UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE
VOLUME 02
Sampling, Situating, Representing, and Projecting
“Aerial Photography: Sacramento to San Francisco Bay.� Shutter Warrior. January 09, 2015. Accessed November 29, 2017. https://shutterwarrior.com/2015/01/02/ aerial-photography-sacramento-to-sanfrancisco-bay/.
Description There is a severe lack of housing in the California’s major coastal communities. In these areas, community resistance to housing, environmental policies, lack of fiscal incentives, and limited land, hinder development. The high demand drives up cost and pushes the mid to low income population out of the city. The city of San Francisco has propelled the problem further; in 2015, it was recorded that the city had built over double the housing needed for their high income population, leaving the mid to low income population with a severe lack of housing. The existing piers on the shoreline are an extremely underused asset, but according to NOAA projections of 2100, a large portion of the San Francisco Bay Area will be underwater as sea levels are projected to rise three feet.
Questions Due to San Francisco’s peninsular condition and lack of viable land, how might we analyze existing typology and propose methods to build on water? In response to the housing crisis in San Francisco, how might we design atypical housing for low to medium income users? Because of the disparity in low and medium income housing, how might we utilize mass customization in a multifamily program to provide authorship for each user type? In response to a fast-paced, non-permanent cultural mentality, how might we design a dwelling for its entire life cycle, considering materiality, disassembly, and recyclability?
Methods Research into prefabricated methods of construction and erection through use of adaptive component modeling and small scale prototyping as an approach that minimizes impact on the existing ecological site in the bay area. Employing computer design through parametric and building performance modeling to optimize decisions and results, presenting the opportunity of mass production, customization and efficiency in design. Establishing the program, form, location and materiality of the design through iterative studies relating to historical, cultural, and social understandings of the site.
Significance The potential impact of this investigation could foster a dialogue around possible solutions for the housing crisis of San Francisco and cultivate speculation on what a dwelling means in a contemporary society. The design will focus on systems of mass customization for varying user types and prefabricated design with the intention of building system and material recyclability. This investigation has the potential to challenge current housing types and construction life cycles in the United States.
San Francisco City San Francisco Bay Area
Population : 870,887 Population per square mile : 17,179.1
Figure 1
San Francisco City San Francisco History
Figure 2
Bay Area Vulnerability Flooding risk and social vulnerability
Rising water level at the slowest predicted rate around San Francisco Bay Area beginning at 1’ and progressing to 5’.
Figure 3
Population based upon social vulnerability at 3’ rise of ocean level, which has a 98% chance of occuring from present day to 2050.
Population based upon social vulnerability at 3’ rise of ocean level, which has a 98% chance of occurring from present day to 2050.
Currently, living on water is a niche market and is not considered equivalent to a house built on land by the majority of the population in the United States. But with an ever growing population that tends to migrate towards water and the gradual rise in sea level, urban areas must consider expanding new development on the water. Not only have water dwellings proven efficient in times of extreme flooding, but the cost of building and living in a water dwelling can be significantly less than a house built on land.
Vulnerability Mapping Major Issues
Layering the outstanding issues in San Francisco, such as homelessness density, social vulnerability, susceptibility to flooding, and location of low income population reveals where there is more need in San Francisco City..
Figure 4
Vulnerability Mapping Major Issues
Fearful of losing their iconic views, San Franciscans started passing referendums that established “sunset zoning,” making it illegal for tall buildings to put any city park or public square in shadow for more than an hour after sunrise or an hour before
sunset. Other referendums made it easier for communities to prevent the development of tall buildings near residential neighborhoods, effectively cutting off major expansion outside of the downtown area. Other restrictions include cost of residential
construction and zoning of 40’ height restriction. The rising cost of rent doesn’t just affect residents, it also affects the nonprofits. 40’ Height Restriction
Sunset Law
Steep Terrain Figure 5
CONTRA COSTA
MARIN
Transportation Commuting Patterns
There is a large portion of the working population within San Francisco that lives outside of the city and county. As of the 2010 census a little over 9% commuted in San Francisco for work. The neighboring counties of Sonoma, Napa, Solano, Marin, Contra Cost, Alameda, Santa Clara, and San Mateo are all a part of the workforce of San Francisco. This is possible due to the extensive Rail and BAY Area Rapid Transit system (BART). BART connects Alameda county through the underwater tube that runs under the San Francisco bay to the east. BART does not run north due to the deep sea bed it would have to traverse.
