transforming the
leftover landscape
joshua e. inman
The t i m e m a y so o n c o m e w h e n p l a nne r s , d e si g ne r s,
develop e r s, a nd o t h e r s w i l l r e c o g ni z e a nd a c t o n t h e s i m p l e
notion t h a t t h e sp a c e s b e t w e e n b u i l d i ng s a r e a s i m p o r t a nt t o
the lif e o f u r b a n m a n a s t h e b u i l d i ng s t h e m se l v e s.
Serge Chermayeff and Christopher Alexander
Imaging the City from Community and Privacy
transforming the
leftover landscape
ball state university
college of architecture and planning
department of architecture
bachelor of architecture thesis
spring 2004
joshua e. inman
thesis author
andrew seager
thesis professor
olon dotson
thesis advisor
jeff culp
thesis critic
©2004 by joshua e. inman
Thanks t o _
_My F a m i l y .
_And y S e a g e r a nd J e f f C u l p f o r a sk i ng t h e q u e st i o ns I
did n’ t w a nt t o
a sk - t h a t I d i d n’ t w a nt t o a nsw e r ; f or
pat i e nc e .
_Olo n D o t so n f o r e no u g h c o nf i d e nc e t o a l l o w m e t o r u n
wit h m y i d e a s.
_My
Studiomates
f or
the
impromptu
sessi o ns.
_Tav i n f o r ke e p i ng t h e f r i d g e s t o c ke d .
iv
b r a i nst o r m i ng
Background
01
Site
07
Design Direction
13
Concepts
15
Schematics
19
A Prototype
25
Reflections
43
References
45
v
I had t h i s v i si o n o f t h e i m p os si b l e b u i l d i ng , w i t h no f i x e d
functio n, t o t a l l y n on- p r e sc r i p t i v e , not d e si g ne d t o p r o g r a m m e
people b u t t o l e t t h e m t h r i v e .
If one c o nc e nt r a t e s on t h e Process o f a r c h i t e c t u r e a nd no t
on th e e nd p r o d u c t t h e r e su l t t a ke s o n a m o r e sp i r i t u a l
signifi c a nc e .
Will Alsop
Will Alsop: Book 1
vi
A s a r c h i t e c t u r e so o f t e n d o e s, t h i s t h e si s a b o u t r e si d u a l sp a c e s t a r t f r o m a si ng l e
q u e st i o n: w h a t i s r e si d u a l sp a c e ? A ny o ne c a n l o o k u p t h e d e f i n i t i o ns f o r residual
a nd space , p u t t h e m t o g e t h e r a nd “ a nsw e r ” t h e q u e st i o n: t h e q u a nt i t y l e f t ov e r
a t t h e e nd o f ( i n t h i s c a s e ) t h e c o nst r u c t i o n p r oc e s s w i t h i n t h e t h r e e - d i m e nsi o na l
f i e l d i n w h i c h t h e c o nst r u c t i o n p r o c e ss e x i st s. B u t , w h a t d o e s t h a t r e a l l y m e a n?
O ne q u e st i o n b e c o m e s t h e st a r t i ng p o i nt . W h a t d o e s t h e b u i l t e nv i r o nm e nt h a v e
t o t e l l u s a b o u t r e si d u a l sp a c e ? A r m e d w i t h a c a m e r a , a ske t c h b o o k, a t a nk of
g a s, a nd t h e d o g f o r c o m p a ny ( p e o p l e a r e a l w a y s m or e f r i e nd l y w h e n y o u h a v e
y o u r d o g ) I t r a v e r s e d t h e st a t e f o r t w o w e e ks i n se a r c h of a nsw e r s a nd d i r e c t i o n
t o t h i s a nd m a ny o t h e r q u e st i on s.
Th e f o l l o w i ng e x c e r p t s a r e f r o m t h e r e su l t i ng p h o t o e ssa y a b o u t r e si d u a l sp a c e s
i n v a r i ou s M i d w e st e r n c o m m u ni t i e s.
01
Perhaps one of the most dramatic spaces is
created by the juxtaposition of power versus
service . While many of the courthouses are
imaged as a beautiful piece of architecture
representing its citizens, the views through
the alleys are often much more dynamic.
