2020
2020 PARK To creatively produce a healthy, self-sustaining and synergetic urban ecosystem by nurturing a balanced relationship between the community and their surrounding environment.
APPROACH When introducing a new element into a context, it is necessary to observe that nothing in a thriving environment exists in the singular. An environment consists of a multiplicity of components and connected systems, working together through shared resources. Because human, built, and natural systems make up the environment of Urban PEACHES, the strength of the environment as an ecosystem depends greatly on the symbiotic interactions among these systems. The familiar destinations, the repetitive informal encounters, and the physical sharing of space are what spark the community shift of transforming strangers into neighbors and casual conversation into intellectual discussion. Human Knowledge and creativity are two infinitely renewable resources that human minds innately possess. The human component of an ecosystem thrives in its activity and exchange of these resources. Therefore, the existence of a knowledge based economy and a creative social class is vital to the success of an innovative and interactive ecosystem. Urban PEACHES pioneers the architectural setting for such a knowledge economy to develop and creates a sense of place that encourages interconnection among the creative social class. This communal pool of creative knowledge and the gathering of a diverse intellectual population will produce the human capital to support innovation, the social tolerance to stimulate change, and the access of information to foster new ideas. Built-Human The design of urban space holds the power to open or to limit relationships between people and the environment. Positive, encouraging relationships play a vital role in fueling inspiration and fostering interaction. The quality of contact between employees and their office, children and their school, and families and their home define life in Urban PEACHES. To support progressive self-organization and promote active engagement with the urban environment, a flexible, adaptable infrastructure manifests a pattern in the built environment that responds to human needs. As this infrastructure evolves, it empowers community involvement, provides opportunities for intellectual convergence, and allows for trans-programming of the urban development. Urban PEACHES promotes pedestrian activity and communication among the creative class by enriching the experiential qualities of everyday urban life. Natural-Built-Human Globally, the resource requirements and construction of urban settings generate negative impacts on the natural system through toxic wastes and dependence on non-renewable energy sources. Urban PEACHES presents an ecological solution that connects the human, built, and natural systems by incorporating sustainable practice as an integral part of its community infrastructure. By proposing a Farmer’s Market attitude in creating a dynamic ecosystem, the urban environment becomes autonomously agricultural, marketable, and social. The activity and energy of a marketplace setting encourages growth and shared reaction from all systems.
Permeability Harmony Imagination Diversity Adaptability
URBAN PEACHES
LIVE L IVE WO W ORK RK P LAY PL AY
PARKING
URBAN FLOOR
STRUCTURE
SUPERFLOOR PLATES
SUPERFLOOR INFRASTRUCTURE/SUPERFLOOR The Superfloor presents itself as a three-dimensional urban armature upon which the fabric of a new knowledge based economy is placed. This form of structure offers a maximum degree of flexibility between a building’s interior and exterior. Puncturing through the Urban Floor, the Superfloor can be used as an architectural infrastructure for a dense mixeduse community. Office space can be placed between nine and eighteen meters above the level of the Urban Floor to help make a tranquil working environment. Fresh air and sunlight are introduced into commercial spaces along the perimeter of the structure with a spaciously lit circulation corridor. The adaptability of the Superfloor over time allows for additional levels to be added, accommodating future market demand should higher densities be desired. To give an idea of the size of the Superfloor, 20,0 meter wide triangulated structural bays allow columns to be placed in coordination with parking on the lowest stratum. Within these bays, a smaller implied system adopts a more human scale. Secondary structure is snuggly placed within this implied system by tenants to fulfill their individual needs. Vertical transportation is pushed out to the edges of the building façade to allow for a maximum degree of open space within the buildings. Lateral bracing for the superstructure is pushed out against the exterior perimeter of the circulation zone to further maintain the openness of the interior. These circulation cores penetrate through all strata from the underground parking to the roof deck. This system of architectural infrastructure has the potential to evolve into much more elaborate schemes. The tenant has the option of allowing their floor plates) to cross through the façade when needed to help link separate spaces or create private exterior spaces.
LOCATION OF VERTICAL CIRCULATION
CIRCULATION A vertically oriented city has a vast amount of achievable sustainable qualities. It encourages a much higher density, which, at the same time, promotes pedestrian traffic and urban development. Implementing different stratum of various volumetric proportions allows for creative zoning strategies. Urban PEACHES is vertically zoned but in such a way as to allow for a multiplicity of diverse activities to utilize the same footprint. The needs of businesses and individuals can all be met while graciously providing increased communal exterior spaces. On the lowest stratum, below the Superfloor of the buildings, is where visitors and residents will park their cars before entering the site on foot. Permeability through the site allows ease of access to the Farmer’s Market and the surrounding context. Multiple paths onto the site exist whether individuals choose to arrive by car, foot, bike, or tram.
