SimCity: Denver2059 by Charles MacBride

Colfax Ave

6th Ave

SIM CITY

Lincoln Broadway

I-25

The Site 0

250

500

1250

SIM CITY

DENVER:2059

ADVANCED DESIGN STUDIO SUMMER 2009 BASIM AL ATNI-PLANNING/URBAN DESIGN

DENVER:2059 ACSA 2009-2010 AWARDS PROGRAM / CREATIVE ACHIEVEMENT ARCH 6150/51 ADVANCED DESIGN STUDIO SUMMER 2009 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING / DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE CHARLES MACBRIDE, SENIOR INSTRUCTOR

In terms of urbanism, this indeterminacy means that a particular site can no longer be matched with any single predetermined purpose. From now on each metropolitan lot accommodates -- in theory at least -- an unforeseeable and unstable combination of simultaneous activities, which makes architecture less an act of foresight than before and planning an act of only limited prediction. Rem Koolhaas, Delirious New York

One of the most difficult design problems for any architecture student (or architect for that matter) is the proposal for a hybrid building program. Combination and manipulation of form is certainly hard enough, but program requires an ability to research and synthesize factors typically beyond the scope of the design studio. Economic, demographic, political and construction industry “realities” have wrestled the task of imagining the program of both the building and the city from the professionals charged with designing it.

HYBRID ARCHITECTURE AND (MOSTLY) PLANNED GROWTH

One typical problem with planned growth is the reliance on existing urban design models and architectural building types. Growth of sustainable building and construction technologies mixed with progressive land use strategies has also challenged the ability of municipalities to properly or swiftly adapt. Entrenched planning or zoning codes and bureaucracies limit the real change that cities can achieve. Research by architects and designers can be beneficial and important in such instances. Proposals of mixed and hybrid building types and land uses often lead to new ideas and break with traditional thinking in both architecture and urban design.

maximum density, hybrid architecture and hybrid land use

Maximum density refers, in an oblique manner, to an urban strategy for reversing the tendency towards sprawl and entropy. It is not, however, the only means towards good design. Density can generate unlikely hybrids and surprising combinations and has been increasingly encouraged theoretically yet increasingly rejected popularly. In architectural terms, density refers to a base level measurement of occupancy and has meaning mostly in the development and real estate industries. Trends towards “mixed use” hint at density and the hybrid building type, but the model is a stagnant one and actual, progressive experimentation with mixed building usage remains elusive. From an urban perspective, the importance of density or hybrid use was not readily understood until the failures of the modern movement were recognized. Monumentality, object buildings and a retreat from the edges were symptoms of urban planning addressing issues of utility and hygiene, but these failed to consider the phenomenological advantages of the traditional street and pedestrian activity. A growing understanding of ‘Everyday’ urbanism has reintroduced the importance of the unplanned, ad hoc and temporal programs of the dynamic city. Until the mass flight away from the urban centers following WWII, the city was the place and production, and the ‘country’ was the place for leisure and escape. Suburbanization the clearly defined boundary, but suburbanization itself, as we are realizing following the “New-Urbanism,” is not necessarily a landscape devoid of hybrids, density or potential. density is not a contradiction in terms, it is a hybridization of terms, appropriate in the juxtaposition and superimposition of form, program and site.

of density eliminated advent of Suburban suggested

Density, however, can be defined beyond the realm of architecture and urbanism: chemical, material, sociological, psychological, technological, occupational, etc. It has only been by rethinking architecture & urbanism in these terms that our present state of hybridization and complexity have come to exist. An important and still often ridiculed aspect of this postmodern condition is the necessary elimination in the distinction between high and low culture. Until the distinction is removed, the potential of density cannot be fulfilled. Buildings, function, scale, inhabitants, communication and media must be represented and accommodated to advance the city beyond its existing (or planned) model. Density must be more than mixed-use, it must be mixed-media. Likewise, hybrids must be more than combined program, they must be combined systems. Current planning theory has re-investigated and embraced the potential for the city. The previous generation has reimagined the city as it has transitioned away from industry towards tourism, away from production towards communication. This shift has presented the challenge of localized insertions into an established order, and has eliminated the ability to propose vast and visionary adjustments to that order. The planning process has been made inclusive and therefore political and safe. The contradiction becomes clear: 1) That density is limited to and subservient of established urban patterns, while 2) the architecture of maximums suggests a non-democratic and exclusive endeavor unable to escape the process of design review and the lowest common denominator. SimCity is about doing both. It is about vision and superimposition. It is about challenging the existing order as a means to push past the polite mentality of retroactive infill and adherence to archaic urban structure. SimCity proposes that the challenges of competing forces can actually be the generator for progressive and innovative architecture and urbanism.

ACSA 2009-2010 AWARDS PROGRAM

SIM CITY

DENVER:2059

Games are the future of education. E. O. Wilson, Harvard Professor & two-time Pulitzer Prize winner in a 2009 NPR interview with SimCity designer Will Wright

pre-game SimCity: Denver 2059 was imagined as a studio which generates creative ways to design the program of cities: 1) With the desire to question the split between planning and architecture, hybrid building program was combined with hybrid land-use program. This leads immediately to a requirement that the student projects be responsible to multiple scales: designing buildings + designing cities 2) If multiple scales are expected from the studio, then it follows that student projects must straddle traditionally held notions of what architects do and what planners do. This split is commonly understood as a professional divide, and questioning its validity seems natural in a critical studio setting and also in the re-assessment of the design and building of cities. To consciously address the split in planning and architecture, and further, to then address the split between architecture and building development, the students should be placed in a position to embrace these roles, critically rethinking their current standing in the culture. Quick research into the roles of those who build cities is a task that typically is the busy-work of a studio. By assigning roles to the students, the identities of city builders become an alter-ego and persona to be embraced. The design project then moves away from what traditionally occurs, and becomes a critique of what should occur. 3) If the students are to be role playing, if they are to assume identities to facilitate the building of a city, the studio becomes game play. This is the model for SimCity, the computer game developed by Will Wright in the 1980s, in which the player becomes a kind of “mayor,” charged with the design of a city. The computer is used to calculate various imbalances (too few fire stations) and random disasters (tornados, Godzilla) in the cities development. The game speeds up time to immediately show the results of design decisions. The challenge for the SimCity studio is to design this as an analog system, controlled by the players (students), much like a city council or design review board.

Early version of SimCity, c1989 The studio is designed to simulate how cities are built, assigning developer and advocate roles to the students, or “players,” using multiple turns for proposals and revisions, and holding council sessions for group discussion and decision making. Player partnerships often are pairings of unlikely interests, fostering creative development ideas, compromises, broad sustainability proposals, and a mix of urban and architectural scales.

It was at this point that the studio abstract was written, the specific (real) site was selected, and the course began to advertise as a summer advanced studio. The course was available to architecture, planning and urban design students within the College.

ACSA 2009-2010 AWARDS PROGRAM

SIM CITY

DENVER:2059

Density offers hope: With nearly half of the world’s population living in cities, density is increasingly becoming the global condition. The denser we make our cities, the more we can sustain ecosystems. Bruce Mau and the Institute without Boundaries, Massive Change

abstract This advanced studio/seminar will be conducted as a “game” where students will be “players” and the site will act as the game board. The goal of the studio is to design & propose, as a class, a 50-year plan for Denver, using two primary ideas or drivers: 1) maximum density 2) hybrid architecture and hybrid land use The design process will be generated by engaging the (seemingly) conflicting interests of each player. These conflicting interests can be divided generally into two camps, the first being a developer driven, economically based, short term or ad hoc model, and the second being a planning/urban design driven, ecologically based, long range model. The combination of these two forces simulates our present condition in terms of how cities are negotiated and built. The results of such diverse interests will create an indeterminate, long range plan for the site, including hybrid architectural types, hybrid zoning, and hybrid land use. The two groups are not to be classified as either “bad or good,” rather, they should be represented as being true to their interests: financial, ecological, social, cultural or otherwise. Individual student proposals will conclude the semester. These will be projects which elaborate on specific conditions represented in the game board. These projects will also be an opportunity to conclude the research driven proposals necessary to properly define the identities of each player. The original SimCity, of course, is an early video game where the player is given the task of constructing a city against an ever-evolving series of economical, geographical, political and physical challenges. The continued success and popularity of the game is a testament to the appeal of urban complexity and the challenges of strategic planning.

Images of density, infrastructure, and hybrid program, from Massive Change. The book’s chapter divisions, or “economies,” provided the players with a framework and organization of global systems with which to develop a 50-year masterplan. The text, a catalog for the 2004 exhibition, provides an optimistic view about the role and importance of the design professions. The studio site is one square mile of low-density industrial buildings adjacent to downtown Denver.

ACSA 2009-2010 AWARDS PROGRAM

SIM CITY

DENVER:2059

SimCity Denver:2059

The game rules are outlined below. As with all experiments and new constructs, there will likely be unanticipated scenarios during the game play which are not clearly covered in the rules. Built into the game is a democratic system of decision making which includes both the students and instructor. (This system applies to the evaluation system as well.) Sample forms will be provided to guide the play, and to also request rule clarifications, modifications and/or changes.

01 site/game board

The real, fixed site acts as the game board for the semester. “Pieces” of the board will be claimed, negotiated, won and lost as the game progresses. The site is the central South Platte Valley below the Bronco’s football stadium, bounded by the following streets: Colfax Avenue to the north, Mariposa Street to the east, 6th Avenue to the south, and Decatur Street to the west. The site is one square mile in size. Grid Pieces: The original plat of Denver is a grid plan, with Streets running north-south, and Avenues running east-west. The “central valley” was (and remains) the main industrial and transportation corridor through the city. Rail lines and, later, the “Valley Highway” or I-25, were constructed along the South Platte River. As such, the grid plan and local ecology exists in a fragmented state, owing to both natural and man-made elements. Band Pieces: Identifiable, macro-scale elements cross the site that interrupt the grid. Currently there are multiple masterplan options for this neighborhood being presented by the city, including the Lincoln Park/La Alma neighborhood plan, the River South plan, and the Decatur Light Rail Station TOD Initiative. For the purposes of this studio, these proposals are to be understood as short-term goals for land use and development combined with real, infrastructural and ownership constraints. Such constraints may be altered with approval from our SimCity Council. Unless approval is granted to a player proposal, existing constraints will remain in place. Some of these constraints include: light rail infrastructure (including stations, existing & proposed lines) Union Pacific rail (CML, Burnham Yard) existing parks & open space (Lincoln Park, Rude Park, Lakewood Gulch) transportation and utility infrastructure (I-25, Xcel substations) existing and planned housing (Sun Valley, Lincoln Park)

Aerial view of the site and images of existing conditions and uses.

