Urban Design Journal

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