EXPOSED VERTICALITY Professional Project Report Context, Development, & Articulation Suzhou Industrial Park . Suzhou, China
August 2012
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EXPOSED VERTICALITY by Ashley M. Powell & Lucas A. Shires (Initial Design Phase Members: Ashley Powell, Elizabeth Frere, Lucas Shires, Qui Peng, Zhao Yuan)
A Professional Project submitted to the Faculty of the School of Architecture at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Urban Design. Charlotte, NC August 10, 2012
Approved by: _____________________________________ Professor Jose Gamez
Š2012 Ashley M. Powell & Lucas A. Shires ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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ABSTRACT ASHLEY M. POWELL & LUCAS A. SHIRES Exposed Verticality (Under the direction of PROFESSOR ZHONGJIE LIN, JASON SLATINKSKY & JOSE GAMEZ) Exposed verticality is the conceptual proposal for the Suzhou Industrial Park redevelopment located in the North-East of Suzhou, China. The Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) is the result of cooperation between China and Singapore in an effort to develop a joint modern industrial township. The Suzhou Industrial Park has a total jurisdiction of 288 square kilometers of which 80 square kilometers is defined as the China-Singapore cooperation area. The current urban design project serves as the second phase in a 15-year redevelopment of the SIP catalyzed by the completion of a new high-speed railway that will connect Shanghai and Nanjing. As such, the project endeavors to meet new urban needs, upgrade industries, fuel growth of local business and enhance the overall image of the area through the creation of a lively business sub-center. Exposed verticality addresses this multifarious set of criteria by embracing the complex systems of spatial layering through which Chinese cities are already constructed. Due to extreme density, Chinese cities are forced to exist in a multi-planar fashion, inhabiting both the sky and subterranean levels. Exposed Verticality suggests that while this approach to density management starts to be an effective one, if carefully articulated, it could be extremely efficient and dynamic creating destination cities with character, fully functional urban rooms and a rich lived experience. At its core, exposed verticality is an augmentation of current development practices allowing otherwise concealed elements of high-density Chinese cities to be explored and inhabited in a way that yields a more thorough understanding thereof. Concept meets physical form via multi-level planes that are both externally visible and inhabitable, an elevated tertiary circulation system of eco-bridges, recessed vehicle and pedestrian systems, transparent facades, way finding technology and penetrable earth bringing vertical urbanism to the forefront of the experience. Undulating landforms become an essential means of expression of exposure offering the user direct contact with various aspects of urbanism typically isolated from the uni-dimensional ground plane. Quintessentially, exposed verticality not only allows for a more dynamic interaction within urban rooms, but it also offers to aid China in planning for increased density through multi-planar extrusions and landforms which allow for maximum inhabitable space in the same footprint. Exposed verticality, therefore, is a maximization of high-density urban development at both human and macro scales.
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Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Background & Goals 2. Planning Area & Existing Conditions 2.1 Planning Area 2.2 Existing Conditions 2.3 Site Documentation & Analysis 3. Control Requirements for Urban Design & Underground Space Planning 3.1 Planning Index 3.2 Control Requirements 3.3 Primary Design Principles 3.4 Requirements for the Urban Design 3.5Planning Keys
6. Project Coding 6.1 Building Zones 6.2 Landscape & Open Spaces 7. Conclusions 8. Appendices 8.1 Course Description 8.2 Digital Presentation via CD 8.3 Contacts
4. Precedents 5. The Project 5.1 Illustrative Master Plan 5.2 Site Sections 5.3 Diagrams and Descriptions 5.4 Focus Area #1 5.5 Focus Area #2 5.6 Vignettes 5.7 Typologies
Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
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CHAPTER1
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BACKGROUND AND GOALS
Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
[1.1] BACKGROUND & GOALS As aforementioned, this urban design project serves for the goal of the second phase of a 15year redevelopment in the Suzhou Industrial Park. Based on the new city planning of the Eastern Suzhou Industrial Park and the completion of the high-speed railway between Shanghai and Nanjing, which will bring large transient and semi-permanent populations through the core of the SIP on a daily basis. The project program is designed to contribute to the development and construction of rural areas around the city, meeting the new urban needs, upgrading the industries, fueling the growth of local businesses and enhancing the overall image of the area. It aims to create a sub-business center in the north of the SIP and become the prototype for similarly focused transit-oriented development in other areas that surround the railway and city subway systems.