ACSA 2009-2010 AWARDS PROGRAM

SIM CITY

DENVER:2059

COLFAX

14TH

13TH

GAMEBOARD 'B': EXISTING GRID

12TH

11TH

10TH

9TH

8TH

7TH

INCA (HURON)

SANTA FE

LIPAN

KALAMATH

NAVAJO

MARIPOSA

PECOS

OSAGE

QUIVAS

RARITAN

TEJON

SHOSHONE

VALLEJO

UMATILLA

ZUNI

WYANDOT

ALCOTT

BRYANT

CANOSA

DECATUR

ELIOT

FEDERAL

6TH

Preliminary macro-scale analysis: A reconstructed, two-way street grid (red) was an initial assumption (presented by the instructor) and strategy for reconnecting the site to the city. Existing infrastructure parallel to the South Platte River includes I-25, the CML (Central Main Line, a shared heavy-rail corridor) and the south metro Light Rail corridor. The northern and southern site edges are bounded by major expressway/arterial routes.

14 13 12

GAMEBOARD 'C': SIM CITY GRID

11 10 9 8 7 6 D

C B A

Game board Development: The idealized grid divided into roughly equal blocks and covering exactly one square mile. Both the blocks and the ‘bands’ became game board pieces, small sites within the larger site, open for player proposals including development, conservation, preservation and infrastructure.

Z W V U T S R Q P O N M

COLFAX VIADUCT JASON

AMANDA

KATY

JUSTIN

KATY

JASON

TIM

KATY

NATALIE

LEZLIE

NATALIE

BASIM

KEVIN

TIM

AMANDA

NATALIE

KATY

AMANDA

AUSTIN

BASIM

NATALIE

JUSTIN

AMANDA

AUSTIN

AMANDA

AUSTIN

LEZLIE

BASIM

JASON

LEZLIE

NATALIE

KEVIN

LEZLIE

AUSTIN

KEVIN

KATY

AUSTIN

BASIM

LEZLIE

JASON

LEZLIE

TIM

AUSTIN

KEVIN

JUSTIN

KEVIN

TIM

KEVIN

BASIM

TIM

JUSTIN

TIM

JASON

LEZLIE

AMANDA

NATALIE

KATY

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JUSTIN

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LIG

A HTR

8TH AVE VIADUCT AUSTIN

6TH AVE VIADUCT

Turn #1: Game board piece distribution following the lottery on the first day of studio. Ten players, seven pieces each (including infrastructural bands). Construction of a topo model at 1” = 50” and initial proposals followed. The model, or game board, remained the primary exploratory vehicle for the semester.

JASON

L AI TR GH ATY

L CMALIE

AT T S E

5 I-2 SIM

T NA

VE R

ACSA 2009-2010 AWARDS PROGRAM

SIM CITY

DENVER:2059

02 players

The players are to take on identities that have influence or impact on the built environment of the site. The players will be generally split into two groups. The groups are to be treated equally, without bias, acknowledging the pragmatic and realistic role that each play in the design of cities: 1) the developer or economically driven group, with intent to maximize building and development, and generally less inclined to support planning & long range urban design strategies. This group will include TOD developers, commercial developers, housing developers, mixed use developers, and developers driven by specific clients like schools, hospitals, etc. 2) the advocates or planning/urban design group is driven by ideas of long range, planned development, and considers infrastructure, open space, and smart growth to be more important than short term financial growth or improvement of an economic base. This group will include transit planners, open space advocates, energy interests, preservationists, sustainability advocates, etc. While the division and identity of players offers a limited and stereotyped description, players are expected to select an identity with which they are generally comfortable. No players may have the same identity. developer group 1 housing development 2 commercial/tenant development 3 mixed use development 4 industrial use development 5 food production/agricultural devt

advocacy/planner group 1 transit/transportation 2 energy/utilities 3 open space & parks 4 planning/urban design 5 water & waste water

03 economies

To further establish & better identify the players and their own strategies of game play, the following categorizations or “economies” are also to be selected. These economies are taken from the studio’s required text, Massive Change by Bruce Mau and the Institute without Boundaries. Economies provide a way to direct research and to better identify and expand upon player identities. Players should become familiar with the essays and examples included in Massive Change both for their own research and also for in-class discussion. Multiple players may select the same economy. economies 1 urban economies 2 movement economies 3 energy economies 4 information economies 5 image economies 6 market economies

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material economies military economies manufacturing economies living economies wealth and politics

04 set up

The game set up will occur over the first two weeks. Players are to define in written format their identity & economy choices. Players are to complete readings, independent research & precedent studies in preparation for game play. Players will propose an evaluation rubric by which they will ultimately be evaluated for the studio. Each player will propose and complete a specific type of site analysis, which will be shared studio-wide. All players will combine to produce the site model/game board which will be used jointly throughout the semester.

05 rubric

Following a player’s initial research into their identity and economy, they are to submit a rubric as a way to propose a project and then, subsequently, to evaluate it. A rubric is a method which lists various goals and ultimately how to measure the success of each upon completion of the project. Two rubrics will be presented, one during the set up, and another at the start of the end game. The rubric will be reviewed by the instructor and may be required to be resubmitted. Players are asked to remember that a high level of self motivation and challenging goals are expected for the length of the studio.

ACSA 2009-2010 AWARDS PROGRAM

SIM CITY

DENVER:2059

- 20-30% More officiant than the existing Grid. - Better performance for wind turbine. - Enhance the Infrastructure. - Connect to down town. - Variety of different directions. - Walkable community with 200 Block.

06 site analysis FT

Spanish Grid

Urban Form Air Movement Study During the set up, each player is to propose and complete an overall site analysis which relates to (By Dan Hoffman). their goals and player identity. Such analysis may include transit, open space, land use, energy use, public amenities, etc. Presentation format is to be coordinated amongst the entire studio.

The Los Angeles River revitalization project relates with the South Platte River Green way and proposed floodway. Both Rivers deal greatly with storm water mitigation. The South Platte River offers the city of Denver a unique opportunity in that by installing a floodway and better controlling storm water while simultaneously greening the edges of the river for use by the public over 90% of the year, Grid Analysis & Proposal: development can now abut the green way creating an active Grid Immediately the logic of re-connecting the 90º street grid, the Urban Planner presented an analysis and proposal for a 45º public openAnalysis space.questioning This is imperative to achieve maximum density on the overall project grid across the SimCitysite. site. Denver actually uses three grids (middle). The proposal (right) was considered and discussed at length in council following the first player presentations. A central argument was better solar orientation and energy efficiency for buildings aligned on a 45º grid. The proposal was voted down, partly because of initial developer work already completed using the 90º grid, and partly due to perceived difficulties in reconnecting to the established, surrounding street grid.

COLFAX AVE.

Colfax Avenue

SITE DRAINAGE & RUNOFF AREA OF MAJOR SURFACE RUNOFF IN WEATHER EVENT

LAKEWOOD GULCH

DRAINAGE BASIN PARKING LOTS (AREAS OF MAJOR SURFACE RUNOFF) ROOF TOPS (AREAS OF MAJOR RUNOFF)

Currently on 5% i

SITE BOUNDARY

13th Avenue

Code currently on open space requi

CURRENT WASTE WATER TREATMENT PROCESSES

CML

Kalamath

I-25

South Platte River

Decatur

SOUTH PLATTE RIVER

INTE

RSTA TE 2

13th AVE.

WEIR GULCH

8th Avenue

Green Space [park

8th AV

Parking Lots

Brown Space [vaca

SIM CITY

6th AVE.

DENVER:2059

S I T E A N A LY S I S

125

250

500

6th Avenue

PROPOSED FLOODWAY CONCEPT FOR PROJECT SITE Water and Open Space Analysis & Proposal: These diagrams show existing flood plain, runoff, and open space conditions. The South Platte River was immediately identified by all players as an amenity. A Greenway (left) was proposed, along with strict zoning and floodway constraints, leading to several lengthy and heated council discussions. The river was ultimately designed to share developer & housing interests, open space needs, agricultural uses and self-sustaining water re-use and treatment.

SIM CITY

INDUSTRIAL

C-MU30 WVRS* C-MU-30 Big Industry WVRS*

Siegel Oil Public Service Robinson Dairy Centennial Wood Supply Ready Foods

DENVER:2059

P R O P O S A L # 1 - F L O O D WAY C O N C E P T

Zoning a

R-5 R-MU-30 WVRS

PRV

B-4 WVRS*

B-4

Business Zone Districts

R-2

Medium Industry R-3

KEY: HOUSING Multi-Family Residential Single Family Residential TRANSPORTATION Light Rail Public Transportation

RSC Equipment Rental Gases Medical Supply Ultra Design Center Atlas Metals CEL Roofing Bison Deck Supports Daz Bog Coffee Stadium Auto Parts Wazee Electric Lane Supply Company Plastic Supply and Fabrication Denver Bumper AAMCO DIPCO Denver Industrial Plastics CTL/Thompson Geotechnical Pepperdines Marking Products

R-MU20 WVRS

I-0

Keyline Graphics TGI Top-shop First Love RMD Signs Downtown Radio Bobs Brewed Coffee Art Iza Way Dana Kepner Company Mile High Auto Center Faster Motor Sports Com Cables Downtown Metro Electric San Marcos El Sol Foods Milwaukee Bosch Stanley Resurrection Customs Unique Glass

B-2 Neighborhood Business District: This district goods,” and the furnishing of certain personal servi residents of surrounding residential neighborhoods size, usually is entirely surrounded by residential d residential districts it is designed to serve. The dist residential districts, resulting in similar standards. B

B-4 General Business District: This district is inten adjacent to arterial streets, which are normally tran services and retail establishments that serve other district as well as residents throughout the city. The concentration for the purpose of achieving compati height is not controlled by bulk standards unless th Building floor area cannot exceed twice the site are Industrial Zone Districts

R-3

I-0 Light Industrial/Office District: This district is in industrial uses which are generally compatible with between residential areas and more intensive indu district. Building floor area cannot exceed 50% of t are conditional uses.

