NODES AND FABRIC
ELIA E SORICE
Reconnect, Reclaim, Reinvent
Located northeast of the West-End Bridge, the project seeks to revitalize the historic Manchester neighborhood and make connections between the largely under utilized industrial Chateau neighborhood. Divided by the physical and visual barrier of the elevated I-65, reestablishing and reconnecting the neighborhoods to the river will capitalize on the unobstructed waterfront amenity. From a visual cartography exercise, and an extensive site analysis, the corridor framework and plan have developed as a series of events within the urban fabric. Titled “Nodes and Fabric,� the plan seeks to reconnect the historic neighborhood of Manchester, reclaim the riverfront to nature, and reinvent the post industrial character of Chateau.
LEFT Cork Factory Lofts, Pittsburghloft style residential buildings increase density along the riverfront.
MANCHESTER CAMPUS
LEFT San Francisco, Art installations at water’s edge showcases work of the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild and history of the neighborhood.
LEFT Community Urban Garden, San Francisco- Connecting Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild to the river.
RIVERFRONT MARKET LEFT McCall Waterfront Park, Portland Pedestrian promenade as a riverfront trail.
LEFT Octavia Boulevard, San FranciscoLocal and through traffic lanes connect Manchester and Chateau
CORRIDOR AND RIVERFRONT PLAN
COMMUNITY PARK
The basis for the corridor development project is to create a series of nodes within the urban fabric along the North Shore riverfront. There were five main objectives that helped shape the design of the corridor plan which include: continuing the green riverfront trail system through Chateau, strengthening connections between the Manchester and Chateau neighborhoods by taking I-65 down to grade, allowing Manchester to expand to the south through a small commercial node at Allegheny Avenue, preserving the historic character of the Manchester neighborhood, and developing Chateau as a series of nodes within the urban fabric. In addition to new uses in the area, a new “T� transit stop will run along the boulevard that replaces the elevated I-65, providing access between Chateau and various spots within the region.
ELIA E SORICE | MUD | FALL 2011
FRAMEWORK
ABOVE Rhythm of nodes along the riverfront
FRAMEWORK PLAN
ABOVE Potential nodes within the neighborhood
ABOVE Green connections linking to the riverfront
FRAMEWORK SYSTEMS
ABOVE Nodes , fabric, and connection to Manchester
CORRIDOR SYSTEMS
The framework for the project developed from an initial analysis of the corridor and the surrounding areas. There is an established rhythm that begins with PNC Park, the Pittsburgh Pirate’s baseball stadium, and continues along the riverfront, creating destination nodes amongst the urban fabric of the North Shore. While the Chateau neighborhood cannot support the same regional activities of the Pittsburgh Steeler’s Heinz Field, PNC Park, the Rivers Casino, and the Carnegie Science Center, the new nodes will establish local nodes of activity, that highlight key assets of the neighborhood. The four nodes, which will decrease in activity and use as the distance from downtown increases, will include a riverfront market, a new campus for the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild and Bidwell Training Center, a riverfront residential neighborhood, and a community park and commercial district in the Manchester neighborhood. Connections across the new boulevard occur where east- west streets highlight important neighborhood features with strong connections through the North side. West North Avenue, which continues through Allegheny Center and the North Side neighborhoods, will be the major connection to the river. Pedestrian and bicycle connectivity will be increased through improved streetscapes, green connections, and the continuation of the riverfront trail.
ELIA E SORICE | MUD | FALL 2011
NODE- RIVERFRONT MARKET
ABOVE Findley Market, Cincinnati
ABOVE City Market, Roanoke
RIVERFRONT PLAN ABOVE Riverfront Park, Cincinnati
ABOVE Aerial View of Riverfront Market
Concept The market plaza and recreation park occur at the termination of North Ave, Pennsylvania Ave, and Metropolitan St, directing people towards the water. The sequence of buildings, which will house retail, restaurants and a community center, also double as a market place for the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild and Bidwell Training Center to sell and display artwork and produce grown on campus. The form of the market relates to the orthogonal grid of the corridor plan, with residential units to the north and office buildings to the south. A bosque of trees, a continuation of street trees along W. North Avenue, disperses as it intersects the market buildings and kiosks. A new transit “T” transit stop will be located along the I-65 Boulevard at the intersection of Pennsylvania Ave, supported by nearby structured parking, residential units, and office space. Precedent Inspiration for the riverfront market came from studying well-known markets in the United States. Findley Market in Cincinnati, City Market in Roanoke, and Quincy Market are great examples of shopping and entertainment districts. The edges of the spaces are activated by lively storefronts and activity that overflows into the public realm. The Waterfront Park in Cincinnati is a good example of a waterfront that uses landscape and architecture to engage with the river.