CHINA - SUZHOU - SUZHOU INDUSTRIAL PARK
Class Photo Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
JinJi Lake Business & Entertainment Complex
Background & Goals
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CHAPTER2
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PLANNING AREA & EXISTING CONDITIONS
Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
[2.1] PLANNING AREA Suzhou is a major Chinese city located in the Southeast of the Jiangsu Province in Eastern China and is located adjacent to Shanghai. The city, which is located along the lower banks of the Yangtze River and Taihu Lake, is a part of the Yangtze River Delta region. Suzhou ranks beneath a province and above a county within China’s administrative structure, thus making it a prefectural level city. The current urban population is over 4 million and steadily expanding to over 10 million within the administrative area.
Suzhou Industrial Park
Historic Suzhou Center
Central Business District . East Central Business District . West
Jiangsu Province
China
Suzhou
Yangtze River
Suzhou Lake Tai
Shanghai East China Sea Suzhou Context Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
Planning Area & Existing Conditions
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[2.2] EXISTING CONDITIONS The SIP site is located in the Northeastern area of Suzhou, in the North of the Suzhou Industrial Park District. To the North of the SIP, one finds the Yangcheng Lake Tourism and Resort Area. The famous JinJi Lake Business and Entertainment Complex Center is at the Southern border. The geographical location of the SIP is a crucial component in the project as it takes advantage of the prime location and presence of transit systems as a catalyst for development.
Existing Figure Ground
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Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
[2.2] EXISTING CONDITIONS
Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
Planning Area & Existing Conditions
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[2.2] EXISTING CONDITIONS
12 Planning Area & Existing Conditions
Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
[2.3] SITE DOCUMENTATION & ANALYSIS
Figure Ground
Circulation
Canal System
Potential Viewsheds
Subway Rail Lines
Initial Site Appraisal
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[2.3] SITE DOCUMENTATION & ANALYSIS The panorama taken from the South of the Suzhou Industrial Park Redevelopment area from the commuter rail station shows the current conditions thereof. Viewed from the elevated roadway, which meets the commuter rail station at its second level, one can see the monotonous industrial and residential landscape of which the SIP is currently comprised. The multi-planar roadway system presents an opportunity for unique and distinctive connections to be made from the transit hub to the industrial park to remedy the current conditions that present the challenge of discontinuity and on-grade crossing into the site.
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Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
[2.3] SITE DOCUMENTATION & ANALYSIS
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Planning Area & Existing Conditions
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CHAPTER3
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THE CONTROL REQUIREMENTS FOR URBAN DESIGN & UNDERGROUND SPACE PLANNING
Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
[3.1] PLANNING INDEX The design program below was specified as a two-week design project set in the Suzhou Industrial Park Redevelopment for completion during the Vertical Urbanism Studio. The below criteria were set as the perimeters for the design proposals which were to be derived from analysis and charrette style group work.
Total site area for planning: 446,550 sq m (about 4,806,624 sq ft), including the central park of 80,000 sq m (about 861,113 sq ft). Total gross floor area above around: 1,200,000 sq m (12.9 million sq. ft), including: _Residential gross floor area: 400,000 sm (including serviced apartments of 360,000 sq m and the residential apartments 40,000 sq m); _Office building gross floor area: 540,000 sq m (a 5-star hotels of 40,000 sq m); _Commercial gross floor area: 260,000 sq m (including 190,000 sq m of shopping center, 60,000 sq m of stores, 30,000 sq m of waterfront cultural commercial area, 20,000 sq m of commercial area in the podia of office buildings, a small museum of 5,000 sq m. The neighborhood center occupies 10,000 sq m of land, and the floor area is about 15,000 sq m.); _Underground commercial space gross floor area (in front of the railway station): 10,000 sq m (107,639 sq ft).
