Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe. Anatole France
hana wei thesis design brief pratt institute fall 2012
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table of contents introduction................................................ 5 Abstract
concept....................................................... 8 precedents.................................................. 12 Zumthor: Thermal Vals Nouvel: Jane's Carousel
23
case study: the highline................................. 24 program....................................................... 41 site........................................................... 53 53 59
City Hall Park Asphalt Green
design strategy............................................ 62 Design Exercise: What is Rest?
bibliography................................................. 65
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INTRODUCTION Abstract: My project is about the restoring the mental health of the urban individual. I intend to explore this through providing an urban reprieve through connection with nature. A similar idea is explored in the project Thermal Baths by Peter Zumthor. That project is similar because it connects building with nature and leads the user through a sensory exploration within the space. My site is the City Hall Station. I am using this site because it is an abandoned station with potential for repurposing. My program is an indoor park and public space. I am working with this program because it provides the opportunity for integrating reprieve within the urban environment. A similar program was observed at the Highline Park. By working with this program and site, I hope to create a space away from the city beneficial to the mental health of the users, related to my idea about urban reprieve.
Thesis Advisor: Deborah Schneiderman
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"The deepest problems of modern life flow from the attempt of the individual to maintain the independence and individuality of his existence against the sovereign powers of society, against the weight of the historical heritage and the external culture and technique of life." (georg simmel, the metropolis and mental life)
Georg Simmel’s The Metropolis and Mental Life posits that urban living alienates and desensitizes the individual as a result of the extreme stimuli in the everyday of the city life. Written in 1903 in the modern era marked by the beginnings of rapid urbanization, there have been countless studies and essays since then that address the same issue: the mental effects on the ever increasing population living in the city. The city is a creature of the present and the future. The city offers its citizens opportunity, culture, excitement, work and play. It is the scene of social exchange, ideas, and the new. Urbanization is not merely a trend but a historical shift; from hunter-gatherers to village culture we have now entered urban culture. The arrival of the “Urban Millennium” in 2007 marked a tipping point where the majority of the world’s population now lives in cities. Urban culture means, for most individuals, better and more varicolored living conditions. In a word, it means “more” – more to do, more to see, more to inspire. However, in the rush to embrace the external benefits, More specifically, architecture is largely addressing the external factors and neglecting the internal.
How can an interior space restore the mental health of the average urban individual? How can the use of nature aid in this restoration?
precedent i thermal baths peter zumthor vals, switzerland 1996 
"Mountain, stone, water , building in the stone, building with the stone, into the mountain, building out of the mountain, being inside the mountain; how can the implications and the sensuality of the association of these words be interpreted, architecturally?"
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Architects: Peter Zumthor, with Marc Loeliger, Thomas Durisch, Rainer Weitschies Specific location: Canton of Graubünden, Switzerland Owner: Hotel Therme Vals Program: Calcium Sulfate, Hydrogen Carbonate baths Program Breakdown: - Indoor pool - Outdoor pool - Fire pool - Ice pool - Drinking stone - Flower pool - Sound bath - Resonance Room - Sweat Stone and Steam Stone - Sounding Stone - Massage rooms - Relaxation rooms
"The meander, as we call it, is a designed negative space between the blocks, a space that connects everything as it flows throughout the entire building, creating a peacefully pulsating rhythm. Moving around this space means making discoveries. You are walking as if in the woods. Everyone there is looking for a path of their own."
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Upper level plan
Lower level plan
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material use Zumthor's thermal baths are crafted from nature. Throughout the space, Zumthor uses locally quarried Valser quartzite. This stone is found at the base of the Aduladecke in the Swiss Alps. Traditionally the stone slabs have been used as roof cover, however Zumthor chose to build the floors, ceilings and walls out of layers of quartzite stone slabs, a total of 60,000. The decision to use a local, everyday material infuses the space with an understated splendour, the everyday becoming an extraodinary experience. The natural material integrates the building fully with the landscape, and it rises out of the mountains as if it were a rock formation
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natural lighting Natural daylight is let in through gaps between the concrete and the stone slabs. The slits throughout the space let in a concentrated amount of sunlight to great effect.
natural lighting entry points
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precedent ii jane's carousel jean nouvel dumbo, brooklyn 2011
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Location
Proximity to Other Attractions
Circulation to Carousel
interior to exterior The sliding accordion walls of the structure are made of acrylic and allow for the inside to become fully exposed to the outside surroundings during warmer weather. “I could create a huge wall of glass without structure. And with this feeling, with the thickness and light of glass, but with distortions. I wanted a special materiality, like the thickness of crystal.” (Jean Nouvel)
case study the highline diller scofidio + renfro west side, manhattan 2009 
The Highline is a public park built over the long defunct railway that stretches along the lower west side of Manhattan. It follows the path of the railway line and provides views of the city around and below it. It is located in close proximity to the A, C, E, L, 1, 2 and 3 subway lines. The space is used by tourists and residents alike. For tourists it provides the rare opportunity to see many parts of New York City and surrounding areas from above; its draw also comes from providing a new and unique park experience as well as the chance to walk amongst the history of old New York. For residents it offers a place to rest, walk, relax and enjoy the outdoors.
