The
own
back
These residents can park
yard spaces.
their cars in front of their units and
fenced,
private
gardens to their front doors.
Some of
their
through
pass
that
backyards
have
duplexes
are
located in the courtyard formed by the
and
the
are
backyards
The
entrances.
the
at
breezeways
enclosed
common
garden
is
main
fenced,
landscaped
and equipped to absorb the boisterous
of
activities
or
silent
the
small
children
playing
of
elderly
relaxation
residents.
first
of
floors
the
public
creates
a
level.
The
gallery
allow
window
two
through
the
hi -rises
and
cuts
pathway
The
gallery
walls
way
at
along
Original entrances
New construction
this
this
surveillance
A
New entrances
CONSOLIDATING
ENTRANCES
opportunities between people occupying
the mail
room, management office,
and
90
Pathway at
Gallery
91
room
laundry
and
passing
people
through the gallery.
8 - The
the
past
continues
pathway
hi -rises and is formally aligned with
the
entrance
widens
become
the
a
gym.
place
Again
for
it
hanging
The old gym is replaced with a
out.
new
to
to
recreational
"Werij,09
facility that houses
community meeting rooms in addition to
the
basketball
orientation
is
courts.
Its
new
aligned
with
the
prevailing summer breezes to allow for
better
ventilation
seasons.
of
the
Opened
gym
during
doors
allow
the
at
thru
warmer
either
end
breezes
and
Earthmounds and shrubs or trees and
shrubs to be used as wind barriers.
communication
between
gated outside and
teens
the players
congreinside.
Reference: Site Improvement Handbook
for Multi-family Housing.
The grassy area before the entrance is
a prime
for touch football
site
youths
can
be
their
peers
naturally
circulating
since
observed
through
by
this
zone.
The
represents
hi -rise
long
a
secondary
boundary
block
walkways
between
the
and
the
92
more townhouses are
southern
edge
of
Several
block.
townhouse/recreation
located along the
the
site
and
have
their own plaza from which their units
are accessed.
provided
opposite
walk -up,
and
the
serves
is
area
paved
large
Another
three
the
story
playful
activities of children as much as
acts
as
a
collective
focus
for
it
the
three entries of the walk -up.
9-
The sidewalk system of circulation
accommodates
many
familiar
uses.
Inasmuch as children use the site much
more
than
their
also
adults,
playgrounds.
important
the
The
feeders
sidewalks
are
sidewalks are
to
the
main
points on the site and off the site as
well.
Residents for Mission Hill Main
will use them to get to the new Orange
line station, the landscaped deck, and
the
gymnasium.
them to
take
Likewise,
adults
long walks with pets
All sidewalks to be ramped at curb.
Reference: Site Improvement Handbook
for Multi-family Housing.
use
or
friends.
93
IGHTING
BELTS
NO "DEAD"
WALLS
a
VEHIGL-5OBSI
BY RESIDENTS
-UIDE PATHS
Surveillance Opportunities
at Parking Lot
94
10-
Parking lots are tucked away from
traffic and organized to comfortably
accommodate
conversations
over washed
The parking lot adjacent to the
cars.
gym would especially be equipped with
to
faucets
Parking
allow
space
the
for
socializing.
such
townhouses
are
provided at a ratio of 0.5 spaces per
'
~i
unit, while the ratio for the hi-rises
is
are
in
designated
Extension
ratios
These
0.4 spaces per unit.
Mission
the
The
kit.
Developer's
Hill
parking lots at Ruggles Street and the
new
avenue
located
are
sidewalls of two
between
the
townhouses each, but
windows in these walls make them much
more personable
the
lots.
potential
spaces
and alleviates
anonimity
of
parking
Visual and verbal communication
is made possible so the parking lot is
safer and more intimate.
Parking situations that
occur on the site.
Reference: Site Planning,
Kevin Lynch.
95
Notes
1.
Oscar
Defensible
Newman,
Space
(New York, 1973), p.60.
2.
Kevin
Lynch,
(Cambridge, 1971),
3.
Site
Planning
p. 3 0 8 .
Clare Cooper, Easter Hill Village
(New York, 1975) p.xvi.
4.
Newman, p.80.
96
CHAPTER 6
O
BUILDING o
DESIGN
97
Consideration of the relationship
is especially important to image since
dwel-
it prescribes that the design be based
between
individual
the
the
and
ling is also important to the building
design.
