vb: interlaced summer scholar research project
PHILLIP BECHER | ATHEENI EACHARATH | YONGXIAO LIU | VIVIENNE SHI
HANBURY
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We would like to thank the Norfolk office of Hanbury for giving us the opportunity to reimagine the Central Beach area and the support throughout the summer program. We would like to thank Alec Yuzhbabenko for the weekly touch-base meetings that directed us on the right track; we would also like to thank Cameron Fullmer from the Richmond office for participating frequently in our design discussions and giving valuable advice too. We would like to thank everyone in the Hanbury community for their input and support, especially people from the Norfolk office with whom we had daily interactions with and who gave us spontaneous design advice.
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
INTENT
THESIS ABSTRACT
The 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholars (Phillip Becher, Atheeni Eacharath, Yongxiao Liu, and Vivienne Shi) have been researching Virginia Beach, focusing on a proposal to create an ecosystem that supports the Central Beach area year-round. Given that Virginia Beach is a transient city with an economy reliant on summer tourists and military personnel, our aim was to highlight the city’s rich history, culture, and potential for growth by celebrating the gradient nature of Virginia Beach’s personalities.
The project, “Virginia Beach: Interlaced,” involves a large-scale multi-modal loop, coupled with an acupuncture of architectures, or strategic inlays in local neighborhoods and districts to enhance community cohesion. The breadth of research spanned the coastal, urban, street, and pedestrian scales to provide context for interventions inland. This approach integrates new proposals with existing features to build a strong, interconnected community that serves both locals and tourists.
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
THE SITE: Virginia beach
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
SITE VISIT
EXPERIENCING VIRGINIA BEACH
Our multiple visits to the Virginia Beach Resort Area gave us different perspectives of the place. It was very evident that the place had a charm in the summer, but we could only wonder how it would be in winter time. Our conversations with various people from Virginia Beach helped us paint a picture of the place beyond those summer months and keep an analytical eye for the site as we enjoyed the food, the artwork, the pier and of course the beach.
LEFT: Summer Scholars 2024 at the Cavalier Hotel with the Atlantic Ocean in the background.
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF VB
We noticed that experiences at Virginia Beach came in distinct categories. The local landscapes and plants inspired our thinking on working with the local eco-system. The man-made structures and infrastructures, such as parking spaces, present design challenges as well as opportunities. The presence of water at Virginia Beach, whether through naturally occurring conditions or man-made nature, are aspects of the city to be celebrated.
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
RETHINKING OUR SITE EXPERIENCE
The site spoke to each of us in different ways. The potentials we found also had their own characteristics, but the overall vibrancy of Virginia Beach reinstated our confidence to address this site with interesting interventions. This context formed the basis of our first critical lens: gradients.
As we explored the site, we experienced zones that felt completely isolated. The isolation was so sharp that it created some dead zones. Our conversation with various people only confirmed this isolation in different ways. And this formed the basis of our intervention strategy: interlacing.
RIGHT: The image indicates four different gradients that we noticed during our site visit to Virginia Beach. The gradients signify the intent of transitioning from one character to another in a way that it connects the inland resort area to the oceanfront.
DESIGN FRAMEWORK
THE CONCEPT - INTERLACE
The design concept for Virginia Beach centers around creating an integrated framework that addresses existing site issues while fostering programmatic development. The identified themes—Flavors, Creativity, Sports, Accessibility, and Resilience—serve as foundational elements that define the area’s character and potential for growth beyond the oceanfront. These themes reflect the local culinary and farming traditions, vibrant art and educational culture, diverse sports activities, public facilities and mobility infrastructure, and ecological sensitivity. To harness these strengths and further distinguish Virginia Beach, a series of interconnected programs are proposed under a comprehensive umbrella. This approach aims to create a new ecosystem that is both integrated and dynamic. While iconic features such as the Boardwalk, Atlantic Park, Vibe District, farm-to-table initiatives, and wind farms already contribute to the unique character of the area, the introduction of these new programs establishes a gradient of interaction and engagement.
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
RIGHT: The concept diagram highlighting the existing themes of Virginia Beach as its core while project new programs that accentuate and compliment the existing the character of VB.
