NORTHAMPTON URBAN GATEWAY | expressive structures The Dancing Armature spring 17 | graduate design studio II I professor Ray Mann
SITE | The project revolves around a site in Northampton as a canvas for the abstract exploration of the tectonic and stereotomic. The “site” is the transition between the railroad embankment and the Fitzwilly’s building as you enter downtown Northampton from the east on route 9. CONTEXT | Imagine that the year is 2025 and that while Climate Change is taking its toll, Northampton is still around more or less as it is, though in the intervening years the bike path and the rail line have become more popular. Bustling foot and bicycle-type activity wants to flow through the site. While continuing hydrostatic pressure from the buried riverbed under the site and proximity to the embankment make it difficult to build a stand-alone building, it has been determined that a light-framed addition to the side of the Fitzwilly’s building, connected variously to a dynamic semi-covered urban transition space such as you have been developing would be appropriate as a “gateway” amenity and connection into the downtown. PROGRAM | As a “liminal” space, the programming of this full condition is light but critical. Fiztwilly’s needs some supplemental egress/circulation to take pressure off its historic staircase and elevator, as well as new bathrooms (with showers), some additional rental space and public space/café for its inhabitants and visitors. The site has been identified as a possible location for a 3-season farmer’s market, and semisheltered space for parking bicycles and other small personal vehicles, including servicing and temporary storage is always in demand. The bike path and main street levels of the Fitzwilly’s bathrooms and elevator should be accessible in a controlled way from the bike path.
precedent study sidwell friends middle school 3825 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington DC (urban setting) KieranTimberlake September, 2006 As if it was channeling Le Corbusier’s vision from a century ago, Sidwell Friends MIddle School operates like a green machine for living. The green system that is consisted of multiple sub-systems that aim at making the best use of water, light and energy blended seamlessly with elegant design. The desgin secured a "platinum" certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. the water system: wetland machine
The waste water system and the storm water system, using wetland as the main filter, make up the water system at Sidwell Friends Middle School. A green roof and constructed wetland reduce stormwater runoff, improve the quality of infiltrated runoff, and reduce municipal water use. The wetland treats wastewater for reuse in the toilets and cooling towers.
Section cut through the 1. tiered wetlands used for wastewater treatment; 2. rain garden; and 3. pond
Flow of stormwater runoff from pond to rain garden
the solar system: passive solar design Together with high-efficiency electric lighting, photosensors, and occupancy sensors, daylighting minimizes lighting energy use. Solar-ventilation chimneys, operable windows, and ceiling fans minimize the need for mechanical cooling. Rather than develop a utility plant for this building alone, a central plant was created to serve the entire campus. A photovoltaic array generates about 5% of the building's electricity needs. Classrooms
Daylight section
Sunshades filter light into well-lit lobby
Classrooms receive sunlight all day long
Passive heating and cooling
natural resources: materials - 78% building materials were manufactured regionally. - 11% are from recycled sources. - Wood from Forest Stewardship Council certified forests. - 60% of construction waste was diverted from landfills and recycled - The building's skin: high-quality western red cedar reclaimed from fermentation barrels - Interior finishes: high levels of recycled content, low chemical emissions, and use of rapidly renewable material, including linoleum flooring, agrifiber casework, and bamboo doors.
formal exploration dynamic
First thought on armature: they are light frame, thin lines, scaffolding like structures. The structures not only support program but also a certain level of transparency and invisibility. The extension of lines offers a chance for expressive movement.
Conceptual model 1: the rhythm of lines
Fitzwilly
The protruding poles of the new structure create a pulling sensation looking from the bike track while invite the new system to grow on and emerge out of the old Fitzwilly.
Due to the armature’s semi-invisible nature, circulation through out the site is exposed. These highlighted paths play an important role in evoking movement and inviting parcitipation, fulfilling the purpose of an irresistable staircase.
Strategy for creating void within the complex structure: Starting off with a solid, multiple subtractions would be extracted from the original shape, creating voids for program and circulation. The rest of the solid would then turn in to structure by means of contours.
Strategy for creating void by means of contour
formal exploration fluidity Keeping circulation and users’ experience in mind, it is important to retain spatial fluidity as people move around the structure. In my previous proposal of a possible connection from the bike bridge to the ground, the path acts like water and flows in space, both vertically and horizontally, giving the site a sense of continuation and fluidity.
