aerial urbanism
ivan f. velazquez billy guarino je palmer chris anderson
studio credits thi rd ye a r u nde rg ra d uate de s ig n studi o west ho l l y wood u rba n de s i g n stud y depa r t m e nt of l a n ds ca p e a rc hi tec t ure ca l i fo r ni a pol y te c hni c uni ve rs ity, po mo na
tea m m a ni festo west ho l l y wo o d pa ge m a ppi ng + s i te a na l ys i s
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andy wilcox, associate professor jeremy jarin, teacher assistant
ur ba ni s m a rg um ent
29-50
swa te am
ur ba n des i g n st rateg y
51-63
vi s i o n fo r west ho l l y wo o d
64-101
af ter wa rd
102-106
i nst r uc to r
rennie tang, associate professor
unive rs it y staff support
sean o’malley, managing principle pavel petrov kevin slawson evan lee nabyl macias natasha harkison miguel rivera
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table of contents
05 08-27
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team manifesto
j eff pal m e r
3rd year undergraduate, BSLA
jp 4
bi l l y g u a ri no
3rd year undergraduate, BSLA
bg
i va n f. velรก zquez
3rd year undergraduate, BSLA
iv
c hr is a nderson
3rd year undergraduate, BSLA
project video:
Based on the acknow ledgm ent of the inevitable urban densification of the city of West Holly wood we are proposing a new, coded form of developm ent that ensures the public realm expands relative to new building heights and brings forth a new classification of open space that exists both on the ground ( groundscapes) and in the air (airscapes). O ur exploration and research in this publication attem pts to explain density as a com plex process that is deeply em bedded in the art of city m aking.
A conventional app roach ign ore s the im portanc e of bu ilding footprints that ack nowle dge open space, which are s eve re ly lacking in West H olly wood as a consequence of de s ign in g to m axim ize building foot pr int s . Instead of purs uing towe r typologies for t h e s ake of he ight , our approach s e e ks archite ct u ral form s that can give back to t h e public realm by d eve loping ope n space at a groun d leve l, t hus expanding the pub lic re alm while dem ocratizing views and air as a m edium .
T he purpose is to focus the discussion on planning for density as it relates to the city of West Holly wood. O ur approach has taken us far beyond traditional developm ent patterns of an urban fabric defined by the single-fam ily residences and the consequent urban spraw l.
O ur project ex plore s hu man dwelling in an inte ns e ur ban environm ent. Arch ite ct u re and Landscape Archite ct ure synergistically s upp or t t h e articulation an d prote ct ion of open space by te st ing t he limits and envisioning a st ronge r relationship bet we e n t he s e t wo arts. By focusi ng on f u nct ionalit y w ithin the new cit y mor ph ology we present new p os s ibilit ie s of hum an interac t ion at a groun d level and up in t he air.
ca 5
we st ho l l y wo o d , ca
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j.p.
West Hollywood, a city born at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains, experiences a shifting, ever-changing nature that historically has supported an eccentric environment. This incessantly changing sense of place has began to accommodate several, distinct historical periods all of which overtime have further defined the city. During each of these eras the community at large opposed the emerging lifestyles that ensued, however these later became identifiable factors of the city at large. Our team pursued this transitional mentality as an opportunity to build upon the nature of the city and further present an additional model that would later serve the current state of West Hollywood. Expanding the concept of these historical shifts led our team to further begin to question how the city began to physically house these various phases and even more specifically how the urban fabric would address the eminent rising population of urban dwellers. Research led us to discover that West Hollywood currently is severely lacking open space, a characteristic that allows for city growth both physically as the population grows as well as spatially that increases the health and well being of its inhabitants. Horizontal developmental patterns, which are a direct effect of the surrounding single-family residences whose view have defined the morphology of the city, are a main cause of this diminishing value of open space. Furthermore, the car culture and the Romanticized idea of “cruising the Sunset Strip� that has remained a basis of the culture within West Hollywood has greatly encouraged this mindset. By focusing on this horizontal approach as a means to combat the increasing urban population, which exists both globally and regionally, the city is limiting its ability to accept these residents and is currently depriving its inhabitants of open space in its true form. The mindset needs to shift. West Hollywood as a city has accepted many different cultures and environments and the stage is set for a new approach to be introduced that prioritizes the value of open space.
