Quality Hill Forum
University of Kansas School of Architecture Marvin Hall 1465 Jayhawk Boulevard Lawrence, KS 66045
Copyright Š 2010 Aaron Aday, Abby Brandenburg, Megan Carrithers, Chris Claassen, Jay Hake, Maia Hoelzinger, Chad Kraus, Stephen Mayer, Jennifer Ortega, Grace Philipp, Elizabeth Pritting, Alex Rea, Matthew Salad, Andy Seemiller, Stephanie Stone, Greg Turner
Cover design: Aaron Aday Graphic design: Aaron Aday
No reproduction, copy, or transmission of this publication may be made without written permission from the authors.
Quality Hill Forum University of Kansas ARCH 608 Core Design Studio V Fall 2010
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One day, and probably soon, we need some recognition of what above all is lacking in our big cities: quiet and wide, expansive places for reflection. Places with long, high-ceilinged cloisters for bad or all too sunny weather where no shouting or noise of carriages can reach and where good manners would prohibit even priests from praying aloud – buildings and sites that would altogether give expression to the sublimity of thoughtfulness and of stepping aside. - Friedrich Nietzsche1
The first decade of the new millennium has witnessed the emergence of a global society loosely bound by a digital infrastructure. Through globally interconnected networks from the internet to telecommunications - through portals including email, hypertext, social networking, and micro-blogging - we have become an omni-connected community of individuals. An almost unlimited quantity of data lies, literally, at our fingertips. Undeniably, the technology of our digital age has made achievable incredible levels of productivity and advances in quality of life. Yet, as connected as we appear to be, an endless cacophony of digital noise bombards us at every moment, jeopardizing our ability to remain connected substantially. As we peer down at our smooth black reflective surfaces and quickly scan the 140 character messages from a disembodied specter, ready to send the 29,700,500,268th tweet2 in abbreviated form, have we actualized a displacement of social connectedness for digital connectedness? Has the hegemony of vision successfully triumphed over kinesthetic experience? Is all communication equal? A tweet displaces a smile…an email displaces collaboration…’social networks’ displace casual strolls through lively downtowns on midsummer evenings…As productive as we are, something seems to have been neglected. Have we finally become too busy doing in preparation for being that we fail to just be, to exist meaningfully? Faced with these disquieting observations, this studio endeavored to design a cultural institution dedicated to the elevation of philosophical discourse in the social realm. The mission of the Quality Hill Forum (QHF) - a rare books library and public forum - was directed towards contemplation, discourse, and social engagement. The project focused on the relationship between society and the book as physical artifact; pairing the rare books library and public forum to explore the relationship between such ‘archaic’ forms of knowledge and more contemporary venues for sharing it. To this end, each member of the studio charted their own course: Aaron Aday peeled up an undulating landscape at the base of his rare books library to reveal a lively place of discourse; Abby Brandenburg’s ‘sectioned’ aluminum-clad block exposed its inner workings for all to see; Megan Carrithers unfolded her carefully-portioned concrete volume, uniting book and city; Chris Claassen’s canted walls and perforated roof plane manipulated the presence of natural light; staring up from the public forum surrounded by vertical walls of books, Jay Hake directed our attention to the sky; Maia Hoelzinger invited the city to partake in a lively gathering under a light-diffusing canopy; Stephen Mayer oscillated between concealing and revealing the mysteries of the library through layers of space; enclosed in a shell, Jennifer Ortega protected the fragile contents of the library and forum; Grace Philipp inhabited the edge condition of the city through a slippage of interior and exterior space; Liz Pritting investigated the relationship between activity and repose through spatial solids and voids; Alex Rea stratified the experiences of the site, from a subterranean library to a hovering forum; Matt Salad’s sculptural tower of light cracked open a darkened interior, serving as a metaphor for uncovering knowledge; echoing the cascading bluff on which the library stands, Andy Seemiller sought inspiration from the place; Stephanie Stone explored two types of conversations, one among people and the other between book and reader; and finally, Greg Turner’s ‘wall’ of concrete concealed a continuous serpentine interaction with the books while ‘projecting’ the presence of the library far beyond. Chad Kraus Lawrence, Kansas 2010
1 Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm. The Gay Science; with a Prelude in Rhymes and an Appendix of Songs. Trans. Walter Kaufmann. New York: Vintage, 1974. Print. 2 According to gigatweeter.com, the number of ‘tweets’ sent as of November 6th, 2010; an average of nearly 100 tweets for every man, woman, and child in the United States.