[3.2] CONTROL REQUIREMENTS The concept of this development is a regional TOD (Transit Oriented Development). It emphasizes balance in development, and aims to provide diverse and comprehensive urban services.
[3.3] PRIMARY DESIGN PRINCIPLES _High-quality public transportation service; _Comprehensive land use; _High density Development; _Pedestrian-friendly environment Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
Control Requirements
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[3.4] REQ’D FOR URBAN DESIGN 1. According to the “regulatory detailed planning of Suzhou SIP Regional High-speed Rail Station Mix-used Business District”, the design needs to implement the concepts of “accessible city”, “urban archipelagoes”, smart city, and ecological city. The core zone should separate the pedestrian system from the vehicle system to build a garden city of a new era. 2. The area should be planned as the business sub-center in North SIP, and improve an efficient use of land. 3. Based on the identity of the project, create reasonable organization of functional zones and define the urban structure. 4. Pay attention to the spatial form of key urban nodes, create a lively, multilevel, flexible urban spatial system to create a vital contemporary urban area. 5. Take full advantage of the existing water system and combine the landscape with commercial, entertainment, and culture programs. Propose environmental and landscape requirements to building a waterfront space for culture and art activities. 6. Assign landscape characteristic to each area, and create a theme for its landscape characteristic to enhance the quality of local landscape resources. 7. Pay due consideration to the organization of transportation, including the organization of regional transportation and internal transportation system. Study the evacuation of pedestrian and vehicle, and arrange the parking space based on the city planning standards and codes.
[3.5] PLANNING KEYS 1. According to the regulatory planning, the area south to Kuachun Road will be dedicated to office buildings and serviced apartments. The podium of some buildings should provide commercial use. Comply to the parcel division, FAR, and height limit. 2. The area north to Kuachun Road will be dedicated to commercial buildings, some office buildings (about 40,000 sm), and residential buildings (about 30,000 sm). Cultural and creative industry and commercial area should be arranged along the Zhujin River. 3. Alternative plan for the area north of Kuachun road can be provided. However, commercial buildings should be 3-6 floors and the area of the center park should remain 80,000 sm (about 861,113 sq ft). 4. Pay due consideration to the routes, stop locations and the codes of building setback of two subway lines (line 6 and line 8). 5. Reserve 200-car parking lots in the western side in front of the high-speed railway station. 6. Define the edge between public area and development parcels. Identify characters and divisions of underground space. 7. Provide focused studies of the architectural form and public spaces for the areas including North Zhihe Rd. and in front of the subway station.
8. According to the “ regulatory detailed planning of Suzhou SIP Regional High-speed Rail Station Mix-used Business District” and related to above-grade buildings and transportation systems, propose underground spaces of reasonable size and underground parking place. 9. Focus on designing a model of green, ecological, low-carbon, and low-energy consumption city.
