bespoke allen | gustafson
be•spoke: made to order spoke: each of the bars or wire rods connecting the center of a wheel to its outer edge Greensboro, North Carolina is a city unlike any other, and around it is being built a unique Greenway to be used by a diverse population of people for a myriad of reasons: alternate transportation, fitness, and leisure just to name a few. The Greenway welcomes pedestrians and cyclists, and perhaps the occasional roller skater. With trains passing overhead, the ideas of transportation and motion are evident. One of the greatest symbols and causes for transportation is the wheel, many of which are made with spokes. Hailey Allen and Cassandra Gustafson’s spoke inspiration came from bicycle wheels. Spokes radiate outward, or inward. The Greenway is devoted to bringing people into Downtown Greensboro, being linked with Action Greensboro, whose goal is to continually revitalize the area. The Greenway is also about expanding outward. Downtown Greensboro has room to grow, and in the design of the Greenway this was taken into account and encouraged. This installation into the underpass is bespoke. It fits here, in this city, for this project. It is tailor made, with the city and its residents and visitors in mind. In addition, the designers took into account the experience of the user. Hailey and Cassandra created a glowing effect during the night and a colorful experience during the day. They chose purple because it is neither warm nor cool. It is not at all alarming, nor is it entirely peaceful. The form grabs the users’ attention and yet poses no hazard. The amount of light emitted allows the space to be a safe, well-lit area for evening, night, and earlymorning users.
images: sxc.hu
bespoke allen | gustafson
bespoke allen | gustafson
bespoke allen | gustafson
bespoke allen | gustafson
bespoke allen | gustafson
elevation
section
bespoke allen | gustafson
rendered floor plan
floor plan
section
bespoke allen | gustafson