Architectural features should
address
the
house:
an
of
the
status
and
functions
three
of
indicator
an indicator of protected zones;
rank;
Six design considerations affect-
the
the
of
image
and
townhouse
the
values
the
of
who
users,
in
this case, are low income tenants.
Three
houses have
mix
chart
townhouses
and a vehicle for human expression.
ing
on
the
basic
been generated.
indicates
are
that
three
town-
the
for
plans
The unit
of
73%
bedroom
remaining townhouses
are
the
units;
four and
five bedroom units.
three for the hi -rises have previous-
ly
been
tools
particular
technique
items have been listed, but
is
which
tools --the
tures --which
particular
the
value
called
value
to
given
is
regard
Value perception
developers
affordable
for manipulating
and techniques
these six
the
The
identified.
perception.
by
priority
to
architectural
significant
are
which
group
and
this
group
housing development.
a
a method used
assigns
Unit Mix Breakdown
% of
Total
No. of
Bedrooms
Square
Footage
73%
3BR
1000
17%
4BR
1250
10%
5BR
1400
feato
a
heighten
places
on
a
Value perception
98
1st FL
2
nd FL
3
rd FL
II
1
3 Bedroom Unit
02
4
8
99
1 st
FTL
2ndFL
3
rd FL
c-]
1
Alternative 3 Bedroom Unit
2
4
8
100
1 st
FL
2
nd FL
3
rd FL-
CDE
1
4 Bedroom Unit
0
4
2
8
101
1 st
FL
2
nd FL
3
1
5 Bedroom Unit
"A
0 2
rd FL
4
..
8
102
I
i Th
3 BEDROOM UNITS
4 BEDROOM UNIT
ITTTT
I
Unit
Sections
5 BEDROOM UNIT
103
ik accessible
wheelchair
Space for
60* turn
Kitchen areas equipped with pantries
and double height sinks for use by
able-bodied residents and
wheelchair restricted users..
:7:17
7
7,,
I'
back
0
entrances
Wheelchair units are lower
to grade for easier
access. Maximum ramp slope
is 1:12 (ANSI Code).
Tree provides privacy for
low front windows.
1.IIII,I,,-,,...............
.1.
111
.III.1.
11
-, II0M
IIIII-IIIII-I111
Bathrocas in wheelchair
accessible units have larger
clear floor areas. Water closets
are accessible frcm front and
side.
Unit Plans for
Wheelchair Accessibility
104
The Townhouses
Access
to
private
-
backyard
VALUE PERCEPTION IN SPATIAL
ORGANIZATION
The
perceived
"if
that
a
perceived
build,
not
so
feature
value
use
it!
than
"
An
gallant
are
still
says
creates
more
it
costs
analogous
to
though
follows
Lockable
storage
near the
house
the
The design features
valued by
allow
rule
attitude
townhouse design.
that
value
the
residents
inexpensive
to
and
moderate
construction costs are included in the
Bulk storage
design.
Four
specifically
in
(1)
the
concern
design
Adequate
Separation
zones;
design
of
value
perception
spaces.
sizing
of
considerations
of
public
acoustical
are:
spaces;
and
(3) Personalization;
Visual and
They
and
(4)
'
Large
kitchen/
dining area
-
These
represent the priorities for designing
the townhouses.
everyone
(2)
private
privacy.
under stairs
and convenient to
Street seen
from wellused zone
lst FLOOR
105
A
interior zoning aids
system of
organization
the
in
spaces
the
Typical use zones such as
townhouses.
storage,
living,
given
range
a
of
and
of
circulation
acceptable
Living
Space
Circulation
Zone
are
dimen-
The actual dimensions used are
sions.
on criteria
based
from
Standards
Property
comments
HUD's
and
Minimum
specific
residents reported about
the
Back
size of rooms.2
The
Zone
interior
spaces
have
been
organized into two living zones at the
front
and back.
Vertical
circulation
Circulation
and Storage
Zone
is in the center and separates the two
main zones.
Opportunities for storage
occur within the L -shaped circulation
zone.
Back and
front yards
are
also
Front
Zone
included as zones.
The kitchen and dining areas are
at
the
front
of
the
house.
complaints are about
needs
to
congregate
more
be
spacious
zone,
It
the kitchen.
bigger
there.
Frequent
since
So,
the
to
families
achieve
kitchen
a
and
ZONES OF USE
1st FL
dining
areas
are
combined.
