Fulton Gas Works Historical, Cultural, and Ethnographic Meanings of Site [re]-activating the urban fabric
The University of Virginia 路 MArch Post-Professional 路 Architectural Thesis 2011
Abby Marie Chryst 路 Fulton Gas Works 路 Richmond, Va. Adviser: Daniel Bluestone
part of group work on Fulton Gas Works Community History Class project source: adapted by Alexa Bush
Fulton Gas Works Historical, Cultural, and Ethnographic Meanings of Site [re]-activating the urban fabric
Fulton Site Images, source: Abby M. Chryst
...a fusion of impressions and memories charged with future potential. 1
Contents Introduction --- Thesis Statement ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... --- Abstract ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. --- Description of Research ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. --- Project Ideals ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... --- Questions ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
p. 02 p. 03 p. 04 p. 05 p. 08
Analysis --- Site Context & History ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... --- Statement of Intent ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... --- Reasoning ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. --- Methodology, Processes & Products ...........................................................................................................................................................................................
p. 09 p. 24 p. 26 p. 28
Conclusion
--- Summary .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. p. 50 --- Spring 2011 Project Proposal & Description ............................................................................................................................................................................ p. 51 --- Preliminary Research & Project Schedule ................................................................................................................................................................................. p. 52
Lexicons --- Terminology ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... p. 53
Bibliography ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ p. 56 —1—
Introduction — Thesis
Throughout this thesis, I would like to explore the [re]generation, [re]activation, and [re]connection of the Fulton Gas Works site as a focal point within the urban context of the city of Richmond.
Thesis Statement · intent · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Introduction — Abstract The city of Richmond contains a prosperous historical past, connected to industry, manufacturing, and affluent figures influential in the community at large. Fulton Gas Works, now derelict, was once a prominent life force of the city, providing manufactured gas in the form of energy to all reaches of Richmond. This once focal entity of the city, has become disengaged, separated, and blighted from the urban context that surrounds the site. Throughout this thesis, I would like to explore the [re]generation, [re]activation, and [re]connection of the Fulton Gas Works site as a focal point within the urban context of the city of Richmond.
This process of reactivation will revitalize the urban waterfront, as well as renew social connections and urban life within this area of the city. This thesis explores methods of overlay, mapping, and ethnography as a process of peeling back the layers of the site to regenerate new form. The design thesis focuses on mapping the different typologies, conditions, and programs of the site through time; deriving new form from past histories of place. The new forms designed at the site and connections made here, will create new meaning for this place within the context of the city; while simultaneously explicating the past histories relevant to
Introduction—Abstract · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
the site and their broader connections to Richmond. Three areas of connection will be explored; those of the Fulton Gas Works site, its relationship to Chimborazo Park above, and the economic connections between Fulton and the Armitage Manufacturing Co. The proposed design will combine artist studios and gallery space within the site of Fulton; a combination of housing and commercial spaces in the old Armitage Manufacturing Co. building, and landscape connections from the gas works to Chimborazo, as well as within Fulton as a site.
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Introduction — Research Description The research for the design project consists of— (1.) The collection of information pertaining to the sites by personal interaction with the sites—collecting visual data such as photographs, and other research materials through conversation, interviews, and questions. (2.) Conducting historical research through the aid of Richmond city directories, census data, present and historical newspapers; other historical, secondary, and primary resources including letters, annual reports, other city reports and documents, permits, books, articles, and historical photographs. gas lamp street lighting source: “The Story of the Gas Works.” by George Whitfield
Research Description · research collection · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Introduction — Project As an eighteenth century colonial capital, capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War, and present day capital of the commonwealth of Virginia, Richmond 2 has had its share of economic prosperity as well as hardships.
industrial and manufacturing areas of the city.
The first business and commerce in Richmond, occurred on the James River. 3 Today, there are many possibilities, and great potential to revitalize Richmond’s waterfront, through the preservation of place, culture, and significance of what this area means for the city.
The site of the old Fulton Gas Works, and the Armitage Manufacturing Co., both have the potential to not only preserve the rich industrial history of Richmond’s past; but they also have the potential to regenerate and revitalize areas along the James River waterfront area in a present context that can be utilized by the entire city of Richmond.
The site of the Fulton Gas Works, along with many other early nineteenth century industrial buildings, remain, as artifacts along the River and in the older
Some of these structures have been re-adapted for rent as apartments and office spaces, such as seen in Richmond’s Tobacco Row warehouses.
in order to reclaim the importance, meaning, and history of this place within the urban context in which it is situated.
This project holds the objective of revitalizing the Fulton site; which once provided entire illumination for the city;
Project Description · project ideals · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Introduction — Project
After the Civil War, Richmond’s entire business district, located on the James River, was set on fire, and completely obliterated, but by 1900 had been completely rebuilt. This image shows the burning of Richmond in 1865. source: CivilWar.net
Project Description · project ideals · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Introduction — Project
The city of Richmond, highlighting Broad Street’s bisection of the city (orange line); in relation to Fulton Gas Works site (orange box) source: Google Earth imagery, and Abby M. Chryst
Project Description · project ideals · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Introduction — Questions Initial Questions— · What implications arise concerning adaptive re-use and the idea of bringing new site programs into a previous postindustrial site where this present context is unrelated? (Especially concerning the introduction of artists/artisans to the site).
