DESIGN PORTFOLIO
ISABEL T. McCAGG
ISABEL T. McCAGG Flat 26, Cheylesmore House, Ebury Bridge Road, London, SW1W 8QY imccagg@gmail.com +44 (0)79 0096 0997
Contents
Mixed-use Redevelopment Enghave Brygge, Copenhagen, Denmark
Street Art Analysis High Line Park, New York, New York, USA
Urban Square Design Israels Plads, Copenhagen, Denmark
Transportation Analysis
Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
Urban Redevelopment New York, New York, USA
Sketchbook
Various locations
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Mixed-use Redevelopment
Enghave Brygge, Copenhagen, Denmark Diagramming Process 1) Add canal: create distinct identity, separate from the city 2) Develop parks: highlight historic infrastructure and connect the city to the site
About the site Enghave Brygge is located south of the Copenhagen city centre. The site has a rich industrial history, and one that could be highlighted through considerate design. The large scale H.C. Ørsted Energy Plant, which has been designated as a Danish Industrial Heritage Site due to its significant architecture and place in Copenhagen’s history, dominates the local skyline. Railroad tracks running through the site are a visual reference to the city’s industrial past. The rowing club, built on the site in the 1940’s, maintains the function of connecting the people to the harbour. To the south of the site, there is a wall that is a popular canvas for graffiti artists to experiment with technique and style.
3) Create stream and esplanade: blur the lines between land and water
4) Add business: develop mixeduse edge
5) Increase connections: increase accessibility to the city centre 6) develop housing pattern: decrease scale of buildings to allow for open views over the canal 7) Shift housing grid: create intimate public spaces between houses
canal
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Mixed-use Redevelopment / Enghave Brygge, Copenhagen, Denmark
commercial and housing complex
park
Urban design Precedents
Amager strand inner harbour, outer beach
Bryggen syd bring the beach to the people
Brøndby haveby centralise public space
Existing Conditions
Vision for activities along stream
About the project The redevelopment of Enghave Brygge into a mixed-use residential community will add vitality to the area, while also connecting the site to the city both physically and conceptually. The development will address and reflect the site’s context and history by connecting land and water, while also preserving and highlighting the industrial and artistic identities that are present.
housing
stream
esplanade
harbour
beach
harbour
Mixed-use Redevelopment / Enghave Brygge, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Vision for Activities along Canal
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Mixed-use Redevelopment / Enghave Brygge, Copenhagen, Denmark
Mixed-use Redevelopment / Enghave Brygge, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Street Art Analysis
High Line Park, New York, New York, Location: Graffiti on High Line
u w h /
41%
h f lb
Arrests in area
36%
of the graffiti-related arrests within a two block radius were within 300 feet of the High Line
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Graffiti Locations
Street Art Analysis / High Line Park, New York, New York, USA
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of the graffiti within a two block radius was within 300 feet of the High Line
Crime:
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Entrances
h w Graffiti Related Arrests
Views: Exterior walls visible from High Line
so what’s the difference?
Graffiti
Street art
$$$
$$$
bottom up
top down ad hoc/ by the people
Commissioned Art: Funded Street Art on the High Line
/
planned/ for the people
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About the study As a repurposed elevated train track, the High Line provides a unique vantage point for seeing the city. Artists and planners have responded to this by increasing the amount of art that targets pedestrians walking along the park. The aesthetics and politics of the High Line are intriguing. It has attempted to create an “untamed” space within the city, through design, landscape, and artistic elements. The art commissioned for the High Line is clearly influenced by graffiti and street art movements, though local graffiti artist’s work is still viewed as vandalism and prosecuted as such. Ironically, the park has commissioned outside designers to produce an aesthetic that references the local community street art, while stripping individual citizens of their ability to express their own aesthetic.