The
106
countertop
and
them provides
two areas.
cabinet
between
some definition for the
The
surveillance
space
front location allows
of
the
intensely used zones
street
and gets
from
natural
light into the kitchen.
of
the
house.
Residents
wanted
at least two separate living areas
so
are
in
most
cases
twenty five feet deep and large enough
to accommodate a variety of uses.
paved
area
at
used
for
sitting,
temporary
The living room is located at the
back
Backyards
the
storage.
back
door
The
can
barbecuing,
Lockable
be
or
storage
is provided next to the house.
Space
is also provided for trash cans at the
rear of the yard.
that family members can pursue different activities without conflicts.
living
space
circulation
is
paths
free
which
from
The
major
allows
it
to
span the entire width of the unit for
a more
spacious
window wall
yard.
The
appearance.
looks
privacy
orientation
out
into
A
single
the
afforded
by
this
is generally preferred by
under
the
convenience
storage
stairs
and
space
on
two
is
provided
floors
efficiency.
furnishable
rooms for
double
occupancy
back-
residents.
Bulk
Large
for
Storage Storge
under stair
Sectioned
bath for
use by two
at a time
I
Wash &dry
facilities
Large
closets
Coat
storage is provided in the entry hall
and serves as additional enclosure for
the living area.
Value Perception-2ndFL
107
ENTRY VESTIBULE FOR TRANSITION AND
PRIVACY FOR LIVING AREA
WALL LIGHTS TO MINIMIZE
NEEDED LAMPS
UNINTERRUPTEDWALL SPACE
PLENTY OF UNITERRUPTED
WALL SPACE FOR
FURNISHABILITY AND
DECORATIONS
Livingroom of three and
four bedroom units
Quality of
Livingroom
Space
108
The
same
zoning
system
is
used
for the second and third floors of the
units.
back
Bedrooms occupy the front and
zones.
devoted
to
central
circulation,
services.
space
The
zones
storage,
Concealable
is
Living
Space
Circulation
Zone
and
washer -dryer
is provided on the second floor
where most of
the
laundry originates.
The bathroom is divided into two zones
to
provide
privacy
for
two
simulta-
neous users.
Many
devices
distinguish
zones from private zones.
tion
sets
off
the
front
provides enclosure.
three
steps
porch
and
casual
provides
interaction
the unit.
A
An indentaentrance
and
Circulation
and Service
Zone
A level change of
creates
frequently meet
public
a
a
private
place
of
front
for
adults
the
who
in spaces
adjacent to
foyer
accommodates
2
separate
visitors without invading the privacy
of
other
occupants.
A
similar
foyer
is provided at the back of the house
as
a
transition
from the
backyard to
ZONES OF USE
2nd FL
109
the living room.
Privacy can also be expressed
of
proximity
the
of
terms
in
public
a
The front-
space to a private space.
so that privacy
yards are dimensioned
is afforded in the front rooms by the
public
long
feet
levels
comfort
court
and
are
in
are
frontyards
the
streets,
the
to
the
houses,
the
window
insure
visual
rooms.
front
fifteen
and
floor
elevated
facing
houses
For
sidewalk.
the
and
house
-the
between
distance
For
and
floor
the
window
levels are greater.
Provision
personalization
for
occur in several places.
Not only are
interior walls and windows
but
window
for
flowers
shelves
are
and
also
frontyard, front porch,
available,
window
provided.
boxes
The
and backyards
offer more opportunities for residents
to personalize units.
110
Dimensions of
visual and Verbal Access
to Sidewalk from the
house.
Front porches are often
the only places neighbors
socialize with each other.
The porch allows for privacy
into
since it is set back
time
same
the
at
the building
conversations
casual
for
allowing
to the
through it's proximity
sidewalk.
111
STRUCTURAL SYSTEM
The
quality
of
construction
has
an enormous effect on value perception
and
the
image
the
this
development.
and
climate
residents adopt
Acoustical
control
of
'privacy
are
Brick Veneer
closely
Air Space
associated with construction details.
Acoustical
privacy
between
-Gypsum Board
dwelling units and from floor to floor
3 "
within the unit is accomplished in two
Batt
Insulation
ways:
heavy massive walls
tinuous
construction.
construction
obstruct
through
the
methods
3
and
Sound Deadening
Board
Standard
only
transmission
partions
or discon-
minimally
of
floors.
sound
-Sheathing
In
FRONT WALL
SECTION BRICK VENEER
112
Wood Furring
Sound Deadening Board
8" Solid
C.M.U.
