E N V I R O N M E N TA L D E S I G N
JOURNAL JONATHAN ORQUIZ | ENV - 2015
URBAN DESIGN LECTURE PROJECT
Interested Readings Project Discussions
Demonstrates an individual position and understanding of Urban Design.
Final Introspection
Urban Design has a lexicon that is all its own and continually expanding. This glossary of terms borrows from numerous other groups and the terms included are by no means exclusive to it. As such, it is critical to understand the basic terminology, and the use of the terminology, in order to provide one’s self with access to the discussion.
INTROSPECTION INTR OSPEC TION
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The urban position of the project is very significant to Los Angeles and Southern California in that it lies in an area which at its
FIELD AND FIGURE
present time stands as one of the most gay-
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friendly community and atmosphere in the world. The LA PRIDE Parade and Festival is a celebration of the city’s continuing gay culture and history.
SPATIAL T YPES
Furthermore, thev city is surrounded by several
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heavy-traffic pedestrian streets and districts. Melrose/Beverly District is composed of the segments of Melrose Avenue, Robertson Boulevard,
and
Beverly
Boulevard
and
surrounds the Pacific Design Center, a national
THE CREATIVE CIT Y
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and international center for the arts, fashion, design, and furnishing businesses. In addition, the site is also bounded by Santa Monica Boulevard to the north. This 3-mile
A MINICIT Y
corridor is a local and regional commercial
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destination with a large concentration of LGBToriented businesses. This District serves the neighborhood within West Hollywood and neighboring cities as it is a walkable urban district with numerous restaurants, businesses,
SUSTAINABILIT Y
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retail, and entertainment and contains various public transportation stops. The Pacific Design Center can be
THE URBAN FUTURE
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seen situated in between the highly
Not only is the city significant to Los Angeles
active Santa Monica Boulevard and
for its LGBT pride and thriving businesses and
Melrose Avenue.
centers but it is also one of the cities which give Los Angeles the designation/brand of being the entertainment capital of the world. The city is famous for its entertainment venues and streets like Sunset Strip and Santa Monica Boulevard,
‘ THE MASTER PLAN’
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PUBLIC SPACES
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well-known across the country.
IN T E R E S T E D R EA D I N G
INTERESTED READING
FIELD AND FIGURE
SPATIAL TYPES In response to Andy Wilcox lecture on Spatial Types.
The lecture focused primarily on the fact that landscapes have performative and operative roles or ways in which one can design a space. The roles mentioned are as follows: catalyst, contextualist, programist, infrastructuralist, and idealist. These play key roles in the design of certain landscapes and I feel should be thought of during the process of designing our own space. In multiple instances during a design process one tries to find ways of creating a different role; however, roles mimic the previous roles mentioned. I discovered that most, if not all, landscapes revolve around these founding spatial types. What makes a space or landscape successful is the analysis and research of a landscape which then allows one to incorporate certain principles, theories or roles. Placing objects in space is a design flaw, and can sometimes lead to inactive and unused spaces. As A. Ghigo Ditommaso states “spatial characteristics can be looked upon, understood, and replicated elsewhere, truly enhancing the quality of new public places, unlike the merely anecdotal reproduction of decorations or out-of-context typologies.” One significant space in Los Angeles which can illustrate a certain role listed above is that of The California State Historic Park. The California State Patterns can create artwork and artwork can
Historic Park (“Cornfields”), for instance, looks into conserving the history behind the space and the area around it. Although cornfields were
create patterns on a surface.
non-existent on the park, corn did leak into the park from train cars and train tracks that ran adjacent the park. I found that although historical events or other facts do not necessarily occur within a space, other factors around the space may influence the preservation of such lands; thus questioning how we can deal with the context of a space. Spatial types, such as contextualist, that of which the “Cornfields” design is based off of, is one of many roles in which a designer can undertake in order for any urban landscape to become a place for people.
