REFLECTION
This system is of the reflections of the sun off of a building and the cars on two different bridges. It’s represented by a plan view that depicts the angles that the reflections hit the site, as well as a perspective view from the Northeast corner of the site looking East at the dominant reflection from the Microsoft Office building’s glass exterior.
CORROSION
This system is of the corrosion on the railings outlining the site. It’s represented through a 4-step sketch of the progression of wear over time, as well as two close up references to emphasize that the North end of the site has been interacted with the most compared to the sides.
SOUND
This system is of the sound and differing noise levels passing through the site. In the first sketch, the differing sized arrow pathways represents whether the noise passing through the site is louder or quieter and which direction they’re moving. The small noises at the South end of the site represents the noise of the flags banging on the metal poles, and the footsteps represent the sound of pedestrians passing through the site. In the second sketch, similarly the arrow sizes differ depending on the noise level, but it instead has symbols to represent what is causing those sounds.
SHADOWS
This system is of the shadows shown on the site from the railings and light post on the West end. It’s represented through the angle and direction that the symmetrical railing shadows casted on the site at around 6:20pm. The intricate stone flooring of the site allows for an aesthetic juxtaposition with the casted shadows.
MOTION
This system reflects the frequent stops and movements of subjects interacting with the site. It’s represented through varying sized groups of circles that depict the direction and recurrent pauses observed on the site. The two primary places where individuals paused the most were at the North end of the site overlooking Tempe Town Lake and at the memorial honoring a veteran where the two staircases meet at the top, and there were significant patches in the grass where it was evident that large amounts of movement through those areas occurred.
SHADOWS
DESIGN THESIS
Architecture is a means to frame the natural environment and provide an observational perspective for users to examine the organic space and highlight important views. Focusing on specific viewpoints rather than a large panoramic perspective allows for a unique sense of framing and significance.
INTERVENTION DESCRIPTION
The original Lookout located at Tempe Beach Park only has railings surrounding it that allows the viewer to see a beautiful panoramic of Tempe Town Lake, along with the Tempe Center for the Arts, nearby bridges, and modern office buildings. However, our intervention is trying to achieve the opposite affect within our site in order to emphasize the systems experienced there; with walls now surrounding the Lookout, the viewer is forced to look through meticulously placed and angled cutouts that focus attention to critical viewpoints on the East and West. Along with this, there are stairs at the end of the site that juxtapose the walls and roofing to create a framing effect on Tempe Town Lake as the primary viewing point. Some of the cutouts point to more recent, modern architecture that provides both reflections off of the glass exterior from the sun, as well as contrast to the history of the Lookout (being a portion of the old Ash Ave. Bridge that collapsed). Lastly, the roofing of our intervention is purposefully designed to mimic the shadows that were cast by the original railings of the Lookout in a unique manner.
INTERVENTION NARRATIVE
The Bridge to Nowhere stands alone in the park, I approach the long curved stairs to the platform to get a better look of Tempe. The entrance to the space is grand and gradual, slowly covering the panoramic view I intended on inspecting. The space isn’t what I imagined, the view is limited, framing specific views of the scenery. As I make my way across the floor, I am greeted by the reflection off of a nearby building shining through a square in the wall. There is a cutout out on the lower left wall, allowing a corroded railing to show through, I imagine that it is the original material of the bridge built in 1913. A plane flies over head, casting a captivating shadow across the ground interfering with the horizontal shadows laid out by the roof. Continuing across the floor, I make my way to the steps that stand at the end of the room, lined by light through cutouts tracing the curves. The view is unobstructed by people or trees. I continue to the top step, and I am met with a glass barrier forcing me to stay and admire the view in peace. It is breathtaking, you can see the landscape for miles, I imagine what this looked like when the original bridge was built, before the tall buildings and interstates that stretched alongside the lake. I watch the world pass by. The view at the end is grand, allowing a full view of Tempe Town Lake, I have Nowhere further to go.