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title
geographical cultural transit open space
s i te i nve nto r y + mapping The investigation and analysis of the 8950 Sunset Blvd site in West Hollywood further identiďŹ es trends that shaped the city as it is today.
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j.p.
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sunset blvd
“
Our report concludes that a freeway is urgently needed in a generally east-west direction in the Beverly Hills area. Secondly, we conclude that a freeway through the City of Beverly Hills and along the Santa Monica Boulevard right-of-way, fully depressed and concealed as indicated in your City Council Statement of Policy, is both practical and feasible. As a matter of fact, the preferred freeway presents certain advantages over the several alternative geometric designs which we investigated.
santa monica blvd
“
geographical shifts
proposed beverly hills freeway
alternate route with alternate connections
hot springs
Evolution of West Hollywood as a city began when Los Angeles was finding its place. Cahuenga Valley or “The Cahuenga” as it began, was once settled by indigenous Tongva People where wetland marshes, tar pits, hot springs, and citrus groves dotted the landscape. A place that was fit well for agriculture at the base of the Hollywood Hills provided growers with a frost-free winter crop that could then be shipped to the North and the East. A comforting environment with mountainous-oceanic views, soon thereafter became a settlement for rail workers when Moses H. Sherman and his brother-in-law Eli P. Clark help build the extension of the Pasadena & Pacific Rail, the first electric railway that interconnected Los Angeles to the beach in Santa Monica. “Sherman” the town became known as, was independent until it was joined to Los Angeles’ street grid in 1922. However, the town persevered its interdependency and became known as West Hollywood in 1925 in effort to make a name for itself. When “parkways”, now called freeways, were beginning to be built across the Los Angeles landscape permanently manipulating the terrain, West Hollywood and Beverley Hills were in the picture. Reading the old maps produced by the traffic planners, the Beverley Hills Parkway was intended to traverse the land between the 101 freeway and the 405 freeway in a concealed fashion. Although the developers of Westwood, Century City, and Beverley Hills were in support of the freeway being built, the residents in these areas were not and were quite vocal during decision making processes. Year after year the proposal got postponed due to funding and eventually in 1971 the freeway was erased off of the Los Angeles freeway maps. West Hollywood became a city in 1984 and now has celebrated 30 years of independence. By not submitting to traffic engineer impulsiveness, the city of West Hollywood was not shaped by a freeway, rather it has been shaped by Sunset Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard and the culture that these arteries support. A dynamic city is poised to set new trends for what urbanity can be in relation to density, growing populations, public realm expansion, and open space liveliness in support of the transitional nature West Hollywood withholds.
wetlands
Masters, Nathan. ‘Why Isn’t There A Freeway To Beverly Hills?’. KCET. N.p., 2015. Web. 24 Mar. 2015. Masters, Nathan. ‘How The Town Of Sherman Became The City Of West Hollywood’. KCET. N.p., 2015. Web. 24 Mar. 2015.
agriculture
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b.g.
the Pasadena and Pacific
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c ul t ura l s hi ft s Before the 1900’s sprawling poinsettia fields and avocado groves blanketed The Sunset Strip and surrounding hills. As the city’s morphology began to emerge between California’s iconic Hollywood region, Beverly Hills, and the Los Angeles County, it became a playground for the rich and famous. During the 1940’s and 1950’s the city became known for its gang activity while it suffered from a major transit system transformation. Another shift that marked the history of West Hollywood was the rock and roll era where clubs such as the Rainbow and Whiskey-a-go-go were known to have a line around the corner on several nights of the week. What had began as an agriculture town transformed itself into a mantra of music venues, discotheques, and clubs during the 1980’s. Currently, the city is disguised form its neighboring cities because of its morphology and plurality.