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Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
CHAPTER4
Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
PRECEDENTS
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PRECEDENTS Eco-Bridge Rendering . Livegreen Designs
Two times human height
Full glass facade
Glass floor Green system
Express Rail Link . AEDAS . Kowloon, Hong Kong
Glass facade Green linear band Medium sized trees Green linear band
Water Element Green system
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Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
PRECEDENTS Parque De Las Llamas . Battle & Roig . Santander, Spain
Wide walking paths Active lawn space
Central water feature
Parque De Las Llamas . Battle & Roig . Santander, Spain
“Floating” green space
Wood planking
Grandiose human scale Viewable water feature
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Precedents
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PRECEDENTS Suzhou Traditional Bridge . Suzhou, China Usable walking space
Traditional arched shape
Ample room for boats
Canal system
Eco-City . HOK . Lang Fang . China
Towers
“Green” sky bridges Intensive canal system
Green ground plane
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Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
PRECEDENTS Government Building . Tomoon . Sejong, China
Elevated buildings
Lawn space Pedestrian paths Canal system Central green system
Government Building . Tomoon . Sejong, China
Day lighting
Internal levels
Glass facade
Simplistic interior walls
Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
Precedents
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PRECEDENTS City Center . MVRDV . Gwanggyo, Korea
Green towers
Terraced podiums
Glass facades
Plaza space
Mountain Dwellings . BIG Architects . Copenhagen, Denmark
Flat facade Terraced roof gardens
Intimate scale facade Public realm
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Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
PRECEDENTS Olympic Sculpture Park . Weiss & Manfredi . Seattle, USA
Vehicular access Tunneling vehicles
Pedestrian path
Green roofs as park
Linked Hybrid . Steven Holl . Beijing, China
Green sky bridges
Modern facades
Water feature at base
Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
Precedents
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CHAPTER4
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THE PROJECT
Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
PROJECT DESCRIPTION Exposed Verticality allows otherwise concealed elements of high density Chinese cities to be explored in a way that enables a more thorough comprehension of the complex layering systems out of which these cities are made. Concept meets physical form via multi-level planes that are externally visible and inhabitable, an elevated tertiary circulation system of eco-bridges, recessed vehicle and pedestrian systems, transparent facades and landscapes, way-finding technology and penetrable earth bringing vertical urbanism to the forefront of the experience. Undulating landforms become an essential means of expression of exposure offering the use direct contact with various aspects of urbanism typically isolated from the uni-dimensonal ground plane. Exposed verticality not only allows for a more dynamic interaction with urban spaces but it also offers to aid China in planning for increased density through extrusions which break the surface of building facades allowing for maximum inhabitable space in the same footprint. Exposed verticality is a maximization of urban development, the union of design that is sensitive to the human and macro-scale development.
Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
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[5.1] ILLUSTRATIVE MASTER PLAN The illustrative master plan depicts the spatial layout of the proposed redevelopment of the Suzhou Industrial Park. Characteristics of the urban room are paramount in the illustration of the master plan as well as the organization of the built environment. Through the use of exposed verticality as a design driver, the master plan was configured to achieve programmatically indeterminate, architecturally specific structures, which create the walls of the urban room in unique ways that offer a more dynamic user experience thus making the SIP a destination.
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Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
[5.2] PHASE 1 SITE SECTIONS Section A Section A is cut along the major north-south axis of the which connects the commuter rail station and the cultural spine which are two of the site’s most significant features. The cut looks east and captures views of the residential corridor to the north of the site and the office and hotel corridors to the south of the site, both of which are mixed with commercial uses.
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Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
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[5.2] PHASE 1 SITE SECTIONS
Section B Section B is a cut through hotel, office and commercial uses on the southeastern periphery of the site looking back toward the northeastern shoulder of the site with views of residential, office and commercial mixed use districts.
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Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
[5.2] PHASE 2 SITE SECTIONS Section A-A’ Detail Section A-A’ Detail exhibits some of the structural qualities of the buildings on the site and articulates to how building meets ground.
Section A-A’ Section A-A’ is cut along the secondary site axis which runs from north to south along the canal street on the East of the site. The cut captures a plethora of typologies and programmatic uses such as residential, office, commercial and hotel. The line of vision is into the site and views the tallest buildings on the site, which line the primary site axis. The section also incorporates a detailed façade study for a proposed office building on the site.
Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
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[5.2] PHASE 2 SITE SECTIONS Section B-B’ Section B-B’ is a street section cut which articulates the character of the urban rooms along a small portion of the site on the Eastern edge. The cut views blue-ways at different scales and communicates the difference in the macro and micro levels of canal streets.