According to Karen M’ Closkey in Synthetic patterns: Fabricating landscapes in the age of ‘green’, “Pattern is repetition, and repetition implies monotony.” However, pattern, I believe, can be effective if used not only in a two-dimensional manner, but three-dimensional way as well. That is, creating form within the landscape which creates curiosity and interest and an experience for the individual. A field is a simple, easy to understand pattern. One, in which people can easily get from one side to another without the need of signage or landmark. A figure is a pattern which is free-flowing and flexible enough to be adjusted to specific site conditions across the landscape. It is one with the intention to asymmetrical. Both types allow the individual to walk from one point to another. However, pattern does not necessarily dictate how the individual will experience the landscape. A space and experience transform and evolve as amenities, landmarks, signage, and plants are implemented into the pattern. I find that these three-dimensional objects activate an individual’s mind and allows one to experience the site differently each visit. Pattern is redundancy, however, redundancy can be good. For many years, various architects and designers have been utilizing the same principles, theories, ideas, etc. These principles and theories, though, have been used in various ways to tell different stories and create landscapes. What if a project fails to accomplish its intended purpose all because the designer decided to shy away from the use of redundancy? So, it all depends on what is constructed on these patterns.
“[...] spatial characteristics can be looked upon, understood, and replicated elsewhere, truly enhancing the quality of new public places, unlike the merely anecdotal reproduction of
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decorations or out-of-context typologies.”
-A. Ghigo Ditommaso
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P R O J E C T DI SCUSSI ON
A C R E AT I V E C I T Y
Most residential neighborhoods in the City
In addition to all the strengths the city
communicate their individuality through
have tree-lined streets and sidewalks. In
holds, high quality signage contributes to
unique
the commercial areas, many streets have
a pedestrian friendly urban environment
Hollywood is truly a Creative City.
interesting retail facades along sidewalks,
that reflects the values of both the City’s
with various amenities such as benches,
residents and the business community.
landscaping, and street trees.
The City encourages quality signage to
high
quality
signage.
West
promote its image as a creative center.
Description of West Hollywood’s Urban Form and Social make-up. West Hollywood’s urban structure and land
corridors of La Brea Boulevard, Fairfax
The City’s public spaces – its streets and
use reflect its history of development and
Avenue
Boulevard
streetscapes, parks and plazas, and public
social policy. Before becoming incorporated
connecting Hollywood and the Hollywood
buildings – create much of its urban
as a city in 1984, West Hollywood was already
Hills to Los Angeles. Between the corridors
character. They provide an important
a densely built-out urban community in an
exists a rich variety of neighborhoods,
amenity for residents, workers, and visitors
unincorporated area of Los Angeles County
each containing a mix of residential and
to socialize, circulate, rest, and gather.
surrounded by other cities – The City of
commercial buildings types, architectural
Los Angeles to the east, north and south
styles and public spaces.
and
La
Cienega
The great majority of West Hollywood’s
as well as bounded by the Hollywood Hills,
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public space is in the form of streets and
and Beverly Hills to the west. Physically, the
The land uses within West Hollywood’s
sidewalks. The character and appearance
city serves as a corridor for its major east-
various
encompass
defines the experience for those who
west corridors Santa Monica and Sunset
residential housing, public open spaces,
use the street. This is especially true of
Boulevards connecting the city of Los
minimal industrial activity, and various high-
pedestrians, for whom the level of safety,,
Angeles to Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and
end retail stores, offices, hotels, restaurants,
comfort, and aesthetic quality is a major
the Pacific Ocean, and major north-south
and entertainment.
attractor or detractor.
neighborhoods
The City has a number of parks and other
Signage plays an important role in the
open spaces that act as central meeting and
City’s overall ambition to be on the cutting
gathering points for community life. Overall,
edge of culture in the region, and has both
there are two major parks – West Hollywood
cultural and economic impacts. The most
Park, on the western side of the City, and
iconic signs in West Hollywood are the
Plummer Park, on the eastern side. There
billboards, large screen videos, and tall walls
are also several smaller parks, pocket parks,
of Sunset Boulevard. In addition, the curving
green spaces designed for calming traffic,
boulevard, topography, and
and plazas located throughout the City.