Interlaced programs
The concept envisions an interlaced web of programs that fosters continuous interaction with the environment, rather than segregating activities into isolated zones. This interweaving creates micro-ecosystems within various regions, each capable of sustaining itself even in challenging conditions. By establishing these interconnected micro and macro-scale activities, the design concept promotes a resilient and thriving community that leverages its natural and cultural assets to offer a holistic and enriching experience. The proposed program themes are mobility, sports, higher education, agriculture and resilience. These themes will be addressed both at the urban planning scale of to the architectural scale of acupuncture interventions.
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
RIGHT: The concept diagram leads to five main design areas of focus that will be interlaced throughout the project in various scale. These are mobility, resilience, higher ed,sports and agriculture.
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
LEFT: Ariel view of the Virginia Beach oceanfront at the Rudee Loop and the Lake Holly.
ANALYSIS
EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL AND LIMITS THE INLAND RESORT AREA IN RELATION TO THE OCEANFRONT
The site analysis categories were developed based on firsthand experiences and observations of the site. The challenges of navigating the area and the difficulty in finding affordable and convenient parking informed the investigation into the existing transportation infrastructure. Concerns about sea-level rise and the unique character of local parks guided the study of the site’s ecological aspects. The noticeable isolation of the inland area compared to the bustling oceanfront prompted an examination of the land use codes.
Building on these site analysis themes, new theoretical frameworks have been applied to provide a core structure for the master-plan proposals. These theories aim to address identified issues and enhance the overall functionality and character of Virginia Beach, ensuring a cohesive and sustainable development approach. This integrated analysis serves as the foundation for developing a comprehensive master-plan that aligns with the site’s unique challenges and opportunities.
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
ECOLOGY - ANALYSIS
The accompanying map and images provide a comprehensive site analysis of the ecological spaces within the resort area. This analysis identifies key green spaces, including parks and isolated water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and holly. The resort area is characterized by three primary green zones: the golf course at the top, the beach garden at the center, and the marsh park at the bottom. Collectively, these intense green zones contribute to more than 30% of the area’s green cover.
A simple thumb rule, known as 3x30x300, guides the analysis of green spaces: ensuring three trees per household, achieving a 30% green cover in the neighborhood, and having access to a park within 300 meters. While the site meets the requirements for three trees and 30% green cover, it falls short in terms of park accessibility. Due to the presence of isolated parks, and the predominance of children’s parks with play structures rather than true green spaces, the 300-meter proximity to a park condition is unsatisfactory.
To address this, it is crucial to introduce more green spaces, particularly in the central resort area. Options include tree-lined streets, urban gardens, sponge parks, or even a green playground. The 3x30x300 rule provides a framework for allocating these green spaces, ensuring a more ecologically balanced and accessible environment for all residents and visitors.
LEFT: Site analysis map identifying existing green parks and water bodies in the area. The green buffer bubbles reflects 300 metre radius indicating the spread and impact a park holds on a city. The blue buffer bubbles follows the same principle of 300 metre radius but indicating the impact of isolated water bodies on the city..
TOP: Visual representation of 3x30x300 green theory that is used for this site analysis to understand the impact of green cover.
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
MOBILITY - ANALYSIS
The map and images provide an analysis of the existing transportation facilities in the resort area, revealing a significant limitation in connectivity between the oceanfront and the inland areas. Currently, the site’s transportation infrastructure encourages visitors to focus primarily on the oceanfront, as there are no bicycle paths or shuttle bus systems connecting to the inland area. This has resulted in a disconnect, particularly between the vibrant Vibe District, the Cavalier at the north, and Rudee Loop at the south. Consequently, tourists often only explore the oceanfront, especially the iconic Neptune statue, while missing out on the inland resort area’s offerings, such as vibrant murals, the visitor center, golf courses, and authentic seafood restaurants.