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Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
[5.2] PHASE 2 SITE SECTIONS
Section C-C’ Section C-C’ is a cut along the primary site axis, which runs from the commuter rail station in the South to the cultural spine at the North of the Site. The cut also captures elevations of the two most significant buildings on the site that serve as gateways to the major axis. Subterranean levels are also articulated here and the connection to the underground commercial core is established graphically. The section also incorporates detailed elevation and façade studies along the axis.
Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
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[5.2] PHASE 2 SITE SECTIONS
Section D-D’ Detail Section D-D Detail is a further expanded detail of the gateway towers in sections C-C and D-D that continues to explain spatiality of the structures as well as the way they interact with the ground plane and subterranean levels.
Section D-D’ Section D-D’ is a detail of the gateway towers in section C-C that expresses spatial voids and internal composition thereof.
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Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
[5.3] CONCEPT DIAGRAMS Site Axonometric
Overall Concept Diagrams
This diagram is a graphic representation of the complex system of layers that make up Chinese cities, and specifically the new proposal for the Suzhou Industrial Park.
These diagrams are a graphic articulation of Exposed Verticality with emphasis on inhabitable podium spaces, vertical green spaces, spatial voids and elevated pedestrian walkways.
Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
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[5.3] DESIGN DIAGRAMS Podium Figure Ground This diagram is a graphic articulation of the podium level of the built environment of the proposed master plan.
Vehicular Circulation This diagram is a graphic articulation of areas of the proposed master plan that are designated for vehicular traffic.
Critical Views
Tower Figure Ground This diagram is a graphic articulation of the tower level of the built environment of the proposed master plan.
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Pedestrian Circulation This diagram is a graphic articulation of areas of the proposed master plan that are designated for pedestrian traffic.
Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
[5.3] DESIGN DIAGRAMS Critical Views This diagram is a graphic articulation of the areas of the proposed master plan that are considered critical views based on their programmatic or structural significance.
Blue-Ways This diagram is a graphic articulation of the enhanced canal system of the proposed master plan which serves as a series of blue-ways for way finding purposes.
Green Cores This diagram is a graphic representation of the “green cores� established in the newly proposed master plan as a means by which to establish an element of landscape that is present vertically.
Elevated Circulation This diagram is a graphic representation of the tertiary elevated system of pedestrian connections composed of a series of eco-bridges.
Public Spaces Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
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[5.3] DESIGN DIAGRAMS Park Extension This diagram is a graphic articulation of the spatial composition of the newly proposed 80m park specified by the project program criteria.
Mass Transit This diagram is a graphic articulation of the subterranean systems that take place directly below the planning area. These are of extreme importance as they provide the transient population and economic stimuli that make the redevelopment of the Suzhou Industrial Park feasible.
Public Spaces This diagram is a graphic articulation of areas of the proposed master plan that are designated for public use.
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Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
[5.3] DESIGN DIAGRAMS Phasing
Building Heights Phase 1
Lowrise
Phase 2
Low/Mid
Phase 3
Midrise Highrise
Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
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[5.4] CANAL AXIS EXPLORATION
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Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
[5.4] CANAL AXIS EXPLORATION This exploration lies on the easternmost edge of the site and is made significant by the intersection of multiple canals. In this primarily residential zone, the user will find the most intimate of spaces and traditional Suzhou form and spatial organization.
Canal Area Detailed Plan
Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
Canal Area Perspective
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[5.5] MUSEUM CORE EXPLORATION This exploration lies at the northernmost end of the primary North-South site axis. The axis terminates at the museum/park/plaza space. The underground commercial zone also daylights in this area bringing pedestrians from below grade to grade.
