Eric DeNardo Urban Design + Planning
DISCOVERY
Context Phase
ANALYSIS
DESIGN IDEAS
Form Phase
DESIGN REFINEMENT
With rapid disruption in today’s world, design must be flexible to adapt to changing circumstances. To do this, my designs take shape through the influence of other disciplines, the environment I am working in, and the future needs of the community. My design process starts with understanding the context of a place and creating design ideas from there. This process guides me to accept circumstances out of my control and intently design places to evolve over time and create infinite possibilities.
1
VISION
2
RESILIENCE
I worked with the College of Architecture and Planning at CU Denver to render visualizations of an extensive network of open and shared streets throughout Denver.
CONTENT I created two concept designs for the Downtown Grand Junction Partnership to transform a parking lot by its main street into a vibrant, holiday-themed public gathering place.
VISION EDEN PROJECT
The ability to communicate an idea and have it thrive depends on a strong vision. Ecodesign Denver, or eDEN, was a new project the College of Architecture and Planning at CU Denver began in response to the physical distancing requirements from the Coronavirus pandemic. The vision is to create an extensive network of open and shared streets throughout Denver to build a more sustainable and livable city. Skills: Streets Modeling (Sketchup), Graphic Production (Illustrator/ Photoshop) Class/Client: Design Studio I /CU Denver CAP
Vision | 4
DISCOVERY First, we established a brand for eDEN and I created a simple palette of colors and a logo that was recognizable and unique to the project. I then created visualizations to explain that eDEN will be an extensive network of open and shared streets.
eDEN Network Existing Trails Waterways 5280 Loop
Vision | 5
DISCOVERY I explored how eDEN could be in different types of neighborhoods and have elements that represented it’s culture. This process helped me discover better methods to communicating eDEN’s vision.
Commercial Street
Garden Street
Vision | 6
Art Street
Shared StreetCommercial (High Density)
DESIGN CONCEPTS +VISION
Open StreetCommercial (High Density)
Open StreetCommercial (Medium Density)
Colored bike sharrows to remind motorists other users have priority Designated space for gardening
I created several typologies of open and shared streets within different neighborhood contexts to show the design concepts’ flexibility.
Shared StreetCommercial (Medium Density) Street art to warn motorists this is a different street
Designated space for play
Shared Street- Residential
Shared StreetResidential Vision | 7
DESIGN CONCEPTS +VISION
BAYAUD STREET -
RESIDENTIAL SHARED STREET
I created visualizations of a residential and commercial street to bring the design concepts alive. Each street would have public and/or restaurant seating, art, and landscaping to create beauty and natural cooling. These spaces still allow vehicle access, but at a slower speed, and use visual cues (art, landscaping, seating) for drivers to know that pedestrians are the dominant user of the street.
TENNYSON STREET -
COMMERCIAL SHARED STREET
Vision | 8
RESILIENCE
G R A N D J U N C T I O N P U B L I C S PA C E
Skills Used: Public Place Modeling(Sketchup), Graphic Production(Illustrator/ Photoshop)
Alley - Lights and Mural Bathrooms (existing)
ag e
Parking
St
Resilience is “the capacity of a dynamic system to adapt successfully to challenges that threaten the function, survival, or future development of the system.” The coronavirus pandemic has been that challenge; threatening cities and main streets. The Downtown Grand Junction Partnership sought to transform a parking lot into a vibrant public space for the holiday season to keep their downtown thriving. I developed design concepts that would be safe (reduce spread of the virus), provide opportunities for local businesses, and improve the experience of pedestrians in the winter.
Flex Space
Beer Tent
Food Truck Greenery Screening Tables and Chairs Vendor Tent/Structure Ped Circulaton Vehicle Entry Pedestrian Entry
Client: Shift Planning and Design LLC, Downtown Grand Junction Partnership
Resilience | 9
The Rockslide Brewery/Restaurant
DISCOVERY I explored the surrounding context to create a design that was connected to the community and local businesses. The team discovered that various adjacent businesses were using outdoor space to remain resilient through the economic shutdowns. This new public space would compliment the existing outdoor restaurant spaces, not be an alternative. I also explored how to create seamless access to the public space.
The Palette Art Center
Taco Party
Gelato Junction
Ramblebine Brewing Company
reet
t Main S
Site
S 4th
Col
Stree
S 5th Stree
nue e v do A
ora
Hackstation Burger Food Truck
t Colorado Mesa University Art Gallery
Santa Experience
t The Feisty Pint
Resilience | 10
Bathrooms (existing)
ag e
This low-cost, quick-build alternative allows the partnership to act quickly and cheaply. The space was designed to keep people at safe distances by keeping features 6-feet apart and having a counter-clockwise circulation of movement. The entrances and exits are strategically placed for people to feel invited and welcomed to the public space. This space would give local businesses the opportunity expand their operations on the street and for the community to experience an activated and vibrant public realm.
Parking
St
DESIGN CONCEPT LOW-COST
Alley - Lights and Mural
Flex Space
Beer Tent
Food Truck Greenery Screening Tables and Chairs Vendor Tent/Structure Ped Circulaton Vehicle Entry Pedestrian Entry
Resilience | 11
Resilience | 12
Bathrooms (existing)
ag e
The Downtown Grand Junction Partnership also wanted a high-cost design of the public space, one that is more permanent with higher quality materials and amenities. The design and circulation of the space is the same as the low-cost design to create an easy transition to more permanent amenities. This means the space can evolve over time as new materials come available or changes are made. This creates a resilient design that is adaptable to changes in the market and society.
Parking
Food Truck Greenery Screening Tables and Chairs Vendor Tent/Structure Ped Circulaton Vehicle Entry Pedestrian Entry
St
DESIGN CONCEPT HIGH-COST
Alley - Lights and Mural
Flex Space
Beer Tent
INSTAGRAM URBAN PLANNING LEADERS
Exploring streets, alleys, and public spaces of cities and towns is what gets me excited to get out of bed in the morning. My Instagram page provides a platform to express my passion, share ideas, inspire communities, and learn from other planners and designers.
Instagram | 13
Eric DeNardo Urban Design + Planning