To address this issue, it is essential to develop multi-modal pathways that enhance pedestrian activity, especially around Atlantic Park and the Vibe District. Introducing new bus routes and even exploring the possibility of a light rail system could greatly improve access, making it easier for tourists and locals alike to explore the entire area. This would help distribute the intensity of activity more evenly across the site, rather than concentrating it solely along the oceanfront, thus enriching the overall visitor experience and supporting local businesses throughout the resort area.
LEFT: Site analysis of the existing main transport mode and streets. The map highlights the existing inland resort area and its connection to the ocean front.
TOP: Axonometric view of the site zoomed in to the inland resort area to highlight its developing zone namely Atlantic Park, visitor center and vibe district. Three opportunity junctions and increased pedestrian streets are identified for incorporating better mobility plans. The new proposal of the Atlantic Park will trigger development laterally across the site emphasizing our need to reconnect the site better.
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
PARKING - ANALYSIS
The map and accompanying images illustrate the site analysis of parking spaces within the resort area, highlighting the percentage of plot area they cover. As the land use character transitions from intense residential to highly commercial, the nature of parking spaces reflects this change. A gradient study was conducted to identify the character of plots, leading to the identification of four types of parking spaces: two in the commercial sector, including rooftop parking for hotels and blacktop parking for small retail spaces, and two in the residential sector, encompassing condensed plots and isolated scattered plots. Commercial plots often allocate 50 to 85% of their area exclusively for parking, leaving no room for other uses. In contrast, residential areas have parking spaces covering less than 45 to 20% of the plots, which allows for more green cover and diverse land uses, such as yards, local sales, and community gardens.
Addressing these large blacktop areas, which currently serve no function other than parking, is essential to unlock the potential of these open spaces. The transformation of the new Atlantic Park from a former open parking space into a vibrant public area exemplifies this potential. This underscores the opportunity to rethink parking spaces as multi-functional areas, considering alternative surface materials and uses. A notable concept in this context is “Park(ing) Day,” observed in more than seven countries. On this day, people transform parking lots into small parks, showcasing the potential impact of converting blacktop areas into green spaces and highlighting the broader possibilities for public use.
LEFT: Site Analysis of the existing parking lots and curb spaces that led to the identification of black top surfaces based on %of coverage of a parcel block. The gradient ranges from more than 85% coverage to less than 20% coverage as we move from commercial hotel parcels to residential parcels.
TOP: Shift in scales of the parking lots highlights the dispersion in residential spaces to clustering in commercial spaces.
LANDUSE - ANALYSIS
The map and images depict the site analysis of land use within the resort area, highlighting significant constraints on development within the resort boundary. This restriction has led to slower growth in the surrounding areas and created sharp contrasts between programs in each block and between streets. A notable consequence of this land use system is the oceanfront’s development juxtaposed with the inland area’s isolation. To bridge this divide and integrate the inland resort area with the oceanfront, while accommodating new proposals and programs, a mixed-use plan and gradient land use strategy are crucial.
The new developments in the Atlantic Park area will significantly impact retail value, land value, and overall development in neighboring plots. As pedestrian traffic increases, especially with the goal of connecting Atlantic Park to the visitor center, the land use near the inland resort area must address strategic growth and neighborhood improvement areas. Avoiding program isolation through a strategic development plan is key to fostering a cohesive city environment. This can be achieved by projecting current land use patterns onto proposed site interactions and encouraging mixed-use developments. Such developments create a micro-ecosystem where various programs complement one another, fostering a vibrant and integrated community.
LEFT: Existing land use map with the resort area boundary highlighting how the zoning has restricted development beyond the inland resort area.
TOP: Axonometric representation of the Inland resort area in relation to the oceanfront identifying new zones based on the current development patterns. These zones trigger development beyond the resort area boundary and it becomes essential to think about new land-use strategies.
MASTER PLAN a loop structure
Based on the above site analysis, we propose the future development strategy for Virginia Beach from a master planning perspective. The generation of the master plan involves four main steps: creating planning zones, constructing functional paths, generating the Loop structure, and identifying key nodes.