· How can the previous site programs be addressed in the present context?
· What other areas of industry could benefit from this design, and a revitalization of the waterfront?
· What are the impediments of the design/thesis proposal? · How is this design project viable in multiple ways, to multiple groups of individuals?
· In what ways, can the proposed site program connect with previous site programs?
· What are the zoning implications, and can they benefit the community somehow or be reinterpreted?
· How will circulation factor into the perceptions of the present spaces, and will the circulation connect the visitor to specific processes previously occurring on site?
· How can the site be functional and affordable for the desired users? · How can I achieve citywide interest in the site, allowing a community surrounding the site to form; as well as getting people out to the site?
Design & Research Questions · initial exploration · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Site Context & Histor y
Historical aerial of Fulton Gas Works between 1852 and the 1870’s. source: image from Earth Tech report on Fulton, 2008
Site Context & History · connections · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Site Context & Histor y · Part I: Fulton Gas Wor ks The site of the once Fulton Gas Works, now sits derelict, out of use, and thought. The gas works began in the early 1850’s, working with a coal gas carbonization process to create manufactured gas, later adopting the water gas process; but never fully converting to solely water gas. Gas usage rose steadily during Fulton’s beginning stages. Not long after however, the environment was paying the costs, and the people living in the Fulton neighborhood, became aware of the consequences of having a gas plant in “almost” your backyard. The noxious odors were hard to ignore, and the harmful waste that made its way into the James and Gillies Creek, was
stripping paint off of the boats moving through and docked there. Fulton Gas Works went through many trials and tribulations throughout its history in the city of Richmond. For one, repairs needed to be made every few years, however, decisions were not made hastily enough and the gas plant slipped farther and farther into disrepair. Not only were these issues adding to the nuisance, but a newer process of creating manufactured gas, called the Carburreted Water Gas Process, was not adopted until 1920 at Fulton. This process provided that the gas would reach households, but at the cost of using crude oil, which was a major contributor to the contamination.
Some of the most dangerous and contaminated areas on the site include areas where the gas holders sat, where the purifiers were located, and where there was use of coal and coal storage. The dirty and noxious plant held on however, even in the advent of electricity. The superintendant of the gas works during the time even made mention that he felt manufactured gas was the appropriate choice when considering gas or electric. He felt that in many ways, Fulton still held a club above the electric company’s head.” The site, situated in the one hundred year flood plain, had been overwhelmed by flooding on many occassions. There was flooding in 1886 and 1887;
Site Histories · connections—Fulton Gas Works · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Site Context & Histor y · Part I: Fulton Gas Wor ks as well as consecutively in 1935, 36, and 37; and then again 1940. In the 1936 flood, the boiler and pump room, which had at the time been situated on ground level, was flooded and had to be replaced.
In June of 1972, Hurricane Agnes made her way to Fulton, and the damage was irreparable—Fulton was shut down for good.
A new boiler room was constructed in 1937, which was elevated 16 feet off of the ground, out of the flood plain. The building itself rose to 72 feet from ground to the top of the roof. After World War II, advances in metallurgy, transportation, and the bad reputation the nation’s gas works had acquired over the years, gave way for newer forms and uses of energy such as natural gas. In 1950, Richmond began the conversion process over to natural gas.
top: Fulton bird’s eye view, highlighting the Gas Works site, as well as the Armitage Manufacturing Co. building directly adjacent. source: skyshots.com bottom: Fulton aerial view. source: Google Earth
Site Histories · connections—Fulton Gas Works · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Site Context & Histor y · Part I: Fulton Gas Wor ks
left: Richmond City Gas Works (Fulton) 1877 source: F.W. Beers Illustrated Atlas of The City of Richmond from 1877 (located at the LVA presently) right: Richmond City Gas Works (Fulton) 1889 source: G.W. Baist Atlas of The City of Richmond, Virginia and Vicinity from 1889 (located at the LVA presently)
Site Histories · connections—Fulton Gas Works · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Site Context & Histor y · Part I: Fulton Gas Wor ks
top: Fulton site plan, 1918 source: The City Engineer’s Office (located at the LVA presently); traced from two different maps from 1905 & 1909 top right: Fulton boiler room, constructed in 1937 source: The Architecture Firm of Carneal, Johnston, and Wright (located at the LVA presently) bottom right: boiler room foundation plan, 1937 source: The Architecture Firm of Carneal, Johnston, and Wright (located at the LVA presently)
Site Histories · connections—Fulton Gas Works · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Site Context & Histor y · Part I: Fulton Gas Wor ks
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps—left to right (contines on next page) 1886, 1895, 1905, 1924/1925, & 1952 source: Sanborn map Co., maps located at: http://sanborn.umi.com/
Site Histories · connections—Fulton Gas Works · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Site Context & Histor y · Part I: Fulton Gas Wor ks
Site Histories · connections—Fulton Gas Works · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Site Context & Histor y · Part II: Ar mitage Manufacturing Co. The old Armitage Manufacturing Company building, owned by Chas F. Armitage and family, drew economic ties, (historically), with the Fulton Gas Works directly adjacent. The company specialized as a roofing manufacturer and coal tar distillery. The company, founded in 1860, by John Armitage, utilized Fulton’s by-product of tar that resulted from the manufactured gas process. Armitage manufactured all different types of roofing materials, especially tarred felts, oils, black varnish, roofing papers and paints, 2 & 3 ply roofing, creosote oils, roofing and building papers, roof paints and coatings, crude carbolic acid, black varnish, pitch, and ammonia.
