Reflection & Precedent
ARCH 5502
Fall 2010
Noella Cantu
Urban Design Studio
Project objectives
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The Image of the City by Kevin Lynch
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Creating an “Environmental Image”
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-IDENTITY
- Being able to identify an object
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PATHS
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EDGES
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DISTRICTS
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NODES
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LANDMARKS
from others, and recognize its
distinction
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- STRUCTURE
- Understanding the spatial pattern
or relation of objects to the observer
and to other objects
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- MEANING
-Creating an emotional or practical
meaning
Lynch, Kevin. The Image of the City. Cambridge, Mass. [u.a.: M.I.T., 2008. Print.
Project objectives
Personal Objectives:
- Decrease Pollution Levels by lowering
emissions
- Design in an area that will positively impact
environment and community
-Protect, preserve and revitalize green
space
- Areas that need/want and will use space
- Create a unique area
- Create a safe & calm environment
-Create connections to multi-used facilities
- Create a social environment
-Businesses, schools, parks, public
transportation, etc.
- Areas with a variety of activities
- Create walk able neighborhoods
-Create economically stable/growing
communities
- Maybe citizens can participate in
design
- Find areas with mixed land use
Carlos Martinez & Pipilotti Rist (artist)
Stadtlounge
St. Gallen Switzerland
Concept: Create “urban lounge” in the middle of financial district. Elements such as seats,
benches, and tables emerge from the rubber carpet.
Objectives: Water resistant material, creation of social spaces; seats, tables and benches.
Creates unique space that in a way is a landmark (bright colors used) as well as node
(situated between tall buildings). Lighting also serves as art.
"Stadtlounge St.Gallen by Carlos Martinez. | Archlandscapes | ArchLandscapes." Archlandscapes. Web. 16 Oct. 2010.
<http://archlandscapes.com/2009/a-d/11/carlos-martinez/>.
NL Architects
A8ernA
Koog aan de Zann, The Netherlands
Concept: Located on the banks of the river Zaan. 23’ high columns. “Activate the space
under the road.” Program includes church square, covered square marina park, kid zone,
supermarket, fish/flower shops.
Objectives: Created various multiple social spaces out of existing spaces. Pathways, nodes,
night-time lighting, parking, various amenities are offered.
"A8ernA | NL Architects." Architonic | Architecture and Design. Web. 16 Oct. 2010. <http://www.architonic.com/aisht/a8erna-nlarchitects/5100103>.
Acconci Studio
Roof like a liquid flung over the plaza
Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Concept: Materials act as if “liquid has been flung out form under, and frozen in the air.”
Columns have exterior and interior seating; smaller column has 10-12 seats and larger
column seats 25 to 30.
Objectives: Created various multiple social spaces. Materials reflect liquid, area, and natural
lighting.
"A Roof like a Liquid Flung over the Plaza by Acconci Studio." Morfae, the Shape of Things: Architecture Design Art Style. Web. 16 Oct. 2010.
<http://www.morfae.com/0213-acconci/>.
Martha Schwartz
Grand Canal Square
Dublin, Ireland
Concept: Built over an underground car park. Red carpet leads from the theatre out to
the canal and green carpet connects the hotel to the office development. It is “an urban
magnet where a diverse range of activities can take place on a 24-hour basis.”
Objectives: Created social spaces, pathways from major attractions to the canal. Nighttime lighting features that reflect the concept of the space.
"Dezeen » Blog Archive » Grand Canal Square by Martha Schwartz Partners." Dezeen Architecture and Design Magazine. Web. 16 Oct.
2010. <http://www.dezeen.com/2008/09/05/grand-canal-square-by-martha-schwartz-partners/>.
Acconci Studio
Mur Island
Graz, Austria
Concept: Connects the city and river. Creates an “accessible artificial island to allow locals
to come into closer contact with this important geographical feature.”
It houses various amenities; café/restaurant, sitting areas, stage/plaza with transparent
bleachers. Blue lighting functions as warning to ships at night.
Objectives: Created various social spaces. When theatre isn’t being used it serves as plaza.
Water pours down shell so that people are sitting under a waterfall. Includes night-time
lighting.
"Mur Island Graz, Austria, Architects, Images, Mur Island, Graz Building." Architecture News, World Architects, Building News, Architectural
News, World Buildings. Web. 16 Oct. 2010. <http://www.e-architect.co.uk/austria/mur_island_graz.htm>.
Plot
CPH Harbour Bath
Copenhagen, Denmark
Concept: A park created by the Harbour Bath which includes a variety of pools; diving, play, baby. and sitting areas.
Objectives: Created a social area near the water that uses the water for various activities.
"Copenhagen Harbour Bath / PLOT | ArchDaily." ArchDaily | Broadcasting Architecture Worldwide. Web. 16 Oct. 2010.
<http://www.archdaily.com/11216/copenhagen-harbour-bath-plot/>.
Purpur.Architektur
Hans-List Platz/ AVL Forum
Hans/List Platz, Gratz, Austria
Concept: Lawn contrast with shades of grey from street life and on the site. The 3d lawn provides visual and acoustical
screening from busy traffic. The canopy also protects the entrances for customers and staff.
Objectives: Provides a gathering social lawn for employees and citizens. Brings green space into the city. Different art pieces
create landmarks.