The first step, creating planning zones. This step sets the overall functional tone for the study area, introducing new functional zones such as higher education and Transit-Oriented Development based on the existing site resources. In the second step, we construct the Eco-path, with green resources within a 300-meter straight-line distance, transportation systems connecting various landmarks, and recreation paths, all based on the analysis of the transportation system, natural resources system, and land use. The overlapping parts of these functional paths form a Loop structure that connects the entire study area. Finally, by identifying the intersections of the Loop with the boundaries of functional zones, we determine key nodes, providing a foundation for subsequent design.
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
RIGHT: The process photo of refining the position of the loop structure.
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
ZONING
RESORT MIXED-USE ZONE: Hotels, entertainment facilities, retail, and dining.
EDUCATION MIXED-USE ZONE: Higher education institutions and supporting facilities
CONVENTION & SPORT ZONE: Convention center, sports center, proposed sports facilities.
NATURAL ZONE: Significant natural resources and its surrounding regions.
CREATIVE ZONE: Commercial related to art, surf culture, specialty dining, and breweries.
ZONE: Commercial and a small portion of residential along the light rail.
TOD
Sponge parks that are new or developed based on existing resources.
New artificial bridge across Lake Holly.
: Publicly accessible rooftop garden.
Pocket gardens between public buildings built utilizing vacant lots.
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
: Dedicated bike path completely separated from motor vehicle lanes.
A low-noise light rail line surrounded by greenery.
: Newly developed commercial spaces along the light rail line.
Undisturbed pedestrian areas
activity spaces around the light rail line.
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
: Newly built restaurant with outdoor seating and gathering spaces.
: Newly built brewery with lavish decor and complete facilities.
: Uniquely designed and artistic art gallery.
: Art exhibition building integrated with local graffiti culture.
2 : Neighborhood bike paths.
: Pedestrian public transportation junction and activity spaces.
: Common street spaces - accessibility and seating.
: Common street spaces - accessibility and seating.
: High-lighted pedestrian walkways among recreation facilities.
: High-lighted pedestrian walkways among recreation facilities.
INTERSECTIONS WITH MULTIPLE CHARACTERS
: Landscape design based on a retention pond at the gateway. 1 : Public basketball court integrated with transportation infrastructure.
: Eco-restaurant integrated with an indoor aquaponic system.
: Educational institution integrated with the natural environment.
: The integration of green spaces with commercial districts.
: Waterfront artistic commercial district.
site context: central beach
CONTEXTUALIZING MIDDLE BEACH THROUGH SCALE AND UTILITY
Virginia beach serves nearly 20 million people a year, through an explosion of popularity in the summer and the quiet mull in the winter. Virginia beach is a transitory city, much like surrounding cities in Hampton Roads. To understand virginia beach is to understand that the resort area of the beach is the draw for tourists, but there is a deep community that has been growing for generations inland.
The areas of research were greatly influenced by understanding the dynamic between tourists and locals; districts are used widely by different locales. Investigating the uses and the architectural scales of sports, homes, and resorts helped reveal further the social fabric of middle beach.
The ‘acupuncture’ approach is a strategy of carefully choosing specific areas of interest for architectural inlays. These areas are designated, “nodes” due to their specific qualities they hold. Qualities which may help strengthen Virginia Beach’s character towards becoming a truly interwoven community; for both locals and tourists.
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
LEGEND:
NODE A: The Pavilion Light Rail Station
NODE B: Virginia Beach Gateway: Welcome Center and Reflective Pond
NODE C: Kombucha Brewery and Eco System
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
RIGHT: 1” = 256’ model of Middle Beach. Materials: 1/2” thick maple plywood, white matte PLA filament, PETG filament, acrylic, balsa wood, linseed oil.
NODE B
NODE A
NODE C
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
A CLUSTER OF URBAN INTERVENTIONS
Virginia Beach is an inland city, and its community around the convention center, the Vibe District, and residential neighborhoods is close-knit and interdependent. We believe that the inland area of Central Beach would benefit most from targeted, precise interventions tailored to serve the whole of the community effectively at different times of the year.
When designing for Middle Beach, we need to consider various architectural scales: single-family homes, the Sports and Convention Center, and the lowrise scale of restaurants and farmers’ markets. Each of these three areas requires a specific approach to create a distinct sense of place and integrate their functions while addressing the various scales involved.