architecture combine to create a unique
landmark
urban landscape. Public facilities provide indoor and outdoor space for community gatherings and social
West Hollywood is also home to exciting
interaction, and are the sites of day-to-day
and imaginative on-site signs. The City is
activities as well as important community
famous for its innovative hospitality, design
and personal events.
and retail businesses that often
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IN T E R E S T E D R EA D I N G
Although efforts have been made to demonstrate that sustainabilty is being
A MINICITY
practiced; for instance, the implementation of this green vertical wall to reduce energyuse indoors, efforts should also be practiced “outdoors” in order to be considered a sustainable city.
In A Country of Cities, Vishaan Chakrabarti defines sustainability as an “aspiration that human activity be made compatible with the long-term health and safety of the natural environment, which, in turn, would ensure the longetivity of our species.” In other words, sustainability is not about creating a photovoltaic building surrounded by hydrological systems and numerous trees which serves a few people. A sustainable city should also be embraced within a city. Anything outside The Factory, a fox studio, a bombsight facility, and furniture manufacturing business and a nightclub. This historic building has become a minicity itself.
the city should be left natural. Being from the suburbs I can say that the place is more at peace than living in a city. However, the suburbs don’t seem to provide as many amenities as a city may provide. Public transportation is vaguely used, one needs to drive a few miles away from home in order to get to an entertainment center outside of town. When living in a city, I am sure public transportation is used much more and one can walk down the street to socialize. There are advantages and disadvantages of living in a suburb or city, but the truth is a city is much more favorable and sustainable.
Shopping centers are more than retail shops and escalators. Shopping centers are also spaces for entertainment, relaxation, socializing and dining. As Daniel Herman addresses in Jerde Transfer, “Jerde wants to make a minacity. He wants shoppers to have a ‘comunal experience.’ So he adds different programmatic elements to the mix.” This again relates to Andy Wilcox lecture on spatial types and the use of these spatial types (programmatic, catalyst, etc) to design a space. I find that shopping malls in various areas around Southern California lack the use of spatial types. For instance, in the outlet malls located out
One important factor as to why living in a city is much favorable is because the amount of carbon emissions produced in a city are less than if one were to travel from a suburb. Cities were meant for people to live within the area and walk, bike or use public transit to arrive at work, café, or park. Mixed-use neighborhoods are important if trying to successfully become sustainable. In addition, the ability to interact with others is another important factor. Again, living in a suburb I feel I am a lot more disconnected from my community than someone who lives in a city. Sustainable cities are mixed-use neighborhoods with 24-hour services, parks, and a variety of commercial and residential buildings supported by rapid public transporation.
towards Palm Springs in the Morongo Reservation lack a sense of spatial identity. The Cabazon Outlet Mall is weak, in the words of Jerde “It’s just a one-liner, a bunch of consumption –addicted events and that’s about it.” A shopping much like Universal City walk in Hollywood is very successful for various reasons. One being that it is located in a highly populated space where commuting time is very minimal compared to other areas like the Cabazon Outlet Mall. Most importantly, the City Walk is bombarded with retail shops but is amplified by programmatic elements such as restaurants, light shows, theaters, and concerts. It is not the shops that activate a space but the programmatic elements within the shopping center that allow for a successful urban environment.
S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y INTERESTED READING
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P R O J E C T DI SCUSSI ON
THE URBAN FUTURE Projecting Ideas about the Future of Urban Environments.
An awareness in environmental
habitat in attempts to create
values is currently reshaping
functional and aesthetically
the
pleasing
urban
environments.
Historically,
urban
improvements
are
and cities make more sense for
However,
humans. According to Vishaan
which depended largely on
as effective as many of these
Chakrabarti in A Country of
agriculture and domestic cattle,
sustainable ideas are, there is
Cities: A Manifesto for an Urban
but as they grew in size they
still many steps we need to
America, he writes that a city
became centers for merchants
achieve in order to fully blend
like New York and San Francisco
and traders and above all else,
human and natural systems.
have become stronger and
been
settlements
sustainability.