VEHICULAR SITE CONTEXT Urban PEACHES manifests itself as a bold community that responds harmoniously with the surrounding business parks and residential areas. Playing off of these adjacencies, homes and business are placed to help strengthen the sense of community, while at the same time meshing together to foster synergetic spaces. An active creative exchange through personal interaction is encouraged in these places through the use of a permeable scheme that highlights this synergy.
Residential
Residential
Residential
PEDESTRIAN Business
Business
Business
VERTICAL CIRCULATION
POSSIBLE CONFIGURATION
POSSIBLE CONFIGURATION
POSSIBLE CONFIGURATION
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STRATUM 6
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RU DA YL IG RA HT IN W AT ER
DA YL IG RA HT IN W AT ER
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PL ON AT I ER EN CO G
W AT E IN RA
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IMPLIED 6X6X6 METER GRID
STRATUM 5
SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS
URBAN FARMING
STRATUM 4
PHASING The project is based on creating a vertical city by creating a series of Superfloors that will continually be constructed on the site in a series of phases. The Superfloors will act as a catalyst for continued construction and growth once completed and will be the superstructure on top of which Urban PEACHES will grow. The phasing of Urban PEACHES has been determined by the program which responds closely to the site. The western side of the site was chosen for the first phase of development because of its favorable location next to the highway and proposed light rail station. This portion of the project is also the most diverse of all the phases within the program, ranging from both business and residential. Having a diverse program gives this phase of the project the greatest opportunity for revenue generation, which will help pay for future phases of the project. As this phase develops and companies start to move in, it will draw more people to the site and become an increasingly desirable place to live. Phase two of the project is developed on the eastern side of the site. This portion of the project will be housing due to its close proximity with existing residential neighborhoods. When the site has begun attracting occupants, there will be a greater need for housing in the region. This phase is free to expand and conform to the needs of the residents moving into the housing as it is completed. When the edges of the site are reached it will set the stage for phase three to begin development in the center of the site. Since there are existing buildings located within phase three it will be the last phase to be developed. By developing phase three last the existing buildings have time to adapt to the needs of the rest of the project. As this phase matures a marketplace will begin to emerge and give opportunities for community programs like a Farmer’s Market and other outdoor activities to flourish. Although phase one and two work efficiently and independently, it is phase three that activates the neighborhood on a grand scale.
SELF-ORGANIZATION STRATUM 3
TRANS-PROGRAMMING STORY Walking along a street-side path, my gaze is gripped by a vertical tower in the distance. It is a new structure that speaks louder than the busy roads and fume-filled air. Drawn towards its reflection of light and gentle demeanor, I cross the chaotic intersection of corporate enterprise. Traversing into the open complex, the sounds of the street become muted and are replaced by green vegetation, both below my feet and far above the storefronts. Even the air becomes refined. The soggy smell of salt seems to have been absorbed and replaced by the clean scent of nearby flourishing flowers. Through the glass walls of each shop, a continuous structural system is evident. Cantilevered balconies stretch above, level by level, each holding more shops containing activity. I observe the interactions taking place; the faces of the participants portray sincerity and true consideration. The spontaneous encounters among these strangers seem friendly, even neighborly. Expressions of understanding, imagination, and contemplation can be seen on the faces of most. In the distance, a group of young people converse excitedly. One waves his hands in explanation as the others smile and nod enthusiastically. Attracted by a pathway leading beyond, I begin my adventure inward. Following a familiar aroma, I find a waffle café and order a meal of freshly made waffles and a fragrant cup of coffee. I find a seat nearby, under a structural overhang. It is not long before a gentleman approaches, requesting to borrow the unused chair at my table. Sensing my timidity, he asks if I am visiting or if I’ve recently moved into the new apartments. Still caught off-guard, I am slow to answer. He smiles and asks if he can sit with me. He explains that he is a retired engineer, and now dedicates his time to his plot of agricultural land on the upper most strata. He lives in the same building upon which he grows his produce. Every Saturday he sells his fresh produce at the Farmers’ Market. He tells me the jam on my waffles is made from the fruit he grows and sells, and he insists that I join in the experience at next week’s Farmers Market. I probe for more information about our surrounds. He begins to glow as he explains the innovative correlation of sustainability, self-organizing, and engagement that fuses here. Tenets have the ability to be creative in the development of their space within these super structures, or as he calls them “superfloors.” He turns and points to an average-looking car dealership at the other side of the plaza. That space, he explains, becomes a trendsetting nightclub at night. Impressed with his sincere excitement for his built environment, I ask if he thinks this place has potential to change the concept of cities around the world. He replies: Yes.
SUPERFLOOR
PIAZZA
MARKETPLACE
SERVER
STRATUM 2
STRATUM 1
RESIDENTIAL UNIT
MARKETPLACE
PLAY
LIVE
HOUSING
RESIDENTIAL UNIT B AT H KITCHEN
URBAN FLOOR
COMMERCIAL / OFFICE
LIBRARY
PARKING
EAST-WEST LONGITUDINAL SECTION_FACING NORTH
WORK