left: Descriptive circular (1891) top: Ad from Richmond City Directory (1901) bottom: Ad from Richmond City Directory (1885)
Site Histories · connections—Armitage Manufacturing Co. · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Site Context & Histor y · Part II: Ar mitage Manufacturing Co.
top: Approach and exterior context of Armitage building bottom: Interior images of Armitage building—left: old and new structure; middle: ground floor; right: third floor
Site Histories · connections—Armitage Manufacturing Co. · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Site Context & Histor y · Part II: Ar mitage Manufacturing Co.
Architectural changes of the building through time; source: diagrams adapted from plans received from P & J Properties, Inc. (Richmond, VA)
Site Histories · connections—Armitage Manufacturing Co. · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Site Context & Histor y · Part II: Ar mitage Manufacturing Co.
Architectural changes of the building through time; source: diagrams adapted from plans received from P & J Properties, Inc. (Richmond, VA)
Site Histories · connections—Armitage Manufacturing Co. · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Site Context & Histor y · Part II: Ar mitage Manufacturing Co.
Architectural changes of the building through time; source: diagrams adapted from plans received from P & J Properties, Inc. (Richmond, VA)
Site Histories · connections—Armitage Manufacturing Co. · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Site Context & Histor y · Part III: Chimborazo Par k (Hill) Chimborazo Park, overlooking the James and above the gas works, has an eclectic and diverse history, which ranges from its use, pre-park, as farm land and grazing fields, to a social enclave, referenced as a “suburban resort” due to its distinct residential edge, and its location at the time, being outside the city limits. The park was the site of Chimborazo Hospital during the Civil War, and later a weather bureau. Cobblestone pathways, originally created between the 1770’s and 1880’s were used to connect Chimborazo Hill, at the time, to the fresh blowing breezes of the James, as well as framing the “commanding view” over the city as seen from the top of the hill.
During the Civil War, the Confederate soldiers utilized these pathways; and as they connected to Fulton, there are also direct ties from the gas works below to the park above. Today, these pathways disappear into woodlands before reaching the gas works site. During the Civil War, the Chimborazo Hospital consisted of 150 one story, wood frame structures measuring 40 ft. by 150 ft., spaced evenly apart to create healthy ventilation. These structures covered the site, as well as a large bakery that supplied bread to the Chimborazo Hospital as well as the other 27 war hospitals in Richmond. After the Civil War, the Freedman’s Bureau under direction from Lincoln, took over the site, and created schools
for illiterate blacks and freed slaves. Some of the these freed slaves, who had no where else to go, took shelter in these structures as well. The weather bureau was erected on the site in1909 and operated until 1959. Today this building is the visitor center for the National Battlefield park, also known as Chimborazo Park. There are direct visual connections from the park to Fulton, as well as the James River, and the physical pathways that used to connect the park to Fulton below have great potential to reconnect the historic district of Church Hill/ Oakwood above, to the James River, once again.
Site Histories · connections—Chimborazo Park · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Site Context & Histor y · Part III: Chimborazo Par k (Hill)
top left: Chimborazo aerial bottom left: The park, Broad St. residential edge, and N. 32nd St. residential edge above: Pathways connecting to Fulton
Site Histories · connections—Chimborazo Park · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Site Context & Histor y · Part III: Chimborazo Par k (Hill)
left: Visual connections to Armitage Manufacturing building from Chimborazo Park above right: Visual connections to Fulton Gas Works from Chimborazo Park above
Site Histories · connections—Chimborazo Park · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Design Intent Proposal | Program The intention of the proposed designs are to: (1) Reconnect this site with the rest of the city, and re-link the historical ties that have been lost present day. (2) Create a revitalized waterfront, historic and residential community, re-linking the site and these connections to Richmond. I am proposing a series of new programmatic functions for the remaining structures at the site of Fulton, to include connections between the remnants left on site, as well as creating new programmatic spaces and structures. Landscape connections within
Fulton and connecting to Chimborazo Park above, reiterating the historical ties from Fulton to the park above will also be addressed—[re]connecting these two sites. This design will include reinstating the landscape connections that used to lead to Fulton, creating a historical dialogue between the sites and viewer. The main focus of the design project attempts to connect the Fulton Gas Works structures, on site, and will combine regenerated form with new programming, influenced by the previous uses of the remaining structures on site. A cultural arts center will revitalize these spaces and structures. The proposed programming incudes workshop spaces relating to after school art programs and visiting artists, artist
Statement of Design Intent · objectives · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
residences (transient program) areas for production such as studio spaces and a wood shop, as well as presentation areas for dance. theatre, and other performance spaces; such as for concerts a cafeteria, restaurant, offices, conference spaces, and classrooms for teaching art, resident artist workshops, and for fostering relationships with university students interested in expressing themselves artistically by offering teaching opportunities or workshops. The site of the old Armitage Manufacturing Company, is proposed to develop into a mixture of housing and commercial spaces; in an effort to regenerate the now lost neighborhood that once surrounded the gas works. This program would include both renters
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Analysis — Design Intent
Design diagram representing areas on the sites to be programmed
and owners, incorporating people with different economic means, and could potentially incorporate students who attend Virginia Commonwealth University, and the University of Richmond.
of site, working from mappings; as well as site overlaps and histories. I am also focusing on historical and ethnographic approaches to supplement my design research.