Urbanization
more
sustainable
due
to
Los Angeles is still a long way
community amplification and
the
from completely realizing even
efforts towards a transit based
industrial era and continues
the most basic sustainable
city. Los Angeles should strive
to
dramatically
goals, yet it is necessary to
in bringing a diverse group
today around the world and
consider if our cultural values
people into the city because
Los Angeles. Large numbers of
are prepared to accept this idea
with a unified community,
people are moving into cities
of living in a sustainable society.
ideals and values can change
accelerated
due
accelerate
to
and expected to inhabit the space within.
and reshape the city into a safer Another
issue
facing
Los
Angeles is this idea of housing
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people
of
over “nature”.
forefront of urban design.
cities,
ideas bring forth the practice
have
as
expressions of man’s control
Art and sustainability are at the
In
concentrated in a small space
perceived
environments.
to
These
environments
our
accessible?
Urbanization in today’s era is
the large concentration of
reconsidering the relationship
people migrating in. Urban
we once had with the land.
is defined as a location
Los Angeles is in the process of
characterized
transitioning from an energy-
population
dependent society towards a
structures. However, people
recognition that we must be
often move into other so-called
stewards to the land’s natural
metropolitan
systems. Aside from designing
suburbs. Are suburbs part of
spaces for human use, we are
cities? If so, why is it that many
addressing other factors such
things such as water, schools,
as hydrology, ecologies, and
and shops are not easily
by
human
and
built-
areas,
and more sustainable urban environment.
called
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PROJECT DISCUSSION
P R O J E C T DI SCUSSI ON
“THE MASTER PLAN”
P U B L I C S PA C E S OF TOMORROW
A Critique of West Hollywood’s current Master Plan.
Project Summary of the Urban Design Project in West Hollywood.
Every place has a character of unique natural conditions combined with a history. In so, it becomes a story with events and characters of buildings and people. In the vision of city officials, planners and residents, West Hollywood’s Design District is becoming an experience of fashion, art, dining, entertainment, and design. Through West Hollywood’s streetscape and park master plan the city will ultimately aid in unifying recreation and community facilities, the expansion of park and open space, the mobility within streets and access to other community gathering spots. Many of today’s urban open spaces, and commercial areas are spatially separated from their surrounding communities. This project harnesses the The master plan includes the widening of streets, adding bike lanes and reducing the number of lanes of traffic in some areas. Along with street
momentum of urban park initiatives and the ambitions West Hollywood seeks to incorporate into their city. Drawing on everyday activities, the
trees, street furniture, street art and lighting. Medians with landscaping will also be installed. Additionally, community gatherings spots will be
space is expressed as an immersive path network, and acts as a guide and connection to retail shops within the site and existing and proposed
constructed. Whatever is intended to be implemented in the landscape, it sounds altogether too busy and deems to run into many problems. And
areas surrounding the site. It also intends to foster a relationship or interaction between the people, culture and open space.
yet it seems like it will succeed. Many people are unaware of the city’s recreational and educational potential or even its culture. With around four acres of land open for redevelTraffic congestion and the possibility of it worsening, especially with a rising population and proposed new commercial and residential
opment into a commercial and hospitable area, there is an opportunity to transform this historic urban built environment into a hybridized green
developments, is a major issue. Traffic congestion has been a suggestion of concern, as too, is the improvement of pedestrian safety and walkability.
village-like retail environment that draws on its context, catalyzes community appropriation, and reinvigorates the existence of a historic factory
Santa Monica Boulevard serves as a major traffic artery and a thoroughfare for commuters not only in automobiles, but bicycles, busses and
building.