Previous proposal of bike track ground connection
Concept model - exploring movement
light
Daylight section
Passive heating and cooling
Precedent Study Sidwell Friends School - Sun and air circulation
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Import from previous project : Guidelines for poles - plan view
Import from last project: Guidelines for poles - section view
Another concern is to maximize the flow of light though the site and control air circulation in the most effective way. The sun and air circulation model of Sidwell Friends school is closely studied to provide possible solutions. On the right hand concept model, I experiment with the roof typology that would allow sun and air to flow in space in a controlled way.
Full expression of form in
context results in interesting play of shadow and light. The proposed vision reached for a most poetic expresison before applying program into space.
The play of shadow
analysis concept
proposal
Fitzwilly analysis
proposal
east facade
site analysis
sun’s trajectory Current situation: There is only one way of accessing the bike track level from Fitzwilly.
Multiple points of access and connection
Fitzwilly
Bike Track
Fitzwilly is completely enclosed within its offices. The four sides are packed with program.
Connecting structures
Limited connection and difference in elevation between the bike path level and the street resulted in the bike track’s isolation from its urban context.
Floating program
Contrast to its more classical, regulated North facade, Fitzwilly east elevation’s rhythm is more syncopated and industrial-like. The new amarture, attached to this side, corresponds with the existing building. SCALE 1’=1/8”
Program gradient
private
public
Possible openings
concept | Using scaffolding-like structure as a connecting agent. The syncopated rhythm and lightness of the structure corresponds with the building requirements and the existing rhythm of east elevation. The pulling sensation of these lines is effective in catching attention. Being semi-transparent, the structure exposes the circulation and starcases, inciting and inviting participation from the bike path. The scaffold makes it possible for a floating program, offering a refreshing experience. The program is a gradient, going from most private to most public spaces.
spatial arrangement To respond to the tetonic armature reaching out from Fitzwilly, I created a strereotomic burm by carving out stairs connecting to the farmers’ market underneath the armature. Speaking of accesibility, elevators are equipped to take people to the street level from the bike tracks; accessible street level bathrooms are tucked underneath the bike track.
Scale: 1/16" = 1'-0" 0’
8’
16’
32’
Site plan including roof plan Site rhythm: the use of glass roofs in juxtaposition to possible green roofs allows light to travel and leave shadow patterns while protecting and covering the program underneath. P R I V A T E P R O P E R T Y
RENTAL OFFICES BATHROOMS RENTAL OFFICES BATHROOMS
CAFE
FREE
GARDEN TRANSI CAFE GARDEN
TION POINT
BIKE PARK PUBLIC
FOR
SERVICE
ACCESS
ACCESSI
CONNECTION GATES STAIRS
BILITY
First floor plan: Accesible bathrooms underneath the bike track.
Second floor plan: The armature extends its hand to roof stairs on the burm.
T R A F F I C B I K E P A T H
Spatial gradient: Moving from most private, conditioned space to public, unconditioned space
Possible placement photovoltaic panels
of
Third (left) and fourth floor plan (right). New office can be accessed by both stairs and horizontal walkways. All bathrooms are accesible from Fitzwilly’s each floor.
section sequences 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
uses of the sun 8
Scale: 1/16" = 1'-0" 0’
8’
16’
32’
Section 1. New structure growing on Fitzwilly east facade
Section 2. Accesible bathrooms The sun floods into space due to the openness of structure
food drying
Section 3. Going from 3rd floor to 4th floor Sun use: Green roof and hanging gardens
Section 4. Horizontal walkways Sun use: Hot air circulation for food drying (farmers’ market)
Section 5. Floating cafes and offices Hot and cool air circulation
Section 6. Horizontal stairs reaching towards the bike track
Section 7: Bathrooms and storage underneath the biketrack
Section 8: Roof of semi-covered areas on the bike track for bike parking
walking around the site
Approach from the bike track, coming into Northampton. Whole site view from above.
Walk down the stereotomic stairs from the bike track and feel the corresponding rhythm of circulation both above and below.
Stand on the bike track, stop to take a look at the stairs before going up.
The stairs leads to the street level. Gaze at the whole system from Northampton’s Main Street.
From one of the floating viewing platform looking down at the structure.
Walk back underneath the stairs to get to the farmers’ market. Look up to catch this view.
Come down from the other side stairs to look at the armature at a different angle.
As the day gone by, light and shadow chang to reveal this frame in a different light.
Programmatic Expression
View from bike track
Roof
Full site view
Side view from Main Street