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5 cultural shifts
1900’s
+ entertainment + gambling
+ transit system
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2
1920’s -1930’s
1940’s -1950’s
3
1960’s - 1970’s
+ records
+ sunset strip = plurality
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5
2010’s
1980’s
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+rock and roll
i . v.
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influence of the car culture
2 3
4 1
co nne c tive node
5
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i . v.
1
downtown LA
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101 freeway
3
hollywood
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miracle mile
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405 freeway 17
system inputs S A N
H O L L Y W O O D
F E R N A N D O
D O W N T O W N
V E N T U R A
I N L A N D
E M P I R E
M A L I B U
automotive inputs S A N T A
M O N I C A
C U L V E R
C I T Y
L O N G B E A C H V E R N O N
West Hollywood is a destination city with visitors coming not only from all over the Los Angeles region but from points national and international as well. Part of the reason for this is that WEHO maintains an iconic status related to the Sunset Strip’s importance in the history of the music business, proximity to Hollywood and the celebrity culture of the film industry, and its long time position as a bastion of LGBT culture in Southern California. How residents and visitors get to West Hollywood and how they get around once there is something that city officials are looking to change. “Since incorporation in 1984, the City has had as a primary stated goal the creation of a pedestrian community.” - West Hollywood General Plan 2035, Mobility However, a mapping study of existing transit in West Hollywood compared with the city’s goals goals for transit as expressed in the city plan reveals that they are a long way off from where they want to be. Although WEHO has its own regional shuttle bus route and plans to build upon its existing bike lane network, “The single-occupancy passenger vehicle is the default mode of travel in the City and the region, so encouraging the use of other modes requires a combination of incentives and management strategies…Making other modes more convenient, affordable, or comfortable in comparison to driving and parking will increase their viability. Conversely, placing demand constraints on driving through a variety of disincentives such as demand-responsive parking pricing, will make walking, biking and transit more attractive.” - West Hollywood General Plan 2035, Mobility The Aerial Urbanisim development code that we are proposing can help WEHO achieve its goal of an increase and prioritization of non-automotive transit.
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j.p.
Proposed new percentages of open space, in the form of both groundscapes and airscapes, will help to grow and develop a healthy network of public open space which will tie in to the existing infrastructure of city streets and sidewalks. This network will promote pedestrian culture and the community vitality that comes with it. “…public rights-of-way such as streets, alleys and sidewalks make up 26% of the City’s total land area, far more land area than parks, schools, open spaces, and public property combined.” - West Hollywood General Plan 2035, Mobility Additionally, a major factor in developing mass public transit that WEHO desires is higher building and housing densities which make large scale non-automotive transit viable. In his book “A Country of Cities,” author Vishaan Chakrabarti proposes that urban densities able to support rapid mass transit start at a minimum of 30 dwelling units per acre and go up from there. We are proposing that intensifying FARs will further de-emphasize automotive transit as other options become more convenient and attractive to users. Residents can stay in town, and walk, bike, or take public transit where they need to. Visitors will have will have the ability to get to WEHO via mass transit and once there, can get around without needing a car to do so. Increases in both open space and development density associated with our proposed code will serve as key factors in the development of non-automotive transit in West Hollywood.
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historical shifts in open space
1937
1960s
1989
1996
8.5 ACRES
5.3
0.75
0.5
ACRES
ACRES
ACRES
2009
0.16 ACRES
0.15
2009 - 2010
0.14 ACRES
ACRES
0.11
histo ri ca l shi fts i n par k size
ACRES
shifts extend past the common trends that are seen on and off the sunset strip. park size over time clearly displays the diminishing availability and lacking concern for public parks and open space within the city of west hollywood. 2009 however shows a spike, or trend, to make use of the given confined space that the city offers, a trend that can be drawn and built upon. reprioritizing and maximizing open space within the city of west hollywood became the crucial piece of the narrative and the overall focus of our team’s concept. 20
c.a.