pedestrian feet. West Hollywood contains various neighborhoods, commercial sub-areas, and public spaces relative to other cities in Los Angeles County. Within The city has a goal of making Santa Monica Boulevard function as a central park. A park which may cause an increase in traffic congestion. However,
these various commercial sub-areas, and neighborhoods lies several different motives to become the “city-center” but neither predominately for
the master plan, I believe will not promote the movement of vehicles through the space but instead the movement of bicyclists and pedestrians.
becoming the center for entertainment, gatherings, recreation nor experience. According to a reading by A. Ghigo Ditommaso, an urban designer
The standard for urban streets, especially in a city such as West Hollywood which houses large world renowned events, has shifted into significantly
at Gehl Studio and lecturer in landscape architecture and environmental planning at UC Berkeley, he states that the reason why some places thrive
enhancing the livability and sense of community in a city. The streetscape and park master plan of West Hollywood will invite more pedestrian
is due to the spatial characteristics that their design entails. These spatial characteristics include: Keeping Centers at the Center, Connecting Urban
activity.
Paths, Activating the Edges, and Setting the Stage. Art Village in West Hollywood begins with an understanding of a series of spatial principles that will enable it to become a “city-center.”
The widened streets lined with trees, public art, and a ban of surface parking as well as a creating a paseo-like connection from parks to commercial spaces and streets, such as Robertson Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard, will transform West Hollywood into a walking village.
The detail design of the open space engages all five senses through shape, materiality, topography, and direction. The network encourages everyday interactions and a renewed relationship to the culture, from recreation and experience to ownership and education. There are access points
Though the master plan has potential there are also some disadvantages of widening streets and incorporating things such as art and lighting. One
on the intersection between Santa Monica Boulevard and Robertson Boulevard, Santa Monica Boulevard and La Peer Drive, as well as access point
concern is how will people who do not live near West Hollywood, but wish to take part in events, entertainment, dining or art. Public transportation
from the streets mentioned. La Peer Drive and Robertson Boulevard also serve as thoroughfares from Melrose Avenue, which is also contains
counteracts the argument, however, a bus trip usually takes more time. In addition, the master plan seems to ban street parking, reduce automobile
various commercial shops as well as high pedestrian traffic. These are spaces that offer the opportunity to change the path of individuals and
transit by minimizing lanes which will in turn make it difficult to drive there and hurt local businesses.
experience other spaces surrounding the site. Most importantly, these paths or access points create a possibility to interact directly or indirectly to the people that one may not have come across if there weren’t various points of entry through the site. On another note, the site also encourages
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According to Vitarr Chakrabarti, a place becomes sustainable and a city thrives when the use of mass-transit becomes easy, the widening of sidewalk
one to maintain their presence at the site. Creating a village like environment where one is confronted by a multi-level open space commercial and
increase walkability and the creation of bike lanes serves as another means for transportation. Also, according to John A. Dutton in Chapter 2
dining center sets forth other micro design strategies. One is able to experience various microclimates – being able to step into an enclosed area
titled Methodologies and Practices of the New American Urbanism book, he states “under no circumstances will a street be abandoned solely to
where one can feel the outdoor breeze and view the city or sit in an open space slightly shaded by the canopies of trees. This sets the stage for
vehicular traffic [and vice-versa].”
people to gather, socialize, circulate and rest.
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P H OTO G R A P HY
B U I LT F R A M E
Street trees with their roots shfiting the concrete pavement, automobiles parked along curbs with pay meters and dimnishing the view of the business store front, and narrow sidewalks increasing the chances of an accident. Aside from what was listed, there are other reasons for which West Hollywood needs improvements. The beauty of West Hollywood, I believe lies in the people that make West Hollywood the place it is. Sure we have busineses that sale artistic and often expesive furnishure, but its the culture, the social environement , the interaction between people. And this we do not see unless we experience the city.
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C A L P O LY P O M O N A J O N AT H A N O R Q U I Z LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT C O L L E G E O F E N V I R O N M E N TA L D E S I G N INTERDISCIPLINARY URBAN DESIGN ARC 403 + LA 403 SPRING 2015