LEFT: Four images of the Middle Beach site model, showcasing the local context of the interventions and the proximity between the different nodes.
tHE PAvilion station node a: VB BLVD & JEFFERSON AVE
EXTENDING SITE HISTORY: RECALLING THE PAVILION CONVENTION CENTER
Node A, situated at the intersection of Virginia Beach Boulevard and Jefferson Avenue, sets itself up to unique design challenges. How to inject energy onto the site, which is just across the trailer park, a prime opportunity for development? How to make better use of the Convention Center and the Sports Center? Most importantly, how to make this site an opportunity as one of the first impressions for visitors to start their experience in the City of Virginia Beach? The design team has chosen transit-oriented development as a strategy to transform the current site by extending the Tide and inviting the track onto the site, building a canopy structure that hosts the new light rail station, adding open-air public sports programs, as well as turning the current trailer park to a new high-education-oriented, mixed-use development. The history of the Pavilion Convention Center, which has been replaced by the current Virginia Beach Convention Center, gives cues to new design moves on the site. A series of light-weight barrel vaults, while fitting in with the current Sports Center and Convention Center with its scale, also commemorates the Modernist memory of the old Convention Center.
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
RIGHT: The Pavilion Convention Center (1975-1981), Walshe and Ashe with Odell Associates, Inc. Demolished in 2005; proposal for the Pavilion Light Rail Station across 18th Street.
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
“now we can easily bring our beach gear and get to the ocean front for a famly day.”
—family of four living in the new mixed-use development
RIGHT: Extension of the Tide merges with the existing 18th St with a new Pavilion Station, enabling transit-oriented development on the existing trailer park across Virginia Beach Boulevard with sport courts and public spaces.
“now we can easily bring our beach gear and get to the ocean front for a famly day.”
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
VISION FOR THE FUTURE
The trailer park will be transformed into a higher-education-focused, mixeduse development to reinvigorate the existing site as well as bringing more energy to the surrounding area, which implicates Node A, the Sports Center, and the current Convention Center. A new higher education institution at Virginia Beach will bring in young population and cultivate future workforce for the City, support local housing market and creative industry, energize local atmosphere, and implicate and transform almost all aspects of the life and economy of Virginia with these students’ personal backgrounds, values, and fresh ideas. Public transportation, exemplified by the Tide, while giving convenience to the locals, would particularly benefit the student population and higher education industry.
Most of the existing parking spaces will be transformed into open-air sport courts that reciprocate the Sports Center across Jefferson Avenue, while accommodating the turning of the light rail track. The track culminates into a mega-scale canopy in the form of a series of barrel vaults. The form is inspired by the former Pavilion Convention Center, which was demolished in 2005 to make space for the current Convention Center.
LEFT: Newly proposed light-weight barrel vault canopy will house a new Tide station and serve as shading and a rest area for people who use the open-air sport courts nearby.
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
tHE echoing lanscapeS node B: the gateway
PEDESTRIAN-FRIENDLY PEDESTRIAN LANDSCAPE AS THE FIRST IMPRESSION
The current entry to the City of Virginia Beach through the Virginia Beach Expressway could be best described as “underwhelming.” Arriving at a wellvegetated, triangular piece of land bound by the expressways, visitors are hardly aware that they are already at a beach town. How to signify a sense of arrival without making empty grandiose gestures, but instead by proposing something that would benefit the experience of visitors and residents alike?
The design team proposes two types of pools that overlook and echo each other across a newly proposed avenue that redirects traffic to the new transitoriented mixed-use development discussed earlier at Node A. To the west of the new avenue—a north-ward extension of the current Jefferson Avenue—a retention pond will hold excessive rainwater; on the other side of the avenue, where vehicles have started to slow down because of the redirection of traffic and the increasingly pedestrian nature of the environment, a carefully designed landscape with multiple wading pools presents itself as the welcoming view to visitors as well as a public playground for the locals.
TOP: Current view of entry into the City of Virginia Beach; early sketch of the new Gateway
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
“seeing these carefully designed landscapes makes ME aware that i AM at Virgina beach and need to slow down.”