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current open space
n e e d e d
3 acres
per 1000 people 3 4 , 3 9 9
p o p u l a ti o n
c u r r e n t
0.45 acres
per 1000 people t o t a l
p a r k
a c r e a g e
acres 15.61 total acres 1207.68 total of west hollywood
1/2
=
1.2%
open space in acres
roject site from p dius a r e mil
ius from project sit rad e ile m 4 1/
plummer park west hollywood park
veterans memorial havenhurst pocket park crescent heights triangle
william s. hart park kings road park
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c.a.
formsa pocket park
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vacant lot opportunities
p o s s i b l e
n e e d e d
0.40 acres
3 acres
per 1000 people t o t a l
p a r k
15.61 total acres acres 1207.68 total of west hollywood
per 1000 people
a c r e a g e
=
t o t a l
1.2%
open space in acres
l o t
acres 13.8 total 1207.68
of west hollywood
1/2
from dius e ra mil
a c r e a g e
total acres
=
1.14% open space in acres
project site
s from project s ite adiu le r i 4m 1/
13.8 acres
m o r e a d a p t i b l e
5.05 1.87 2.23 1.02 0.78 0.62 acres acres acres acres acres
acres
0.45 0.32 0.29 0.25 0.48 0.44 acres acres acres acres acres acres
2.90 acres
l e s s a d a p t i b l e
0.87 0.46 0.46 0.29 0.20 acres
acres
0.19 0.17 24
c.a.
acres
acres
acres
acres
0.16
0.10
acres
acres
acres
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opportunity for increasing open space
n e e d e d
3 acres
per 1000 people t o t a l
p a r k
15.61 total acres acres 1207.68 total of west hollywood
a c r e a g e
=
1.2%
open space in acres
p o s s i b l e
0.85 acres
per 1000 people t o t a l
p a r k
acres 29.41 total 1207.68
of west hollywood
1/2
from dius e ra mil
total acres
a c r e a g e
=
2.4%
open space in acres
project site
s from project s ite adiu le r i 4m / 1
increasing the availability of public open space is an identifiable concern within the city of west hollywood. our team’s approach began by identifying a series of vacant lots that became opportunities to expand the public realm while also being mindful of future development that would eventually ensue. while addressing the lack of open space that the city is currently facing and the opportunities this creates, our team aims to refocus the city development towards to a mindset that places a great value on open space and its influence in creating healthy cities.
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c.a.
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density trends case studies exploration of developmental patterns challenging great views
i nte n s e ur b a n i s m a rgum e nt our teams acknowledges, explores, and embraces the inevitablity of urban densiďŹ cation in cities and begins to build upon this quality as it relates to the diminishing value of open space within the city of west hollywood.
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the inevitability of cities
Earth’s population is now around 7 billion people and is expected to jump to 9 billion within the next 30 years. The number of people moving to cities is increasing steady. The 2010 US census states that over 80% of Americans live in urban areas, and in California that number jumps to 95%. To speak of the further urbanization and densification of our cities as inevitable is almost an understatement. But the fact remains that LA lacks enough quality public open space and that problem will worsen without changes in the approach to development and in the attitude towards the value of public open space. Bearing this in mind and based upon our research of West Hollywood, our design team has responded with a coded strategy in which the public realm is not relegated to the shadows of future development, but will instead be found growing alongside that development in symbiotic partnership. Old urbanization models consisting of frenzied development driven by population booms and subsequent pressure for new housing have not been kind to cities like Los Angeles whose sprawling geographic footprint seems at odds with its status as a “park poor� region. This kind of development has often left behind unconsidered interstitial outdoor spaces which fail to engage the public realm.