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Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
[5.5] MUSEUM CORE EXPLORATION
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[5.6] VIGNETTES
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Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
[5.6] VIGNETTES
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[5.6] VIGNETTES
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Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
[5.6] VIGNETTES
Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
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[5.7] TYPOLOGIES CITADEL
PILLAR
Form: Extended, multi-rise podium with parallel high rise vertical elements.
Form: Multi-rise podium with a mid-rise vertical element.
Signifies: The gateway to the major north-south axis of the site.
Signifies: The introduction of a hybrid form which combines the traditional typology of a Suzhou residential building with a more modern form.
Program: Office + Commercial
Program: Residential
MOUND
MINIKIN
Form: Mutant hybrid form which marries landscape building typology with object building typology .
Form: Multi-rise podium with a low rise vertical element.
Signifies: The importance of the consideration of the way landscape and structure interact to create dynamism. Program: Cultural
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Signifies: A moment reminiscent of traditional Suzhou garden development. Program: Office + Commercial
Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
[5.7] TYPOLOGIES COALESCE
STILLS
Form: Partially wrapped multi-rise podium with multiple vertical elements of various heights. Signifies: The presence of influential local and international businesses as a crucial component of the SIP development.
Still landscapes are to be viewed and used by pedestrians for extended periods of time. These spaces may include large parks or plazas, waiting areas for activities; landscapes viewed from above, and occupied green roofs. The are essentially nodes. Ebb and Flow landscapes will connect to Still landscapes at key moments provided access and circulation.
Program: Office
FLOWS
ANNEX
Flow landscapes serve as circulatory routes for pedestrians to use through the experience of the site. They may be linear or curvilinear, a delineated path or an organic experience. Flow landscapes can be found at the B1 and B2 levels, on grade, or above grade within the sky bridges. They may also be found internally within buildings as the green flows vertically into built space.
Form: Exploded low rise connected through a system of elevated pedestrian walks. Signifies: Diversity in the size and type of businesses located in the new SIP. Program: Office + Commercial
Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
EBBS Ebb landscapes serve as points of outward flow from key nodes within the plan. These areas include spaces that serve at gateways or thresholds persuading users to flow outward into larger spaces. Examples in the plan include the gateway passage leaving the underground tunnel system and entering the park/plaza area south of the museum.
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CHAPTER6
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PROJECT CODING The Building Zones, as a framework, identifies a range of building typologies based on location within the site boundaries. These categories include standards that encourage diversity in form and program while establishing a hierarchy that supports concept through development.
Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
[6.1] BUILDING ZONES
B-1 Axial Core
B-2 Axial Fringe
B-3 Axial Terminus Hybrid
B-4 Northern Brink
B-1 Axial Core consists of the block of buildings closest to the primary North-South site axis located at the center of the site with the commuter rail station denoting the southernmost point. The buildings located within the axial core should be the tallest buildings on the site; between 120 and 200 meters tall and situated to the east and west of the axis, which should remain open enough for pedestrian traffic and visual connectivity. Axial core buildings will have multi-level podia ranging from 4-6 storeys, these podia will be inhabitable space complete with the incorporation of greenery and landscaping.
B-2 Axial Fringe consists of the buildings on the blocks situated to the east and west of axial core. These buildings are supporting buildings, which serve to build up to the axial core. Buildings should be mid to high rise ranging from 50-120 meters tall with the tallest of these buildings situated on the outer edge of the block. Multi-level podia should be present in axial fringe blocks; however, they may be less pronounced than those of the axial core ranging from 2-4 storeys. Podia should establish connection along edge buildings offering enclosure and continuity on the periphery of the site. Tertiary, elevated pedestrian pathways should be introduced between buildings linking the axial fringe to the axial core and surrounding zones.
B-3 Axial Terminus Hybrid consists of an iconic hybrid form that intermingles landscape and structure to create a new building type. This building is a low-rise form, no more than 4 storeys tall at the podium. The podium of this building is to be completely inhabitable green space to blur the line between the 80-meter park and structure. The building may or may not incorporate a vertical tower element to dialogue with buildings on the site’s periphery, however, the maximum height for this vertical element is 50 meters. This structure is fronted by low-rise, generic building forms, these structures do not have podiums or exaggerated vertical elements and maintain low profile not more than 30 meters tall.