—BACKPACKER who drives to VB through the Virginia Beach expressway
RIGHT: Wading pools form the basis of a pedestrian-friendly park that signals the arrival into the City of Virignia Beach., while a new road cuts into Jefferson Avenue to diverge traffic to the light rail station and mixed-use development.
“Seeing these carefully designed landscapes makes me aware that I am at Virgina beach and need to slow down.”
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
VISION FOR THE FUTURE
The landscape bound by the Virginia Beach Expressways, Parks Avenue and the newly proposed avenue (north extension of Jefferson Avenue) will be a carefully curated integration of wading pools, plants, pedestrian paths, bike lanes, the Loop, a small stage and seating by a pond for public performances, and pop-up stands for local produce, food and crafts. This landscape will not only be a scenic sight for the visitors to see, but also a go-to location that is integral to the everyday life at Virginia Beach.
LEFT: The new landscape at the Gateway integrating wading pools, plants, pedestrian paths, and the start of the Loop will be a defining feature for the entry into the City of Virginia
Beach.
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
life cycle of kombucha node C: VB blvd & mediTT. ave
GIVING LIFE TO EMPTY BLACK TOP SURFACES
The omnipresence of black-top surfaces in Virginia Beach presents opportunities for development, re-branding city image and identity, and transforming the local atmosphere. Node C, the intersection of Virginia Beach Boulevard and Mediterranean Avenue, finds itself among a group of underutilized black-top surfaces in the Vibe District, as well as at the self-intersection of the Loop, where pedestrian traffic and touristic interests will be abundant.
The design team proposes to transform the empty surfaces on site into kombucha- and gourmet-themed social and creative spaces, for local creatives to gather and as a site of interest for visitors. Vertical farming of tea trees and spices, kombucha breweries, kombucha storefronts, outdoor seating integrated with gardens, an artisan tea and confectionery shop and existing local favorites such as Barrel 17 and Mary’s Kitchen, together with a maker-space and nightclub, will present the site as an exciting platform to celebrate local creativity and flavors.
TOP: Current site condition near Node C, Virginia Boulevard & Mediterranean Avenue, marked by an abundance of underutilized black top surfaces; early sketch of the kombucha-themed social space consisting of inter-related programs.
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
“This is my go-to place after my climbing sessions. it’s great to mingle with so many likeminded people from this area.”
—ROCK
CLIMBER WHO COMES TO THE VIBE FOR A BEER AFtER CLIMBING IN THE SPORTS CENTER
RIGHT: A kombucha, beer, and gourmet-themed transformation of the empty black-top surfaces in the Vibe District, compounded with maker-space, music venues and night clubs, aiming to attract and foster the local creative community.
“This is my go-to place after my climbing sessions. it’s great to mingle with so many like-minded people from this area.”
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
VISION FOR THE FUTURE
The anchor of this community space—a kombucha theme—is intentional, since the site is just enough to accommodate and showcase the entire lifecycle of this beverage. Meanwhile, as a cousin to beer (commercial kombucha has a very low level of alcohol content and is often perceived as an alternative to beer,) kombucha is a cultural phenomenon that resonates with the spirit of the Vibe district. The kombucha-related programs on site present the possibility to test urban farming, and present how each phase of the life of kombucha feeds into one another and how each phase has direct community impacts. For example, the cultivation of tea trees can be done efficiently with vertical farming, and the same program could serve as a public spectacle as seen from the street. The commercial-scale brewery could be part of a learning experience for visitors and inspire industrial tourism, much like bourbon tourism in Kentucky. The consumption of the beverage, regardless of the setting, facilitates bonding among people as a cultural phenomenon. Kombucha of varying alcohol contents, from the conventional 0.5% alcohol content to “hard kombucha” with over 5% of alcohol, can be brewed to merge with the local craft beer scene.
LEFT: Plants, outdoor seating, and vertical farming tie together with new and existing restaurants for a fun, community-oriented experience, conveniently served by the extension of the Tide.