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j.p.
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density trends gl o ba l po pulation l i v i ng i n c ities
re gi o n a l population l i v i ng i n cities
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c.a.
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case studies
to kyo, j ap an
du bai , ua e
lo s ange le s , ca
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c.a.
35
title
tokyo, japan population: 37,883,000 size: 3,328,000 acres relativity: 2,560,000 football fields consi d eratio ns
allen jacobs. great streets
• density addressed by explorations of structural height • issue of density is greatly influenced by lack of available land • surrounding terrain constraints that limit the ability for development to expand horizontally • ever-growing population with 11,000 people per square mile • efficient transportation particularly the train system • “higher density areas use less energy per capita” - A Country of Cities
36 blog.roomertravel.com
c.a.
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dubai, uae population: 2.106 million size: 1,016,320 acres relativity: 781,784 football fields consi d eratio ns • fast growing city • density created through the exploration of height • rapid development patterns occurred due to the absence of a democratic system • “prosperous and sustainable” centralized city that is sustained by tourism not based off of its natural resources • private development focused on creating more exotic architecture used to serve as landmarks to attract visitors world wide, displaying a lack of meaningful planning and consideration for the city. • “good planning should be guided by desired objective rather prescribed physical outcomes..” - A Country of Cities
38 sftwins.com
c.a.
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los angeles, ca population: 3.884 million size: 3,041,280 acres relativity: football fields consi d erati2,339,446 o ns
allen jacobs. great streets
• slow growing nature • focused on horizontal developmental patterns of growth • allowance of time to accommodate for meaningful and considerate planning to address imminent densification. • “evidently, los angeles is changing from the automobile-oriented, smog-belching, ever-congested metropolis we have come to know into the dense, sustainable, thriving city it is destined to become.” - A Country of Cities
40 img credit: ivan f velazquez
c.a.
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density addressed via height
2,550’ 2,400’ 2,250’ 2,100’ 1,950’ 1,800’ 1,650’ gas company tower
two california plaza
aon center
u.s. bank tower
1,500’ 1,350’
wilshire grand tower
1,200’ 1,050’ 900’ 750’ 600’ 450’ 300’ 150’ 0’
doheny west towers
luckman plaza
9000 building
sunset tower hotel
los angel es, ca m ax bui l di n g he i g ht : 1 0 1 8 ’ we st hol l y wood , ca m ax bui l di n g he i g ht : 3 6 0 ’
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sierra towers
almas tower
elite residence
23 marina
princess tower
i . f.
tokyo midtown metropolitan tower government building no. 1
toranomon hills
tokyo tower
tokyo skytree
to k yo, ja p a n
duba i , ua e max building height:
burj khalifa
2, 720’
m ax building height:
2, 0 8 0 ’
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rethinking great views
the value of a view has dictated the shape of west hollywood Single family residences have shaped west hollywood as a city resulting in a mindset that focuses on horizontal development patterns. Hillside views limit the city’s ability to build vertically to accommodate for the increasing density related to the population growth. As a result views are only available for those who can afford it. But, what is a great view? Great views for aerial urbanism involve landscapes where human interaction and infrastructure coexist. A great view invites the public through physical and phenomenological transparency revealing itself to their perceivers. Beauty and materiality enhance the views on the streets while creating a collective understanding of the surroundings that compose it. “...low-rise neighborhoods alone cannot supply. The buzz phrase of development today is ‘collaborative space,’ which is often characterized by large column-free expanses... where views are at a premium...” - A Country of Cities
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i . f.
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horizontal development patterns
current west hollywood
results of urban sprawl
90:10
INCREASE
air pollution due to vehicular traffic of commuters
A disproportionate relationship of building mass to public realm exists with aproximetely 90% architecture and 10% landscape. How can a city who is determined to be unique follow along with traditions that are ineffecient, uneffective, and unhealthy for the people who live and reside in cities?