B-4 Northern Brink consists of low-rise buildings along the northwestern periphery of the site. These buildings are supporting structures that build toward the axial terminus hybrid, they may remain generic and not over articulated in form and offer additional space for programming similar to that of the B-3 designation.
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Project Coding
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[6.1] BUILDING ZONES
B-5 Residential Berm
B-6 Residential Berm Annex
B-7 Hotel Complex
B-8 Office Intermediary
B-5 Residential Berm consists of residential towers situated in the northeastern block of the site. These are mid-low rise towers with single level podia that do not supersede one storey. Residential Berm buildings are backed up to the street edge with only 5-meter setback maximum creating intimate scale along the canals. Berm buildings are situated into two rows, one against the street and one set back 10-15 meters from the canal.
B-6 Residential Berm Annex consists of residential towers on the northernmost area of the site along the main canal. These towers mimic the form of towers in the residential berm; however, the heights of these buildings gradually step up to match the height of the surrounding residential towers. The maximum height is 80 meters.
B-7 Hotel Complex Zone consists of transient and short-stay boarding options situated on the southeastern edge of the site. The building forms in the Hotel Complex Zone mimic those in the Axial Fringe, however, the program is becomes more specific.
B-8 Office Intermediary is the intermediate zone between B-6 and B-7 which is signified by mixed use office and commercial uses. The building structures in this area are generally generic and specified by office programming needs. Maximum height for these buildings is 50 meters toward the eastern edge. Heights step down drastically where fronting the B-3 zone where maximum heights should only reach 25 meters.
General Criteria
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General Building Zone criteria necessitates that buildings not be separated into single use districts. The buildings in each zone, which face vehicular thoroughfares and pathways, must incorporate commercial uses at the ground level and where elevated pedestrian connections are made. Articulation at the meeting of ground and podium should be carefully considered to encourage activity on the street level. Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
[6.2] LANDSCAPE & OPEN SPACE Hardscapes
Softscapes
Street Widths
Sidewalk Widths
Hardscape surfaces must utilize pervious or semi-pervious paving to assist in management of stormwater runoff throughout the site. Hardscape should be integrated along canal edges to produce inhabitable waterfront plaza spaces for congregating.
Softscape and Planting should be employed alongside hardscape surfaces to aid with water remediation across the site. When planting, utilize a primarily native plant palette with a minimum of eighty percent of the total vegetation on the site being native. Use of bioremediation tactics such as retention and detention ponds, green roofs and rain gardens must be employed site wide. Every building zone must incorporate one of the aforementioned features. The 80 meter green space specified by the original project proposal must incorporate stormwater management features specifically to aid in treating water before it enters the canal system.
Street Widths will vary based on traffic counts. Major thoroughfares will remain larger, ranging from twenty to fifty meters wide. Larger streets will incorporate medians with native plantings and separated bicycle and pedestrian zones for increased safety. Traditional crosswalks as well as mid-block crossings will be employed to enhance connectivity across thoroughfares.
Sidewalk Widths will range from 3 to 10 meters in width with the larger of these being positioned along commercial frontages. Sidewalks will be accompanied by planting strips, using native plantings, which produce shade and encourage pedestrian traffic and gathering.
Building Setbacks Building setbacks according to current Chinese code inhibit fine grain and human scale development, the minimum setback requirement of 15 meters does not allow intimacy of space which is necessary in areas along the canal streets to the northeast of the site. To remedy this, setback minimums will now vary according to building height. Buildings 80 meters or taller will continue to follow the 15 meter minimum setback requirement. Buildings less than 80 meters may have various setbacks in order to achieve the desired scale of urban rooms along streets and canals; however, the minimum setback for all buildings is 5 meters.
