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As the semester approached its end, it was my goal to design a final project that was able to correlate all of the course work given at the CUDC over the last 5 months. By incorporating all 5 of the previous systems studied (transportation, hydrology, ecology, open space, and economy) into a singular piece of infrastructure, I was able to portray the majority of knowledge gained from my Urban Design Studio, Urban Systems Course, and Theories of Architecture Course, while simultaneously creating a bold, 'big-idea' for the progression of the area of Tremont. During final reviews, the numerous jurors seemed to appreciate my multidisciplinary design approach, as well as my presentation style, final model, and overall sequence of process. I feel as if the semester was a great success in broadening my horizons towards design, specifically with regards to larger scales, systematic analysis, and mapping/diagramming. After witnessing 2nd year graduate students present their semester-long research for their Capstone projects, I am eager to further my education at the CUDC, and allow myself to take a more active role in the world of design.
As our final project continues, I have focused my efforts on two primary alterations of the existing Strategic Investment Initiative (SII) Plan; [one] being a less severe adjustment that corresponds with the current plan intentions and [two] being a more intensive re-thinking of how to systematically approach the region of Tremont. [One] Having analyzed Tremont for quite some time now, I felt it best to take a step back and attempt to produce a simple, overall theme that best summed up the objectives of the NPI’s SII plan. This process (shown above under ‘Existing’) led me to realize the heavy emphasis placed on dwelling in this particular region. As a result, a very traditional stance is taken which is influenced drastically by aesthetics (i.e. streetscapes, gardens/parks, new [town]homes). I then noticed that because of the traditional approach, only 2 or 3 of the previous 5 systems we covered are addressed in the SII plan (economy + open space). Further thought about the region also made me realize the emphasis placed on an overall theme of Leisure. I then began to realize how similar some of the characteristics of Tremont were to a University Campus (see above ‘2.0’). By further developing the 3 urban systems of economy, open space, and transportation, while simultaneously taking into account traditional concepts of University design (i.e. 4 year cycles, identity/pride) I thought it appropriate to begin to design a new anchor point for the SII plan: a Tremont Central HUB. [Two] Given the more traditional background behind the revision to the existing SII Plan, I thought it would be most gratifying to view the other end of the spectrum for the newly proposed SII Plan. With guidelines requiring the inclusion of all 5 Urban Systems previously studied, the overall goal of this plan is to design a fully integrated area that is primarily driven by one dominant system. My selection of Transportation as the principal system is significantly based on the influences I have found that transportation can have. Given its drastically diverse range of impact, it is a system that I believe to make or break any given region. I will be investigating some of the many key points depicted above, in addition to researching several case studies to help influence any future decisions. University Case Studies:Transportation/Highway Case Studies:Recommended Reading: After 1.5 weeks time, a detailed look at Tremont was taken in terms of 2 primary scholarly sources: 1) Richard Florida’s The Rise of the Creative Class bookand 2) a University case study on Spatial Syntax mapping and ‘Movement Economy.’ Prior to mapping and analyzing the surrounding site, my partner and I read select chapters from Florida’s book as a way to achieve a deeper understanding of economy and the effects it can have on urban areas. In addition to being a very informative read, it helped instill a realization of the areas of creativity that can exist behind economy, rather than simply being understood as numbers and cash flow. Being that the subject of Florida’s Creative Class was directly applicable to the user groups of Tremont past, present, and future, we were able to gain a drastic amount of insight on how to begin an approach to analyzing and mapping the region. Taken one step further, we then discovered a case study of Spatial Syntax and the Movement Economy which we found rather fascinating. As seen in the presentation above, it essentially is a method of quantifying how the spatial layout of buildings/cities can highly influence economic, social, and natural environments/values. By combining notions of Florida’s indexes/rankings with the Spatial Syntax case study, we developed our own thesis of analyzing Tremont’s Economy by creating a ranking system for GIS mapping (that is diagramed above). Ultimately, we were able to develop varying values of success/decline at several different scales within the Tremont area in order to rationalize which districts were currently in need of help versus ones that have successfully developed over the past years. By creating this intuitive data, I will now be able to decisively focus my efforts over the next 5 weeks on specific sites/scales in order to create a design that encompasses all of the past urban systems we have investigated thus far in the semester.
