Nicholas Beardsley 2017

NICHOLAS BEARDSLEY TRANSFORMATIVE LINKAGES: EXPLORATIONS OF CONSTANCY AND CHANGE THROUGH INVESTMENT WITHOUT DISPLACEMENT PROFESSOR JON CODDINGTON

Transformative Linkages:

N. 33RD ST

KE

IVE

FAIRMOUNT PARK

BREWERTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD

SHARSWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD

E E AV

LLY DR

MLK

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IVE

SCHUYK EXPRES ILL SWA Y / I-67 6

GIRARD AVE

SITE OPTION #1

FAIRMOUNT PARK

The dynamic of constancy and change transforms our understanding of and relationship with the built environment. This thesis seeks to solicit these contrasting motifs to derive value from architectural linkages between a primary cultural artery and an underserved neighborhood with a strong focus on human enrichment by way of investment without displacement.

AVE

FAIRMOUNT PARK

GIRARD PARKSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD

SITE OPTION #2

40TH

PHILADELPHIA ZOO

ART MUSEUM/ FAIRMOUNT NEIGHBORHOOD FAIRMOUNT

ST SPRING GARDEN

MANTUA NEIGHBORHOOD

SITE OPTION #3

LANC AS

TER

AV

E

ORD

HAVERF

VINE STREET EXPRESSWAY / I-676

POWELTON NEIGHBORHOOD

AVE

30TH STREET RAIL YARDS

DEN

GAR SPRING

ELTON

LOGAN SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD AVE

UNIVERSITY CITY NEIGHBORHOOD

POW

N PA FRAN RK KL WAY IN

JFK BLVD

MARKET ST

SCHUYKILL EXPRESSWAY

34TH ST

32ND ST

MARKET ST 40TH ST

42ND ST

41ST ST

EXISTING CONDITIONS RAIL YARDS

BE

CENTER CITY PHILADELPHIA

I-76

EXISTING SITE SECTIONS

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT | INITIAL RESEARCH

AVE

SPRING GARDEN NEIGHBORHOOD BELMONT / W. PHILADELPHIA NEIGHBORHOODS

The project, a unique bluff community, focuses on the revitalization of adjacent Philadelphian neighborhoods through the use of transitional thresholds, directionality and orientation, and blurring of edges, while simultaneously nurturing both community stability and developmental change over time.

EXTREME TOPOGRAPHY

CORRIDOR AND POTENTIAL SITE INVESTIGATIONS RIDG

Explorations of Constancy and Change through Investment without Displacement

LOCATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH IN PHILADELPHIA

BEARDSLEY THESIS 2016-2017 PROFESSOR JON CODDINGTON 2

INITIAL PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT Initial Program components (Friends of the Fucntions): RESIDENTIAL , RETAIL / COMMERCIAL, PUBLIC SPACE, SERVICE, EDUCATIONAL / INSTITUTIONAL

SITE / COMMUNITY STATISTICS Mantua Community SF: Current Population: Average Resident Income:

ITERATION #1

8,156,655 GSF (+/-187 ACRES) +/- 50,000 RESIDENTS +/- $32,000/YR

-A historic and iconic row of boathouses which currently are home to a variety of local insitutional and recreational clubs and teams along the river.

Fairmount Park (East

Minimal access to resources is exacerbated due to the existing economic challenges throughout neighborhood.

RESIDENTIAL RETAIL / COMMERCIAL

SE RV

IC E

PUBLIC SPACE

Progress and change is currently being encouraged and pursued from within the community of Mantua, but tactful outside investment in the current community momentum is welcomed.

ADJACENT AMENITIES Boathouse Row

EDUCATIONAL / INSTITUTIONAL

PU

The majority of the Mantua community is residential/mixed use with light commercial.

Moving to protect houses over 1,300 SF from being broken into apartments.