ABOVE Perspective View of Market Place and West North Avenue View Corridor
ELIA E SORICE | MUD | FALL 2011
NODE- MANCHESTER CAMPUS
ABOVE Watertown Park, Minnesota
ABOVE Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle
MANCHESTER CAMPUS PLAN ABOVE Victory Garden, San Francisco
Concept The new Manchester and Bidwell Training Center Campus utilizes the existing buildings of the organizations as well as introduces new program structures for future expansion. A waterfront amphitheater creates a forum for public performances and art exhibitions, providing a direct connection between the Manchester Craftsman Guild and the river. An urban farm within the campus plan allows for outdoor agriculture and can increase connectivity and foster community awareness with the Manchester neighborhood. Included in the program is a new auditorium, additional classroom and office building space, and the reuse of an industrial building to house artist live/ work and gallery space. Precedent The precedent for the campus plan was selected based on the program introduced. This includes the amphitheater at Watertown Community Park, art installations at the Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle, and Victory Gardens in San Francisco which is an example of urban farming.
ABOVE Aerial View of the Manchester Campus and waterfront amphitheater
ELIA E SORICE | MUD | FALL 2011
NODE- COMMUNITY PARK
ABOVE Seattle, Green, mid-block connector
ABOVE Schenley Park, Pittsburgh
COMMUNITY PARK PLAN ABOVE Houston Market Square
ABOVE Perspective View of Community Park Along North Avenue
Concept By filling in the “missing teeth” within the corridor and creating a community park at the intersection of West North Avenue and Allegheny Avenue, the sense of place and community can be restored in the Manchester neighborhood. Acting as a pinwheel to direct movement through the space, a small commercial district brings needed amenities, such as local retail and a grocery store, to the neighborhood, moving north and south along Allegheny Avenue to increase connectivity to Pennsylvania Avenue and the North Shore. Green, mid-block connectors and residential open spaces act as transitions to the riverfront and other areas of the neighborhood. Program for the park includes a playground, dog park, and a pavilion for community gatherings. Precedent Community spaces and parks that were studied include Schenley Park in Pittsburgh and Houston’s Market Square. In the example of Schenley Park, the open space serves as both a passive and active park, fostering a variety of activities. The greening of alleys in Seattle served as precedent for the mid-block pedestrian connectors which provide easy access to various parts of the community as well as tie into the storm water management system.
ABOVE Aerial View of the Community Park and Commercial District
ELIA E SORICE | MUD | FALL 2011
TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT Requirement for a Transit Oriented Development: Population density/ acre (1/4 mile): Housing Density/ acre (1/4 mile): Transit time to Pittsburgh: Employment Density (1 mile) Walk Score:
16.7 11 units 13 min 15,000 89
Proposed Program Residential: Commercial/ retail: Office: Total:
2,595,855 SF 180,443 SF 791,860 SF 3,568,158 SF
Jobs Created: Housing Density (1/4 mile): Housing Units:
8,369 14.5 1355
ABOVE Density diagram for corridor and riverfront plan
LEFT 1/4 and 1 mile distances around proposed “T�stop
TREE CANOPY In order to repair the ecological systems at the riverfront, the corridor, and the waterfront, the development plan proposes a 200 foot riparian buffer zone along the riverfront. In addition, a 40% tree canopy coverage can be achieved through landscaping and street trees. These efforts will recreate the former riverfront landscape and help with the transpiration of water into the atmosphere. Dense Tree canopy along the 200 foot riparian edge restores the riverfronts natural landscape
The strategy for the corridor development employs a layering effect with the most tree coverage located the river’s edge creating an 80 % coverage along the riparian edge. Dense tree coverage occurs along the boulevard where a 60% coverage is achieved. Street trees in the Manchester neighborhood create a 25% tree canopy coverage. In areas where new constriction encroaches the 200 foot riparian edge, equivalent square footages of open space must be provided within or adjacent to the same development parcel.
Street trees in the Manchester neighborhood provide 25% tree canopy coverage and tie into storm water management system
ABOVE I-65 Boulevard Section
ELIA E SORICE | MUD | FALL 2011