Model 1 Cedar East is an interesting street that has a great contrast between Larkin and Polk. The Larkin side seems to be more peaceful than the Polk where the Homeless Shelter is located. As I know the purpose of the community center is to serve the neighborhood, I am wondering if it is possible to combine the Homeless Shelter with the community center since they are part of the neighborhood also. I am choosing the big open space that near the Homeless Shelter and build on the site. The site strategy for this model is the structure anchors on the top of the tall apartment building and reaches out to slightly touch the lower building’s top. The major issue for this model is the workability of the design concept. Are people willing to share the community center with homeless people?
Model 2 After I got critiques from my professors, I understand the difficulties to combine the Homeless Shelter people with the residents. Therefore I started to rethink the purpose of my project. The quietness of Cedar East Street caught my attention when I visited the ally. Compare with Larkin and Polk Street, the pedestrian flow of Cedar East is very low. People seldom walk onto the ally besides for those who live and work there. I set up a new goal for this project based on this important quality of the site. My project is now about how to activate the ally effectively by generate dynamic circulation with multiple paths that attracts local and non-local residents to visit the ally. The site strategy for this model is a twisted frame structure anchors on the lower buildings and flows across the ally then reaches the top of the apartment building that has an open area next to it. The structure continues to grow downward until it reaches the Cedar Street. This model still needs a lot of improvement in order to create dynamic circulation since it only provides a simple single path starts from the lower building to the top apartment.
Model 3 This model continues to work on the same design language as the previous one. I am using the repetition technique to generate triangle frames with increasing sizes. The exaggerate form of the structure provides a clear sight for people from the distinct view, and it will rise up people’s curiosity to visit the ally. One again the model occupies the same location as the previous one. In order to transform the whole street with dynamic circulation, I have to avoid from build on one to two spots that only provides a single path for the ally.
Model 4 In response to the purpose of this project which is dynamic circulation, I am trying to expand this model through two ways: vertically and horizontally. First, I try to divide the ally into two sides. One side is for the vehicles and the other side is for the pedestrians. In the middle of the road, there will be vegetation grow along the ally. On the other hand, I am trying to expand the horizontal lines of the buildings which have similar heights. Then expend the structure through the lines and partly pop out onto both sides of the street. Pedestrians on Post and Geary Street will easily notice the community center. The good side of this model is it provides a different purpose for the use of the ally. The concept of putting vegetation along the street will transform the ally into a totally different space for people. The next thing I have to work on is how I combine the transformation of the street and the community center as one thing.
Model 5 The strength of this model is that it deals with the whole ally by creating a structure that flows along the ally. In addition, the triangle structure only partly occupies the parking area, and it doesn’t block the entire apartment. The main issue for this model is how I transform the ally without only beautifying the street by just growing trees along the ally. How do I use the middle part of the model wisely to transform that area into a space that provides different function for the street, for example: a park. The function can be temporary that change in different times of the day. The second issue for this model is how I use the parking area effectively, so that I won’t waste the remaining area. Lastly, I have to examine a way to connect the entrance on Larkin Street and the meeting room on the parking lot space. Right now, it seems like they are too far away from each other.