BL IC

SP AC

E

ZONING STUDY

-One of the largest Municipal Parks in the Nation occupying 2,052 acres directly embedded in the heart of Philadelphia’s rigidly dense Urban Fabric -Home to The Centennial International Exhibition of 1876 to celebrate 100yrs of the signing of the Declaration of Independance.

Philadelphia Zoo

ITERATION #2 -Also within the boundaries of Fairmount Park, the zoo is one of the many attractions complimenting the public art and statues scattered throughout the Park.

-Opened in July, 1874 as the Nation’s First zoo with 1,000 Animals

EDUCATIONAL / INSTITUTIONAL

30th St Station

RESIDENTIAL

E SE RV IC

The current zoning at the three study locations is a mix of I-2 (Industrial) and SP-PO-A (Park) which does not provide many guidelines for development, however the thesis goal is to create a defined edge which will compliment the community form, as well as provide an economic boost through investement without displacement.

RETAIL / RCIAL COMME

PUBLIC SPACE

PUBLIC SPACE

-Accomodates +/- 9.1 Mil. annual visitors between SEPTA, Amtrak, and Bus

Fairmount Water Works

-Site of former Philadelphia City Water works and filtration plant - one of the first of its kind in the country.

-Philadelphia led the nation in sanitation and cleanliness in 1812 when this was built to provide the city with clean water.

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT | INITIAL RESEARCH

BEARDSLEY THESIS 2016-2017 PROFESSOR JON CODDINGTON 3

RITTENHOUSE SQUARE Project - Rittenhouse Square Architect/Designer - William Penn Built - Late 17th Century

VIA VERDE Project - Via Verde Architect - Grimshaw Architects Built - 2012

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT | INITIAL RESEARCH - PRECEDENTS

UNITE D’HABITATION Project - Unite D’Habitation Architect/Designer - Le Corbusier Built - 1950

BEARDSLEY THESIS 2016-2017 PROFESSOR JON CODDINGTON 4

NEIGHBORHOOD VACANCIES

ADDITIONAL RESEARCH COMMUNITY INFORMATION Mantua experienced a 66.8% Population decrease between 1960 and 2013.

VACANT LOTS AND HOUSES 860 Vacant lots and buildings -153 Vacant/abandoned buildings -707 Vacant lots

My additional research was based upon studies of the internal economy of the community of Mantua and the resources they had at their availability so as to potentially inform my program further. I also examined the vacancies and empty buildings across the neighborhood and identified these so as to propose revitilization in these site/lots in order to encourage tactful development and investment in the neighborhood.

-Out of +/- 3200 lots total (+/-80 blocks @ +/-40 lots/block assumed) on +/-187 Acres = 26.8% Vacancies across the community

-22.18% Vacant lots (707)

-4.78% Vacant Buildings (153) 22.18% Vacant lots (707) 73.04% Livable Lots (2340)

4.78% Vacant Buildings (153)

KEY: 1 mile radius (20 minutes walking distance) 1/2 mile radius (10 minutes walking distance) 1/4 mile radius (5 minutes walking distance) -

INTERNAL COMMUNITY RESOURCES COMMUNITY RESOURCES/AMENITIES Existing Amenities -9 Comminity Centers -19 Churches -6 Parking Lots -17 Bodegas / Convenience Stores -3 Schools -11 Parks and Recreation Centers Currently 3% retail - looking to encourage more retail and commercial while getting re-zoned to single family dwellings to prevent influx of student population.

Community Associations -Mantua Civic Association -Mount Vernon Manor CDC -Mantua Area Improvement Committee

KEY: 1 mile radius (20 minutes walking distance) 1/2 mile radius (10 minutes walking distance) 1/4 mile radius (5 minutes walking distance) -

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT | ADDITIONAL RESEARCH

BEARDSLEY THESIS 2016-2017 PROFESSOR JON CODDINGTON 5

PROCESS DRAWINGS AND DIAGRAMS My process drawings and sketches focus on a range of items, but primarily site development based on the creation of transitional thresholds for the communities, intentional directionality and orientation, and the blurring of the defined edges to connect the community of Mantua to the waterfront and adjacent amenities.