OVER CONSUME
water by distributing drastically more areas
LOSE HABITAT
for wildlife because wider buildings require more space on the ground
RISK
obesity and disease due to decreased efforts to walk to destinations
URBA
N
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L W A SPR
DEGRADE COMMUNITY b.g.
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vertical development patterns
proposed west hollywood
results of vertical density
DENSITY
60:40
PROMOTE
air circulation within the city
A proportional relationship of building massing to public realm is what Aerial Urbanism is proposing. Development all starts with the landscape in which people circulate through on the ground plane. A beneďŹ ciary of this is enough open space to provide permeable situations at building entry ways and multiple program interactions in between architecture. Then built architecture can begin to form around the open space with verticality as its main direction.
PROTECT
underground water sources by capturing more rainfail & runo
BIO-INCREASE
diversity of wildlife & vegetation due to more land
REDUCE
air pollution due to more vegetation & produce more oxygen
BUILD COMMUNITY 48
b.g.
49
presentation of amened code groundscape qualities airscape qualities tower typology matrix application of code on test site programing groundscape groundscape network
ur ba n de s i gn strateg y + a rc h i te c t u ra l approac h as a means to further strengthen the concept of applying a series of tower typologies throughout the urban framework of sunset boulevard, our team began to focus on the form of these structures as they related to natural and pedestrian systems. the following is an exploration of groundscape and airscape qualities and application of these qualities on to a series of tower forms that respond to these systems and displays the variety of architecture that results. 50
j.p.
51
ur b a n de s i gn st rate gy statement Due to the lack of open space within the city of West Hollywood, the focus of the project is to break traditional development patterns of city making by identifying, defining, and connecting open spaces. Our approach is to set a new framework for development by beginning to reimagine open space and further define a balance between architecture and landscape across scales to meet the ever-changing city environment that defines West Hollywood. This understanding serves as a model for the future growth of cities to which the preservation of open spaces becomes a dominant element. Required within this code is a set of ordinances that requires developers to leave 40% of the ground plane on the site undeveloped and accessible to the public realm. This model goes along with cultural trends of city dwelling, which forces development to construct without a restriction on building height while also protecting the public realm. As a means to combat the eminent opposition to the increases in building heights as it relates to the surrounding neighborhoods, the project seeks to challenge our cultural interpretation of views. Traditionally as a culture we are transfixed on views because of the association with a higher-class living, however it lacks a sense of interaction. Aerial urbanism provides a new sense of “a view� that encourages a more personal interaction with one’s surroundings both on the ground and in the open air-scape found within the structures. Air becomes an important factor within our urban model because of the added benefit of increased sunlight and air circulation expressed through the exploration of tower typologies as they relate to both current and future systems. This developmental model is further applied within a half-mile radius of the site, located at the edge of West Hollywood, on a series of parcels that will serve as a catalyst for future development within the city. 52
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building amended development code
ent
ding code t 40 percent groundscape
70 percent building
60 percent building footprint 40 percent groundscape
70 percent building
open spaces will connect to each other
30 percent airscape half of airscape
open spaces will connect to each other 54
30 percent airscape
will be accessible to the public
j.p.
55
exploring groundscape qualities
co r r i d o r • • • •
connective multi-nodal continuous passage
pl a za • • • • • • • •
large gathering space bounded form social engagement accessible to sunset strip non-centralized singular use flatworks angular space
ve nu e / pa r k • • • • •
accessible to sunset strip hosts multiple programs easily programible space expressed manipulated landform organic shape / form
po c ket s pa c e • • • • 56
c.a.
intimate social activated niche spaces open to the sky 57
exploring airscape qualities
ca ntil eve r • • • •
view points extended facades airscape gathering spaces
te r ra c e • • • • •
semi-public space green space private programing accessible from sunset strip flat plane
ra m p • • • • •
accessible from sunset strip program includes a journey provides access can be sensorial provides a visual experience
a rca de • • • • 58
i . f.