R-MU20 WVRS

I-1 General Industrial District: This district is inten generally more intensive than those permitted in th district. Building floor area cannot exceed twice the

I-2 Heavy Industrial District: This district is intende intensive than that permitted in either of the other t in this district. Building area cannot exceed twice th Mixed Use Zone Districts

R-2

C-MU-20 Commercial Mixed-Use District: The C-M industrial uses along or near arterials or other high the character of the streets. A wide range of comm uses. Although residential uses are permitted in the responsible for buffering themselves from nonresid area is equal to one (1) times the area of the zone

C-MU-30 Commercial Mixed-Use District: The C-M industrial, and residential uses that allow property o trends. Although residential uses are permitted in t responsible for buffering themselves from nonresid area is equal to one (1) times the area of the zone

I-2

Small Industry

AREAS OF INTEREST School

Residential Zone Districts

R-3 Multi-Unit Dwellings, High Density: Building s requirements. Building floor area cannot exceed 3 units and the factors mentioned above.

I-1

C-MU-30 WVRS*

Renner Sports Surfaces I-1 Johnston supply Rock Solid hardwoods Superior Post Products Rexel – Elec products National coatings Mercury LDO Coventry Carpets American Clay works 1-800 Radiators Platte River Kitchens Jerico Sales R-3 Coated Metals Group Airhandlers Supply Hardy Sales Company Denver I-0 Concierge

Zone District Descriptions

Planned Unit Development

Cal Spas Hydra Flex Aztec Custom Rug and Carpet Mountain States Telephone J8 Equipment Jones Hearts Lime Co. Petroleum Field Services J+S Auto Service Dakota Drilling Alto Parts & service Vindan Print Brokers AutoKnowHow Broomhall Bros Mech. Contractor I-1 Fluorescent Maintenance Flame Spray Wavelength General Air Housing Helpers

Trampolines C.A.R.S Royal Textile A1 Transmission The Vault Electri-Serve Action Screen Printing Buckley Mortuary Sceno graphics Machine Repair Inc Old Western Paint Eisenbuds Conserve A Watt Heating and Plumbing Engineers Expert Floor Covering Doggie Day Care Custom Edge Marble and Granite

PUD Planned Unit Development: PUD is a form of clustering buildings and providing common open-s process involves site plan review, during which the determining the nature of the development. In effec precise regulations written by the applicant, and wh flexibility during the planning stage and maximum a

I-2

Platte River Valley Zone District

B-4

Source:http://www.denvergov.org/Zoning/ZoneDist

General Existing Land Use Government Owned Denver County Owned Other Exempt Vacant

Use Diagram Examples: From left to right, housing & schools, industrial use, and zoning. The industrial use diagram shows big, medium and small sized tenants and property holders, totaling over 100 companies. The studio engaged with a City of Denver Senior Planner who reported that a future zoning change will allow an industrial-residential mix, currently not permitted. This recognition of previously illegal mixed uses is an important first step in reclaiming such centrally located, urban brownfield sites.

ACSA 2009-2010 AWARDS PROGRAM

PRV Platte River Valley Zone District: This district integrate the district’s unique geographic location a variety of land uses are permitted to facilitate new d complement development in adjacent neighborhoo encouraged. Regulatory flexibility is provided to fac and to encourage creativity in the development of t zoning map. A subarea plan, including preliminary a framework for private and public development pr content and requirements of subarea plans. Plans enacted by City Council.

SIM CITY

DENVER:2059

07 site model/game board

Also during the set up, the entire studio is to coordinate and build a game board model. Scale, material, inclusion of existing elements, etc. should be discussed prior to the construction. A fixed place in the center of the studio should be designated as a permanent home for the model, allowing equal access for all players.

08 game play

Following the game set up, each player will be assigned one or more pieces of the game board and will have one week to develop a proposal based upon the themes of SimCity, including maximum density, hybrid architecture & hybrid land use, and individual research and interests, all with respect to the player’s own identity. The proposal will be presented to and evaluated by the entire studio. These presentations or “council” meetings are similar to public review hearings. They will be evaluated in terms of quality and completeness, and in their adherence to the player’s identity. Proposals which are most successful will be given more game board pieces to develop in forthcoming proposals. There will be a total of four “turns” or proposals, over the course of four weeks. Each proposal becomes more complex due to newly designated adjacencies on the game board, and by the combination of multiple players to create a single proposal. For example, following the first turn/ proposal, the housing developer may be paired with the open space advocate. This new pairing would propose and present a scheme which would then be evaluated by the remaining studio. This strategy establishes unusual or hybrid combinations which, in turn, suggests new architectures and urbanisms.

TURN #1 PROPOSALS: relocate I-25 Viaduct riverfront bamboo farm

industrial mixed use alternative energy fueling station One-Mile Park Colfax Blvd (eliminate viaduct) COLFAX VIADUCT

mixed use development

JASON

AMANDA

KATY

JUSTIN

KATY

JASON

TIM

KATY

NATALIE

LEZLIE

NATALIE

BASIM

KEVIN

TIM

AMANDA

NATALIE

KATY

AMANDA

AUSTIN

BASIM

NATALIE

JUSTIN

AMANDA

AUSTIN

AMANDA

AUSTIN

LEZLIE

BASIM

JASON

LEZLIE

NATALIE

KEVIN

LEZLIE

AUSTIN

KEVIN

KATY

AUSTIN

BASIM

LEZLIE

JASON

LEZLIE

TIM

AUSTIN

KEVIN

JUSTIN

KEVIN

TIM

KEVIN

BASIM

TIM

JUSTIN

TIM

JASON

LEZLIE

AMANDA

NATALIE

KATY

TIM

JASON

JUSTIN

W V

floating concentrated solar trough; mixed use neighborhoods

urban farm & organic food rest stop housing LIG

AIL HTR

13th Ave underground crossing trout hatchery & microbrewery wastewater treatment facility alternative vehicle design & mfgr plant business center neighborhood/Main St retail improvements to 8th Ave Viaduct

AUSTIN

6TH AVE VIADUCT

JASON

VE R

AT T S E

A TR GH ATY

L CMALIE

5 I-2 SIM

integrated parks & open space system

8TH AVE VIADUCT

T NA

big box retail

elevated light rail stop; commercial/TOD development

concentrated solar tower (“campinele”) within dense, urban infill

river greenway zoning & extents for floodway other zoning, use and code proposals

mixed use riverfront neighborhood rotated to proposed 45º street grid

ACSA 2009-2010 AWARDS PROGRAM

SIM CITY

DENVER:2059

Photo of the game board looking west following Turn #1 player presentations. The group is preparing for the first Council session, where the agenda included discussion of the first presentation, redistribution of game board pieces, player partnerships for Turn #2, discussion of modifications and additions to game rules, improvement to game board craft and construction, and discussion and voting on all proposed codes. Council sessions were held following every presentation. The Council decided that “undeveloped” pieces were to become “free,” allowing for any player to claim. Similarly, a player could “freeze” one of their best developed pieces/proposals. This allows the player to concentrate on and develop other pieces in Proposalchanges, : 1 Mile Park future turns, the frozen piece remaining intact, safe from manipulations, or elimination by others. Code considerations included sustainability, energy usage and production, zoning, setbacks, land use, open space requirements, grey water recycling, water collection. The most significant infrastructure proposals were moving the existing I-25 viaduct to share the CML railroad right-of-way (adopted), and the realignment of the assumed street grid to a 45º grid (rejected).

Propose I-25

Light Rail

Proposal : 1 Mile Park

IF BURNHAM YARD, IN FACT, MUST REMAIN IN THE FUTURE MASTER PLAN FOR SIMCITY DENVER 2059, I PROPOSE THE 8TH AVE VIADUCT WIDENS AN EXTRA 10-15 FEET ON THE EDGE OF THE CURRENT PEDESTRIAN PATH. THIS PLAN IMPLEMENTS MORE TERRITORY FOR AN OPEN-SPACE GREENWAY ALONG THE 8TH AVE VIADUCT. I PROPOSE A PARK LIKE CONDITION TO EXIST IN THIS SPACE, DESIGNED TO CAPTURE SCENIC URBAN VIEWS OF OUR FORESEEN DENSE HYBRID ENVIRONMENT. IN ORDER TO CREATE A LESS CONGESTED INFRASTRUCTURE IN A VIADUCT THAT CONSISTS OF VEHICULAR (WHICH INCLUDES PUBLIC TRANSIT), PEDESTRIAN, AND BICYCLE TRAFFIC I PROPOSE THE FUTURE DESIGN OF THE VIADUCT TO INCLUDE A SEPARATE TIER FOR BICYCLES. THE CURRENT DESIGN CONSISTS OF A SINGLE LANE OF VEHICULAR TRAFFIC IN EACH DIRECTION (EAST AND WEST) AND A SINGLE NARROW PATH FOR BIKES AND PEDESTRIANS TO SHARE. THE PROPOSAL WOULD KEEP THE TRAFFIC LANES AS-IS, EXPAND THE PEDESTRIAN PATH ON THE SOUTH EDGE AN EXTRA 10-15 FEET TO INCLUDE SUSTAINABLE AND EASILY MAINTAINABLE GREEN LIFE SUITABLE FOR OUR CLIMATE, AND TO ADD A SUB-LEVEL TIER FOR A BICYCLE PATH APPROXIMATELY 8 – 12 FEET IN WIDTH. IF THE COMMITTEE ALLOWS FOR THE RELOCATION / DEMOLITION OF THE BURNHAM MAINTENANCE YARD, I PROPOSE THAT 8TH AVE VIADUCT NO LONGER REMAINS AS A VIADUCT WHOSE SOLE PURPOSE IS TO BYPASS THE BURNHAM YARD. INSTEAD W. 8TH AVE CONTINUES IN A STRAIGHT LINE AT GRADE. IF THIS CONDITION IS IMPLEMENTED I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO PROPOSE THAT THE LIGHT RAIL IS RAISED APPROXIMATELY 18’ THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE SITE TO ALLOW FOR MORE CONTINUOUS FLOW OF VEHICULAR TRAFFIC, PUBLIC TRANSIT, BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION. BY RAISING THE LIGHT RAIL AND DOING AWAY WITH BURNHAM YARD AND THE 8TH AVE VIADUCT, OUR SITE BEGINS TO BE LESS FRAGMENTED AND MORE CAPABLE OF ESTABLISHING A STREET GRID WHICH, IN RETURN, ALLOWS FOR GREATER CAPABILITY TO IMPLEMENT EFFICIENT MEANS FOR TRANSIT.

austin pulford | transit advocate

8TH AVE VIADUCT

Left: Proposal to relocate the I-25 corridor. Center-top: Proposal for improvements to the 8th Avenue Viaduct, including separated bike lanes and landscaping. Center-bottom and right: Proposal for a One-Mile Park, extending west from the existing Lincoln Park.