The re-utilization of the old Armitage Manufacturing Co. building, and the readaptation of these spaces for a diverse neighborhood composed of live/work and rent/own units combined with other commercial opportunities such as dining, day care, after school facilities, and extended stay rentable space (catering to travellers), has the potential to reclaim the lost neighborhood of Fulton, that once existed.
Through the extensions of the site over time, and mapping these connections, new form will be derived and incorporated into the site combining landscape, the utilization of the remaining structures on site, and the design of the new programmatic function(s) and connections between these remaining structures.
The methodologies I am using to regenerate these forms, are established through the utilization of previous lines
Statement of Design Intent · objectives · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
This thesis is also influenced by the natural topographic characteristics of the site, and proposes to combine these features with the derived connections in an attempt to regenerate the once present gas plant structure. — 25 —
Analysis — Reasoning—Why? Potential When I begin to ask why, I find myself actually asking why not ? There is great potential at the site of the old Fulton Gas Works to revitalize Richmond’s waterfront. Physical and historical connections begin to create a dialogue with Fulton below and Chimborazo Park above. There is a potential here, to [re]connect Fulton with the park, as well as incorporate the Chimborazo/Oakwood historic district, creating connections to the residential edge surrounding the park, with a regenerated neighborhood at Fulton.
There is overall potential, then, to engage the entire city of Richmond and its visitors, by elucidating the cultural landscape and history of this area— especially the site of the once focal and powerful industrial energy source of the city—Fulton Gas Works. Many cities contain pockets of blight similar to the site at Fulton. There is this sense of overall connection to similar issues (brownfields and superfunds) in other cities; which creates a broad connection to other places. Fulton, once the source for entire illumination of the city of Richmond, now has the potential in the present, to become once again, a beacon within this urban context.
Reasoning · potential · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
Fulton Gas Works, while still in operation, July 9, 1958 source: Adolph B. Rice Studio & Library of Virginia, Prints and Photographs, 800 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA, 23219
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Analysis — Reasoning—Why?
left: Fulton Gas Works —lower right side of aerial, and Fibre Board Container Co., located in old Armitage Manufacturing Co. building—middle of aerial; Chimborazo Park is off to the left of the aerial, behind the Fibre Board Container Co. source: Adolph B. Rice Studio & Library of Virginia, Prints and Photographs, 800 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA, 23219 right: Fulton Gas Works, Boiler Room, pictured while still in operation source: Adolph B. Rice Studio & Library of Virginia, Prints and Photographs, 800 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA, 23219
Reasoning · potential · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Methodologies · Processes · Products Case Study |Gas Works Park Seattle, WA Gas Works Park is a case study that I have investigated. Here, issues of the sublime, natural and cultural landscapes, as well as ideas surrounding site remediation, and post-industrial park re-utilization resonate. What I was interested in exploring through this case study were issues related to the sublime, creating a juxtaposition between the ideal of “park space,” and the post-industrial landscape re-adapted as this park space. I also explored the idea of a postindustrial site regenerated into a social connection and construct..
The park, (1975), designed by Richard Haag, was developed in a way where minimal site transformation occurred. Many of the remaining industrial artifacts of the gas plant were left on site, and remediation processes of the landscape were undertaken, to progressively rid the site of toxins. I’m interested in how the park (adaptive re-use in nature), questions the use and design of traditional park space, and preservation; and in how the site was able to re-socialize the derelict industrial history that existed there, in a present post-industrial context.
Gas Works Park— top source: swiftcity.com bottom source: blog.makezine.com
Processes · precedence & case studies · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Methodologies · Processes · Products
Gas Works Park— top: aerial image; source: publicpress.org right top source: travel.webshots.com right bottom source: seattle.savvysource.com
Processes · precedence & case studies · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Methodologies · Processes · Products Case Study | Landschaftspark; Duisburg-Nord, Germany Similar to Gas Works Park, Seattle; Duisburg-Nord re-utilizes an industrial landscape in a post-industrial context; but does so in a difference sense. The park, completed in 2002, has an industrial history of an old steel mill factory. Peter Latz + Partners, who designed the park, utilized as much of the existing site as possible, preserving and incorporating different areas of activation and program within the site. The plan was devised by working off of the initial sewer and railways systems, and the paths they had previously woven into the site. Working from Post-modern ideals, memory plays a critical role in
the design of the park, as such paths were designed to tell a story, a narrative about the spaces, and the artifacts left behind (those of the industrial steel mill). What interests me about this site, are the ways in which the different sections of the park create a dialogue with the viewer, framing certain historical pasts and narratives. Program incorporated at the landscape park include, bunkers that create spaces for private gardens, old gas tanks that are being utilized as scuba pools, original concrete walls are being utilized as rock climbing spaces, and the main office of the steel mill has been turned into a piazza space, allowing for many events to be held within the park.