SITE DEVELOPMENT

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT | PROGRESS DRAWINGS

BEARDSLEY THESIS 2016-2017 PROFESSOR JON CODDINGTON 6

FORM/MASSING DEVELOPMENT ET

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34

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PR

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SCHUYLKILL RIVER TRAIN TRACKS

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SELECTED BUILDING DEVELOPMENT

SELECTED BUILDING DEVELOPMENT The creation of the building itself was founded in the idea of providing a communal walkway which could ultimately become a vibrant social streetscape, as well as the provision of natural air and light into all spaces for the residents. Initially the idea of the central, skip-flooring corridor was the intent, however the final form ended up becoming a tactful critique of this intriguing design concept. There was also a level of thought put into the exterior materials as you can see in the mockup model image.

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT | PROGRESS DRAWINGS

BEARDSLEY THESIS 2016-2017 PROFESSOR JON CODDINGTON 7

OVERALL MASTERPLAN

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT | INTERMEDIATE REVIEW

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SITE MASTERPLAN

MASTERPLAN FORM DEVELOPMENT ITERATION 1

ITERATION 2

ITERATION 3

MASSING ISOMETRICS

CONNECTIVE INFRASTRUCTURE PROPOSAL

STUDY ZONE

STUDY ZONE

SITE SECTIONS EXISTING SECTION

STUDY ZONE

EXISTING SECTION

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT | INTERMEDIATE REVIEW

PROPOSED SECTION

STUDY ZONE

PROPOSED SECTION

BEARDSLEY THESIS 2016-2017 PROFESSOR JON CODDINGTON 9

OVERALL SITE MASSING

SITE DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVES

PERSPECTIVE VIGNETTES

INTERMEDIATE REVIEW At the mid review I had just begun in the couple weeks prior to develop any sort of specific form for a selected building which is why most of these images are based on Masterplan refinement and development of the community edge. The relevant feedback which propelled me forward was oriented to the tune of “ok, this is great, but now it is time to really dig in and develop something. Take a definitive stance on something - that is what a thesis is about”. I also received input from a few jurors as to if this project would continue on the path of affordable housing, and if it did, then would it become a ‘theoretical project’ or would it be realistic? To summarize the feedback at this stage would be that it was input at a general and quite broad stroke, as that was where my project was, despite the renders and development of perspectives.

Taking this into consideration I had previously selected and been targeting the site just north of Mantua, adjacent to the Philadelphia Zoo but for as much as I wanted my project to be realistic, I honestly did not have the depth of knowledge or previous experience in economical politics and urban planning to fully grasp the feat I was undertaking as I proceeded to the final. Time constraints also drove this project to an end result that even I did not intend to an extent.

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT | INTERMEDIATE REVIEW

BEARDSLEY THESIS 2016-2017 PROFESSOR JON CODDINGTON 10

INTERMEDIATE BUILDING FORM AND SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT

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, 16

1) INITIAL SITE

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2) RETAIL/BUSINESS: 16,200 SF UNITS: 108 @ 900 GSF STORIES: 7

5) CREATION OF TERRACING FOR COMMUNITY INTERACTION AND CONTEXTUAL VIEWS

3) REDUCTION OF RESIDENTIAL DEPTH TO 40’ FROM 60’ FOR NATURAL SUNLIGHT

6) GROUND LEVEL MANIPULATION FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