Left: Tippecanoe County Courthouse from the Pedestrian
Bridge; Lafayette, Indiana
Below: Tippecanoe County Courthouse from an alley axis;
Lafayette, Indiana
Opposite: South Street Neighborhood Revealed; Lafayette,
Indiana
02
03
Among the discoveries is the phenomenon
of assumed responsibility. At first glance
a vacant lot is a desolate wasteland; upon
closer inspection, that vacant lot is someone’s
flower garden.
Several spaces between
neighbors appear to provide opportunities
for social interaction. However, use of these
spaces is seldom witnessed.
Below Left: Garden in a vacant lot; Muncie, Indiana
Below: Larger perspective of the vacant lot; Muncie, Indiana
Opposite: Neighbors relaxing after work on a fall afternoon;
New Castle, Indiana
04
05
Once, a c i t y w a s d i v i d e d i nt o t w o p a r t s.
One p a r t b e c a m e t h e G o od H a l f , t h e o t h e r p a r t t h e B a d
Half. Th e i nh a b i t a nt s o f t h e B a d H a l f b e g a n t o f l o c k t o t h e
good si d e of t h e d i v i d e d c i t y , r a p i d l y sw e l l i n g i nt o a n u r b a n
exodu s.
After a l l a t t m e p t s t o i nt e r r u p t t h i s u nd e si r a b l e m i g r a t i o n h a d
failed, t h e a u t h o r i t i e s o f t h e b a d p a r t m a d e a d e s p e r a t e a nd
savage u se o f a r c h i t e c t u r e : t h e y b u i l t a w a l l a r o u nd t h e g oo d
part o f t h e c i t y , m a ki ng i t c o m p l e t e l y i na c c e ssi b l e t o t h e i r
subjec t s .
The W a l l w a s a m a st e r p i e c e .
The G oo d H a l f , no w g l i m p s e d o nl y o v e r t h e f o r b i d d i ng
obstac l e f r o m a n a g o ni z i ng d i st a nc e , b e c a m e e v e n m o r e
irresist i b l e .
Those t r a p p e d , l e f t b e h i nd i n t h e g l o o m y B a d H a l f , b e c a m e
obsesse d w i t h v a i n p l a ns f or e sc a p e . H o p e l e ssne ss r e i g ne d
suprem e o n t h e w r o ng si d e o f t h e W a l l .
As so o f t e n b e f o r e i n t h i s h i st o r y o f m a nki nd , a r c h it e c t u r e
was th e g u i l t y i nst r u m e nt o f d i sp a i r .
REM Koolhaas
The Wall
06
Th e d a u nt i ng t a sk o f p r o c u r i ng a si t e f o r t h e t h e si s w a s c o m p o u nd e d b y t h e
a m b i g u o u s na t u r e o f t h e su b j e c t a t h a nd . A ny sp a c e c a n b e a r g u e d a s a r e s i d u a l
sp a c e w h e t h e r v oi d o r s ol i d , l a r g e o r sm a l l , i nt e r i o r o r e x t e r i o r , e t c . Th e
se c o nd a r y d e si r e o f r e w e a v i ng t h e u r b a n f a b r i c a r o u nd t h e c h o se n si t e d i r e c t e d
m y a t t e nt i on t o t h e I nd i a na p o l i s M e t r o p o l i t a n A r e a .
A s I e x p l or e d m a ny p o t e nt i a l si t e s t h r o u g h o u t t h e a r e a I ke p t r e t u r ni ng t o t h e
e l e v a t e d i nt e r st a t e sy st e m . Th e r e w a s a p o t e nt i a l t i e d t o t h e i nt e r st a t e a s i t t o r e
t h r ou g h t h e f a b r i c o f I nd i a na p ol i s’ u r b a n c o m m u ni t i e s. F u r t h e r e x p l o r a t i o n
o f t h e p o t e nt i a l si t e s a l o ng t h i s c o r r i d o r r e v e a l e d t h e f o u r - b l o c k p a r ki ng sw a t h
b e t w e e n C a p i t o l A v e nu e a nd D e l a w a r e S t r e e t a nd b e t w e e n 1 1 t h a nd 1 2 t h st r e e t s.