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Street Art Analysis / High Line Park, New York, New York, USA
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Urban Square Design
Israels plads, Copenhagen, Denmark Site Context
Analysis:
Pedestrian Activity hubs
Analysis:
traffic volume
Site Analysis
Pedestrian Activity Hubs
key vehicular bike
Analysis:
traffic volume key
Site through History
Throughout history the space has been the setting for a variety of activities, from political and social demonstrations, to urban farmer’s markets. Today, the space is the physical link between the Torvehallerne Gourmet Food Marketplace and Ørestedparken. Due to a lack of identity, the space is underutilised by the general public. It is frequented by school children as a play area, but remains vacant during many hours of the day.
2 min 0.5 min 1 min
before
1859
Analysis: wind
Walking times
key wind speed wind frequency
Analysis:
wind key wind speed wind frequency
1890s
Analysis: Wind Speed sun and Directions
Analysis: context
Solar Path
1930
key food venues schools public space
Analysis: context key food venues schools public space
2012 8
bike
Analysis: movement and connecivity
Traffic Volume
about the site
Israels Plads is a large square in central Copenhagen, located near Nørreport Station. The area is part of a band of parks, called the “Fortification Ring”, due to the historical relevance as the ramparts of the city. The site was once the physical boundary between the fortified city and the rural landscape beyond.
vehicular
Urban Square Design / Israels plads, Copenhagen, Denmark
Surrounding Context
concept: Make a relationship to the
concept:
historical context of the site
Concept:
develop a stronger connection btw. the park, the markets, and the israels plads square
Design Concepts
Develop a stronger connection between Israels Plads and Ørstedparken, as well as between the square and Torvehallerne Markets
Create a plan that references the historical context of the site, reflecting the rampart between the city and the countryside.
varied topograpy
Play with topographical forms to create a variety of experiences and vantage points
Programme be
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Urban Square Design / Israels plads, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Urban Square Design / Israels plads, Copenhagen, Denmark
About the project Analysis of the site revealed that the areas adjacent to Israels Plads were heavily travelled by pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular traffic. However, the square itself was rarely used due to poor access and lack of comfort that invited people to remain in the space. The square is open to the elements, creating an inhospitable, windy and cold space in the fall, winter, and spring seasons. The markets to the north of the site have received a positive response from city residents and are visited throughout the day. While offering a great selection of food, they offer little seating opportunities; by redeveloping the south site, this issue could be resolved. The design was developed considering versatility of use throughout the year. For instance the sunken arena could function as an outdoor movie screening area, a football court, an ice skating rink, or a small amphitheater. The overall design concept, was inspired by the site’s history as the boundary between city and country. The eastern portion of the square represents the city in its angular features, while the western half represents the countryside, through its more undulating forms.
Urban Square Design / Israels plads, Copenhagen, Denmark
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4
Transportation Analysis
Springfield, Massachusetts, USA About the study Does the bus system effectively serve the users?
Appropriate walking distance to bus stop?
Who rides the bus?
< $25,000 $25,000 - 50,000
In the United States, 43.4% of bus users have a household income of less than $25,000, and 75% of users have a household income of less than $50,000. 68.2% of all users walk to the station and 86.5% transfer less than twice. The U.S. suggested standard for walking distance to “a slow localstop service” is 400 meters (¼ mile). Springfield, Massachusetts is a city with a high percentage of residents living under the poverty line. For this reason it was an opportune place to conduct a study on the efficiency of the bus system. Utilising geographic information system (GIS) software to map the areas of concentrated poverty and the existing bus network, enabled for a thorough determination of the underserved districts.
> $50,000
Legend Springfield Bus Stops Springfield Bus Lines Existing Roads
Who are the underserved People in Springfield?