top: Duisburg-Nord master plan bottom: programmatic features of site—rock-climbing source: (book) “International Building Exhibition Emscher Park
Processes & Influences · precedence & case studies · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Methodologies · Processes · Products
left: Duisburg-Nord—remnants of steel plant—blast furnaces right: Duisburg-Nord—aerial view of park and extents source: (book) “International Building Exhibition Emscher Park
Processes & Influences · precedence & case studies · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Methodologies · Processes · Products Case Study | Inner-City Arts Los Angeles, CA The mission of Inner-City Arts (ICA) is to use art education to positively affect the lives of inner-city children, improving their chances to lead constructive and successful lives by developing creativity, improving learning skills and building self-confidence.4
the city, as abeacon for not just the arts, but for learning, and for creating a type of neighborhood, one in which it draws from many areas of the city and beyond.
past, in the hopes to re-connect the site as a focal point of the city of Richmond.
ICA provides after-school and weekend arts programs to teachers, high schools dtudents, and social service agencies within the city. They also incorporate teaching traning programs.
ICA is located in Skid Row, east of downtown Los Angeles, and provides art education for close to 8,000 elementary and middle school students annually, from more than 50 public schools located for the most part, around downtown LA.
ICA works mostly with children who are from minority backgrounds, and usually are either immigrants, come form lowincome families, or are a combination of both.
What I thought wa sparticularly strong aobut ICA, was it’s positioning within the rban context, and it’s relationship to
I’m interested in creating a similar opportunity at Fulton, where the site of the old Armitage building and the Gas Works create a new neighborhood form, connecting to the city and the
Inner-City Arts source: (book) “The gift of imagination”
Processes & Influences · precedence & case studies · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Methodologies · Processes · Products
Inner-City Arts source: (book) “The gift of imagination”
Processes & Influences · precedence & case studies · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Methodologies · Processes · Products Case Study | Re-Purposed Gas Holders— Vienna, Austria The historic gas holders in Vienna, have been re-purposed for uses such as housing, commercial/retail spaces, and business/office spaces.
Vienna’s re-purposed gas holders; middle (historical photographs of Vienna’s gas holders) source: http://weburbanist.com/2010/07/04/lifes-a-gas-viennas-recycled-repurposed-gasometers/
Processes & Influences · precedence & case studies · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Methodologies · Processes · Products
Vienna’s re-purposed gas holders source: http://weburbanist.com/2010/07/04/lifes-a-gas-viennas-recycled-repurposed-gasometers/
Processes & Influences · precedence & case studies · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Methodologies · Processes · Products
Initial diagrams of Fulton site changes through time, and expansion. From left to right, 1877, (adapted from F.W. Beers map); 1905, (adapted from Sanborn Fire Insurance Map); 1924/25 (adapted from Sanborn Fire Insurance Map); and 1952 (adapted from Sanborn Fire Insurance Map).
Products · future projections & potentialities · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Methodologies · Processes · Products
Map of inputs to site. This map represents a coal supply, aided by the Richmond and Danville Railroad system. Seen here, are the external coal sources, that aided Fulton in its need for coal to produce manufactured gas (adapted from Richmond and Danville 1881 Railroad map).
Products · future projections & potentialities · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Methodologies · Processes · Products Through mapping techniques I worked with previous and present site plans which influenced my formal design process. I worked with mapping as a methodology and tool to understand the present and previous site connections between structures remaining on site presently and structures that had historically been located on site. The objective of working in this manner, was to locate and recognize these site connections, and to begin to explicate new form through such connections.
of the site, and would like to further explore how they can begin to translate into more formal designs pertaining to landscape, paths, the creation of programmatic spaces, and circulation within, through, and connecting spaces and structures on site.
These mappings represent the structures that remain on site, and their intersections on site. Each specific element is highlighted, as well as the connection of their extensions on the site—creating new pathways intersecting the exterior spaces and proposing to create both new interior and exterior spaces/paths.
I was interested in the intersections and “cuts” created by the extensions Products · future projections & potentialities · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Methodologies · Processes · Products
Products · future projections & potentialities · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Methodologies · Processes · Products
In the map to the left, I took a 1952 Sanborn map and superimposed the Fulton site structures with the remaining structures on site; as the beginning step in my mapping process. This allowed me to map connections, changes, and proposed connections between what historically existed on site and what remains presently. The mapping above, highlights the Fulton Gas Work’s previous structures dating from 1952 in gray, and outlines the remaining structures on site. The red paths are circulation mapped from previous circulation on site. Blue denotes the previous railway line cutting through the site.
Products · future projections & potentialities · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Methodologies · Processes · Products
The left mapping highlights intersections between circulation paths, previous structures on the site in blue, and extensions of structures presently on the site in relation to the historical structures. The middle mapping highlights (in blue) where previous structures connect to the present site, and the cut circulation within. The mapping on the far right, is an analysis the space and form created from these intersections (denoted by the blue filled areas).
Products · future projections & potentialities · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Methodologies · Processes · Products
These mappings are hybrid diagrams created from the series of 7 earlier mappings which highlighted each specific remaining structure on site, and their connections to the rest of the site. These mappings were a transitional step between the initial 2-dimensional mappings and the 3-dimensional renderings on the following page; representing new form generated from these connections.