Th e i nt e r st a t e sy st e m h a d b e c o m e The Wall t h a t d i sc o nne c t e d t h e c om m e r c i a l
d o w nt ow n f r o m t h e r e si d e nt i a l c o m m u ni t i e s t o t h e no r t h o f I nt e r st a t e 6 5 . Th e
si t e p r o v i d e d t h e o p p o r t u ni t y t o e x p l o r e d e si g n i n a u ni q u e r e si d u a l sp a c e w i t h i n
t h e c o nt e x t o f I nd i a na p o l i s w h i l e a l s o e x p l o r i ng d e si g n r e sp o nse s t o a p r ob l e m
m a ny A m e r i c a n c i t i e s f a c e . H o w c a n o u r i nf r a st r u c t u r e s y s t e m s b e i nt e g r a t e d
i nt o t h e u r b a n f a b r i c w i t h o u t b e i ng d e st r u c t i v e o r i nv a si v e t o t h a t f a b r i c ?
07
08
Capitol Ave.
image courtesy: http://terraserver.microsoft.com
Methodist Hospital
IUPUI
Monument Circle
RCA Dome
Indianapolis, Indiana
10th St.
11th St.
Deleware St.
Pennsylvania Ave.
Meridian St.
12th St.
I-65
The greatest design challenge facing
the chosen site is how to break the
strong linearity of the interstate to
reconnect the communities on either
side. A second issue involves the
space beneath the interstate. Is there
a way that space can be enhanced
and used for something other than
parking? And, even if it could,
would anyone want to use that space
for anything? The design response
has to acknowledge the liabilities and
turn them into assets for this site.
Right: 12th St. A second level of disconnection
Lower Right: Uninviting space beneath I-65
Below: Linear Wall of I-65
Opposite: Site Map
09
The site has a very important asset
existing in its present condition.
It is easily assessible from several
levels,
both
pedestrian
and
vehicular.
The site also holds
the potential to become a major
gateway into downtown from the
north as Meridian Street passes
through its center.
An exploration of solids and voids
reveals a pattern that will allow
development to occur beyond the
immediate site. It is this revelation
that allows the vision of the
development of this site to extend
beyond an immediate response and
to instead become only a beginning
point for the growth of urban infill
and redevelopment spreading in all
directions.
Left: Traffic patterns [Vehicular and Pedestrian]
Opposite: Solids massing with development
possibilities within “found space”
10
11
Pass th r o u g h a sp a c e u nw a r e o f a r r i v a l o r d e p a r t u r e .
Will Alsop
Will Alsop: Book 1
12
E v e r y si t e h a s i nna t e c h a r a c t e r i st i c s t h a t a f f e c t i t s d e si g n – so m e m u st b e c l o se l y
e x a m i ne d a nd a c t e d u p o n; o t h e r s m a y si m p l y b e l e f t t o d e si g ne r s i nt u i t i o n. I
a p p r o a c h t h e d e si g n u p o n t h i s si t e a s a n a r t i st i c a nd i nt u i t i v e r e sp on se t o t h e
c h a l l e ng e s o f t h e si t e . S e v e r a l d e si g n i nt e nt i on s d r i v e f r o m t h i s a p p r o a c h :
• Th e d e si g n sh ou l d c on ne c t t h e c om m u ni t i e s n or t h of t h e i n t e r st a t e t o
t h o se w i t h i n t h e i nt e r s t a t e ’ s r i ng .
• Th e d e p t h a nd i m p o r t a n c e o f t h e si t e m u s t b e e nh a nc e d b y i t s
d e v e l op m e nt .
• Th e i nt e r st a t e m u st b e c o m e a v i t a l c o m p o ne nt o f a ny d e si g n ; w i t h o u t
t h e p r e se nc e o f t h e i nt e r st a t e o n t h e si t e t h e d e si g n w ou l d b e
i nc o m p r e h e nsi b l e . A s su c h , t h e d e s i g n m u s t f i n d a w a y t o c a p i t a l i z e o n
t h e a sse t s p r e se nt e d b y t h e i nt e r st a t e a s w e l l a s f i nd m e t h o d s t o c h a ng e
t h e l i a b i l i t i e s i n t o a sse t s t o b e c e l e b r a t e d w h e n p o ss i b l e .