ACSA 2009-2010 AWARDS PROGRAM

SIM CITY

DENVER:2059

The Parks and Open Space advocate proposed Proposal a masterplan and minimum open space/land use [master planincluding concept] codes, recreational, agricultural, and native revegetation areas. The masterplan connects the given site amenities into a linked ring of parks and to downtown Denver greenways. Specific park plans include:

continuing light rail line

Lincoln Park: existing, recreational & historical park Burnham Park: an elevated, active “industrial” park, spanning the and connected to the railyards

proposed parks/ plazas 1/4 mi apart

Propose

pedestrian paths to conncect site to city to west neighborhoods

Keystone Park: a recreational and entertainment park combined with agricultural fields, and public amphitheater

I-25

South Platte River Walk: Bike Path & River Access Xcel Park: Educational Facilities & Entertainment Park Light Rail to redeveloped santa fe neighborhood

continuing south platte development 10th and Osage Commercial Center This proposal combines P9 and P10 for the development of a retail and commercial center. Located at the northern end of the existing Burnham rail yards, it demolishes two maintenance buildings and western sideline rails vacated by the Ski Train. Three eastern sideline rails remain for use by the Union Pacific locomotive maintenance facility to the south. A four story plinth bridges the retained rail lines, creating an artificial grade for a pedestrian retail center. Twenty story office towers rise above the retail. 10th Street provides a view corridor from east to west through the center. The existing light rail line and station move to an elevated position atop the plinth. The 10th and Osage Station expands with additional platform area for both north and south approaches. On the east, pedestrians access the center from Osage street via a grand stair or adjacent elevator. A switchback path leads bicyclists up a grassy berm. On the west, two stairs, elevator, and switchback path provide access from a new frontage. On the northern edge, a small park Traveling East on Colfax Ave. connects the paths. approaching viaduct. Along this frontage located within the plinth are commercial spaces with optional living quarters above. Rear vehicular access for these units connects to an entrance at midblock.

Neighborhood Retail and Business Center This complex developed as a retail and office center to service the immediate neighborhood, has offices along 6th Avenue, retail along an internal pedestrian way, and offices and residences above street level. The ground floor offices for service professionals such as doctors, real Existing estate agents, photos Colfax Ave. & viaduct. etc. benefit the surrounding community. A day care center fronts onto the Weir Gulch Park to the north. The southwest corner opens up to allow visual access to the center of the complex. The central CONCEPTS - Reduce traffic to 2 - 11’ lanes plus 1 - 4’ bike lane in each direction. retail plaza enjoys views east to the river. Create a median with a mixture of hardscape and landscape to mitigate runoff. Right-of-way on the provides for a parkway like Reduce impervious area as much as possible in ROW (Right of Way). development of 6th Avenue. One lane in each Reduce speed limit to promote walkabilty. direction for cars and for buses pass each side of a Super elevate roadways to direct runoff to median. green tree lined median. The middle of the parkway hosts a bike path. Ample sidewalks each side encourage pedestrian activity as the business and NEEDS - Elimination of existing Colfax Avenue viaduct. store fronts.edge. Re-zoning of Colfax corridor to Mixed Use to promote pedestrian traffic while creating an active street

Commercial development was proposed for multiple sites, using a variety of scales, including Main Street retail, Big Box retail, Transit Oriented Development in combination with improvements to existing Light Rail, and mixed use commercial and housing development.

GOALS - To reclaim Colfax Avenue as an amenity for the City of Denver. To create east/west conncection for not only vehicles but also pedestrians and cyclists. To use Colfax Avenue as a major stormwater collector while reducing water contamination.

Solar Orientation

Summer

Winter

Traveling East on Colfax Ave. viaduct.

Lezlie Wallace P9 & P10 Turn 1 8 June 2009

Lezlie Wallace C8 Turn 1 8 June 2009

COLFAX BOULEVARD - CONCEPTUAL SECTION Pedestrian crossing Colfax Ave. viaduct.

A proposal was made for the elimination of the Colfax Avenue viaduct, turning Colfax into a tree lined boulevard, downtown Denver’s primary western entry. The street’s center is designed as a grey water filtration system which drains towards the river. 15’-0”

4’-0”

25’-0”

Eq. Eq. Eq.

SIM CITY

3’-6” 3’-0”

DENVER:2059

57’-0”

P R O P O S A L # 1 - C O L FA X B O U L E V A R D

114’-0”

Form Air Movement Study

Hoffman).

Development Plan (Industrial Mixed Use) - Create a modular Industrial Mixed use building - 60x60 bays that will make up the open warehouse portion of the building for industrial use - First level of mid-rise building to be high ceilings for use as flex industrial space - Three levels above Industrial to be Residential 10001500 Sq.ft. condos and lofts - Possibility to stack these modules and create higher building 1-3-1-3-1-3 with levels of Industrial dividing every three levels of residential.

Objectives (Industrial Mixed Use) - Retain feeling and culture of historically industrial area - Provide higher desity of both Industry and housing within the area. - Change Idea of urban development from primarily residential/big buisness to also allow the incoporation of light industrial use. - Provide infrastructure for the development of a new age of industry in Denver getting back to the roots of the city, providing for more home grown goods.

West to East site section showing the proposal combining a below grade CML (Central Main Line railroad) and an elevated I-25. The reconnected street grid remains at grade.

Industrial development remains an important component to the site, considering available space, proximity to transit & infrastructure, and for local, economic growth and stability. These masterplans show various mixed use-industrial proposals, and include square footage, FAR and cost pro-formas. The right diagram shows a Development Plan (Alternative Energy Vehicle Production/Manufacturing) proposal “claiming” desired pieces (light yellow). of nearly 63 acres to encompassgame 27 acres of property expansion of my current - propose peoperty along the CML rail line near I-25. as companies for Thiswould site the central project the design and to house 6-8 production/manufacturing/research be ablebecame - This property well as the possibilty to locate showrooms along the lightrail lines. storage areas outside as plenty of setup prep and Industrial use building as production ofwell alternative vehicles. - Provide Alternative Energy Vehicle Production/Manufacturing (Lot T8,T9,T10,R8,R9,R10,P8)

Objectives (Alternative Energy Vehicle Production/Manufacturing) - Create a central U.S. hub for many of the countries new and emerging vehicle manufactures - Currently many are on outlying regions of the country and would like to move to a more central local. - Provide a new type of vehicle manufacturing plant looking at sustainable technologies and sustainable design which can be implemented into both building and product design. - Work with the vehicle designers to create a development that will best suit their need and ability to expand their product line.

the facilities.

earch companies as

turing) early 63 acres of

move to a more

le technologies and duct design. suit their need and

vehicle manufac-

ACSA 2009-2010 AWARDS PROGRAM t T8,T9,T10,R8,R9,R10,P8)

214,000sqft Construction Cost Per Sq.ft.

Open Space

$300

284,600sqft 550,000sqft 445 residential units 39 units per acre Industrial Use Sq.ft. Residential Use Sq.ft.

$300

200,900sqft

Industrial Mixed Use (Lot C9)

Construction Cost Per Sq.ft.

Open Space

297,700sqft 600,000sqft 500 residential units 44 units per acre Industrial Use Sq.ft. Residential Use Sq.ft.

$250

167,200sqft

Industrial Mixed Use (Lot C7)

Construction Cost Per Sq.ft.

Open Space

220,000sqft 450,000sqft 375 residential units 42 units per acre Industrial Use Sq.ft. Residential Use Sq.ft.

$250

183,500sqft

Industrial Mixed Use T.O.D (Lot R13)

Construction Cost Per Sq.ft.

Open Space

203,700sqft 400,000sqft 300 residential units 33 units per acre

PROPOSED INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS Industrial Mixed Use T.O.D (Lot P13)

kevin nguyen

Industrial Use Sq.ft. Residential Use Sq.ft.

Additional infrastructure proposals were made, many focusing on street design and the public right-ofway. Combining traditional infrastructure with active, sustainable systems such as energy production, water filtration, and increased public transit became commonplace.

ge areas outside

opment. bove the CML.

DEN[city]

to auraria campus

to mile high stadium

SIM CITY

DENVER:2059

transit hub, urban farming, elevated cattle grazing and rainwater collection

Photo of the game board looking west following Turn #2 player presentations. For the second turn, following the reassignment of game board pieces (see grid below), players were paired, one developer with one advocate. Pairings were based on both proximity of game pieces and on appropriateness of player identities. The pairings were also intended to facilitate new, hybrid program possibilities. The immense addition of housing and tall buildings raised the question of the estimated 50 year population and population density. This was discussed in council and ultimately a design population for the SimCity site was set at 75,000. This kind of statistical and economic data continued to underscore the pragmatic design necessities of the studio, just as creative hybrid programs and bold formal gestures were taking hold.

high density housing towers & transit hub spanning I-25

In addition, the highest density proposals were connected to existing light rail and high speed transit corridors. The river corridor was left conspicuously open, leading to the reassignment strategy of pieces and partners for Turn #3.

TURN #2 PROPOSALS:

Denver gateway: hybrid housing & vertical farming towers above mixed use

vertical farming & housing grey water storage, recycling & agriculture chlorophyll energy production facility

COLFAX VIADUCT JASON

13th & 11th Ave collector streets

KATY

JASON

JUSTIN

KATY

JASON

KATY

LEZLIE

NATALIE

KATY

KEVIN

NATALIE

AMANDA

KATY

NATALIE

AMANDA

LEZLIE

BASIM

AMANDA

JUSTIN

AMANDA

AUSTIN

AMANDA

AUSTIN

TIM

high rise housing & mixed use

BASIM

KATY

AMANDA

NATALIE

KEVIN

LEZLIE

AUSTIN

building scale vertical water treatment

KEVIN

KATY

KEVIN

LEZLIE

NATALIE

housing between 8th Ave & river

LEZLIE

TIM

AMANDA

KEVIN

TIM

vertical auto showroom & warehousing

KEVIN

BASIM

TIM

JUSTIN

TIM

JASON

mobility kiosk interface terminals

LEZLIE

JASON

LEZLIE

JUSTIN

LEZLIE

W V

housing & transit mixed use active PV light rail stations high speed rail/multi-nodal transit station

LIG

AIL HTR

alternative vehicle warehousing and showroom helix, spanning I-25 8TH AVE VIADUCT AUSTIN

6TH AVE VIADUCT

RI VE R

L CMSIM

PL AT JA TE S

5 I-2 SIM

energy & hi-tech corporate center

AUSTIN

L AI TR N GH TI LI AUS

vehicle sharing & rental

view looking north at the new I-25 and CML rail corridor

ACSA 2009-2010 AWARDS PROGRAM

SIM CITY

DENVER:2059

DEN[city]

ENER Comm Retail and Business Center

Proposal II [open space]

Industrial Use Sq.ft.