E

4) FURTHER REACTION TO SOLAR PATH AND CONTEXTUAL FORMS TO THE SOUTH

SECTION

7) FINAL BUILDING FORM

SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT With mid-review at week 3/4 of winter term, to progress very far beyond that stage when incorporating and reacting to the received input, specifically with the selected building form, was challenging especially for me. I fought with 3-4 iterations of this form, as well as struggled to solidify the experiential issues of the site, as I had bitten off a bit more than I could chew. Ultimately I reverted to developing a revised form of Le Corbusier’s Unite d’Habitation in order to assist in the creation and definition of space. As for the other systems aside from the Building form itself, it was a challenge to stay on top of that with all my iterations, but I finally settled on a SUSTAINABLE geothermal system with a cast in place concrete structural system. Another layer to the structural system was the building itself was derived directly from the grid of the below-grade parking deck, and utlized extruded structural bearing columns and lines to manifest the regimented design it then became as seen in further iterations.

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT | SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT

SOUTHEAST AXON

SECTION

BEARDSLEY THESIS 2016-2017 PROFESSOR JON CODDINGTON 11

PARKING DECK STRUCTURAL PLAN To re-iterate, the parking deck structural plan drove the form of the site massings above. By utlizing a typical 30’x60’ grid I was able to re-create the typical neighborhood rowhome typology (15’x60’ lot) in the development of the units, with a few exceptions, of course. The primary exception was the reduction of the upper levels to 40’ depth to allow for the creation of front yards and the social streetscape which mimicked the ground level conditions. The other exception was at this elevated streetscape level, I made the units 30’x40’ with the adapatability to expand by one structural bay as necessary for both accessibility needs and adapatability necessities such as larger families.

PARKING DECK STRUCTURAL DETAILS

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT | SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT

BEARDSLEY THESIS 2016-2017 PROFESSOR JON CODDINGTON 12

WINTER TERM STRUCTURAL FLOOR PLANS 1ST FLOOR

2ND FLOOR

TYPICAL STRUCTURAL DETAILS @ RESIDENTIAL LEVELS

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT | SYSTEMS

3RD FLOOR

4TH FLOOR

5TH FLOOR / ROOF

CORRIDOR STRUCTURAL DETAILS @ RESIDENTIAL LEVELS

BEARDSLEY THESIS 2016-2017 PROFESSOR JON CODDINGTON 13

Transformative Linkages: Explorations of Constancy and Change through Investment without Displacement

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT | FINAL REVIEW

BEARDSLEY THESIS 2016-2017 PROFESSOR JON CODDINGTON 14

INITIAL PARTI THESIS STATEMENT

The dynamic of constancy and change transforms our understanding of and relationship with the built environment. This thesis seeks to solicit these contrasting motifs to derive value from architectural linkages between a primary cultural artery and an underserved neighborhood with a strong focus on human enrichment by way of investment without displacement.

The project, a unique bluff community, focuses on the revitalization of adjacent Philadelphian neighborhoods through the use of transitional thresholds, directionality and orientation, and blurring of edges, while simultaneously nurturing both community stability and developmental change over time.

Connectivity / Linkages

Freedom and Openness

Orientation / Directionality

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT | FINAL REVIEW

BEARDSLEY THESIS 2016-2017 PROFESSOR JON CODDINGTON 15

SITE PLAN: Development Numbers: 185,000 GSF = Base Site +/- 539,500 GSF = Proposed Total Development 410,000 GSF Residential = 75% Residential (+/-220 units) 35,000 SF Retail = 6.5% Retail Space 94,500 GSF = 17.5% Community Space Additional Site Development: 240,000 GSF = Parking Deck (+/-390 Spaces = 1.7 Spaces/Unit) 22,500 GSF = Railroad Station