Products · future projections & potentialities · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Methodologies · Processes · Products
These mappings are focusing on working with the natural topographic features of the site; as well as incorporating previous mappings in order to generate new form.
Products · future projections & potentialities · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Methodologies · Processes · Products
The proposed program for the site, includes three levels in the old gas holder—a theater, restaurant, and gallery space; in the old boiler house is proposed artist/creative workshops and conferences; in the old engine house is proposed production space; and the old coal shed and purifiers are proposed artist residences, studio spaces, and classrooms.
Products · future projections & potentialities · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Methodologies · Processes · Products
This sketched section, shows an idea for the translation of the circulation spaces through the structures,creating elevated “pass through” areas connecting previous structures on site. This sketch also proposing working within the constraints of the hundred year flood plain by elevating these connections in certain areas, especially when moving from one structure to the next. There is great potential at the Fulton site to elevate circulation pathways—relating to previous site histories of the railroad connections that cut through the site.
Products · future projections & potentialities · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Methodologies · Processes · Products
These maps highlight the public elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and vocational schools in the city of Richmond. The hope is that connections can be made with these places, in order to reconnect the Fulton site to the city. These schools create a network, which highlights possible nodes within the city; just as Fulton connected through gas mains and infrastructure to the entire city at one time, and served as the illumination of Richmond. source: http://newweb.richmond.k12.va.us/maps/
Products · future projections & potentialities · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Methodologies · Processes · Products
Close up of Fulton area, with schools nearby. source: http://newweb.richmond.k12.va.us/maps/
Products · future projections & potentialities · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Methodologies · Processes · Products
Armitage Manufacturing Co. plans
Products · future projections & potentialities · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Analysis — Methodologies · Processes · Products
Armitage Manufacturing Co. proposed new program
Products · future projections & potentialities · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Conclusions — Project & Design Summar y Research Conclusions— I have found Fulton Gas Works to have the potential to hold a prominent role within the city of Richmond, as well as regenerating strong community ties within the Fulton neighborhood.
I plan to use these mappings to generate new form that can be designed within the existing spaces, and to incorporate them into the typographic characteristics of the site.
·How does the new program relate to the program previously occurring within the structures on site?
Concluding Questions—
·Create a representation of how one would get people to the site (school children, artists, teachers, community/ city of Richmond). ·Clarify the series of systems that will be employed to revitalize the site(s) ·Clarify how the site will begin to narrate the everyday nature of what the site was and will be. ·Clarify how the site will narrate to the first time viewer—and how connections can be made visually to gain the interest of the everyday user—why will they want to come here?
Issues: Through the process of mapping, I have been able to reconnect spaces within the site, as well as see programmatic connections between newly proposed programmatic function and the previous program on the site. This aids in a better understanding for continuing the project in the Spring design studio, allowing me to expand upon these connections through the proposed program and built form.
·How can Fulton regenerate the neighborhood that was lost? ·How can the reactivation of the spaces reconnect to the previous history of the site? ·How can the production process (working with a series of inputs and outputs once occurring on site), become relatable when newly proposed programmatic functions are initiated?
Commentary—
Summary · concluding statements & questions · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Conclusions — Spring 2011 Project Proposal & Description In the Spring design studio (Fulton Gas Works Studio) headed by Maurice Cox, I intend to regenerate the form of the Fulton Gas Works site and the old Armitage Manufacturing Co. building, through diagrams, models (both physical and computer rendered— conceptual and formal), and drawings— with multiple iterations of all conceptual and formal design work mentioned.
city of Richmond), and clarify the systems that will be employed to revitalize and regenerate the site(s).
I plan to also physically reconnect through the same products, connections to Chimborazo Park above, and then relate the design to the James River, connecting and revitalizing the Richmond waterfront.
Through combining my previous site studies, generating new site studies and connections, and through the process of connecting the topographic characteristics of the site, my objective is to narrate both to the first time viewer, as well as the viewer who holds a more constant presence at the site.
I plan to create a representation of how one would get people to the site (school children, artists, teachers, community/
I hope to clarify to multiple audiences, how the site will begin to narrate the everyday nature of what the gas works constituted historically, and also what it means and what its context will be in the city presently.
Spring 2011 Proposal · projections · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
I would also like to focus on how more specifically and precisely the connections between the systems presently proposed for the site, and the previous site systems, have the ability to translate past site histories, as well as create connections within the site presently. I would also like to focus on clarifying how I will revitalize this area of the city, through built form (as well as other products), throughout the spring studio.