-Gypsum Board
Carpet
-3"
Light-weight
Concrete Topping
Floor Board
3" Fiberglass
Insulation
Resilienty-hung
Ceiling
Structural
System
For Sound Isolation
113
Wood Siding
public
housing
reside
in
where
such
large
close
families
proximity,
maximum sound protection is necessary.
Adjacent townhouses are separated
by
a
one
heavy masonry
layer
each
of
bearing
wall with
gypsum
board
and
3 "
sound deadening board attached to each
side by metal furring.
The
wood
floor
joist
1" Rigid Insulation
systems
floor
Batt Insulation
with
consist
a
concrete
topping,
a
suspended
ceiling,
and
insulation
between
different
constructions
of
a
lightweight
resiliently
Wood Siding
the
3 "
batt
joists.
Many
were
avail-
able, but this one best combined fire
Board
REAR WALL
SECTION
protection,
sound insulation,
and
3 "
low
Batt
Insulation
cost.
(See Appendix)
Exterior
walls
are
wood
with 3 " batt insulation.
of
the
front
facade,
veneer and an
construction.
Rear
In the case
additional
air space
Sheathing
framed
wood
complete the
walls
are
faced
with wood siding.
The
enhances
same
sound
construction
insulation
also
that
lends
MPS WALL
SECTION
114
Sound Transmission Class
Values for Selected Building
MPS Sound Transmission Limitations
Constructions
Between Partions
STC
4 " solid brick, plastered
both sides
7" stone-aggregate concrete
2x4 wood studs, " gypsum
board both sides
3 5/8"
Living unit to living unit
Living unit to public space
46
55
39
45
50
Living unit to living unit
iving units to public space
ithin living unit
45
45
50
50
no minimum
46
51
Impact Noise Ratings for Selected
Floor/Ceiling Constructions
INR
4 " reinforced concrete slab under
3/4" cement floor, ceiling suspended
gypsum lath and plaster 1" thick.
TIC
Between Floors
sheet metal stud,
" gypsum board both sides,
2 " insulation in air space
4" hollow concrete block wall
with
" gypsum board on
resilient furring , one side
only, 2 " insulation in air
space
STC
IIC
Impact
Insulation
Class (INR+51)
-4
47
+1
50
5" reinforced concrete slab under
2" concrete topping with linoleum
covering, ceiling " plaster
2x8 wood joists under 3/4" t and g
boards, ceiling 3/8" gypsum board
nailed to joists
2x10 wood joists under plywood
subfloor and underlay with
carpet and foam rubber pad
covering
-18
+5
33
56
I
115
to
an
effective
system.
Fiberglass
standard
as
a
climate
control
batting
insulating material
good
sound
Likewise,
the
absorbing
concrete
is
as
a
well
material.
topping
conPitched Roof
tributes to the heat storing capacity
of
the
structure.
Although
four
inches of mass is preferable, for heat
storage,
helpful
the
in
concrete
this
topping
capacity
as
it
is
Large Windows
is
insulating impact noises.
Porch Lights
-Arched Entryway
4Jnit Address
Elevated Porch
VALUE PERCEPTION IN FACADE DESIGN
have
Tenants
opinions
about
facade
value the things they
homes.4
and
well -formed
design.
They
see in private
VALUE PERCEPTION IN FACADE
DESIGN
Variations achieved by color
different
heights
are
most
fre-
possible
to
list
the
private
homes
quently noticed.
It
is
qualities
recognized
of
as
residential
that
are
features.
116
Among
them
windows,
are
pitched
raised
roofs,
entrances,
large
masonry
veneer, and sometimes projecting bays
and articulated window opening.
Housing
frequently
in
Mission
accessed
entryways.
Bay
Hill
through
windows
is
arched
are
common
features of the triple deckers.
Porch
lights and unit addresses are prestige
items that add to the individuality of
units without significantly adding to
cost.
Three
different
facades
created for each the three,
five bedroom units.
of
a
window
type
masonry
windows.
four,
and
They are composed
veneer
openings
are
for
with
standard
outward projecting
The
pitched
roof
provides a sense of residential scale.
Slight
three
projections
and
five
in
the
walls
bedroom
units
bays
the
of
are
reminders
of
deckers.
The arched entries are also
the
of
Three Bedroom Unit
PRELIMINARY FACADE DESIGN
triple
borrowed from neighborhood forms.