While my partner and I were not fortunate enough to receive a professional critique during the past week, several lessons were learned by witnessing 3 other similar partner-project presentations. The most significant feedback was concern about how the Creative Class can be considered simply as a current trend/fad, and not necessarily a long, sustainable method of urban design (i.e. a region can only have so many art galleries, cafes, and bars). Although this was a sort of snap-back-to-reality kind of feedback, I think it really helped to keep things in perspective. As designers, I believe it is very easy to get caught up in designing with current fads due to the success and creative outlet it supplies; however, this is not always the BEST answer. As designers, we have certain responsibility to use our intuition, knowledge, experience, and intellect to create the most effective, successful, and progressive solution to certain issues. This is precisely why I am deciding to stick with Tremont as the locale for my final 5-week project. I truly believe it is an area with unlimited potential for the future, in terms of historic value, location, demographics, and perhaps most importantly a vast ‘sense of place.’ While I realize this last characteristic has not direct quantifiable data, it is something that is impossible to neglect while in the Tremont area. As a designer, I believe myself to have a certain ‘knack’ for being able to realize these notions, and once it occurs it is almost impossible to kick to the curb. As I see it now, the rest of my semester will be strongly dedicated to furthering the progress of the 5 districts of Tremont. Additional mapping (both graphical and GIS), analyzing, and investigative efforts will be directed towards locating 2 primary site areas. which will be determined using the past Spatial Syntax data. Also, strategic layering of our past urban systems will aid in realizing other unique relationships within the region as a way to create further opportunities of successful and sustainable urban design. A presentation created for my Theories of Architecture course regarding Rem Koolhaas' Theory of Bigness and the overlap that it causes between Architecture and Urban Design. The focus of the in-depth presentation is primarily on the Bjarke Ingels Group and the large scale projects they have proposed around the world that involve Koolhaas' 5 points of Bigness in one respect or another. Being one of Rem's many mentees, Bjarke Ingels was strongly influenced by the thoughts, designs, and concepts of Koolhaas and then began to progress his own career in the best way he saw fit. While there are numerous underlying similarities between there two, there are most certainly a few varying characteristics (see p. 28). Although this is true, a significant commonality lies in the culmination of architecture, urban design, and sense of new spatiality in all of their work; something that I believe to be the future of design (see Theories of Architecture Term Paper).
The next and final system that we will be investigating prior to our final 5-week project is the idea of Economy and how it relates to urban design. As we advanced through prior systems we realized that economy came to be a heavy consideration in each of the design concepts, and in some ways could be considered one of the most influential aspects of design given its tie with real-world authority. As a group of 2, my partner and I will be investigating the open-minded area of Tremont (just west of the city center). While we are just in the beginning stages of research, we feel as if this region has a vast amount of potential for the future given its many unique attributes and demographics. It is a district known for its progressive thinking, diverse user group, and cultural/artistic background. In terms of economy, Tremont has several unique approaches to maintaining its strong roots while still vastly attracting new users to activate the area. Concepts of mixed-use development and varied-income cohabitation are being proposed as a way to promote diversity of both users and program. As noted before, economy itself has a very diverse and flexible influence and therefore allows for a myriad of possible approaches to these 1.5 weeks of research. In terms of mapping we foresee a significant emphasis placed on ideas of demographics, transportation, connections, vacancies/open space, land use/cover, as well as considering existing propositions made by current developers and community members of the region. While our exact approach is still unknown, I am excited to be investigating such an opportunistic area that clearly welcomes ideas of change and efficiency, which then as a result greatly impacts the Greater Cleveland Region for the better.
After taking an in-depth look at ecology by mapping, researching, precedence, and site visiting our studio divided into 3 separate teams (each further developing their own respective concepts and projects of ecology). While looking at ecology’s most traditional definition, we became partial to the notion that ecology is about the interaction/relationship between organisms and other organisms (more specifically humans). Taken a step further, we defined human ecology as the interdisciplinary study of the relationship between humans and their natural, social, and built environments, and from there developed a few initial goals/ideas:
..design a cultural center originating at the historical 5 points
During the weekend design charette we developed 3 primary concepts that existed on 3 different scales as a means to comprehensively rejuvenate the declining region of South Collinwood: 1) a linear park 2) community gardens and 3) a cultural center. By layering these 3 designs in a specified area (defined primarily by schools/education) of South Collinwood we were successfully able to incorporate issues of population decline, lack of identity/pride, struggling economy, safety, efficiency, and sustainability. As we were kicking through the leaves, walking across the creek, and ambling along the wooded trails on our first site visit, I must admit it was extremely refreshing. It reminded me of my childhood, when my siblings, friends, and I would cavort in our back woods for hours. However, now that I have aged, I look at the same woods with a totally new perspective. As a designer the idea of what processes are taking place around me, as well as the consequences of said processes, is constantly filling my thoughts.
As we are now beginning to more thoroughly study ecology as an urban influence, I realize how loosely modern cities have incorporated ecology (if at all). After having read Mark Johnson’s Ecology and the Urban Aesthetic the fact that synthesis is required across the board is blatantly apparent. By collaborating on all levels of design, whether it be the designers themselves (i.e. architects, planners, landscape architects, ecologists, etc.) or within the systems/process of cities, so much more potential is created. The aesthetics of design, while immediately gratifying, are only a fragment of the overall scheme; as Johnson states, “[it] may be pretty, but does it improve the environment for people or for the regional ecology?” Too often we neglect any relationship we should have with our environment and instead impose our will upon it, or rather “domesticate it” as a means to fulfill our immediate concern. We are now beginning to realize, as urban centers are drastically changing, that the prosperity of unifying systems such as architecture, landscape, and infrastructure in a singularly cohesive plan acts as a means to revitalize both environment and experience. As our group begins to analyze the Nine Mile Creek area adjacent to Lake Erie we are focusing our efforts on vacant areas as a means for opportunistic ecological design. After investigating all aspects of vacancy (i.e. land use, land plot, land bank, demolition, foreclosure) within the given Nine Mile Creek region, we will now utilize the weekend to narrow our concept of ecological design as it applies. The above map is an example of our initial vacancy investigation which was created using the newly-learned GIS for accuracy/amount of data, and then photoshopped for a higher level of graphic quality. The different layers of vacancy are depicted, in addition to documenting where there are primary clusters of vacancies throughout the site (thus suggesting the opportunity of larger scale design). |