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personal observations strong points - Integration of railroad and surroundings with the park - Plant life works naturally with the rest of the space - Provision of different kinds of seating for different purposes and durations of rest
weak points - Linear nature of the park makes it hard to “gather” around focal areas such as food stalls and the restaurant - Almost the entirety of the park is open air, making it unuseable in the rain and cold weather
programmatic aspects of the highline
entry stairs
seating
food stalls
restaurant
water
viewing areas
plants
w.c.
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user surveys would you visit in the winter?
what is the primary purpose of your visit?
8 5
4 3 1
Walk
Sightseeing
Exercise
0
Eat/Drink
1
Other
Yes
what of the highline attracts you the most?
No
in general, why do you go to parks? 7
5 2
2
2
Design
Other
0
3 1
0
View
Greenery
Facilities
Relax
what is the total duration you plan on staying here for? 5 2
- 30M
3 1
30M - 1H
1-2H
2H+
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Events
Exercise
Other
staff list Total Staff Count: 59
High Line Operations
Visitor Services
Chief Operating Officer Vice President of Horticulture & Park Operations Custodial Foreman Gardener (4) Maintenance Technician Operations Project Manager Manager of Horticulture Maintenance Technician Custodian (4)
Visitor Services Manager Ranger Supervisor Ranger (9)
Administration Vice President of Administration & Strategic Projects Director of Finance Office Manager Bookkeeping & Data Entry Assistant Human Resources Assistant Manager of Special Projects Office Assistant
Communications Director of Communications & Marketing Communications & Marketing Assistant
Development Programming Director of Programs, Education, & Community Engagement Program & Education Assistant Community Engagement Manager Volunteer Coordinator Manager of Education, Teen & Family Programs
High Line Art Jr. Curator and Director of High Line Art High Line Art Production Manager High Line Art Communications Manager
Vice President of Development Manager of Corporate Development & Sponsorship Manager of Foundation & Government Support Director of Individual Giving Campaign Manager Membership Associate Director of Special Events Development Projects Manager Development Assistant
Planning Vice President for Planning & Design Director of Planning & Design Manager of Design & Capital Projects Director of Capital Projects
Food & Revenue Director of High Line Food & Revenue Food & Revenue Coordinator Retail Coordinator
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case study summary I chose this case study because the Highline provides a variant on the traditional park, which would be helpful moving forward with my adapted park design. In addition, it is a fairly new development, which means that its facilities are updated and relevant. I learned from this case study that while most users go to parks to get a breather, the level of activity can vary greatly. Many consider jogging, along with other exercise, a form of relaxation of the mind.
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Program: Indoor Park PARK noun \pärk\ A : a piece of ground in or near a city or town kept for ornament and recreation B : an area maintained in its natural state as a public property Parks and gardens are essential places of oasis for the urban individual and have restorative properties; however in the late Fall, Winter, and early Spring months in New York, it is often far too cold to spend extended periods of time outside resting. Therefore an interior park space would address these forgotten months in between and provide both a gathering space and a space away from everyday life.
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overview Parks and gardens have existed from the beginnings of civilization, from the famed Hanging Gardens of Babylon of myth to the present day Central Park, landmark symbol of New York City. The modern day park had its beginnings as deer parks, land for hunting by royalty and the aristocracy in medieval times. With the onset of the Industrial revolution and modernization of the 19th century, parks have become a way to preserve a sense of nature within the urban landscape.
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organization As a public space, the park will be owned by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. Various parts of the property can be rented out to outside businesses according to function, such as food and drink vendors. 14% of New York City is stewarded by Parks & Recreation (29,000 acres of land). Other than parks, the department also operates athletic facilities, playgrounds, tennis courts, public pools, recreational facilities, nature centers, golf courses and beaches.
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facilities offered by nyc parks
bbq
cricket
baseball
cycling
basketball
bathroom
beaches
bocce
dog run
eateries
fishing
fitness
football
golf
handball
hiking
historic
horseback
ice skating
kayak/ canoe
model aircraft fields
nature
paddleboat
playground
pools
recreation centre
roller hockey
running tracks
skate
soccer
spray
tennis courts
volleyball
water fountains
zoos
aquariums
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statistical analysis: central park Research indicates that the number of visits to the park in winter/colder months are significantly lower than in the peak summer period. This suggests a gap in facilities meeting the needs of the New York individual.