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
INTERLACING THE SCALES OF INTERVENTION
The scale of Virginia Beach is remarkable, encompassing a rich array of resources and a diverse distribution of spaces, necessitating an equally expansive scale of intervention. Addressing this site required a dual approach: a master-plan scale that outlines a broad spectrum of programs, and an architectural scale that details the application of these programs and their interaction with people. The urban scale serves as a critical intermediary, blending urban planning with architectural precision to illustrate how programmatic elements engage with their surroundings and catalyze growth.
The concept of the “loop” is pivotal, acting as a spatial and economic element that impacts the development of the resort area. It reflects how economic activities are interwoven with spatial planning, influencing the evolution of the site. Our approach involves understanding how the inland resort area integrates with the oceanfront and the broader urban network, based on targeted architectural interventions at key nodes. The urban scale, therefore, completes the project by defining an interlaced ecosystem, ensuring a cohesive and holistic development that respects both the physical and social fabric of Virginia Beach. This comprehensive strategy aims to create a vibrant and sustainable environment that harmonizes the unique characteristics of the region.
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
TOP: Axonometric view of the site highlighting the inland resort area in relation to the Oceanfront with the proposed loop.
TOP: Axonometric view of the site highlighting the inland resort area in relation to the Oceanfront with the proposed primary and secondary intervention nodes. The Atlantic Park and Gateway Campus are up-coming nodes that will make the area highly active. Node A, Node B, Node C individually compliments the loop with its specific architectural interventions.
TOP: Axonometric view of the site highlighting the inland resort area in relation to the oceanfront with the highly active streets. The proposed nodes triggers increased pedestrian activity through the 19th, 18th and 17th streets complimenting the busy Atlantic Street and Oceanfront Boardwalk. The street design will address pedestrian safety as a priority while also promoting multi-modal transportation system.
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
TOP: Axonometric view of the site highlighting inland resort area building with heightened interaction. The proposed nodes and subsequent increased pedestrian movement on the 17th, 18th and 19th street will increase the street interaction with the side buildings. This will increase the sales of the products in these buildings, bringing more retail revenue.
THE CHANGING SEASONS INTERLACED
Integrating programs throughout the year is a strategic approach to eliminate the seasonal isolation experienced in Virginia Beach, characterized by an active summer and a quiet winter. The newly proposed programs within the thematic framework are designed to sustain activity year-round, challenging the traditional perception of the site and encouraging a more open and diverse range of uses. These include student housing, culinary arts, ice skating, sponge parks, and more, which collectively ensure continuous engagement across all seasons.
The five themes—education, mobility, sports, agriculture, and resilience— serve as the foundation for year-round programming. Each theme’s microelements peak at different times of the year, creating a dynamic and evolving landscape. Activating the inland resort area, especially during the winter season, is crucial. Indoor sports facilities and restaurants become focal points, offering warm and inviting spaces for visitors and locals alike. The development of eco-paths, featuring native plants, enhances the experience during the fall and spring, while sponge parks contribute to environmental resilience.
The inclusion of a higher education component not only brings students to the area but also supports year-round housing and internships, particularly during the summer months. Their active participation will invigorate Virginia Beach’s fine arts and culinary scenes, fostering a rich cultural dialogue. This approach ensures a vibrant, thriving community that embraces all seasons, with a continuous interplay of educational, recreational, and cultural activities.
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
TOP: Axonometric view of the site highlighting various seasons - as a gradient of new programs. The new programs compliments the existing seasonal activity in the region making the area active through all the seasons. The white bubbles indicates new programs.
VB :INTERLACED
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
THANK YOU
The four of us come from different parts of the world, have varied backgrounds and attend schools with distinct pedagogies. But over the summer we have built rapport and worked as a team on the VB project. We will remember this summer as teammates and friends. We would like to thank Hanbury for giving us this platform to research the local conditions and voice our findings and test out our design capabilities.
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project
ATHEENI EACHARATH
PHILLIP BECHER
YONGXIAO LIU
VIVIENNE SHI
SUMMER SCHOLARS 2024 - NORFOLK
VB Interlaced: Hanbury 2024 Norfolk Summer Scholar Research Project