• Th e p e d e st r i a n m u st b e a d r i v i ng f or c e w i t h i n t h e d e si g n. I n p a r t i c u l a r ,
t h e r e m u s t b e a s a f e a n d e a sy m e t h o d of c r o ssi ng t h e i nt e r st a t e e i t h e r
b e l o w , a b o v e , o r a c o m b i na t i o n o f b o t h .
I a m a c t i ng u p o n t h e a ssu m p t i o n t h a t I w ou l d b e a b l e t o r e m o v e a ny st r u c t u r e s
e x i st i ng o n t h e si t e d e e m e d d e t r i m e nt a l t o th e d e v e l o p m e nt o f t h e d e si g n. I a l s o
p r o c e e d t h r o u g h t h e d e si g n p r o c e ss w i t h t h e u nd e r st a nd i ng t h a t t h e i nt e r st a t e
c a nno t b e r e l oc a t e d , b u t su r f a c e s t r e e t s m a y b e a l t e r e d a s ne c e ss a r y .
Th e d e si g n p or t i o n i s t o b e c o m e no t the so l u t i o n, b u t r a t h e r , a p r o t o t y p e f or
f u t u r e d e v e l o p m e nt i n I nd i a na p ol i s. T h i s p r o t o t y p e c o u l d a l so p o t e nt i a l l y b e
r e f e r e nc e d i n c i t i e s a c r o ss A m e r i c a w h e n f a c i ng s i m i l a r s i t u a t i on s.
13
[Archi t e c t u r e ] c a n on l y b e st r o ng i f y o u h a v e t h e f r e ed o m t o
dream a nd n ot t o c o nf o r m t o so c i e t y ’ s d r e a m s w h i c h , b y t h e i r
nature , a r e a l r e a d y c om p r o m i se d .
Will Alsop
Will Alsop: Book 2
14
Th e c o nc e p t s f or t h i s si t e d e v e l o p no t a s si t e p l a ns o r m a ss i n g m o d e l s. R a t h e r ,
t h e c onc e p t u a l p h a se i s a p p r o a c h e d a s a n i nt u i t i v e e x p l o r a t i o n o f i d e a s –
c o nne c t i o ns, e n v e l o p m e nt , m ov e m e nt , a nd i nt e r c o nne c t i v i t y .
W h i l e t h e i nt u i t i v e e x p e r i m e nt a t i o n c o nt i nu e s t h e p r o g r a m m i ng p h a se b e g i ns t o
f o r m a n e x p e r i e nc e i n a nd a r o u n d t h e si t e . O ne p o ss i b i l i t y b e i n g e x p l o r e d i s
t h e i d e a o f a t e c h no l og y p l a y g r o u nd – a se r i e s o f p a v i l i o ns u se d f o r t h e r e se a r c h ,
d e v e l op m e nt , a nd i nt e r a c t i v e c o m m u ni t y t e st i ng o f a d v a nc e d t e c h no l o g i e s. I n
p a r t i c u l a r , t h e p os si b i l i t y o f v i r t u a l r e a l i t y a nd si m u l a t i o n t e c h no l og i e s i s a
st e p t o w a r d t h e t e c h n ol o g i c a l l y i nno v a t i v e f u t u r e e nv i si o ne d b y I nd i a na p o l i s ’
d e v e l op m e nt b o a r d .
A se c o nd p o ssi b i l i t y b e i ng e x p l or e d i s t h e c r e a t i o n o f a n a r t i st c o m m u ni t y . Th e
si t e l e nd s i t s e l f t o t h e h e a v y , i nd u st r i a l a r t s a nd c o u l d b e c o m e a t h r i v i n g c o nne c t i o n
b e t w e e n t h e r e si d e n t i a l c o m m u n i t i e s a nd t h e c o r p o r a t e e nt i t i e s o f I n d i a na p o l i s.
A n a r t s p l a z a f o r m a r k e t s a n d e nt e r t a i nm e nt w o u l d c r e a t e a d e st i na t i o n p o i n t
a s w e l l a s a g a t e w a y i nt o d o w nt o w n. Th e e x p e r i m e nt a t i o n e x h i b i t e d i n a r t , t h e
a r t i st , a nd t h e a r t i st ’ s s t u d i o c l o se l y p a r a l l e l s t h e d e si r e d e x p e r i m e nt a t i o n o f t h e
d e v e l op m e nt o f t h e p a r c e l s a d j a c e nt t o t h e i m m e d i a t e s i t e .