ALAMEDA
9%
TRANSPORATION MODE C
50,000 25,000 10,000 1,000 500
Figure 6
OF BAY AREA COUNTIES’ EMPLOYED RESIDENTS COMMUTE INTO SAN FRANCISCO
SAN MATEO
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W AL
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RECREATION AREA
SAN FRANCISCO BAY VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICES AREA
ND TBOU
WES
The Bay Bay Activity
NE
FIC LA
AF BAY TR
EASTBOUND SAN FRANCISCO BAY TRAFFIC LANE
GOLDEN GATE
RECREATION AREA
FISHERMAN’S WHARF
RAPID
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SIT TU
TRAN
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NN
HA
RC
BA
INNER
HAR
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ANN
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The piers in San Francisco run along the Embarcadero, the street that follows the curve of the northeastern edge of the city. The numbering starts at the Ferry Building at the end of Market Street; to the left are the odd-numbered piers, and to the right, the even-numbered piers. The waterfront tourism activity mostly happens between the Ferry Building and Fisherman’s Wharf to the north and west. Hence, the piers associated with various San Francisco activities and attractions are usually the oddnumbered ones, like the well-known Pier 39. The Port is responsible for managing the larger waterfront area that extends from the anchorage of the Golden Gate Bridge, along the Marina district, all the way around the north and east shores of the city of San Francisco. This includes Fisherman’s Wharf and the Embarcadero, and southward to the city line just beyond Candlestick Point.
SCO
ANCI
SAN FR
SAN FRANCISCO BAY VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICES AREA
FORBIDDEN ANCHORAGE
FORBIDDEN ANCHORAGE
Figure 7
Noise Decible
Golden Gate Bridge
50 - 55
55 - 60
Oakland Bay Bridge 60 - 65
65 - 70
> 70
Muni Pier. Cultural. Hyde Street Pier. Cultural. Pier 45. Historical commercial. Pier 43. Ferry boat dock. Pier 41. Ferry boat dock. Pier 39. Cultural commercial. Pier 35. Cruise Terminal Backup. Pier 33. Departure for Alcatraz. Pier 31. Commercial. Pier 27, 29. Cruise Terminal. Pier 23. Cultural.
Waterfront Activity Pier Usage & Space
Pier 15, 17, 19. Exploratorium. Pier 9. Commercial. Pier 7. Walking pier and public fishing. Pier 3. Parking. Commercial. Pier 1. Public Boat Dock. Public Taxi. Pier 14. Ferry Building. Pier 14. Recreational walkway. Pier 24. Art Gallery. Pier 26. Historic Pier. Pier 28. Cultural, parking. Pier 30, 32. Inactive. Parking. Pier 40. South Beach Harbor
Pier 48. Parking. Entertainment Space. Pier 50. Inactive. Parking Pier 52. Public Boat Launch. Pier 54. Cultural Center.
Pier 64. Inactive. Previous Shipyard. Recreational Area. Pier 70. Inactive. Previous Shipyard.
City Park.Heavy Homelessness Activity, Warm Water Cove. Pier 80. Inactive. 60 acres paved land. Previous Homeless Shelter site. Pier 90, 92. Inactive. Pier 94. Inactive. Wetland Refuge. Pier 96. Inactive. 15 acres paved land. Previous container handling site. Wetland. Refuge Wedland. Heron’s Head Park
The numbering system of the piers in San Francisco Bay are split by even and odd numbers. The odd numbers are situated on the north end and the even on the east side. The piers vary depending on use and time of construction. The overall pattern is that the even numbered piers are industrial working piers. Today the odd number piers, due to their location are associated with San Francisco activities and attractions. The even numbered bays do not have as many attractions due to their more industrial nature, though there are a few highlights. Pier 14 juts far out into the bay, with great views of the Bay Bridge and the city. Pier 3032 are now parking lots. Pier 48 has a large indoor space that is used for various entertainment events. Pier 80 is a huge 60 acres of concrete. This pier is San Francisco’s main cargo terminal.
Inactive. Previous Shipyard. Decontamination Zone.
Inactive Piers based on available area.
Candlestick Park. Recreational Zone.
Figure 8
YERBA BUENA
VAN NESS/ CIVIC CENTER
WESTERN ADDITION
SOUTH BEACH
ALAMO SQUARE
SOUTH OF MARKET HAYES VALLEY MISSION BAY
DUBOCE TRIANGLE
Waterfront
CENTRAL BASIN
Southeastern Waterfront
MISSION DOLORES
EUREKA VALLEY
INNER MISSION
POTERO HILL
CENTRAL WATERFRONT DOGPATCH
NOE VALLEY
Due to the density of prime factors in this region, we are zooming in on the Southeastern waterfront. From the zoning, to the industrial piers, and characteristics of the surrounding neighborhoods, the Southeastern waterfront is proving to be a strong potential site for our design.