1,750,000sqft

Industrial Use Sq.ft.

@16,000 sqft per unit 110 Industriall units 27.514units per acre 13 2,000,000sqf

2,750,000sqft

@2,000 sqft per unit 1375 residential units 8 300 units per acre 7

Open Space Construction Cost Per Sq.ft.C

Proposed I25 access

Development Plan (Alternative Energy Vehicle Production/Manufacturing) - propose expansion of my current 27 acres of property to encompass nearly 63 acres of peoperty along the CML rail line near I-25. - This property would be able to house 6-8 production/manufacturing/research companies as well as the possibilty to locate showrooms along the lightrail lines. - Provide Industrial use building as well as plenty of setup prep and storage areas outside the facilities.

CH 3

H3C N

CH 2CH

Mg N

CH 3

H 2 C=CH

CHLOROPHYLL a

CH 2CH CO CH2 CH=C(CH CH CH CH) CH 2 2 2 2 2 CH 3

sunlight 3

CH 3

H--C

CH 2CH

CH 3

H 2 C=CH CH

CHLOROPHYLL b

CH 2CH CO CH2 CH=C(CH CH CH CH) CH 2 2 2 2 2 3

carbon dioxide

CH 3

-----

N N

The silver bands and tubes display a new communications technology the interconnects the

various sections of the center. The porous building diagram: Industrial mixed-use concept building sections. configuration allows light to penetrate this dense agglomeration of technological use.

183,500sqft

T13, T14, R14, P14, & N14 Lezlie Wallace Justin Fider C13 Turn 2 17 June 2009

$250

acres) Identities: Agricultural Developer/Food Production & t OP XFBUIFS SFMBUFE DSPQ GBJMVSFT EVF UP ESPVHIUT Ă¸PPET QFTUT t GPPE JT HSPXO PSHBOJDBMMZ OP IFSCJDJEFT QFTUJDJEFT PS GFSUJMJ[FST Water Advocate t WJSUVBMMZ FMJNJOBUFT BHSJDVMUVSBM SVOPĂ˛ CZ SFDZDMJOH CMBDL XBUFS t SFUVSOT GBSNMBOE UP OBUVSF SFTUPSJOH FDPTZTUFN GVODUJPOT BOE TFSWJDFT Economies: Living Economies t HSFBUMZ SFEVDFT UIF JODJEFODF PG NBOZ JOGFDUJPVT EJTFBTFT UIBU BSF BDRVJSFE BU the agricultural interface The energy advocate expanded on a theoretical t DPOWFSUT CMBDL BOE HSBZ XBUFS JOUP QPUBCMF XBUFS CZ DPMMFDUJOH UIF XBUFS PG hydrogen production plant program, initially suggested evapotranspiration oxygen t BEET FOFSHZ CBDL UP UIF HSJE WJB NFUIBOF HFOFSBUJPO GSPN DPNQPTUJOH OPO- by the agricultural developer in turn #1. Chlorophyll edible parts of plants and animals can be harvested by using the chemical changes during t ESBNBUJDBMMZ SFEVDFT GPTTJM GVFM VTF OP USBDUPST QMPXT TIJQQJOH

chlorophyll photosynthesis. It naturally splits water into oxygen and t DPOWFSUT BCBOEPOFE VSCBO QSPQFSUJFT JOUP GPPE QSPEVDUJPO DFOUFST t DSFBUFT TVTUBJOBCMF FOWJSPONFOUT GPS VSCBO DFOUFST hydrogen, in lieu of using 2.5 volts of electricity to split -urban farming towers and production facilities mixed with residential and sales hydrogen t DSFBUFT OFX FNQMPZNFOU PQQPSUVOJUJFT a single at Colfaxwater front molecule. t XF DBOOPU HP UP UIF NPPO .BST PS CFZPOE XJUIPVU ĂśSTU MFBSOJOH UP GBSN indoors on earth -bases of buildings are terraced to allow maximum solar exposure t NBZ QSPWF UP CF VTFGVM GPS JOUFHSBUJOH JOUP SFGVHFF DBNQT glucose t PĂ˛FST UIF QSPNJTF PG NFBTVSBCMF FDPOPNJD JNQSPWFNFOU GPS USPQJDBM BOE subtropical LDCs. If this should to be the case, then VF may be a catalyst in -double helix from Living Economies in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Massive Changeâ&#x20AC;? informs hybrid relationCH CH prove CH helping to reduce or Heven reverse the population growth of LDCs as they adopt O ship of use by farms and residents C N N urban agriculture as a strategy for sustainable food production. CH CH Mg t DPVME SFEVDF UIF JODJEFODF PG BSNFE DPOĂ¸JDU PWFS OBUVSBM SFTPVSDFT TVDI BT CHLOROPHYLL a H N N -cores of towers H oxygenhouse greywater recycling and storage, towers recycle 100% of sunlight water and land forHagriculture C=CH

Proposal 2:

CH 3

CH 2CH

-----

W V

Alternative Energy Use Production/Manufacturing (Lot T8,T9,T10,R8,R9,R10,P8)

CH 2CH

For this turn the Commercial Developer and Energy Advocate partnered to further their interests. An electrical transformer station at this location remains to support the new energy infrastructure being implemented throughout the site. This occupies the eastern half of the property. The western half accommodates a light rail station for the west corridor rail line. Covered by a large awning, the station hosts large crowds traveling to Invesco Field north of the site. A commercial building has restaurants and shops on the ground floor and offices above. A wide bridge across Lakewood Gulch has a covered arcade for shops. A parking structure with a Park-n-Go facility provides for parking of privately own vehicles, car sharing management services, and the rental of vehicles by the hour, day, or week. Vehicles such as electric cars, motorcycles, bicycles and trailers, Segways, and carts are available for rental. Similar facilities are dispersed throughout the site. The roof of the parking facility is used for photovoltaic solar collectors. As many of the vehicles proposed for use are electric, the electricity generated feeds directly to the vehicles stored in the facility.

near left: The commercial developer and energy advocate combined to propose several distinct projects. All of them mixed active, innovative energy production Justin Fider Lezlie Wallace methods with high density, commercial and mixed use R6 & P6 Turn 2 Advantages of Vertical Farming: 17 June 2009 models, including advocacy of alternative vehicles, TOD t year-round crop production; 1 indoor acre is equivalent to 4-6 outdoor acres or at light rail stations, and business centers near transit Katy Casper & Jason McCluskey more, depending upon the crop (e.g., strawberries: 1 indoor acre = 30 outdoor hubs.

12 Office units @4,000 sqft per unit 500 12511units per acre

Residential Use Sq.ft.

PROPOSED INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS

Industrial Mixed Use T.O.D (Lot P13, R13, C7, C8, C9)

A joint venture of the Energy Advocate and Commercial Developer, ENER Comm Center is

to attract companies that develop and far left: Burnham Parkdesigned combines open space with the produce energy efficient products. Commercial space is provided for the offices and laboratories of 8th Avenue Viaduct, bridging pre-existing Union the these companies.the A multistory retail shopping experience is the prime location for the display and sales of the products developed in the labs above. Pacific railyards. Industrial development improves Located along the 6th Avenue Freeway and near an Interstate 25 Highway interchange, it this immediate area, naturally to transit announces itself with itsconnecting many logos and cantilevered projections. Adjacent to a nighttime entertainment district its retail center stays open late infrastructure. and contributes to the popularity of the area.

Electrical Transformer Station and Decatur Light Rail Station

water

CH 3

water input into system minus what is consumed by vegetation, this is essentially like the idea of a tree

chlorophyll O

H--C

CH 3

CH 2CH

Mg N

CH 3

H 2 C=CH CH

N14

CH 2CH CO CH2 CH=C(CH CH CH CH) CH 2 2 2 2 2 3

carbon dioxide

CHLOROPHYLL b

CH 3

-----

P14

CH CH 3

-----

R14

CH 2CH

T14

-----

CH 3

mixed use/retail frontage added by Natalie in Proposal 3

CH 2CH CO CH2 CH=C(CH CH CH CH) CH 2 2 2 2 2 -----

CH 3

water

-underground greywater reservoir on R14, entire proposal slopes down to this hydrogen point to create visual valley

Diagrams and maps such as this â&#x20AC;&#x153;aerialâ&#x20AC;? game board view-farbecame effective trackto of numerous northeast corner towerin (onkeeping N14) is a beacon lodothe advertising urban agriglucose cultural production, can also harvest lighting run building overlapping sites and projects. Thisas energy map to lists some and continually light it as the beacon of the proposals by the agricultural developer, who was using the SimCity board as a test site for 100% self-sufficiency in terms of food production. The proposal of specific building and land-use codes were a significant part of the overall studio project, yet difficult to express on the game board itself.

vertical farming towers (with mixed use and residential) house grey water storage in core grey-water reservoir - entire proposal slopes down to here to create â&#x20AC;&#x153;valleyâ&#x20AC;? QVMM PĂ˛ GPS EFTJHOBUFE MJHIU SBJM DBS GPS MPDBM GPPE EFMJWFSJFT BOE DPNQPTU XBTUF SFUVSO QVMM PĂ˛ GPS * GPS GBTU GSFTI IFBMUIZ GPPE TUPQ BOE QFSIBQT MPBEJOH GPS $.- GPS MPOH SBOHF FYQPSUT

T13

DBUUMF HSB[JOH QBUI PWFS J $.-

K E Y M A P

SIM CITY

DENVER:2059

High-density led to several vertical proposals of typically horizontal building & land-use types, including this scheme by the water advocate for a single building water treatment plant. Localization and smaller scale models of infrastructure and technology proved to be another important lesson of the city of the future. The SimCity studio saw water treatment, energy and food production, walkable neighborhoods, and increased public transit as examples of this shift in scale and increase in density.