15
16
The studies become an exploration
of the ideas behind design. Each
is only one in infinite possibilities.
They
explore
motion
and
movement as a linear idea as well
as folded and fluid. Connections
are explored as both physical and
implied. Connections might refer
to a physical construct or a social
and cultural being. Envelopment
begins to organize above and
below zones as well as adjacencies.
How does each of these inform a
design?
Left: Flow and Movement
Lower Left: Connections
Opposite Above: Envelopment
Opposite Lower: Interconnectivity
17
A buil d i ng sh o u l d m a ke a n i m p r e ssi o n on t h o s e w h o se e i t .
Will Alsop
Will Alsop: Book 1
18
Th e sc h e m a t i c p h a se f o c u se s on t h e c o nne c t i o ns a c r o ss a nd b e ne a t h t h e
i nt e r st a t e . P e o p l e m u st b e c o m f o r t a b l e c r o ssi ng t h e b a r r i e r t h a t c u r r e n t l y e x i st s.
E a c h e x p l o r a t i o n se e ks t o u nd e r s t a nd t h e c o m p l e x i t i e s o f m o v i n g o v e r , u nd e r
a nd u p on I - 6 5 . Th e N o r t h S t r u c t u r e r e m a i ns a c o m m o n t i e t h r o u g h t h e sc h e m e s
a s t h e g a t e w a y a nd m a r q u e e e l e m e nt o n t h e si t e .
A s t h e d e si g ns e v o l v e , c o nc e r ns a b o u t i g no r i ng t h e e x i st i ng c i t y g r i d e m e r g e .
Th e i nt e nt i s no t t o t u r n a b a c k t o t h e e x i st i ng a nd r e p l a c e i t w i t h so m e t h i ng
ne w a nd d i f f e r e nt , b u t r a t h e r , t h e d e si g n sh o u l d st r i v e t o e nh a nc e t h e e x i st i ng
i nf r a st r u c t u r e .
Th e sp a c e b e ne a t h t h e i nt e r st a t e b e g i ns t o o p e n – c a r v i n g t w e nt y f e e t i nt o t h e
e a r t h t o a l l o w m or e l i g h t t o p e ne t r a t e d e e p e r i nt o t h e s p a c e . Th e i nf r a s t r u c t u r e of
M e r i d i a n S t r e e t a nd M e r i d i a n i t se l f i s l o w e r e d w i t h t h e p l a z a a l l o w i ng p e d e st r i a ns
t o c r o ss t h e si t e b e ne a t h t h e i nt e r st a t e b u t a b o v e M e r i d i a n. T h e p l a z a op e n s t o
M e r i d i a n a s w e l l a s a sc e nd i ng t o w a r d t h e so u t h t o m e e t t h e c i t y ’ s su r f a c e a g a i n.
Th e a d d e d l e v e l p r o v i d e s a d d i t i o na l d e p t h t o t h e si t e a s w e l l a s a m u c h ne e d e d
sa f e t y b u f f e r f o r p e d e st r i a ns.
19
The initial design schemes function
independently from the city’s
grid. Traversing the interstate is
accomplished below via a retail
component at street level. The
dynamics of the space carved
into the site begins to indicate an
additional level of depth within the
site.
Upper Left: Plan with connection node on
Meridian Street
Left: Plan engaging pedestrians and directing
them through the site
Opposite: Schematic Section
20
21
As more schemes develop, the
importance of the city’s grid and
each building’s presence along that
grid is heightened. The intent is
not to break the grid and introduce
additioanl organizational patterns,
but rather, to provide pedestrians
the opportunity to traverse the
site however their individual
journey may require. The plaza is
introduced below grade providing
needed light to penetrate beneath
the interstate as well as to add an
additional depth to the site.
Upper Left: Plan Variation
Left: Plan addressing the existing city grid
Opposite: Schematic Section
22
23
The ci t y sh ou l d t a ke t h e u n i q u e o p p o r t u ni t y i t h a s t o d e v e l o p
a test b e d f o r a c o nt i nu i ng e x p e r i m e nt i nt o u r b a n a n d su b u rban lif e , f o r m s a nd s t r u c t u r e s.