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0.5
1
2
Miles 4
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Existing Bus Routes and Stops Where are new stops most needed in the city? Household Income < $25,000 $25,000- $50,000
Can they be added to existing routes? Average household income (2010 Census Data) 12
Transportation Analysis / Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
Legend Housing Density People per Square Mile
Legend Housing and Income Overlay
81 - 200 201 - 300 301 - 400 401 - 500 501 - 600 601 - 700 701 - 800 801 - 900 901 - 1000
¯
1001 - 1100
1201 - 1300
Legend 0
0.5
1
2
¯
1101 - 1200
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0.5
1
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4 Miles
Miles 4
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Housing Densities within Springfield (2010 Census Data)
Density and Income Overlay showing areas with the highest density of low income households
Suggested Additional Bus Stops Legend
Legend
Underserved Color gradation based Population on assessed need
Springfield Bus Stops
Target Demographic
Walkable Distance to Bus
Median Household Income 9200.000000 - 25000.000000 25000.000001 - 50000.000000
¯ 0
0
0.5
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0.5
1
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Well-Served Areas that lie within 1/4 mile of a bus stop
Underserved Areas cannot easily access a bus stop
Additional Recommended PVTA Bus Stops Suggested Additional Bus Stops
Suggested Additional Bus Stops Color gradation based on assessed need
0
0.5
1
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4 Miles
Miles 4
3
Additional Stops Color gradation based on assessed need
4 Miles
0
Areas with Highest Demand For Additional Stop
0.5
1
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3
4 Miles
Additional Stops to be added to bus routes
Conclusion As the mapping of 2010 census data on household income indicates, many residents of Springfield live in poverty and this low income population is concentrated in pockets throughout the city. After mapping the existing bus stops, I determined the areas that were not well-served by the transport system. I used this data, along with income and density data, to designate the locations most in need of additional bus stops. There are many areas within the city of Springfield that are underserved by the current transport network; with increased funding the city could develop routes to address this issue.
Transportation Analysis / Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
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Urban Redevelopment
New York, New York, USA Objective to develop site as:
A) attraction
About the site
B) education centre
The project was to design a one block development along the High Line Park in New York City. The site is located between 19th and 20th Streets and 10th and 11th Avenues. This is currently trendy, mixed use district in Chelsea, Manhattan. The area has undergone a massive transformation in the past decade, with the High Line attracting over 3.7 million additional visitors a year. The High Line itself has been a catalyst for gentrification and redevelopment of the community. However, local residents and businesses are being pushed out by increasing land values. This project attempts to blend the lines between the new identity of the area with its past identity, while also focusing on creating an accessible space for the local community.
C) living building
... and create:
D) new views
F) private & public spaces
E) circulation
programme:
functions and overlap sketches:
HOTEL/ RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS
HIGH END LOCAL RESTAURANT “NOMA” STYLE SUBSISTENCE FARM TO SUPPLY THE FOOD USED ON SITE
COMMUNITY GARDENS
OUTDOOR GATHERING SPACE
MARKET
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Urban Redevelopment / New York, New York, USA
CASUAL LOCAL FOOD RESTAURANT
Development of Form
About the project The development transforms the block into a public venue, while exploring forward-looking concepts of urban farming and livestock husbandry within the city. The design focuses on blending the functions of space. In order to provide an integrated community resource, the development highlights the past history of the neighborhood as a meat packing district, while anticipating the need for future generations. Referencing the High Line, the building is designed to continue the linear parkway up to the rooftop, through a series of ramps that expose pedestrians to a new urban experience. As well as a productive urban farm, the site is intended to educate visitors about farming practices. The building itself is designed to be a living system, with the waste from one component serving to fuel another. The concept addresses mounting issues of instability in urban infrastructure, by providing a greater amount of autonomy and selfsufficiency to city dwellers.
1) undeveloped site
2) build up
3) central sunlight
hotel
accessible rooftop gardens
community centre
urban farm
4) solar gain B
B H RT NO
5) wind protection
food market A residential
high line
platforms allow visitors to gather and enjoy views over the Hudson River 6) green roof
exterior ramping system creates new views of the city and allows pedestrians to view the vertical farm, while they ascend the roof
7) roof garden
8) flood protection Urban Redevelopment / New York, New York, USA
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Sketchbook various locations
About I actively keep a sketch journal as a place to consolidate and explore my ideas about architecture, landscape, urbanism, and design. I use it to keep notes about the way that spaces function, and compile my thoughts. The sketches here are part of a series exploring urban design, which I compiled while travelling and living in Western Europe.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Deia, Spain
Berlin, Germany
Berlin, Germany
Copenhagen, Denmark 16
Sketchbook / Various locations
Essen, Germany
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen, Denmark Sketchbook / Various locations
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