ACSA 2009-2010 AWARDS PROGRAM

SIM CITY SIM CITY

DENVER:2059

PROPOSAL #2 WATER TREATMENT

DENVER:2059

view of game board looking west

Photo of the game board following Turn #3 player presentations. The third turn concentrated on development along the western half of the site (near edge in the photo above), which had been under-developed in previous turns. Player partnerships were arranged in multiples: each player was to make two proposals, each with a different partner. The exception was the development and future adoption of a comprehensive transit plan, designed by the transit advocate and the urban planner. The remaining eight players presented eight localized projects (see map below). Following the council, individual player projects on their own chosen, localized site were proposed for a midterm review. These individual projects were developed for the remainder of the semester and again presented, along with final game board revisions, at a final review.

a “hydroponic garden Ferris wheel” highlights an edu-tainment river park

TURN #3 PROPOSALS: 1) COLFAX CORRIDOR: mixed use developer & water advocate 2) RIVER CORRIDOR: water advocate & open space advocate 3) RIVER OPEN SPACE: open space advocate & agricultural developer

light industrial & housing mixed use, sharing park and light rail service

COLFAX JASON

LEZLIE KATY LEZLIE JUSTIN

5) RIVER HOUSING: energy/utility advocate & housing developer

NATALIE

JUSTIN KATY

KATY

NATALIE

KATY JASON

TIM

KATY

NATALIE AMANDA

JASON

KEVIN

KATY

KEVIN

NATALIE BASIM

BASIM TIM

NATALIE AMANDA

4) RIVER UTILITY: agricultural developer & energy/utility advocate

JASON KATY

JUSTIN

AMANDA NATALIE

AMANDA

AMANDA AMANDA LEZLIE

AMANDA

AUSTIN AMANDA

AMANDA

AUSTIN

TIM

11 10

5 BASIM

KEVIN

KATY

AMANDA

NATALIE BASIM

KEVIN

LEZLIE JUSTIN

AUSTIN

KATY

AMANDA

KATY

KEVIN

LEZLIE

NATALIE AUSTIN

KEVIN

TIM KEVIN

TIM

6) INDUSTRIAL MIXED USE HOUSING: housing developer & industrial developer: 7) SUN VALLEY: industrial developer & commercial developer

KATY AMANDA

KEVIN

BASIM

TIM

JUSTIN

TIM KEVIN

JASON

LEZLIE JUSTIN

JUSTIN LEZLIE

LEZLIE

8TH AVE VIADUCT AUSTIN

7 2 LEZLIE

LEZLIE

6TH AVE VIADUCT

W V

the highest density development occurred between the existing rail lines

L AI TRIN

AUSTIN

PL AT

5 I-2 L&M CM BASI

I-2

9) COMPREHENSIVE TRANSIT PLAN: transit advocate & urban planner

TIM

D OL

8) DECATUR LIGHT RAIL: commercial developer & mixed use developer

LEZLIE

view of the river corridor, Brew-Hatch, Ferris wheel and community gardens

8th Ave viaduct, spanning the railyards, and adjacent large development

ACSA 2009-2010 AWARDS PROGRAM

SIM CITY

DENVER:2059

10th and Osage Commer with Light Rail Energy F

Katy Casper, Tim Leinonin, and Justin Feider

Academy of Urban Agriculture

Identities: Agricultural Developer/Food Production, Open Space Advocate, and Energy Advocate

“maximum density” ferris wheel, based off of Omega Garden indoor hydroponics sysem

Economies: Living Economies, Urban Economies, & Energy Economies

“black water” slide and swimming pond

Proposal 3:

community garden plots in river floodplain BrewHatch

A12:

-XCEL Park is an educational park designed with the intention to “excel” the Denver urban situation by providing an entertaining way to teach Denverites and visitors about the balance between and the importance of land, water, and energy and how they weave the urban fabric -includes Academy of Urban Agriculture, “maximum density” ferris wheel (based off design of Omega Garden indoor hydroponics system), “black water” slide, a naturally cleansed (with vegetation) swimming pond, community garden plots, and a see-through path over the water that provides access to the ferris wheel and continues the park path around the constraint of the existing XCEL plant

organic trout hatchery/fishing pond concentrated solar collectors on floating island that grows barley and hops large water turbines

Omega Garden Increase growing space: the Omegagarden, can grow up to 1500 sq.ft. of crops in only 150 sq.ft. of floor space.

A10

A11:

Maximize light capture: the cylindrical design captures almost all of the lumens emitted by thelight source, ultimately saving energy & money and minimizing time to harvest.

Museum of Cities: Past, Present, & Future - museum by day, nightclub after the sun goes down

Mixed Use Developer partnered. transformer station and light rail Turn 2 remain. The parking struc new location to accommodate pr of-ways. Lakewood Gulch widen with bike path and a marina. A ne seasonal market wraps around t onto C12) concealing it from sigh pedestrians -a continuation of the community garden plots in the river floodplain and exten- to the mixed use dis As football fans will be takin sion of them over bridges and onto banks of the gulch transportation on game day, the -includes a portion of Lezlie’s residential development lots around the stadium will dimin lots will be built up to cater to the proposal is for a tailgate park; a congregate for that time honored -a continuation of the community garden plots in the river floodplain, fancy tailgating. A game-day pedestria bridge, outdoor amphitheater, and mixed use development carved out between two levels o restaurants and shops. The plaz boulevards connect to an existin the south entrance of Invesco Fi K On weekdays, the compani E either side of the plaza are home Y drawn by the proximity to the ligh office workers frequent the resta

A10:

-a continuation of the community garden plots in the river floodplain -includes The Museum of Cities: Past, Present, & Future

Optimize water and feeding: the cylinder rotates slowly through the feeding trough allowing plant medium to absorb only the water and nutrients needed. This results in strong, healthy, and pure growth.

A9 extension of floodplain community gardens onto banks of gulch

A9:

Produce high yield plants: effect on plants being constantly rotated, 360 degrees is known as orbitropism. This effect combined with gravity’s influence on plants, compresses the plant, producing more internodes, or flowering sites with shorter and stronger growth, which means more harvest per plant!

A8 outdoor amphitheater

Decatur Light Rail

Lezlie W Justin P9 & P 17 Jun Statio

-the BrewHatch is a brewery, organic trout hatchery and fishing pond, water and Tailgate Park concentrated solar plant, and urban farm with closed loop systems amidst the river floodplain, community gardens, and river parkway path For this turn the Commercia

A8:

M A P

SIM CITY

Lezlie Natalie C13 & 26 Jun

DENVER:2059

left: Continued development of the river corridor, incorporating proposals from all ten players. The river is defined as the central public space of the SimCity site, creating a codependency with the growth on either side, and with the various infrastructure necessary to maintain the cities new population density.

Commercial Use Sq.ft. 7,657,000sqft @4,000 sqft per unit 1915 Commercial Uits 44.5 units per acre Residential Use Sq.ft.

Useresidential Sq.ft. 12,354,000sqft @2,000 sqftResidential per unit 6177 units 267 units per acre @2,000 sqft per unit 6177 residential units 267 open units space per acre 330,000 Sq.Ft.

2,500,000sqft

@2,000 sqft per unit 1250 residential units 30 units per acre 600,000 Sq.Ft. open space

Kevin Nguyen

Amanda Johnson

Kevin Nguyen

TURN 3

Amanda Johnson

TURN 3

330,000 Sq.Ft. open space

Lezlie Wallace

Kevin Nguyen

CML

Lincoln Park

The Sim[city] park system is designe circulation path throughout the ci park fulfill the requirement of conn community. Each park has a uniqu from across the city while also servi

Roadways have been designed to of ways that allow easy access to c site. The right of ways on certa channels that lead back to the So channels act as finger parks that fo development. Kalamath

@16,000 sqft per unit 196 Industrial units 4.55 units per acre

[ 13th Avenue

Excel Park

I-25

3,136,000sqft

South Platte River

@4,000 sqft per unit 1915 Commercial Uits Commercial Use Sq.ft. 300,000sqft 44.5 units per acre @4,000 sqft per unit 1915 Commercial Uits units per acre 12,354,000sqft Residential 44.5 Use Sq.ft.

Industrial Use Sq.ft.

Main Pedestrian Circulation

8th Avenue

Green Space [parks, greenways] Burnham Park Roads

Keystone Park South Platte River Walk

Industrial @16,000 sqft per unitUse 196Sq.ft. Industrial units2,565,000sqft 4.55 units per acre @16,000 sqft per unit 196 Industrial units Commercial4.55 Useunits Sq.ft.per acre 300,000sqft

Industrial - Commercial 43 Acres

Colfax Avenue

Amphitheater

2,565,000sqft

Decatur

Industrial - Residential 26 Acres Industrial Use Sq.ft.

INDUSTRIAL RESIDENTIAL (LOT R12,P12,R13,P13)

Industrial - Residential 26 Acres

INDUSTRIAL RESIDENTIAL (LOT R12,P12,R13,P13)

right: Refinement of the two light rail stops as high-density, transit oriented developments are examples of active, small scale energy production prototypes, utilizing PV solar and harvesting the kinetic energy embodied in train movement. The use and density proposed at the northwestern corner of the game board implies a continuation to the north towards the football stadium. The open space is designed as “Tailgate Plaza.”

ALTERNATIVE VEHICLE PRODUCTION/MANUFACTURING (LOT T8,T9,T10,R8,R9,R10,P8)

A11

The commercial center deve 1 accommodates a larger light ra removal of the northeast tower. T platforms which previously ran al edge of the center consolidate to Incorporated into the station electrical feed for train power. Th supplement the energy provided solar collection arrays on the roo Transportation right-of-way Street extension necessitates the previously proposed pocket park rail line bridges over 11th Street. For Turn 3 the street right-o

A12, A11, A10, A9, & A8

see-through path over water

TURN 3

A12

Pedestrian Paths

N 6th Avenue

left & middle: Use, transit and bulk diagrams for two industrial mixed use sites, including conceptual architectural footprints designed with consideration for day to day use, site circulation and other programmatic adjacencies. right: Continuing definition of the parks and open space masterplan, showing both green space and pedestrian only connections across the site.