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Conclusions — Spring 2011 Preliminar y Design Schedule Winter Break— work with site topography, experimenting with site forms derived from mappings; relationships to the site; clarifications from commentary Week one, Jan. 18, 2011: begin studio, collaboration with others with available resources, begin conceptual models, continuation of research Week two, Jan. 24, 2011: continuation of research, go visit site again, more conceptual models Week three, Jan. 31, 2011: analysis of approach, redirections? Conduct more research, design proposal(s) revised
Week four, Feb. 7, 2011: start working more formally on program within sites and buildings Week five, Feb. 14, 2011: rewrite research/thesis proposal, incorporating new findings to date Week six, Feb. 21, 2011: relate project back to broader systems, re-evaluate—make sure that design is incorporating past and present site Week seven, Feb. 28, 2011: work on program, and site design(s) Week eight, Mar. 7, 2011: work on program and site design(s) Week nine, Mar. 14, 2011: work on program and site design(s)
Week ten, Mar. 21, 2011: re-evaluation, proceed with development of research and design products Week eleven, Mar. 28, 2011: development of research and design Week twelve, Apr. 4, 2011: development of design and products Week thirteen, Apr. 11, 2011: development of desing and products Week fourteen, Apr. 18, 2011: final production phases Week fifteen, Apr. 25, 2011: final production phases Week sixteen, May 2, 2011: final thesis presentations
Spring 2011 Schedule · preliminary design & research schedule · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Lexicons — Ter minolog y
community; sensorial; layers; dialogue; narrative; character; disparity; scale; activate; [re]activation; cultural landscape; synesthesia; focal; node, void; ; regeneration; palimpsest; ethnography; collective memory; coalesce; superimposition; temporality; derelict; experience
Lexicons · terminology & topical influences · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Lexicons — Ter minolog y narrative: Oxford Dictionaries: (nar·ra·tive) a spoken or written account of connected events; a story: from late Latin narrativus ‘telling a story’ Within my project, I propose that the narrative is derived from methodologies such as ethnography, research of the history and meaning of place, and a woven story of facts and occurrences through time. I see this as both a written story, but then as a design story, where the physical world can also tell a story pertaining to changes through time through combining forms, mapping, and diagrams.
cultural landscape: Oxford Dictionaries: (cul·tu·al land·scape)
a distinct geographical area or property uniquely “...representing the combined work of nature and of man...” My references to a cultural landscape pertain to the deeply embedded social narratives and histories of a site, that me be peeled back in layers in order to reveal a narrative and a dialogue between the place and the viewer.
experience: Oxford Dictionaries: (ex·pe·ri·ence) practical contact with and observation of facts or events; an event or occurrence that leaves an impression on someone; encounter or undergo (an event or occurrence); feel (an emotion) — from Latin experientia, from experiri ‘try’
Lexicons · terminology & topical influences · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
Experience can be on a rather personal level in a lot of cases, but often times knowingly or unknowingly, people have collective experiences. I’m interested in this idea of experience in the personal realm then being taken and shared so that it becomes more of a collective experience, where the experience creates another experience.
coalesce: Oxford Dictionaries: (co·a·lesce) come together and form one mass or whole — mid 16th century (in the sense ‘bring together, unite’): from Latin coalescere, from co- (from cum ‘with’) + alescere ‘grow up’ (from alere ‘nourish’) I see this as something that can be concerned with words and syntax, but also with physical form and overlaps within
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Lexicons — Ter minolog y these forms. It is also this idea within a project, that this is the point where all of the ideas swirling around come together, at a specific point. This coalescence then becomes a foci of the project.
ethnography: Oxford Dictionaries: (eth·nog·ra·phy) the scientific description of the customs of individual peoples and cultures Ethnography most directly relates to Clifford Geertz’s explanation of “Thick Description” of people and place, as a methodology for weaving or telling a story, a rich narrative of a place so that others who are not involved, but looking in from the outside can understand what is happening. It also refers to the study of culture, and being in and amongst (close observation) of a group of people, culture, and a society. I also
extend this into the “historical ethnography” realm.
regenerative: Oxford Dictionaries: (re·gen·er·ate) bring into renewed existence; generate again — from Latin regeneratus ‘created again’ In my work, I’m referring to creating some thing new that grows from the past, from previous structure, land, etc.; so that the generation of new form represents its conception.