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT | FINAL REVIEW

22 BEARDSLEY THESIS 2016-2017 PROFESSOR JON CODDINGTON 16

DIRECTIONALITY / ORIENTATION

SITE AXONOMETRIC VIEW RESIDENTIAL 16 FLOORS 3,400 GSF/ FLR 54,500 TOTAL GSF

PARKING DECK 3 FLOORS 80,000 GSF/ FLR 240,000 TOTAL GSF 390 SPACES

BRIDGE CONNECTING BRIDGE TO MLK GREENWAY

CONNECTIVITY BALA / CYNWYD

RESIDENTIAL

FAIRMOUNT PARK

WEST TRENTON

14 FLOORS 12,800 GSF/ FLR 160,000 TOTAL GSF

ZOO

RESIDENTIAL / RETAIL MLK GREENWAY / WATERFRONT

MANTUA / POWELTON

6 FLOORS 16,200 GSF/ FLR 54,500 TOTAL GSF

ART MUSEUM / CENTER CITY

RESIDENTIAL 3 BUILDINGS 4 FLOORS +/-1,200 GSF/ FLR 12,000 TOTAL GSF

NATURAL ELEMENTS / FORCES WINTER WINDS

SUMMER WINDS

COMMUNITY SPACE 95,500 TOTAL GSF +CONNECTING BRIDGE TO MLK GREENWAY PARKING DECK

RESIDENTIAL / RETAIL 1-7 FLOORS 16,000 GSF/ FLR 86,000 TOTAL GSF

RAIL STATION 22,500 GSF

SITE CONNECTIVITY DIAGRAM

CORRIDOR

LANDMARK

VANTAGE DIRECTIONALITY PROJECT DEVELOPMENT | FINAL REVIEW

CONNECTIVITY

ORIENTATION

BEARDSLEY THESIS 2016-2017 PROFESSOR JON CODDINGTON 17

SCHEMATIC UNITE SECTION DIAGRAMS

CRITIQUE OF UNITE D’HABITATION vs PROJECT Unite D’Habitation

Facts: -Built in 1955 -18 floors -337 Units -12’ x 68’ Units -”Street in the Sky” -Cast in Place Concrete Structural System

Unite D’Habitation

-No Accessible units -Compartmentalized self-sufficient urban community -Dark and enclosed central corridor

Both:

Access to natural light and air within units “Tower in a Park” Acess to multiple high quality views

Project

Project

-Unit flexibility as per occupant preference -Accessible units -Building Interacts with site via public corridors and “Streetscapes” -Open central corridor with natural light

Facts: -Proposed -6 floors -53 Units -15’ x 35’-50’ Units -”Street in the Sky” -Cast in Place Concrete Structural System

PROPOSED “PROTOTYPE”

STREETSCAPE LEVEL

GROUND LEVEL

OPTIONAL FRONT CONDITIONS

TOWER

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT | FINAL REVIEW

“PROTOTYPE”