passageway sense of enclosement covered predetermined architecture 59
tower typology matrix title street edge
fragmented
left / right
centralized
circulation
air movement
light
co ns iderat ions • • • • •
relationship to sunset strip public realm no height limitation circulation natural systems
interconnected
multi-use 60
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groundscape network developing an interconnected system
1/2
ject site om pro r f s diu e ra l i m
a key aspect of this concept is the formation of a networked system of groundscapes, which create a series of fragmented open spaces that are embedded within the urban fabric of the city. additionally this concept embraces a more walkable and accessible network that uses the existing sidewalks and streets as the central arteries as a means to connect these spaces.
from project site dius a r le i 4m / 1
central nodes secondary nodes primary connections secondary connections
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c.a.
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test site programing the groundscape 40 year city morphology airscape possibilities tower functions groundscape experience airscape experience
i m a ge s + render ing s t he fo llowin g dis plays the v i s i o n s a n d applicat io n o f o ur co n c ept a s i t p erta i ns to t he gro u nds cap e a nd a i rs ca pe s p a c es . addit io n ally t h e ex pl o rati o n s uc c es s i o n o f we st ho lly wo o d ’s urb a n fa bri c thro ug ho ut t he n ex t s eve ral deca d es s how n h ere i s a dire ct re s ult f ro m the i m pl em entati o n o f o ur co de d syste m .
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application of amended code
lot square footage: 4 8 , 0 0 0 s f.
test site location: 8950 sunset blvd, west hollywood,ca square footage: 48,000 sf (1.15 acres) surrounding nodes: 5 freeway, 2 freeway,
36,000 sf
75% 25%
101 freeway, santa monica, los angeles, hollywood
of the total lot square footage building footprint
open groundscape building square footage: 470,000 sf
150,000 sf
30% 70%
of the total building oor square footage programable by developer
open airscape 66
c.a./i.v
67
retai l comme rcia l
• suns et pl a za • re sta u ra nt s • pr ivatel y own e d busi nesses • corp orate offi ce building s • s m a ll bus in e s s offi ce s • pu blic b a nks
68 c.a. condominium complex
housing
resort roof pool sports basketball
unpretentious pacific hills sunset plaza
community catholic church
residential hotel apartments bus stop dinning dinning piercing store residential residential dinning bus stop residential restaurants/hotels parking garage housing
sunset plaza
housing
sunset plaza
apartments residential residential shopping shopping
coorporate building coffee shop residential apartments computer and software store residential villas bus stop coffee shop hotel apartments
residential residential commercial residential residential bank dinning dinning book store book store
residential music venue hotel residential restaurant
commercial residential commercial/retail residential music venue
bank residential community music venue / bar bank residential residential residential restaurant
bus stop bank restaurnt / makret night club
office space small business (coffee shop) small business grocery store
single family residence office space
large singel family residenece
multi use building
primary access point
apartment complex
condiminium complex
residential gas station residential
commercial/retail
residential WEHO elemetary school residential residential
commercial/office
activated street corner apartment complex commercial business apartment complex retail store retail store residential community restaurant
commercial apartment complex apartment complex bus stop
• we st holly wood e le m e nta r y • cath olic church • m us ic ve nue s
commercial office space single family residece
• commu ni t y bel ow sunset bl vd • ho l l y wood hi l l s co mmuni t y
condiminiums
cultura l
car dealership car dealership
re si dential
residential community
programing the groundscape on test site
• building zoning • relationship to open space • transportation • public systems
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west hollywood - 2015
70
b.g.
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2025 model
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b.g.
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2035 model
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b.g.
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2045 model
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b.g.
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2055 model
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b.g.
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airscape possibilities
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b.g.
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possible tower functions
1
1
2
3
wildlife habitat biodiversity
2
carbon assimilation + oxygen production
3
scaolding
9000
earthquake support vertical gardens
sunset boulevard 82
b.g.