ACSA 2009-2010 AWARDS PROGRAM

SIM CITY

DENVER:2059

125

250

500

750

MARIPOSA

NAVAJO

OSAGE

RARITAN

SHOSHONE

UMATILLA

RTD Lightra

RTD Bus Rou

11th Ave

10th Ave

LIGH

IL TRA

9th Ave

8th Ave

7th Ave

6.5th Ave

SIM CITY

DENVER:2059

8TH H AVE AVE VIADU A U UCT T

6TH AVE VIADUCT 6T V U T

35’ Pedestrian Lanes Bicycle & Segway Paths Bicycle Lanes

L CM 5 I-2

MARIPOSA

NAVAJO

OSAGE

RARITAN

SHOSHONE

UMATILLA

L CM 5 I-2

L AI Collector TR 13.5th Ave

XINCA

YUMA

Arterial 14th Ave

ZUN I

Expressway

COLFAX6T 6TH TH A AVE AV CT VIADUCT V U T VIADU

BRYANT

VEHICULAR CIRCULATION CLAY

MARIPOSA

NAVAJO

OSAGE

RARITAN

SHOSHONE

UMATILLA

XINCA

YUMA

DECATUR

ER E RIV ATT S PL

8TH TH T H AVE AVE V VIADU VIA A U UCT T

ER E RIV ATT S PL

8th Ave

7th Ave

IL TRA

LIGH

9th Ave

RTD Lightrail

Local

RTD Lightrail Station RTD Bus Route

13th Ave

RTD Bus Stop 12th Ave

11th Ave

10th Ave

LIGH TRA

LIGH IL

TRA

9th Ave

8th Ave

ER E RIV ATT S PL

8TH TH T H AVE AVE V VIADU VIA A U UCT T 7th Ave

6TH 6T TH A AVE AV VIADUCT V U T

6.5th Ave

8TH H AVE AVE VIADU A U UCT T

6TH AVE VIADUCT 6T V U T

DENVER:2059

Collector Streets: 14th Avenue, Decatur Street, Raritan Street

Local Streets (typical)

L CM 5 I-2

Expressway SIM CITY& High Speed Transit: I-25 & High Speed Rail (elevated), Central Main Line (below grade)

Arterial Streets: 13th Avenue, 8th Avenue

Bicycle & Se

RTD Bus Sto

10th Ave

35’ Pedestri

Bicycle Lane 13.5th Ave

12th Ave

11th Ave

LIG

14th Ave

13th Ave

12th Ave

6.5th Ave

XINCA

LocalIGH

13.5th Ave

YUMA

L AI TR

Collector

ZU N

Arterial

BRYANT

Expressway

13th Ave

VIADUCT

COLFAX VIADUCT CLAY

DECATUR

VEHICULAR CIRCULATION

MARIPOSA

NAVAJO

OSAGE

RARITAN

SHOSHONE

14th Ave

UMATILLA

XINCA

YUMA

ZU N

BRYANT

LIG

CLAY

DECATUR

IL RA HT

COLFAX AX VIADUCT

Arterial Streets: Colfax Avenue, Mariposa Street, Bryant Street

Following turn #2, the council was in agreement that a comprehensive transit plan was needed. This would solve practical game play issues, such as finalizing street widths and hierarchies (left), and more importantly, propelling the larger, 50-year vision of local, regional and individual transportation. This task was shared by the transit advocate and the urban planner. The masterplans describe the street design (above left) and public transit (above right). During the studio much discussion and speculation regarding the future of the automobile was made. While some felt that individual cars will be obsolete, many of the developer CITY proposals actually focused SIM on the design and production of alternative vehicles and fuels. Ultimately, the transit proposals articulated public transit and smaller individual vehicles, including cars, Segways and bicycles. DENVER:2059

A dense, high-speed corridor, connecting passenger rail on a regional/national scale, was paired with the redesigned I-25 expressway. A central transit hub holds the center of the game board, linking all transit infrastructure with the neighborhood and with regional light rail. Additional bus and light rail lines were also proposed, many using dedicated lanes designed into the street right-of-way.

Collector Streets (One Way)

Local Streets: 9th Avenue, 12th Avenue

ACSA 2009-2010 AWARDS PROGRAM

SIM CITY

DENVER:2059

09 reviews/council

In-class reviews or “councils” will be central to the advancement of the game. These reviews are equivalent to public “planning board” or “city-council” presentations. All players are to attend all reviews & presentations, and are required to submit thoughtful, critical feedback as a part of the game play. Game board piece distribution & acquisition will be based upon player evaluations following council. below: “Aerial composite” view of the game board at midterm. Following Turn #3, players began the ‘End Game’ by selecting a specific proposal from a previous turn to develop as an individual project.

SIM CIT

DENVE

HYB

One typical ability of m Research by

abstract

In terms of of simultan

This advanc drivers: 1) m The design model, and The combin hybrid zonin Individual s properly de The origina game is a

maximum

Maximum d has been in “mixed use” From an ur addressing ad hoc and Until the m as we are r and superim Density, how of hybridiza density can media. Like Current pla has present contradictio lowest com SimCity is a of competin

players

The players role that ea 1) the deve housing dev 2) the advo base. This While the d To further Economies Multiple pla

developer 1 Amand 2 Lezlie 3 Natalie 4 Kevin N 5 Katy C

set up

The game s an evaluatio will be used

game pla

Following th individual re in terms of There will b For example unusual or

end game

FEDERAL

The final th within the l

initial

COLFAX VIADUCT JASON

AMANDA

IL HTRA

LIG

GAMEBOARD: TURN 1

NATALIE

AMANDA

NAT

NATALIE

BASIM

PROPOSALS DUE MON 08 JUN

KEVIN

LEZLIE

KEVIN

LEZLIE

AMA

game pi

aerial view of gameboard following turn 3

10 end game

The final three-four weeks will be given for each player to individually propose an architectural, urban, infrastructural, or hybrid project, using the pieces of the game board which are best suited for their proposal. Individual projects must be completed within the larger context of the entire game board and other student projects. They should be a culmination of all of the research and possibilities of the semester. These projects will be evaluated using a self-proposed rubric, similar to the evaluations completed during the game play.

ACSA 2009-2010 AWARDS PROGRAM

SIM CITY

DENVER:2059

pon

SIT

plaza

concentrated solar island field ge

park

arterial

processing

collector

dense housing

local

fishi

ch ent

off brid

LEGEND

ped/bike path

mixed use

platte river

research/ edu-tainment

museum of cities

fish egg trays mash lauter mash mixer malt mill

kiln steeper larvae tanks brewing kettle whirl pool fry tanks fermentation vessels heat exchanger fingerling tanks aging tanks

reheater

research labs

bottling & keg line

filtration station

oil expansion tank

brood fish tanks cold storage processing area distribution center

restaurant

pond processing

research labs filtration station

fish market/ plaza

brood fish tanks

concentrated solar island field

cold storage

park

processing area distribution center processing

Individual Land use Proposal ing

dense housing

hydro-turbineshot salt storage

site inventory

edu-tainment

hops/ barley

hatch tankery

essin

LEGEND

fish market plaza fish market plaza research edu-tainment hydro-turbines

13th Avenue

proc

off

preheater

Xinca

oil expansion tank

yuma

generator

Zu ni

steam turbine

hatch tankery

pat h

super heater

steam generator

preheater

hatchery

restaurant entrance

mixed use

fish

generator

bottling & keg line

brewery power plant

bike

deaerator

restaurant

fish egg trays mash lauter mash mixer malt mill

condenser

Umatilla

combination of site inventory

brewery hatchery

steam turbine

ROLE CALL

clay

Bryant

bike path open space

cooling tower

ROLE CALL

neighborhood recreational pedestrians

research/ edu-tainment

kiln steeper larvae tanks brewing kettle whirl pool fry tanks fermentation vessels heat exchanger fingerling tanks aging tanks

brid

steam generator 11th Avenue

SITE PLAN

reheater

gate

Umatilla

deaerator

processing

A11

cold salt storage of urban a.u.a. academy agriculture

hot salt storage

museum of cities

cold salt storage

SIM CITY

DENVER:2059

park/open space 12th Avenue

SIM CITY

site

The Energy/Utilities Advocate finalized the proposal for the ‘Brew-Hatch,” occupying a single game piece and combining hydroelectric energy production, concentrated solar collection, a fish hatchery and brewery. The brewery, doubling as a restaurant, produces waste which is used as fish food. The project is located within the SimCity ‘edu-tainment’ open space.

DENVER:2059

ADVANCED DESIGN STUDIO Summer 2009 JUSTIN FEIDER :: ENERGY & UTILITIES

The Industrial Developer fish egg trays finalized a proposal for an mash lauter mash mixer alternative vehicle design, malt mill production, distribution and kiln steeper sales center, located near larvae tanks brewingexisting kettle the Union Pacific whirl pool fry tanks rail maintenance yard and fermentation vessels heat exchanger D showing the main plaza connecting to the 3proposed fingerling tanks aging tanks I-25 & CML rail corridor. research labs

retail commercial neighborhood recreational pedestrians Large Vehicle

11th Avenue

Residential

Green

Pedestrian

cooling tower Industrial

Commercial

Education

condenser Umatilla

Xinca

yuma

deaerator super heater reheater

bike path open space

INDUSTRIAL VEHICLE CIRCULATION

The possibility of vehicle and parts deliveries to the site are very important to the success of the program, the site is located centrally at the intersection of 6th Ave the CML and I-25. Allowing for the easy access of delivery vehicles and the transport of materials.

processing

steam turbine Mixed use

Commercial

Schools

Residential

generator

Hospitals Individual Land use Proposal

Industrial

preheater

Civic center

bottling & keg line

filtration station

oil expansion tank

brood fish tanks cold storage

CIRCULATION RELATIONSHIP

processing area

PROGRAM RELATIONSHIPS

The relationship between the pedestrian and The three major programs, Automotive Sales, restaurant vehicle circulation is an important one to underAutomotive Design School, and Future Vehicle stand in how people will access and use the site Design Center lent themselves well to the way in fish market plaza on a day to day basis. which the circulation relationships happen.

distribution center

hydro-turbines

site inventory

edu-tainment

Major pedestrian circulation will happen on the southern most portion of my proposed site. The strong pedestrian access points are the Historic Lincoln park and the large mixed use development over I-25

ROLE CALL

PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION

steam generator

combination of site inventory

hatchery

brewery

restaurant park/open space

The proposed site sits in the center of a major industrial area in the 50 year plan. Because of this location it leaves the opportunity for a more industrial use. Giving the program and buildings fish market plaza

exhibited showcase

10th Avenue

power plant

clay

Bryant

INFLUENCE

park

super heater

Commercial

INVENTORY

platte river

pond

FLUX

Xinca

INFLUENCE

restaurant park/open space power plant

ped/bike path

concentrated solar island field

restaurant

fish market plaza

INVENTORY

yuma

combination of site inventory

fish market/ plaza

condenser

10th Avenue

LAND USE

collector local

cooling tower

LEGEND

exhibited showcase

site inventory

pond

FINAL PRESENTATIONS:

hops/ barley

arterial

hatchery

12th Avenue

research edu-tainment

retail commercial

Industrial

power plant

hydro-turbines

13th Avenue

path space

restaurant

SITE PLAN

site

neighborhood recreational pedestrians

LEGEND

brewery

park/open space

bike path

FLUX

a.u.a.