ISLAIS CREEK CHANNEL
BAYVIEW
GLEN PARK
BERNAL HEIGHTS INDIA BASIN
SILVER TERRACE
RESIDENTIAL
PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION, AND REPAIR BAYVIEW HUNTERS POINT
PORTOLA
MIXED USE RESIDENTIAL
INDUSTRIAL EXCELSIOR
SOUTH BASIN
RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL
REDEVLOPMENT PLANNING ZONES
CROCKER AMAZON
VISTACION VALLEY
CANDLESTICK POINT
PUBLIC SPACE
Figure 9
Climate San Francisco
FEB
JAN
SUNLIGHT
7:22am
6:59am
HIGH WIND AVG
57
64
PRECIP
Figure 10
MAY 5:59am
JUN 70
5:48am
JUL
6:01am
10.5mph
10.3mph
10mph
SEP 73
72
71
67
9.7mph
AUG
OCT
6:52am
8.6 mph
6.8mph
46
44
1.78
49
7:46pm
8:13pm
56
55
54
52 48
7:18am
63 57
8 mph
7:04pm
DEC
6:51am
7:20am
9.8mph
8.8mph
5:48pm
NOV
71
6:27am
7.7mph
5:16pm
LOW
6:33am
7:05am
62 59
APR
MAR
8:33pm
8:30pm
7.1 mph
56
8:01pm
7.9mph
54 7:17pm
6:31pm
4:59pm
4:54pm
49 44
2.26
1.34
0.5
0.09
0.02
0.01
0.14
0.7
2.06
Energy Systems Solar, Wind, Water
Figure 11
Materials & Construction San Francisco
Figure 12
Significance The potential impact of this investigation could foster a dialogue around possible solutions for the housing crisis of San Francisco and cultivate speculation on what a dwelling means in a contemporary society. The design will focus on systems of mass customization for varying user types and prefabricated design with the intention of building system and material recyclability. This investigation has the potential to challenge current housing types and construction life cycles in the United States.
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Commuting “EMPLOYED BAY AREA COUNTY WORKERS’ COMMUTES INTO SAN FRANCISCO BY VOLUME AND MODE.” City and County of San Francisco. 2010. Accessed September 27, 2017. http://default.sfplanning. org/publications_reports/library_of_cartography/Commute2.pdf. Figure 7 Bay Zones “NOAA Charts PDF Format.” NOAA Office of Coast Survey. Accessed November 27, 2017. http://www. charts.noaa.gov/PDFs/PDFs.shtml. Waterfront “Planning Department.” Zoning Map - Zoning Districts | Planning Department. October 2017. Accessed November 27, 2017. http://sf-planning.org/zoning-map.
Figure 8 Sound Zones City and County of San Francisco Planning Department Department of Public Health. “AREAS POTENTIALLY REQUIRING NOISE INSULATIONS.” City of San Francisco Planning Department . 2009. Accessed 2017. http://default.sfplanning.org/publications_reports/library_of_cartography/Noise.pdf. Piers
“Public Access to Useful Property Information & Resources at the Click of a Mouse.” San Francisco Property Information Map. 2017. Accessed September 2017. http://50.17.237.182/PIM/?search=0787001. Figure 9 Southeastern Waterfront “Future.” Pier 70. 2017. Accessed October 27, 2017. http://www.pier70sf.com/future/. Figure 10 Climate Data, US Climate. “Temperature - Precipitation - Sunshine - Snowfall.” Climate San Francisco - California and Weather averages San Francisco. Accessed September 28, 2017. https://www.usclimatedata.com/ climate/san-francisco/california/united-states/usca0987. Figure 11 Solar “Compare Solar Panel Prices in Your Area.” Solar Panel Sizes - 3 Tips To Determine Which Size Is Best. 2017. Accessed September 06, 2017. https://www.theecoexperts.co.uk/what-size-solar-panel-do-i-need. Wave
TEEIC . “Wave Energy Systems.” Wave Energy Systems. 2017. Accessed September 27, 2017. https:// teeic.indianaffairs.gov/er/hydrokinetic/restech/desc/wave/index.htm.
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