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Project Coding
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CONCLUSIONS
Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
CONCLUSIONS Exposed Verticality is not a criticism nor does it seek to challenge all areas of conventional Chinese planning, it is instead an articulation of the importance of the complex layering systems out of which these cites are made. Structure and landscape meld to create hybrid forms and urban rooms with distinctive characteristics to create destinations within the site. Exposed Verticality is more successful than the original master plan proposal in that it achieves harmony between micro and macro scale development. That is, buildings are at an appropriate scale for the development of which they are apart while urban rooms have been trimmed and tailored to fit a more micro, human scale within the context of the city. Through exposure, the Suzhou Industrial Park Redevelopment offers to become a destination with the potential to contribute greatly towards Suzhou’s ever-growing economy. As a gateway to a large transient population, exposed verticality becomes the face of Suzhou in many ways and therefore establishes itself as a prototype for future development on the periphery of the city.
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Conclusions
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APPENDIX
Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
[8.1] COURSE DESCRIPTION MUDD7101 SUMMER 2012 Advanced Urban Design Studio Vertical Urbanism: Density, Complexity, & Verticality Sessions: First Session: Beijing/Shanghai/Suzhou, China May 14-June 18 Instructors: Zhongjie Lin, Ph.D., Jason Slatinsky Second Session: Charlotte, USA July 5-August 9 Instructor: Jose Gamez, Ph.D.
General Criteria
Objectives
Contents
In urbanism, sustainability often entails a compact urban form when intervening in the urban center. As city grows and developments tend to be mixed in uses, verticality becomes an important dimension in urban design. The introduction of multilevel transportation node, vertical garden, double-skinned building, and public space in the air, as well as other infrastructural and design strategies have changed the approach to high-density mixed-used urban developments. The exploration of verticality in urban design thus involves various issues critical to the revitalization and expansion of urban centers.
This studio focuses on two topics in urban design: compact urban form in an urban center, and organization of infrastructure, programs, and public spaces in a three dimensional framework. Students will familiarize themselves with concepts of vertical urbanism, and consolidate their skills of handling the design of urban infrastructure, ecological system, mixed-use programs, and public spaces. They should become more confident in using essential 3-D modeling programs like Sketch-up and Rhino in urban design. Engaged in a design project in Suzhou after visiting a few Chinese cities, students will develop a deeper understanding of the interrelationship between the culture and the urban form.
The studio consists of two sessions. The first session in China begins with travel to several Chinese cities to visit traditional urban forms like imperial cities, water-towns, garden cities, and colonial cities, as well as contemporary urban forms such as business districts, residential quarters, campuses, new towns, and eco-cities. It will be followed by a design project in Suzhou, where the studio will be carried out jointly with Chinese institutions and local planning authority. MUD students will work in groups along with Chinese architectural or urban design students on the urban design of a new urban center around a regional high-speed rail station. A conceptual plan will be presented at a midterm review at the end of the China program.
With the country under rapid urbanization, Chinese cities offer unique opportunities to study new patterns of urban growth. Verticality provides an evolving paradigm of urbanism that is shaping new urban centers that distinguish themselves from traditional downtown as representation of contemporary urban culture.
Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
In the second summer session in Charlotte, students will develop their Suzhou group projects into detailed plans and design guidelines with an emphasis upon specific major sites within the larger group master plan.
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[8.2] DIGITAL PRESENTATION VIA CD
58 Appendix
Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
[8.3] CONTACTS
Exposed Verticality | Context . Density . Complexity | Suzhou Industrial Park | August 2012
Professors
Graduate Students
Zhongjie Lin
Ashley Powell
zlin1@uncc.edu
apowel39@uncc.edu
Jose Gamez
Lucas Shires
jlgamez@uncc.edu
lshires@uncc.edu
Appendix
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