Functi o ns, a nd t h e d e si g na t i o n of sp a c e s f o r t h e m , w i l l
change i n u np r e d i c t a b l e w a y s .
Will Alsop
City of Objects
24
A s t h e d e si g n d e v e l o p s, t h i s p r o j e c t i s e nv i si o ne d a s a p r ot o t y p e f o r t h e f u t u r e .
Th i s p i e c e b e c o m e s j u st o ne i n se v e r a l t h r o u g h o u t t h e I nd i a na p o l i s M e t r o p o l i t a n
A r e a . T h e C a na l D e v e l op m e n t a nd W h i t e R i v e r S t a t e P a r k a r e a m i g h t b e v i e w e d
a s t h e i ni t i a l i nst a l l m e nt , c r e a t i ng a m u s e u m a nd e d u c a t i o na l c a m p u s o n t h e N e a r W e st si d e o f I nd i a na p o l i s. Th i s p r o t o t y p e c r e a t e s t h e C i r c l e C i t y A r t i st D i st r i c t
o n t h e N e a r - N o r t h si d e o f t o w n. S i m i l a r e x p l o r a t i o ns i n r e si d e nt i a l d e v e l o p m e n t
m a y b e su i t a b l e f o r t h e N e a r - E a st s i d e . I nd u st r i a l or B i o t e c h no l o g y e x p l or a t i o ns
c o u l d l e a d t o a si m i l a r d e v e l o p m e nt o n t h e N e a r - S o u t h s i d e , i m m e d i a t e l y w e st of
t h e E L I L i l l y c a m p u s.
A l l o f t h e se p i e c e s w i l l w o r k t o g e t h e r t o b r i ng I nd i a na p o l i s t o a r c h i t e c t u r a l
p r o m i ne nc e i n t h e M i d w e st . T h i s sy st e m a t i c d e v e l o p m e n t c a n a l so s e r v e a s
a p r o t o t y p e f o r r e v i t a l i z a t i o n i n ot h e r c i t i e s a c r os s t h e na t i o n. C i t i e s s u c h a s
A t l a nt a c o u l d e a si l y a d a p t t h e p r o t o t y p e t o a d d r e ss t h e c o m p l e x i t i e s o f a su nke n
i nt e r st a t e sy st e m . A b o v e a l l , t h e p r o t ot y p e i s e x p e c t e d t o e nc ou r a g e d e s i g ne r s
t o e x p l o r e o t h e r a r e a s o f t e n w r i t t e n o f f a s l i a b i l i t i e s t o d i sc o v e r h o w t h e y m i g h t
b e c o m e a s se t s t o u r b a n d e si g n.
25
Left: Plaza Plan
Below: Master Site Plan
Opposite: Southeast Isometric
26
27
The plaza space is central to the
design of the prototype. The plaza
transitions from street level to the
sunken lower level allowing more
light beneath the interstate while
creating more options for safely
and comfortably crossing Meridian
Street and I-65.
Left: Plaza
Below: Plaza with Interstate Interconnectivity
28
The West Structure contains the
artists’ studio spaces. This piece is
the heart of the project. The public
pedestrian path continues into the
building providing the public the
unique opportunity to engage the
artists in their studio setting. The
transparency of the structure’s skin
provides a glimpse into the studios
at all hours. The space becomes
the “Studio that Never Sleeps.”
Right: East Facade
Below: Interior Circulation Pattern
29
The North Structure houses the
corporate entities representing
the artists and their work. The
lower four levels [-1, 0, +1, & +2]
are public retail spaces aimed at
promoting small starter businesses.
Pedestrians can transition vertically
thoughout the retail portion of the
facility.
Left: South Facade
Below: North Facade
30
The function of the East Structure
remains undefined. The structure
itself is designed to reflect the
nature of heavy metal arts and
sculpture. The direct connection to
the existing office tower lends itself
to take on a corporate function.
However, the need for additional
office space does not exist at this
time.
Right: West Facade
Below: East Facade
31
There are several important zones
of connection across and through
through the site.
The West
Structure and Eastern Plaza space
serve as the major North-South
connectors. The West structure
provides this opportunity at both
the street level and through several
opportunities above I-65.