117
Four Bedroom Unit
Five Bedroom Unit
PRELIMINARY FACADE DESIGN
118
Townhouse
Elevation
119
REAR ELEVATION
FOR TOWNHOUSES
120
To achieve differentiation in the
units, several methods have been used:
set
heights,
different
gives
arrangement
previously mentioned, deference to the
window
vernacular of urban form is the key to
their
that
compose
To
and
where
impression
employed.
are
more
the
durability
no
the vernacular of Mission Hill, and as
in
variety
used;
are
sizes
different
two
Only
desired.
The
virtually
and
boxes
plant
of
provision
the
maintenance.
requires
versatility of brick is appropriate to
doors,
color
it
roof
in
variety
backs,
building
because
gaining
a
positive
image
for
this
development.
a
single row of townhouses, the plans of
the
reversed
sometimes
are
units
to
vary the position of the entry and to
rhythm along
of
sense
some
structure
the roofline.
The
material
used
facade
are
limited
brick,
and
the
create
to
glass,
to
red
than
Rather
roof.
the
diversifying materials which would add
to
cost and maintenance
shadows
created
are
enclosures
to
help
by
add
requirements,
set
backs
and
to
the
drama
facades.
Masonry
facade
accepted
is
material
as
chosen
because
residential
the
it
is
element
main
an
and
The Three Bedroom Unit
121
because
virtually
requires
it
and
durability
The
maintenance.
no
However,
benefit of a
the
most
important
desirable design is that
versatility of brick is appropriate to
it reinforces positive self-images for
the vernacular of Mission Hill, and as
the
previously mentioned, deference to the
income
vernacular of urban form is the key to
improve
gaining
a
positive
this
for
image
residents.
tenants
their
For
who
the
are
many
low-
struggling
situations,
it
to
makes
sense to spend money on homes that are
development.
positive
Costs vs. Benefits
spending money for negative reinforceare
calcualtions
cost
Although
beyond the scope of this thesis, it is
apparent that
these brick homes would
These
cost more than clapboard units.
units
are more durable
plain
than
fore,
structures,
wooden
can
residents
and attractive
be
which
is
the
today.
Ideally,
benefits
of
this
rather
national
the
attitude
long
approach
than
would
term
be
felt by the private sector as well as
those tenants in public housing.
therelive
to
proud
ments
reinforcements
here and more inspired to maintian and
protect
The
property.
the
extra
initial outlay is more than justified
by
the
savings
rehabilitation
require
after
weathering,
in
upkeep
that wooden
years
minimal
of
and
the
structures
intense
maintenance,
use,
and
sometimes abuse.
122
The Hi Rises
seven
story buildings in their present state
appearance
The
are
and
two
the
image.
For
residents
alike,
they
for
problematic
passersby
the
of
make profound impressions.
L
0o
'o
BEFORE
and
appearance
out
in
monotone
are
buildings
the
that
pointed
analysis
site
The
ridden with vandalism.
Oi
J7
aa']
[It I nnn Ha1n n n iMnHU1II U I L)1]I
niI
il]
u u
un u uni
_ nHi I llll
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111u-1 UH 11[a l 1 fi
Ii Il
U
LI nn
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LI I I uli II I
ii nn
II till 11 111II 111
uu
co
uu
lii
[ 11
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[I I I I LUI
ti ll] U fill Uj I
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oo "n
-fD[IIJ
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Li11
HI]i H11
Their sitting does little to associate
outdoor
space with the building.
The
extruded
and
yields
massing
forms,
anonymous
dance of
two
and
the
Schematic Elevation of
Current Facade for the
Hi-rises
superabun-
entries creates an dangerous
setting.
AFTER
To affect
ter
of
coupled
changes in the charac-
two masses,
together
breezeway.
This
the
by
buildings
an
linkage
are
enclosed
inspires
a
new residential quality by installing
123
-I
1111116111______1__1__lid_________1_____did
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0 13
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n
1DD
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on
D[I
l_
110011-Li
Di
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Dn
E
Hi-Rise
Elevation
124
human
scale
forms
where
before,
the
two buildings were just objects on the
site.
in
Aside
from introducing variety
this new
scale,
addition makes
to drive their
possible for residents
cars
up
to
opportunity
away.
to
This
important
and
the
entrance
park
only
concession
for
unloading
it
with
a
few
the
feet
is
especially
discharging
passengers
vehicles
in
Wood fences of alternating
battens provide privacy yet
allow for ventilation
Reference: The Site Improvement
Handbook for Multi-family
Housing
inclement
weather.