STANDALONE

SCHEMATIC PROJECT SECTION DIAGRAMS BEARDSLEY THESIS 2016-2017 PROFESSOR JON CODDINGTON 18

AXONMOMETRIC DIAGRAM OF UNIT ARRANGMENT

UNIT 1, 1A, AND 1B

UNIT 3, 3A, 3 END

UP

UP

DN

DN

UP

UP

DN

UP

DN

DN

ELEVATOR

UP

UP

UNIT 3 FLOOR PLAN 1 Bed - 382 SF + 280 SF Deck / Yard

UNIT 3A FLOOR PLAN 2 Bed - 793 SF + 434 SF Deck

UNIT 3 END FLOOR PLAN 1 Bed / 1 Study - 817 SF + 335 SF Deck / Yard 0 ft

UNIT 1A FLOOR PLAN 1 Bed Unit - 406 SF + 266 SF Deck/Yard

UNIT 1B FLOOR PLAN 1 Bed Unit - 382 SF + 210 SF Deck/Yard 0 ft

UNIT 1 FLOOR PLAN 2 Bed Unit - 841 SF + 550 SF Deck/Yard 32 ft

16 ft

8 ft

16 ft

8 ft

32 ft

64 ft

UNIT 4A, 4B, 4 END

64 ft

UNIT 2, 2A, 2 END

DN DN

DN

DN

DN

DN

DN UP UP UP

UP

UP

UP

UP

DN

DN

DN

DN

DN

DN UP

ELEVATOR DN

UNIT 2A FLOOR PLAN 2 Bed / 1 Study - 806 SF + 50 SF Deck

UP

UNIT 2 FLOOR PLAN 2 Bed / 1 Study - 832 SF + 50 SF Deck

DN

UP

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT | FINAL REVIEW

DN

Total Units: 53 Units

DN UP

3 Bed Units 3 Bed Units 3 Bed + 1 Study Unit

DN

Floors 5 and 6: Unit 4: 7 Unit 4A: 7 Unit 4 END: 2

UP

1 Bed Unit 2 Bed Unit 2 Bed Unit 1 Bed + 1 Study Unit

DN UP

4 4 1 2

UP

Floor 4: Unit 3: Unit 3A: Unit 3B: Unit 3 END:

DN

2 Bed + 1 Study Unit 2 Bed + 1 Study Unit 3 Bed + 1 Study Unit

ELEVATOR

UP

Floors 2 and 3: Unit 2: 4 Unit 2A: 10 Unit 2 END: 1

DN

2 Bed Unit 1 Bed Unit 1 Bed Unit

3 4 4

UP

Floor 1: Unit 1: Unit 1A: Unit 1B:

UP

Type:

DN

DN

RESIDENTIAL UNIT BREAKDOWN Breakdown: Number:

UNIT 2 END FLOOR PLAN 3 Bed / 1 Study - 1,952 SF + 70 SF Deck 0 ft

8 ft

16 ft

32 ft

UNIT 4A FLOOR PLAN 2 Bed - 1,137 SF 64 ft

UNIT 4B FLOOR PLAN 2 Bed - 927 SF + 60 SF Deck

UNIT 4 END FLOOR PLAN 3 Bed / 1 Study - 2,211 SF 0 ft

8 ft

16 ft

32 ft

64 ft

BEARDSLEY THESIS 2016-2017 PROFESSOR JON CODDINGTON 19

SITE SECTION

ENTRY #1 - BOATHOUSE ROW

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT | FINAL REVIEW

ENTRY #2 - ART MUSEUM

COURTYARD #1 - CENTER CITY

BEARDSLEY THESIS 2016-2017 PROFESSOR JON CODDINGTON 20

FINAL REVIEW NOTES Ultimately, my project became a formalized critique of not only a famous design concept in Le Corbusier’s Unite project, but also became the platform I will propel myself into future professional practice with - a critique of commonly accepted economic investment trends and the impact it makes upon adjacent communities.

Investment and revitilization without displacement is what I personally believe is integral to maintaining the atmosphere and culture of a neighborhood when developing within or around these neighborhoods. There are larger things than just profit and immediate results to consider and investment boils down to how the design can assist and compliment the existing community fabric and infrastructure, rather than simply imposing brash, uninformed ideas on these communities.

I want to thank many peopleMy jurors - Michael Ytterberg, Dan Kelly, Josh Lessard, Jason Austin, Daniel Chung, and others who interjected their beneficial and valueable input throughout the course of this year, My classmates - Andy Hankermeyer, Adam Naar, and Tet Ndeti for being sources of motivation and inspiration when things seemed to grind to a stop, My professor, Jon Coddington, for continually supporting my initiatives and encouraging me to investigate and explore many realms of economic development I had never been exposed to before. I have nothing but gratefulness for the time and effort you have invested into this year on top of other faculty duties.

The Drexel Faculty I have interfaced with at all along my path to this point - Thank you for the consistent support and encouragement and finally, my finacee, Kelci Holman, who has had nothing but patience, support, and encouragement throughout this year, as well as the previous five she has dealt with the architecture schedule through.

Thank you all -

Nicholas Beardsley

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT | FINAL REVIEW

BEARDSLEY THESIS 2016-2017 PROFESSOR JON CODDINGTON 21