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Preface
1
In the Beaux-Arts tradition the understanding of the role of detail as a generator of the character of buildings determined a very peculiar graphic means for the study of it, the analytique. In this graphic representation of a designed or surveyed building the details play the predominant role. - Marco Frascari1
For the Phenomenological Analytique, each studio member endeavored to create a single multivocal ‘image’, like a palimpsest, using the method of analytique to capture the experiential qualities of a selected work of architecture. The analytique method provided the possibility to present the work polysemically while possessing simultaneity. 1 Frascari, Marco. “The Tell-the-Tale Detail.” Theorizing a New Agenda for Architecture. Ed. Kate Nesbitt. New York: Princeton Architectural, 1996. Print.
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Phenomenological Analytique
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Monere Vietnam Veterans Memorial Maya Lin Washington, D.C. 1981-1982 Woodburning with paint and polish
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Greg Turner
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Before the arrival of railroads, the West Bottoms had been farmland. In the 1880s, public transportation in the form of street railways began to prosper. The city would have the third largest cable-mileage in the country. In the 1920s, trolley cars had replaced cable cars, and service was being extended to the outlying areas. The mafia had a big influence on the city and controlled majority of the towns through the 20s. Architecture created in this era still exists today, being renovated into condominiums and lofts, in order for more people to consider living downtown. Between the new architecture being built and the changing of downtown with the times, the popularity of the area increased dramatically. After the Stock Market crash in 1929, the metropolis the city envisioned was postponed. Kansas City entered the most difficult period in history since the Civil War. In the 50s, the city was alive with progress. New buildings were beginning to appear on Quality Hill, and an urban renewal project had started in downtown. However, with the growth of discrimination and race, certain parts of the city had gained the reputation of being more “black,� and therefore more unsafe. Empty store fronts, empty offices, and closed theaters marked the older business centers by the end of the 1950s. Most of the buildings closed up shop in the 70s. For almost 30 years, downtown Kansas City had no nightlife. With the completion of the Sports Complex and the new Kansas City International Airport, downtown was no longer the hub of the city. Mayor Kay Barnes had a vision to make downtown alive again. In 2005, downtown had begun its large renovation, starting with the Power and Light District.
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Parks & Public Plazas Successfully utilized parks and public plazas are a rare commodity within our culture; Oppenstein Plaza is an exception. Located seven blocks east of our site, the corner plaza offers an inviting street presence, shaded areas, and flexible seating situations. The seemingly less successful Case Park lies just a block north of our site. Isolated in the upper corner of the downtown business district, the park’s old growth and views out to the West Bottoms aren’t taken advantage of nearly enough.
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1. Case Park 2. Oppenstein Brother’s Plaza
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Landmarks Because of its growing residential population, Quality Hill doesn’t offer many landmakrs within its bounds. Serving as the neighborhood’s
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beacon, the gold dome sitting atop Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception can be seen across much of the surrounding area. Adjacent districts offer arts and entertainment landmarks such as the Historic Midland Theatre or the more recent Power and Light District.
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3. Church of the Immaculate Conception 4. MIdland Theater
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Transportation Whether viewed as a disruption or an effective separation, transportaion plays a large role in the city’s layout. Comprised of 23 exits, four Interstate Highways, and four U.S. Highways, the Kansas City Loop bounds the downtown business district. Current public transit is limited to bus routes with discussion of a light rail system in the future. Running just south of our site, the Heritage Trail is the city’s response to a growing bicycle culture.
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1. Heritage Trail 2. I-70 & I-35 Highway Connection
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Parking Lots
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As Kansas City has evolved and adapted to fit the times, so too has its urban fabric. Through the metropolitan area’s history of sprawl and exodus to suburbs, large vacant lots (sometimes city blocks) began to serve parking. The result is a patchwork of vertical and horizontal densities.