Public space that flows uninterrupted
from bordering
housing
crime
grounds
and
are
streets
prone
vandalism
provision of barriers
to
to
the
high
rates.
and
The
transitions
help to define the territories associated
with
the
hi -rise.
street the parking
ings
around
it
From
the
lot and the plant-
serve
to
Awl 0aft
inform non -
residents that they are now within the
domain of
the
hi -rises.
entrances
prohibit
buildings
by
resident
or
anyone
The
access
other
welcomed
second
to
than
the
a
visitor.
125
Furthermore, these enclosures restrict
courtyard to private use.
the central
their
by
protected
similarly
are
duplexes
the
of
territories
private
The
only.
use
resident's
for
zone
protected
a
as
courtyard
the
define
help
furnishings
and
plants,
Lights,
garden walls and gates.
The
it is visually.
the
to
accessible
physically
is
courtyard
the
Although
not
public,
enclosure
glass
of the breezeway makes views into and
out
courtyard
the
of
surveillance in this area.
and
and
interaction
visual
augments
possible
All of the
along the gallery and plaza
use zones
are visually accessible to each other.
most
other
people,
ities
so
that
interested
are
people
Since
arranging
they
are
these
Wind Conditions at Courtyard.
Breezeways block the strong
winter winds from the courtyard.
Breaks-up the windy alley at the
ground level.
in
activ-
intervisible
supports this characteristic of human
nature.5
THE FACADE
Improvements
affected
to
the
facade
by simple additions
to
are
the
126
surface.
prised
The
of
middle,
elevation
three
and
floor
marks
under
top
flats.
the
seventh
combase,
addition
of
the
the
of the
A
as another
a
above
end
and the beginning
bedroom
The
just
the
now
zones:
top.
stringcourses
is
second
duplexes
one
and
stringcourse
floor
of
sets off
distinct zone.
two
just
the
Coher-
fences for
garden
duce
new
relief
Small
to
the duplexes
textures,
the
and
colors
otherwise
intro-
flat
add
facade.
roofs over the entrances to the
duplexes and the underpass through the
hi -rises
former
human
also
monotony
scale
help
and
elements
to
relieve
again
at
the
provides
the
ground
level.
The old brick remains and will
ence between the hi -rises and the new
require
nothing more than cleaning to
townhouses
get it back to a pleasant coloring and
same
at
the
is
achieved
by
using
the
vertically aligned roof material
to remove the writing on the walls.
the seventh floor that is used for
townhouses.
through
roofs
Now, windows
are
common
punched
themes
for
both the hi -rises and the townhouses.
Other
house
additions
windows
for
openings.
This
residents
a
are
the
type
the
green-
larger
window
of
chance
window gives
to
personalize
their windows and make separate units
much more recognizable.
New
facade
simple.
Masonry
courses,
new
elements
for
roofing
the
are
kept
string-
material,
and
127
Notes
Clare Cooper's Chapter 10, "User
1.
Some
Needs in Multifamily Housing:
Hill
Easter
in
Recommendations"
is the primary
Village, pp.207-280
reference for the user needs described
in this chapter.
Randolph T. Hester, Neighborhood
2.
Space (Stroudsburg, 1975), p.l.
Hancock
John
3.
Saver
Standards
pp.2-202.
Time
Callender,
1982),
(Taiwan,
Clare Cooper, Easter Hill Village
4.
(New York, 1975) p. 1 6 2 .
Oscar Newman, Defensible
5.
(New York, 1973), p. 6 6 .
Site
Lynch,
Kevin
6.
(Cambridge, 1971) , p.200.
Space
Planning
128
7
CHAPTER
CONCLUSION
0
0
129
represent
Images
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
struct
Familiarity
with
the
user
and
the
between
relationship
ability beyond
the
reinforce
creating
to
obligation
user's
sense
of
self. 1
thesis
user/dwelling
relationship;
capacity
infer
of
status
protected
the
and
zones,
they
and
to
provides
it
turn,
in
and
for
the
tenant's image controls their response
to
development.
the
Negative
images
have prevailed for both the public and
the tenants
expediency of an
approach
architectural
remedying
in
Following
images.
negative
these
This thesis
in the past.
has demonstrated the
shown
that
First,
of
the
identified.
are
exposed.
point
to
dwelling
rank,
what
a
three steps.
characterize
generalizations
Three
this
needs
controls
of improving the image broke down into
relationship, the basic
user
of
tenants
image
Society's
develop-
definition
the
through
has
into public housing.
housing,
tenant
review of tenant comments, the process
ments are sure to follow.