83
a l aye re d ci t y massing diagram
views views
proposed zone for a new landscape
proposed building heights 500’ - 800’
current building heights 100’-350’
proposed zone for an expanded landscape
84
views
realm of sprawl
b.g.
85
groundscape vision
groundscapes are envisioned to provide relief from the everchangiing, intense nature of the sunset strip through the meaningful programing of these spaces by actively considering the site’s adjacencies.
86
c.a.
87
groundscape experience
one of the typological forms of groundscapes that was explored was the park or venue. these spaces host multiple programs and can serve as functional vegetated spaces that can withhold community or city events.
88
c.a.
89
groundscape interaction
another typological form that was explored in the test site was the plaza. these spaces usually are singular programs that provide the opportunity for social engagements and are characterized as large gathering spaces.
90
c.a.
91
interconnected groundscape spaces
our vision begins in the sky with the articulation of tower typologies and open groundscapes that interconnect with each other serving as a relief to the intensity of the sunset strip.
92
i . f.
93
activated pocket spaces pocket spaces within this urban fabric establish a strong connection at the pedestrian scale to break up the intensity of a tall building on a small site. these sorts of spaces allow for welcoming and permeable relationships at the building entry zones to transition occupants from exterior to interior.
94
b.g.
95
ground plane experience
an important consideration is what the pedestrian views in this new landscape from the ground plane. a city is an organism which lives and grows over time. new growth vertically rather than horizontally establishes a stronger relationship on the ground for walkability and multiple uses.
96
b.g.
97
airscape vision
another bold statement that is suggested within our code is the democratization of views. where a view itself becomes a medium that triggers a new way of interaction between public and private spaces.
98
c.a.
99
futuristic vision
100
i . v.
101
afterward intense urbanism intense urbanism was a new m anifestation for thi s st u dio, wh ich required us to engage studies of the public realm, u r ban code s , and architecture, from a landscape architecture point of view. we do not seek landscape architecture as an exclusive field, nor do we inte nd to occupy the prem ises of other disciplines but rat he r we s e e k new hybrid form s of collaboration in the art of city m ak ing. last , inte ns e urbanism infused our intellectual and em otional e ne rgie s t hat liberated in the form of aerial urbanism . T he purpose is to focus the discussion on planning for de n s it y as it relates to the city of West Holly wood. O ur approa ch has take n us far beyond traditional developm ent patterns of an ur b an fabr ic def ine d by the single-fam ily residences and the conseque nt ur ban s prawl.
102
103
final thoughts
s pe c i a l t h a n ks the col l aborat ion bet ween t he intense urbanism studi o a nd SWA has been a memorable experience that gave us t he opport unit y to be able to learn a nd ex pl ore urban design. we value t he mult iple profe ssi o nal point s of v iew t hroughout our process of ex pl orat ion, understanding FA R, tak ing a posit ion, str uc tur ing a narrat ive, and defending argument s f rom both poet ic and pragmat ic point s of v iew. de si gni ng a st rategy w it h t he help of professionals strengthens our values about t he public realm and wi thi n the complexit y of urban design and landscape a rc hi te c t ure.
104
SWA lagun a be ach re nn ie tang andy willcox j e re my j ar in ste phan ie re ich ( cit y o f we st ho l l y wo o d ) raym o nd che n g ( ce dars -s ina i m edi ca l c enter) m ichae l wo o s arah lo re nze n & n e ut ra VD L ho us e staff m e m be rs o f m idte r m rev iew a nd f i na l rev i ew m e gan m cd ane l and t h e re st o f t he inte ns e urba ni s m studi o
105
chris anderson c hri sa nders791@gmail.com billy guarino bguarino01@yahoo.com jeff palmer groundplain@gmail.com ivan f. velรกzquez i ve l a zq uez4295@gmail.com
aerial urbanism