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3. Public Library Parking Garage 4. Case Park Parking Area
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Seasonal Conditions
31º 31º
The chart to the left presents the annually reoccuring climactic conditions of the Kansas City area....average precipitation, temperature, primary and secondary wind
J
25.7
directions, month.
and solar zenthith angle by
F
37.2
Our site recieves a lot of sun in summer. The chart to the left maps the summer solstice (Jun 21) throughout the day. Looking at the encroaching shadows of the surrounding buildings, the site is generally in sunlight throughout the day. (1)
M
42.7
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54.5
M
64.1
71º 71º
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73.2
75º 75º
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78.5
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76.1
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67.5
O
56.6
N
43.1
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30.4
Our site recieves a significant amount of shade in the winter. The chart to the left maps the winter solstice (Dec 21) throughout the day. Looking at the encroaching shadows of the surrounding buildings, only the northeastern section of the site recieves continual sunlight throughout the day. (2) The majority of winds in the summer on our site are coming from the south. During the summer, a common secondary wind comes from the southwest. (4) The majority of winds in the winter on our site are coming form the northwest. During the winter, a common secondary wind comes form the southwest. (5)
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9 am
N W
E
40º 40º
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51º 51º
63º 63º
71º 71º 63º 63º 51º 51º 40º 40º
31º 31º 27º 27º
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5
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Ecological Geography The environs of Orchard Hill and the Kansas City area can be described in environmental boundries as well as political and social boundries. In a environmental sense, our site lies in the Turkey Creek Watershed to the east of the West Bottoms, an industrial area consisting currently of a large number of brownfields. While there is protected greenspace within walking distance of the site, in general to the north and south other large city green areas are sparce. A single storm drain recieves the bulk of stormwater runoff from our site. Controlling the amount of storm water entering the city’s storm water system helps protect our watersystems by keeping clean rainwater out of the sewer system and reducing polluciton. LEED offers points to designers who employ strategies of controlling this drainage and reducing the pollution of fresh rainwater. (3)
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Environmental Strategies While it has been known for quite some time that the 20th century trend of global consumption without check is not feasible moving into the 21st century, it has only been in recent years that it has gained such widespread attention from the public. Advances in technology--usually being of a more advanced and futuristic nature-- have received the majority of this publicity. Often missed with this, however, is the high costs and bias that these new ideas carry in comparison to old ideas. Quite simple ideas of sites that retain rainwater for consumption;, sewage and silage treated on site, and buildings with natural ventilation for better indoor air quality are strategies that have been used for centuries
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1”
5 6 7
0”
Hangar Frames
Extensive
2”
3 Greenwall
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Intensive
1 Permeable Concrete
2 Gravelpave Stone Base Min. 6” Depth
Stone Base Min, 8” Depth 4 Bioswale Uncompacted Subgrade Soil
4/5
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Irrigation System Plant Hangars Hanging Plant Mat Structural Wall
5 Greenroof
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Environmental Strategies These important considerations for minimizing a building’s impact on its surrounding environment are starting to be reflected in guide-
Gravel Barrier Concrete / Wood Curb
lines like that of LEED. Some examples of strategies LEED gives designers to consider implementing: limiting light pollution; creating more green space with native plants and trees to counteract the heat island effect; retaining or detaining stormwater runoff to lessen the strain on sewer systems; providing access to public transit and alternative transportation, SP SU FA WI thereby reducing parking capacity needs. A “Nyssa sylvatica ” Black Gum select few of these examples are laid out in the diagrams below, showing the great amount of variation in sustainable design that can possibly be achieved in the environment that our Quality Hill site presents.
1 - Vegetation 2 - Substrate 3 - Soil Filter 4 - Drainage Mat FA WI “Chasmanthium latifolium ”
5 - Root Barrier Northern Sea Oats
6 - Roofing Membrane
SP SU FA WI “Hamamelis vernalis ”
Spring Witchhazel
Drain
SP SU FA
SU FA
SP SU FA
“Rudbeckia fulgida”
Buffalo Grass
“Lindera benzoin ”
Black-eyed Susan
Spicebush
Required Upkeep Required Upkeep
“Bouteloua dactyloides”
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1
2
3
4
5
6
Plant Diversification Over Time
Plant Diversification Over Time 1
2
3
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5
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Embodied Energy Because choosing building materials is such an integral part of the design process, it’s beneficial to have an understanding of not only what types of materials are used for certain applications, but also having an awareness on the total impact such decisions can make on the environment. The following charts provide adequate information on a variety of standard building materials used in the building industry today, as well as information on the benefits to using locally salvaged and harvested materials as opposed to imported materials. Additionally, the charts also breakdown each materials’s embodied energy units, which factors in extraction, manufacturing, transportation and Material Embodied Energy Chart disposal.