This
input
public
and
homes and
public
for
images
that
spaces
desirable
The provision of
positive
contractual
a
fulfilling
merely
dwelling
the
the designer's
expands
housing.
public
of
image
the
recon-
literally
can
Architects
chasm
input
society's
between
the
to
the
infer
indicate
serve
vehicle for human expression.
to
as
a
the
was
It
the exception of
image
desired
that
shown
luxury
is
with
items, public
developments have similar design goals
Furthermore,
as private developments.
since
to
low-income
image
the
homes,
same
public
basic
specific
often aspire
tenants
they
homes
have
of
should
qualities.
architectural
private
have
Second,
elements
the
the
that
130
control the image are pinpointed.
The
of elements.
about
the
result
several
that
characteristics
describe
separateness from the rest of society.
house
. Third,
these elements are then manipulated to
of
concerns
were
bility,
and
a
stigma,
with
chief
Residents
architect.
the
concerned
the
were
cost
and
function,
defensi-
decent environment
established
was
children.
It
traditional
organizations
SOCIAL PROBLEMS
for
that
and appear-
is
the
are
and
behavior
designer's
add
poverty
and
unemployment,
anti-social
hopelessness,
General
limited.
housing
public
improving
to
approach
architectural
an
problems,
social
rooted
deeply
very
to
Owing
Form,
image.
desired
the
achieve
qualities
without soliciting the usual stigma or
the
of
most.
noticed
people
to
possible
it
made
houses
provides distinctive
their
of
organization
and
appearance
had
tenants
that
comments
It demonstrates that the
to
beyond
Education--
control.2
ances were the most effective ways to
formal or informal--is not afforded by
balance the concerns of both designers
all
and residents.
even
process
whereby
living
attractive
wholesome
a
environment
costs
construction
moderate
achieved
demonstrates
thesis
This
through
simple
a
and
materials,
and
members
vior;
is
of
techniques
creating
diversity by varying the organization
the .most
of
society.3
desirable
So,
given
environment,
it is not realistic to assume that all
at
such as adhering to traditional forms,
restricting
segments
will
the
expected
beha-
some will not reap the benefits
designer's
the
provision
defined
most
show
of
a
to
The
and
well-
creative
neighborhood
benefits
efforts.
might
children.
offer
There
the
is
evidence that the physical form of the
131
environment
the
makes
existence
of
them
cognizant
zones
of
influence
and therefore the rights of others.
Presently
autonomous
of
the
a
control
housing should
into
the
modifications
to
exists
exist.
the
major
is
not
Cosmetic
units
may
just
When dwellers
decisions
and
are
End
organized
Tenant
affect
The
are
tion.
but
in
of
low-income
fewer
stimulated.5
Control
the
poor
housing
white counterparts. 8
public
decisions
by
the
opportunities.
valued
Tenant
address
of
in
Control
lack
of
Symbolic
crowded
problems
ownership, but
have
around
the
dampens their efforts.
is also
ownership
lack
is
areas.6
formed
the
less
the
ownership
urban
organizations
the
on
concerning
location of housing.
limited
rely
to
lack
of money
Some like the
housing
agencies
Blacks
in
must
public
for
Equity
their
in
and
with
get
Tenants
mainte-
people,
is also limited by the lack of choice
location.
and
where
policies are insensitive to the plight
have
are
of
government
dignity.
well-being
repairs
to
Not just in jobs and education,
and
social
dwellings
further compounded by discrimina-
the
and
slum
problems
regard
individual
over the management
of
necessary
(SETC) have
7
nance.
free to make their own contribution to
design,
Council
to take
ownership
Autonomy in
system.
the
South
or
where
processes
reach deep enough.
control
4
over the provision
decision making
built
not
void
of
the
employees
little
in
respect
Boston
alternatives
dollar
have
and
than their
distribution
of
benefits, autonomy of the household in
the market,
and the
dispersion rather
than the concentration of poor throughout
urban
ments
areas
to
are
make.9
social attitude
initial
improve-
Likewise,
a
new
in addition to a more
thoughtful architectural approach will
have
to
be
adopted
to
bring
public
132
a
higher
level
of
accep-
housing
to
tance.