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occupants staff list Total Staff Count: 20
Operations Park Director Food & Revenue Coordinator Maintenance Technician Custodial Staff (3) Gardener (2)
Administration Secretary Treasurer Office Assistant
visitor services Visitor Services Manager Ranger Superviisor Ranger (3)
development Programs Manager Programs Assistant Special Events Manager
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exercise greenery
open space
food & dr quiet space w.c. greenery
gathering space
greenery
staff
rink
criteria matrix
Staff Operations Staff Administration
Visitor Services Development Staff Public Spaces Open Areas Exercise Space Food & Drink Quiet Area Gathering Space Other Entry W.C. Broadcast Production Producers (3) Consultant Storage Editing Suite Canteen Dining Pantry
200 60
N N
M M
L L
60 60
N N
M M
300 200
N N
300 300 500
N N
L L
M M M M
N N
M M
L L
L L
N Y
N N N
M M M
L H L
L L L
Y N N
30 30
H H
N L
H H
L H
N N
60
N
M
N
N
N
60 TBD 200
N N N
M N N
N N H
N N H
N N Y
M M
M M
H N
H N
N Y
TBD TBD
20 SEATS MINIMUM KITCHEN AND STORAGE
adjacency matrix
Adjacency Matrix General Spaces Entry Zones Pathways Open Resting Areas Semi-Private Businesses Food stalls Stores Other Washrooms Staff Rooms Storage Priority Adjacency Secondary Adjacency Convenient Adjacency
Site (1) City Hall Station
One of the subway entrances
City Hall Park
Location: Beneath the City Hall Park, Lower Manhattan Size: 400’ long curved platform Specific Site Characteristics Neighbourhood Description: Close to City Hall, Financial district, bridges Access, Parking, Public Transportation: Used to be accessible by 2 entrances leading above ground Street Views: Underground, however skylights are a visible feature above ground Window Views: 3 skylights opening up to the park above
General Description of Building Age, history: Ceremonial terminal of the first subway project in New York. Built in 1900 starting March 24, station provided passenger service 1904 – 1945. Located on turning loop for uptown local trains, and nearby Brooklyn Bridge station was more functional. Because of increased ridership, station lengthening was necessary and because of the tight curve of the loop, was deemed impractical for this station, and so was closed. Loop track is still in use today by the 6.
Timeline 1900 (March 24): construction begun 1904 – 1945: served passengers 1995 (April): announcement to become branch of the Transit Museum 1998: plans cancelled
Specific Building Characteristics 3 skylights, correspond to 3 gratings in the Park (covered) Arched ceilings with Guastavino ceiling tiles Curved platform, leads to a small mezzanine area for fare collection 2 stairway exits leading from mezzanine to outside 147.25 foot radius curve of loop track
platform space
Site (ii) asphalt green
general info Address: 555 East 90th St. Vicinities: Highway, East River, park, playground, schools, churches
asphalt green schools churches art centers
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REST IS:
REST IS NOT:
REPREIVE BREATHING SPACE AWAY QUIETUDE RETREAT FIILTERING INDIRECT SENSATION STABILITY SECURITY PEACE
CONFINEMENT LONELINESS CONSTRAINT DISTANCE SILENCE NOTHINGNESS ISOLATION BLOCKADE
design strategy what is rest? rest is: rest is not: confinement reprieve loneliness breathing constraint space distance away silence quietude nothingness retreat isolation filtering blockade indirect sensation stability security peace PLAN
PLAN
ELEVATION 1 ELEVATION 1
ELEVATION 2
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bibliography Georg Simmel, “The Metropolis and the Mental Life” The Blackwell City Reader (1903). http://www.archdaily.com/13358/the-therme-vals/ http://www.therme-vals.ch/ http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/10/the-hidden-abandoned-city_n_781669.html http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/abandoned/cityirt.html http://www.theatlanticcities.com/commute/2012/07/new-yorks-lovely-abandoned-subway-station/2594/ http://www.thehighline.org/about/park-information http://janescarousel.com/ http://ny.curbed.com/places/janes-carousel
programming details: leisure + work An indoor public space allows for the opportunity to provide for that which an outdoor park usually cannot: a sanctuary for those who wish to study or work. To investigate the program requirements for a study/work space inside the park, we must look at the two most popular public destinations to go to study or work.
library
cafe
useful
useful
useful
Quiet Digital Resources
Space to Work Internet / Wi-Fi
Relative quiet Refreshments & Snacks
not useful
not useful
Paper Resources No Food/Drink
Distracting Conversation Meals
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