s
s Timber (FSC)
Timber
Concrete
Glass
Glass Fiber Insulation
20
0
40
Brick (Facing) Brick (Common)
s
Limestone
s Steel (Recycled)
Embodied Energy Legend
s Low
Locally salvaged material eliminating manufacturing carbon footprint during secondary use
High
Total primary energy consumed including extraction, manufacturing, and transportation (MJ/kg)
Steel
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Total Material Embodied Energy per Life Cycle within a 100 Year Period (35)
100
(8)
(9)
(158)
(20)
(2)
(720)
(<1)
(16)
(10)
(3)
(72) (45)
90
(4) (72)
80
(79)
(15)
(4)
70
(72) 60
(72) (4)
50
(15)
(72)
40
(72) (4)
30
(79)
(8)
(72)
20
(15)
(72) (4)
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(8)
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Legend ( ) Total embodied energy within 100 year span ( ) Total embodied energy within life cycle Material life cycle exceeding 100 years
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Urban Scope
Vehicular Traffic
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Pedestrian Traffic
3
2
4
5
* 1
50’ 100’
200’
6 250’
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Perceptual Sketch
Shadow Study
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Site Vegetation
1 4 5 2 3
1.Norway Maple 2.Green Ash 3.Redbud
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4.Freeman Maple 5.Pin Oak 6.American Linden
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Streetscapes
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This is a Museum. A museum of literature. Books, manuscripts, maps, and magazines are just as much a work art as a painting on a wall or a piece of sculpture on a pedestal. What separates this museum from others is the material which is being displayed. These pieces of art are intended to be held and viewed at a personal level. Just as a book is to be held and flipped through, the building should have the same aspiration. You should want to go up to it and touch it and have a feeling of connection with it, because the eye doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always tell you what you need to know. The deeper you go into a book the more you become one with the story it is telling and this is the intention of the museum. For this reason the gradual ramp system which surrounds the rare books library is intended for the viewer to interact with the stacks of books in a slow process. Ask yourself this, why would a building want to expose its interior? A book never tells you the story before you read it. It may give you a glimpse of what is to come, but it will never give you the outcome without forcing you to read it, just as a building should do the same, bringing a level of mystery to the mind and what may be on the inside. A building needs a sense of presence. The shear scale in relation to its contextual surroundings gives the building a powerful presence. Scale was looked at from the beginning stages and it was soon recognized that if this museum was to have presence, it needed to be seen from a distance both from the bottoms and from the downtown side of Kansas City. The west facing monolithic wall provides for numerous opportunities of presence from movie projections, light shows, billboard signage, etc. This museum brings both a sense of presence and mystery to it on a number of different levels.
Greg Turner
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N
Site Plan
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Bookstore Bookstore Storage Forum Forum Storage Coat Closet Director’s Office Curator’s Office Librarian’s Office Preservation Area Workroom Atrium Rare Books Library/Gallery Reading Room Conference Room Sky Garden Gross Square Footage TARE Net Square Footage Building Efficiency
Program 1,544sqft 175sqft 2,928sqft 244sqft 250sqft 190sqft 160sqft 160sqft 420sqft 520sqft 645sqft 9,774sqft 2,037sqft 520sqft 2,288sqft 30,669sqft 4,233sqft 26,348sqft 71%
Structure 10” Concrete Columns 12” Concrete Ramp System Cable Suspension System from Hat Truss Concrete Foundation Walls (Size Varies) Concrete Elevator Shafts
a
b c d
(a)
Life Safety Occupied Point Common Path Exit Access Non-Common Path Exit Access Exit Path Egress Path Exit Discharge
0
8'
16'
DN
2 1 A
DN
UP
24'
N
B
Legend 1 Bookstore 2 Forum 3 Entry 4 Coat Room 5 Director’s Office 6 Curator’s Office 7 Librarian’s Office 8 Preservation Room 9 Workroom 10 Rare Books Library 11 Gallery 12 Reading Room 13 Conference Room 14 Sky Garden
B
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1st Level
A
12
UP
9
13 DN
8
B DN
UP
UP
DN
UP
DN
12
5
A
DN
DN
UP
A
A
DN
12
UP
3
4
A
UP
DN
DN
B
N
B
B
A
A
UP
N
N N
A
A
B
A
6
14
10 11 10
B
10 11 10
10 11 10
7
DN
13 DN
UP
UP
A
B
B
B
B
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2nd Level
3rd, 5th, 7th Levels
4th 6th Levels
8th Level
9th Level
223
South Elevation
224 0
8'
16'
24'
East Elevation
225
North Section
226 0
8'
16'
24'
West Section
227
VEGETATION GROWING MEDIA SYSTEMFILTER DRAINAGE LAYER STYROFOAM ROOT STOP HYDROFLEX MEMBRANE SUBSTRATE
Perspective Section Wall Detail
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