But only until the social
the built aspects are
and
improved simul-
taneously will the potential of public
housing be realized.
133
Notes
1.
Clare Cooper, The House as a
Symbol of Self
(Berkeley, 1971),
pp.
3-7.
2.
Randolph
Hester,
Neighborhood
Space (Stroudsburg, 1975), p. 1.
3. The President's Commission on Law
Enforcement
and
Administration
of
Justice, The Challenge of Crime in a
Free Society (New York, 1968), p. 69.
4.
Oscar Newman, Defensible
(New York, 1973), p. 14.
Space
5.
John Turner, Housing by People
(New York, 1974), Foreword by Editor.
6.
Hester, p. 57.
7. The Housing and Community Research
Groups, The Empty Promise
(Boston,
1973), p. 5.
8.
Kent Colton and Rolf
Goetze,
MIT/BRA
Urban
Dynamics
Committee,
Toward a Housing Policy and Program
for the City of Boston (Boston, 1974),
p. 41.
9.
Colton and Goetze, p. 41.
134
APPENDIX
135
8" MASONRY BLOCK INSULATED AND
WITH GYPSUM BOARD
C.M.U.
Horizontal Rein.
Mortar
Tool & Clean
1" Rigid Insul.
Metal Furring
5/8" Gypsum Board
Taping & Spackling
$2.65
0.27
0.18
0.18
0.50
0.73
o.47
0.53
$575T/sf
8" MASONRY , GYPSUM BOARD & SOUND
DEADENING BOARD
C.M.U.
Horizontal Rein.
Mortar
Tool & Clean
Metal Furring
Gypsum Board
2"
" Sound Deadening Bd.
Taping & Spackling
Four-hour fire
rating
$2.65
0.27
0.18
0.18
0.73
0.47
0.45
0.53
$5.46
Gypsum Board
-Gypsum Board
Rigid Insulation
Sound Deadening
Board
C.M.U.
136
DOUBLE DRY WALL
4"
10" GLAZED BRICK CAVITY WALL
Gypsum Board(4Sides)
2x4 Studs(4Sides)
34" Batt Insulation
Taping & Spackling
One-hour fire
rating
$0.98
1.88
0.78
0.53
$4.17
$12.49
Gypsum Board
4
-
4" Glazed Brick
4" Structural Glazed Tile
Mortar
Metal Wall Tiles
Tool & Clean
nsulation
---
Glazed Brick
-Glazed
Tile
I.
137
WORKS CITED
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John
Hancock,
ed.
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Saver Standards For Architectural
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McGrawHill, Inc., 1954; reprinted ed.,
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1982.
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Kent
and
Rolf
Goetze.
(Toward A
Housing
Policy
and
Program for the City of Boston),
for
the
Boston
Redevelopment
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of
Technology
Urban
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.
Self,
Urban
Easter Hill Village,
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The House As A Symbol of
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of
and Regional Development,
1971.
Hester, Randolf T.,
Jr. Neighborhood
Space,
Stroudsbourg:
Dowden,
Hutchinson, and Ross, Inc.,
1975.
Housing and Community Research Groups,
The
Empty
Promise,
Cambridge:
Urban Planning Aid, Inc., 1973.
138
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New
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John,
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Boston
Housing Authori-
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A
New
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Technology, Cambridge, June 1980.
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&
Code
Administrators
International, Inc.
1981.
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Turnkey Developer's Kit: Boston
Boston Housing Authority, October
1983.
The program and
site plan was
taken from this developer's kit.
This document was also a guide
to handicap design requirements
Bryan, Harvey J. et. al. Daylighting:
A Resourcebook, Troy: , Center
for
Architectural
Research,
July, 1981.
Callecod, Robert.
Site
Improvment
Handbook for Multi-FamilyHousing
Urbana- Champaign:
Housing
Research and Development Program
of the University of Illinois, 1974.
141
Cathedral Developer's Kit. Boston: Boston
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City: An Energy Conscious Design
for a Subsidized Multi-Family Housing
Development,
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Massachusetts
Institute
of
Technology, Cambridge, June, 1981.
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in
Timesaver Standards, ed.
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Hancock Callender.
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Mc Graw Hill, Inc, 1974, 5th ed.
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Urban Slums under Public Management"
in Race, Change,
and
Society,
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Orleans
and William
Russell Ellis, Jr.
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143