"Nextroom.at - Platzgestaltung Hans-List-Platz/ AVL - FORUM." Nextroom.at - Database for Contemporary Architecture. Web. 16 Oct. 2010.
<http://www.nextroom.at/building.php?id=19073>.
Martha Schwartz Partners
HUD Plaza Improvements
Washington DC, USA
Concept: Creating a social space despite inability to plant trees because of underground parking. Also to create “habitable and
pleasant spaces for people.” Achieved this by creating concrete planters of grass that also serve as seating, white “lifesavershaped” canopies that are eye-catching. The “canopies and planters appear to float above the ground.” Lighting also gives
“identity to the plaza” mimicking Japanese lanterns on a garden path. Lighting is also used under planters to make them appear
as if they were floating.
Objectives: Provides several social lawn spaces for gathering as well as shaded plaza areas. The lighting at night creates a unique
atmosphere (landmark) as well as helps with safety issues. The canopies also serve as art pieces.
MSP : Martha Schwartz Partners. Web. 16 Oct. 2010. <http://www.marthaschwartz.com/projects/hud.html>.
Francisco Mangado
Plaza de Dali
Madrid, Spain
Concept: Turned this poorly paved area into a “complex urban space.” Due to the structure underground planting was an issue.
Created “framed spaces” that give a cozy scale to the area. The raised areas are filed with soil and contain urban furniture pieces
creating a “welcoming living area”. Lighting is seen as a main element giving shape to the area.
Objectives: Provides several social lawn spaces for gathering as well as general plaza areas. Brings green space into the city and
creates a space to plant. Uses pre-existing elements, lighting used from parking garage below.
"Plaza De Dali." FRANCISCO MANGADO. Web. 16 Oct. 2010. <http://www.fmangado.com/obra/obras_ficha.asp?IdP=61&s=1>.
Charles Jencks with Terry Farrell & Partners
Landform Ueda project
Edinburgh, Scotland
Concept: Created a master linkage plan between art museums. This connection includes a garden that allows visitors to “walk,
sit, slide and view others.” It creates a “link between the two galleries, a meeting point, and a destination in its own right.”
Objectives: Provides an artistic social lawn that rises 23 feet. The lawn and pond create play areas. Landmark and pathways are
created.
"Charles Jencks, Landform, Earthworks, Jencks, Edinburgh." Edinburgh News, Buildings, Property, Edinburgh Building News, Scotland. Web. 16
Oct. 2010. <http://www.edinburgharchitecture.co.uk/landform_charles_jencks.htm>.
Sources
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Gaventa, Sarah. New Public Spaces. London: Mitchell Beazley, 2006. Print.
Krauel, Jacobo. New Urban Spaces. Barcelona: Links, 2006. Print.
Krauel, Jacobo, and Jay Noden. Urban Spaces: Environments for the Future. Barcelona, Spain: Links, 2009. Print.
Lynch, Kevin. The Image of the City. Cambridge, Mass. [u.a.: M.I.T., 2008. Print.
"Stadtlounge St.Gallen by Carlos Martinez. | Archlandscapes | ArchLandscapes." Archlandscapes. Web. 16 Oct. 2010.
<http://archlandscapes.com/2009/a-d/11/carlos-martinez/>.
"A8ernA | NL Architects." Architonic | Architecture and Design. Web. 16 Oct. 2010. <http://www.architonic.com/aisht/a8erna-nlarchitects/5100103>.
"A Roof like a Liquid Flung over the Plaza by Acconci Studio." Morfae, the Shape of Things: Architecture Design Art Style. Web. 16
Oct. 2010. <http://www.morfae.com/0213-acconci/>.
"Dezeen » Blog Archive » Grand Canal Square by Martha Schwartz Partners." Dezeen Architecture and Design Magazine. Web.
16 Oct. 2010. <http://www.dezeen.com/2008/09/05/grand-canal-square-by-martha-schwartz-partners/>.
"Mur Island Graz, Austria, Architects, Images, Mur Island, Graz Building." Architecture News,World Architects, Building News,
Architectural News,World Buildings. Web. 16 Oct. 2010. <http://www.e-architect.co.uk/austria/mur_island_graz.htm>.
"Copenhagen Harbour Bath / PLOT | ArchDaily." ArchDaily | Broadcasting Architecture Worldwide. Web. 16 Oct. 2010.
<http://www.archdaily.com/11216/copenhagen-harbour-bath-plot/>.
"Nextroom.at - Platzgestaltung Hans-List-Platz/ AVL - FORUM." Nextroom.at - Database for Contemporary Architecture. Web. 16
Oct. 2010. <http://www.nextroom.at/building.php?id=19073>.
MSP : Martha Schwartz Partners. Web. 16 Oct. 2010. <http://www.marthaschwartz.com/projects/hud.html>.
"Plaza De Dali." FRANCISCO MANGADO. Web. 16 Oct. 2010. <http://www.fmangado.com/obra/obras_ficha.asp?IdP=61&s=1>.
"Charles Jencks, Landform, Earthworks, Jencks, Edinburgh." Edinburgh News, Buildings, Property, Edinburgh Building News, Scotland.
Web. 16 Oct. 2010. <http://www.edinburgharchitecture.co.uk/landform_charles_jencks.htm>.