The
North Structure’s retail component
connects the street level to the plaza
level as well as providing a pleasant
means of getting from one side of
the interstate to the other. The
Street level portion of the main
plaza provides the opportunity
to move across Meridian Street
unencumbered by its traffic.
Left: Zones of Connection
Opposite: Layers of depth
32
+1
+3
-1
0
0
-1
33
More important than the horizontal
connections on the site are the
vertical transitions. The circulation
system of the West Structure
provides several opportunities to
move up or down while moving
across the site.
The retail
component of the North Building
serves the northern portion of the
site allowing pedestrians to move
between the street and plaza levels
east and west of Meridian Street.
A set of cascading stairs greets
pedestrians entering the plaza from
the northwest while a gentle set
of terraces descend into the plaza
from the southwest.
Left: Vertical Transition points
Opposite: Site Sections
34
35
Above: Traveling Westbound on I-65
Right and Opposite: Traveling Eastbound on
I-65
36
37
Above: Plaza from the Northwest Entry
Right: Plaza from the Southwest Corner
Opposite: Plaza from the Northeast upon Exiting the Northern Structure
38
39
Above: Plaza from Northbound Meridian Street
Right: Traveling Northbound on Meridian
Street
Opposite: From Pennsylvania and 10th Street
40
41
There i s no su c h t h i ng a s a m i st a ke i n a r c h i t e c t u r e .
Will Alsop
Will Alsop: Book 1
42
S e v e r a l t h r o u g h t s c om e o u t o f a n e x p l or a t i o n su c h a s t h e j o u r ne y I h a v e
u nd e r t a ke n o v e r t h e c o u r se o f t h e s e f i na l e i g h t m o nt h s.
• M a ke a d e c i si on. Th ou g h t h a t d e c i si o n m a y no t a p p e a r c o r r e c t , a
d e c i si o n m u st b e m a d e i n o r d e r t o c o nt i n u e t h e p r o c e ss a nd m a ke t h e
su b s e q u e nt d e c i si o ns t h a t w i l l a r i se . F a i l i ng t o m a ke a d e c i si o n o nl y
d i m i ni sh e s t o o p p o r t u ni t y t o m ov e f o r w a r d w i t h a p r o j e c t . L i ke w i s e ,
m a ki ng a d e c i si o n t o o l a t e c a n r e s u l t i n b e i ng st u c k w i t h i t s c o ns e q u e nc e s
d u e t o t i m e o r b u d g e t c o nst r a i nt s.
• Th e r e i s no w r o ng a nsw e r i n a r c h i t e c t u r e . A r c h i t e c t u r e i s n ot a b o u t
b e i ng r i g h t o r w r o ng ; i t ’ s a b ou t m a ki ng so m e t h i ng b e t t e r f o r t h e u se r .
• S o m e o f t h e m ost i m p o r t a nt m om e nt s i n a p r o j e c t h a v e not h i n g t o d o w i t h
p e n a nd p a p e r . C a s u a l c o nv e r s a t i o n w i t h t h o se a r o u nd y ou w i l l p r o d u c e
m o r e i d e a s a nd p o ssi b i l i t i e s t h a n a ny a m o u nt o f g r i n d i ng d e si g n w o r k.
M o r e i m p o r t a nt l y , d i s c u ssi ng o t h e r s d e si g ns of t e n p r o d u c e s a d d i t i o na l
a v e nu e s f o r y o u r ow n. T w o m i nd s a r e b e t t e r t h a n o ne ; t h r e e a r e b e t t e r
than two.
• H a v e f u n. I f y ou d o n’ t l i ke w h a t y o u ’ r e d o i ng , d o so m e t h i ng e l se .
43
44
Alsop, Will. City of Objects. London Architectural Press. London, UK, 1992.
Aronson, Debbie. “Architecture Students ‘Recycle’ Abandoned Space in Downtown St. Louis.”
http://record.wustl.edu/archive/1995/12-07-95/5349.html.
Davidson, Cynthia C. Anybody. The MIT Press. Cambridge, MA, 1997.
Davidson, Cynthia C. Anytime. The MIT Press. Cambridge, MA, 1990.
Davidson, Cynthia C. Anywhere. Rizzoli International Publications, Inc. New York, NY, 1992.
Fehn, Sverre. Above and Below the Horizon. A+U Publishing Co., Ltd. Tokyo, Japan, 1999.