A11

hot salt storage cold salt storage

Individual Land use Proposal

CITY TheSIM Urban Planner completed a full site analysis of the showing the main plaza SimCity3 D game board following density of use = height midterm. The final project suggested improvements in use and adjacency at the scale of the entire site, and then proposed a specific land use scheme for the 13th Avenue corridor, a main collector across the site. Connections to previous player proposals were incorporated, improved Civic center upon and clarified, defining a single street for multitransit nodal public transit, mixed use occupancies and a large, urban population. DENVER:2059

ADVANCED DESIGN STUDIO Summer 2009 JUSTIN FEIDER :: ENERGY & UTILITIES

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTER

Commercial

Mixed use

Residential

Schools

Industrial

Hospitals

Civic center Multiple levels of commercial indicate both hybrid and high density Development

precedents Commercial

Mixed use

Residential

Schools

Industrial

Hospitals

3 D showing the main plaza

Civic center

Commercial

Mixed use

Residential

Schools

Industrial

Hospitals

3 D showing the main plaza

Civic center

13th Street - Land use Proposal

Mixed use

Schools

Hospitals

Multiple levels of commercial indicate both hybrid and high density Development

NTER

density of use = height

13th Street - Land use Proposal

Mixed use

Schools

Hospitals

Civic center

ces

Commercial Residential

Schools

Industrial

Civic center

nodes

13th Street - Land use Proposal

Mixed use

Schools

Hospitals

Civic center

Multiple levels of commercial indicate both hybrid and high density Development Commercial

ces

Residential

Schools

Industrial

Civic center

EDUCATION Commercial

PRINCIPALS:

ces

Residential

Schools

Industrial

Civic center

net zero grading

transit RESEARCH & PRODUCTION

13th Street - Land use Proposal

Mixed use

In terms of living economies, the most important thing to ever happen was the discovery of the double helix which then brought on the ability to manipulate genetics. There are huge possibilities with the further development of this technology to create crops that grow bigger, faster, in a smaller amount of space with no need for pesticides and that have a tasty cargo of essential nutrients. Furthermore, there exists potential to influence micro- and macro-biotic material for other technological benefit like trees that essentially grow solar panel leaves where the energy can be harvested, which is the function of the orchard forests on the research buildings. The facility that I am proposing at this site will be Denver’s main research center for this technology, as well as other maximum density organic crop possibilities like the Omega Garden Hydroponics system (illustrated by the ferris wheel).

Schools

Hospitals

Civic center

LIVING

organic energy production

nodes

In rethinking my role, I believe it is my job to cure the American diet which is currently linked to many of ces of preventable death like heart disease and cancer. Therefore, nutritional research the leading causes will also be a huge Schoolsarea of exploration at the facility, along with the development of new processes for food manufacturing that entirely excludes synthetic and other unnecessary ingredients. Industrial Civic center Moreover, sharing of the gained knowledge through knowledge is a major component. Commercial Residential

This building spans over I-25/CML & the 8th Avenue viaduct, lending easy access for transport of goods, as well as providing a convenient spot for the people to stop and get fast, fresh, healthy food on their EDUCATION way to wherever they are going. Another advantage to spanning this high traffic piece of infrastructure is to perhaps protect the rest of the site from the hustle and bustle of the area. This is accomplished with a cattle-grazing area and pathway that extends all the way to the farm towers at the north end of RESEARCH & the SimCity site.

e double th the Katy Casper mount of re, there

The Agricultural Developer concentrated on a site which hadn’t been fully explored, solar combining the proposed Keystone Park open space recreational with an agricultural research paths center. The project rests below a massive green roof which combines urban circulation and public farming, grazing recreational activity. The research center connects with the transit hub, providing housing, energy production, conference and educational facilities. program

ACSA 2009-2010 AWARDS PROGRAM

solar

recreational paths

PRODUCTION

LIVING

net

circulation

SIM CITY

DENVER:2059

organic

above: final review top right: view of the final game board looking north

conclusions

Following the end of the summer semester, the game board and final projects were exhibited at the College. The model and work was received with a mix of enthusiasm, puzzlement, distrust, and even some anticipation from students for the next time around. Various feedback suggests that the studio could be improved by a longer schedule (as opposed to the condensed ten-week summer schedule), and more specific requirements regarding a research format and the physical expectations of the model and projects. chlorophyll/hydrogen plant, water treatment facility

The Brew-Hatch, brewery, hatchery and energy production

urban farming/agricultural research center, open space

alternative vehicle design, production and sales facility

I feel that these are fairly typical comments, not completely unexpected from students used to studio formats with clearly defined production and program requirements. This indeterminacy was, of course, one of the points of the studio, an important exercise for students being asked to develop, write, research and design individual proposals based largely on other work happening quickly around them. Lengthening the “game play” portion of the studio may have produced more resolution and clarity in early student proposals, not to mention better presentation and model quality. Perhaps, and more importantly, the amount of creative program and land use hybrids could be increased. The hybrid student examples presented were the most interesting work of the semester, especially the ‘BrewHatch,’ the chlorophyll/hydrogen energy plant, the urban farm/agricultural research center, and the educational/recreational open space. The advocacy proposals were more developed conceptually than the final presentations may suggest, with the exception of the analysis completed by the urban planner player. Graphically interpreting 50-year plans, far-reaching sustainability proposals, and new energy models requires a commitment to understanding both the logic of the ideas and an expertise with diagrams and other non-traditional architectural communication tools. Finally, considering the gaming itself as a device for propelling a studio, it became evident that it was an effective driver, creating interaction and teamwork between students. The pieces of the game board held up as manageable, small-sized sites, without a real sense of ownership after the first turn. The dilemma of the large working model is that it’s lack of craft actually helped reduce the idea of singular ownership of pieces. The game play, its chance quality and player movement around the game board ultimately was embraced and offered an example of both the formal and programmatic possibilities of the hybrid, indeterminate traits of the city.

ACSA 2009-2010 AWARDS PROGRAM

SIM CITY

DENVER:2059

players (students), summer studio 2009 advocacy/planner group

developer group

Austin Pulford: transit/transportation

Amanda Johnson: housing development

Justin Feider: energy/utilities

Lezlie Wallace: commercial/tenant development

Timothy Leinonen: open space & parks

Natalie Johnson: mixed use development

Basim Al Atni: planning/urban design

Kevin Nguyen: industrial use development

Jason McCluskey: water & waste water

Katy Casper: food production/agricultural development

invited council (jurors)

Amir Alrubaiy, Ken Andrews, Omar Baghdadi, Kristian Barowsky, Paul Boorman, Lori Catalano, Joe Colistra, Christopher Fenton, Michael Folwell, Michael Jenson, Laura Koehler, Pete Koehler, Kristin Krasnove, Eric Morris, Steven Perce, Rick Petersen, Ken Renaud, Ranko Ruzic, Matthew Shea.

references & bibliography

Allen, Stan, Points + Lines, Princeton Architectural Press 1999. Burdett, Ricky & Sudjic, Deyan, eds., The Endless City, Phaidon Press 2008 Busquets, Joan, Cities: X Lines: Approaches to City and Open Territory Design, Actar D/Nicolodi Editore 2007. Chora/Raoul Bunschoten, ed., Urban Flotsam, 010 Publishers 2001 Davis, Mike, City of Quartz: Excavating the Future in Los Angeles, New Edition, (1990) Verso 2006. Debord, Guy, Society of the Spectacle, (1966) AKPress 2006. Eisenman, Peter, Cities of Artificial Excavation, The Work of Peter Eisenman 1978-1988, CCA/Rizzoli 1994. Frampton, Kenneth, Modern Architecture, A Critical History, (1992), fourth edition, Thames & Hudson 2007. Harvey, David, The Condition of Postmodernity, Basil Blackwell, 1980. Jacobs, Jane, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, (1961), Vintage Books 1992. Koolhaas, Rem, Delirious New York, A Retroactive Manifesto for Manhattan, (1978) The Monacelli Press 1994. Krieger, Alex and Saunders, William S., eds., Urban Design, University of Minnesota Press 2009. Levit, Robert and Levy, Evonne, “Design Will Save the World! On Bruce Mau’s Massive Change and Mediatization of Culture,” in The New Architectural Pragmatism: A Harvard Design Magazine Reader, University of Minnesota Press 2007, first published in Harvard Design Magazine, Spring/Summer 2006. Mau, Bruce, Life Style, Phaidon Press 2000. Mau, Bruce and the Institute without Boundaries, Massive Change, Phaidon Press Limited, 2004. See also the related websites, www.massivechange.com and www.brucemaudesign.com Michigan Debates on Urbanism, vols 1-3 (Everyday Urbanism, New Urbanism, Post Urbanism & ReUrbanism), University of Michigan 2005. Pope, Albert, Ladders, Princeton Architectural Press 1997. Rogers, Richard, Cities For A Small Planet, Basic Books 1998. Rossi, Aldo, The Architecture of the City, (1966) Oppositions Books/MIT Press 1982. Rowe, Colin & Koetter, Fred, Collage City, MIT Press 1978. Saunders, William S., ed., Urban Planning Today: A Harvard Design Magazine Reader, University of Minnesota Press 2006. ___, The New Architectural Pragmatism: A Harvard Design Magazine Reader, University of Minnesota Press 2007. Scott Brown, Denise, Urban Concepts, Architectural Design 60:1-2, Academy Group 1990. Tschumi, Bernard, Architecture and Disjunction, MIT Press 1994. Tschumi, Bernard,, ed., The State of Architecture at the beginning of the 21st Century, Monacelli/Columbia Books on Architecture 2004. Venturi, Robert, Denise Scott Brown & Steven Izenour, Learning From Las Vegas, (1972) MIT Press, 1977. Waldheim, Charles, ed., The Landscape Urbanism Reader, Princeton Architectural Press 2006. SimCity, Electronic Arts Inc. EA, the EA logo and other SimCity variations are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. This studio was conducted for educational purposes and refers to the SimCity computer games only as a commonly known model and reference.

ACSA 2009-2010 AWARDS PROGRAM

SIM CITY

DENVER:2059