Lexicons · terminology & topical influences · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Bibliog raphy — Resources & Works Cited Resources (text)— Benson, J. F., & Roe, M. H. (2000). Urban lifestyles : spaces, places, people : proceedings of an International Conference on Cities in the New Millenium, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, 14-16 September 2000. Rotterdam: A.A. Balkema. Casella, E. Conlin, & Croucher, S. K. (2010). The Alderley Sandhills project : an archaeology of community life in (post)-industrial England. Manchester: Manchester University Press. Conway, Hazel. (2000). Everyday Landscapes: Public Parks from 1930 to 2000. Garden History, Vol. 28, No. 1, 117-134. Hayden, D. (19971995). The power of place : urban landscapes as public history. First MIT Press paperback ed. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press. Hayden, Dolores. (1983). Site: The Meaning of Place in Art and Architecture. Design Quarterly, No. 122, 18-20. Kirkwood, N. (2001). Manufactured sites : rethinking the post-industrial landscape. London: Spon Press. Schilling, J. M. Kollatz, Harry Jr. (2004, May). Dreaming of Green: Where a village was destroyed, a planned community may rise in brownfields. Retrieved from: http://www.richmondmagazine.com/?articleID=57df13799d7c430d0cb5d10efdcdac09 Levenstein, Steve. (2010, July 4). Life’s A Gas: Vienna’s Recycled, Repurposed Gasometers. Retrieved from: http://weburbanist.com/2010/07/04/lifes-a-gas-viennas-recycled-repurposed-gasometers/ Levin, A. K. (2007). Defining memory : local museums and the construction of history in America’s changing communities. Lanham: AltaMira Press. Longstreth, R. W. (2008). Cultural landscapes : balancing nature and heritage in preservation practice. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. Marshall, R. (2001). Waterfronts in post industrial cities. New York: Spon Press. Merriam, D., & Finn, d. 1921-. (1999). The gift of imagination : the story of Inner-City Arts. Lanham: Madison Books. Bibliography · citations · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Bibliog raphy — Resources & Works Cited Roberts, P. W, & Sykes, H. (2000). Urban regeneration : a handbook. London: SAGE. Rosenberg, Elissa. (1996). Public Works and Public Space: Rethinking the Urban Park. Journal of Architectural Education (1984-), Vol. 50, No. 2 (Nov., 1996), pp. 89-103. Rossi, A., & Eisenman, P. (1982). The architecture of the city. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press. Saunders, W. S, Condon, P. M, Hilderbrand, G. R, & Meyer, E. K. (1998). Richard Haag : Bloedel Reserve and Gas Works Park. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, with the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. Schilling, J. M. (1998). International experiences in brownfields integration and collaboration ‘98 : local government case studies. [Washington, D.C.]: ICMA . Schultz, J. (1990). Richmond : a river city reborn : a contemporary portrait. Chatsworth, Calif.: Windsor Publications. Simons, R. A. (1998). Turning brownfields into greenbacks : developing and financing environmentally contaminated urban real estate. Washington, D.C.: Urban Land Institute. Thiel, P. (1997). People, paths, and purposes : notations for a participatory envirotecture. Seattle: University of Washington Press. Uttke, A. (2008). International Building Exhibition Emscher Park : the projects 10 years later. Essen: Klartext . wWylie, J. (2007). Landscape. London: Routledge. (1900). Richmond, The Pride of Virginia: An Historical City. Philadelphia: Progress Publishing Company.
Resources (images)— The burning of Richmond in 1865—source: CivilWar.net Gas lamp street lighting—source: (book)—”The Story of the Gas Works” by George Whitfield Historic aerial of Fulton Gas Works—source: image from Earth Tech report on Fulton, 2008 Bibliography · citations · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Bibliog raphy — Resources & Works Cited Gas Works Park Seattle 1—source: swiftcity.com Gas Works Park Seattle 2—source: publicpress.org Gas Works Park Seattle 3—source: tylerwestcott.com Gas Works Park Seattle 4—source: blog.makezine.com Gas Works Park Seattle 5—source: travel.webshots.com Gas Works Park Seattle 6—source: seattle.savvysource.com Fulton Gas Works; Title: Fulton Gas Works; Creator: Adolph B. Rice Studio; Date: 1956 Dec. 11; Identifier: Rice Collection 1305B Repository: Library of Virginia, Prints and Photographs, 800 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA, 23219, USA, digitool1.lva.libvaus:8881/R Fulton Gas Works; Title: Fulton Gas Works; Creator: Adolph B. Rice Studio; Date: 1958 July 9; Identifier: Rice Collection 1910B Repository: Library of Virginia, Prints and Photographs, 800 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA, 23219, USA, digitool1.lva.libvaus:8881/R Fibre Board Container Corp.; Title: Fibre Board Container Corp., Creator: Adolph B. Rice Studio; Date: April 15, 1955 Identifier: Rice Collection 606A, Format: 1 negative, safety film, 4 x 5 in. Repository: Library of Virginia, Prints and Photographs, 800 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA, 23219, USA, digitool1.lva.libvaus:8881/R Armitage Manufacturing Co., newspaper adds—source: The Richmond Times, March 1901 (top image), and Oct. 1903, (bottom image) Inner-City Arts images—www.brunerfoundation.org/rba/pdfs/2009/inner_city_arts.pdf Re-purposed gas holders in Vienna—source: Levenstein, Steve. (2010, July 4). Life’s A Gas: Vienna’s Recycled, Repurposed Gasometers. Retrieved from: http://weburbanist.com/2010/07/04/lifes-a-gas-viennas-recycled-repurposed-gasometers/ Richmond public schools (all schools)—source: http://newweb.richmond.k12.va.us/maps/ Richmond public schools (elementary schools)—source: source: http://newweb.richmond.k12.va.us/maps/ Richmond public schools (vocational schools)—source: source: http://newweb.richmond.k12.va.us/maps/
Bibliography · citations · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Bibliog raphy — Resources & Works Cited Richmond public schools (highschools)—source: source: http://newweb.richmond.k12.va.us/maps/ Richmond public schools (middle schools)—source: source: http://newweb.richmond.k12.va.us/maps/ Duisburg-Nord images; source:
Cited Sources— Rossi, A., & Eisenman, P. (1982). The architecture of the city. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press. Schultz, J. (1990). Richmond : a river city reborn : a contemporary portrait. Chatsworth, Calif.: Windsor Publications. 3 (1900). Richmond, The Pride of Virginia: An Historical City. Philadelphia: Progress Publishing Company. 4 Merriam, D., & Finn, d. 1921-. (1999). The gift of imagination : the story of Inner-City Arts. Lanham: Madison Books. 1 2
Bibliography · citations · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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Conclusions — Spring 2011 · Adviser Approval Primary faculty adviser: Daniel Bluestone
Abby Marie Chryst
Spring 2011 Schedule · adviser approval · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.
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