Kelbaugh, Douglas S. Repairing the American Metropolis. University of Washington Press. Seattle,
WA, 2002.
Koolhaas, REM and Bruce Mau. S,M,L,XL. The Monacelli Press. New York, NY, 1995.
Penrice, Daniel. “Mending the Urban Fabric.” http://www.numag.ncu.edu/0001/city.html.
Powell, Kenneth. Will Alsop: Book 1. Lawrence King Publishing, Ltd. London, UK, 2001.
Powell, Kenneth. Will Alsop: Book 2. Lawrence King Publishing, Ltd. London, UK, 2002.
Solnit, Rebecca and Susan Schwartzenberg. Hollow City. Verso. New York, NY, 2000.
Truth Radicality and Beyond in Contemprary Architecture. Andreas Papadakis Publisher. London,
UK, 2000.
Vale, Lawrence J. and Sam Bass Warner Jr. Imaging the City.- Rutgers, The State University of New
Jersey. New Brunswick, NJ, 2001.
45
The city is like a fie l d o f c l ou d s. T h e r u b b e r g r i d o f a ne t w o r ke d d a y .
The builders of the To w e r of B a b e l w e r e m i ss i n g t h e m a t e r i a l r e i n f o r c e d c o nc r e t e . W e
are missing the mat e r i a l o f t h e c o nf u si o n o f l a ng u a g e s w h i c h w e ne e d t o c o m p l e t e i t .
There is no solutio n f o r t h e c i t y .
The strategies of ur b a n p l a nni ng o p e r a t e o n t h e m a t r i x o f d i v e r g i ng i m p o ssi b i l i t i e s .
The architect has to c h o o se o ne a nd c l a i m r e sp o nsi b i l i t y f o r i t .
Clouds are symbols f or c o nd i t i o ns t h a t c h a ng e q u i c kl y . Th e y f o r m a nd t r a nsf o r m t h e mselves through the c o m p l e x i n t e r a c t i o n of c h a ng i ng si t u a t i o ns. V i e w e d i n sl o w m o t i o n,
the architecture of u r b a n d e v e l o p m e nt c o u l d b e c o m p a r e d w i t h p a t c h e s o f c l o u d s .
The vocabulary of u r b a n p l a n ni n g sh o u l d b e i n a n a r c h i t e c t u r a l a nt i q u e s h o p a nd r eplaced by phantasm s st i l l t o b e d e f i ne , w h i c h f l u c t u a t e a nd f l i c k e r l i ke t h e t e l e v i si on
screen after a broad c a st . Th e w h i t e no i se o f u r b a n st r a t e g y , a s a d i g i t a l l y ne t w o r ke d
system without hier a r c h y , i s t h e p l a y o f su b u r b a nd p e r i p h e r y w h i c h w o u l d m o u l d a nd
determine the imag e of o u r c i t i e s a nd t h e q u a l i t y t h e y h a v e t o of f e r .
The notions of cent r e , a x i s a nd s p a t i a l se q u e nc e w i l l h a v e t o b e r e p l a c e d b y t a ng e nt ,
vector and sequenc e o f i m a g e s . W e sh ou l d no t r e g r e t t h e l os s o f p u b l i c s p a c e , b u t
reinterpret it as a fl u c t u a t i ng , ne t w o r ke d m e d i a t e d e v e nt . O ne w h i c h a c t s m o r e l i ke a
semi-conductor tha n a se q u e nc e of sp a c e s.
The development o f a r c h i t e c t u r e i s a l s o f u r t h e r e d b y s t r a t e g i e s w h i c h a r e c o m p r i se d
by searching for line s a nd f i e l d s o f p o ss i b i l i t i e s t i e d t o g e t h e r b y c h a nc e , a nt i - l o g i c , a nd
anti-authority. But t h e c o i n c i d e nc e o f sy s t e m s - b o t h a s b u i l t sp a c e a nd a s m e d i a sp a c e
- becomes the basis f o r ne w d e si g ns a nd p r o j e c t s , t h e r u b b e r g r i d a s t h e p r e m o ni t i o n o f
a dynamic design ne t f o r c i t i e s l i ke c l o u d s
Coop Himmelb(l)au
The Architecture of Clouds