URBAN SUTURES JUDY SHAO-YU CHEN 2023 URBAN PUBLIC SPACE AS CONNECTING, MENDING, NEGOTIATING MEDIUMS
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ENMESHING GROUNDS
This chapter explores how public space existing terrain and creates public centers ferent neighborhoods to the once
Barcelona is a city that has its natural boundaries and constraints. As the settlements and city started their journey near the coast, the urban expansion hits a terrain barrier inland - the Collserola mountain range. At the edge where the city touches the foot of the mountain is a series of hilly landscapes that is occupied by both planned neighborhoods and informal settlements.
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space design grounds itself in the centers that draw and connect difonce (near) inaccessible terrain.
Neighborhoods such as Sarria, Gracia, and Horta ground themselves within the undulating terrain, adapting their structures and roads to the crowded contour lines.
Public space and recreation centers also need to accommodate themselves to the dramatic elevation change, transforming topographic changes from obstacles into opportunities.
How are terrain mitigated, utilized, or perhaps amplified, is the focus of the following analyses.
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88 50m
designer: MBM Arquitectes
artist: Eduardo Chillida and Ellsworth Kelly year: 1992, part of the Olympic revitalization plan description: The park is located on one of the topographic high points of the hilly Gràcia neighborhood. The site was once a stone quarry, deeply carved into the ground, creating a flat bottom and steep surrounding arms that warps around the park. The park uses a main water feature and terraces to embrace the topography of the old quarry. On the other side of the mountain which is not impacted by quarrying activities, a network of trails circulates and connects to the park. The park and the trail design transform the terrain from an obstacle to a popular destination and gathering space, enlivening the neighborhood with the experience it curates and the activities it facilitates.
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PARC DE LA CREUETA DEL COLL
CONTEXTCONTOURS LEADING THE GROWTH OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD
90 14m 35m 63m
91 NEIGHBORHOOD 1 meter contour buildings 188-264m contour 50m
SITETOPOGRAPHY AS OBSTACLES AND OPPORTUNITIES
THE TOPOGRAPHY QUARRY BECOMES FOR CRAFTING
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site plan park / neighborhood / trail system
enrtances trails
TOPOGRAPHY OF AN OLD
BECOMES AN OPPORTUNITY CRAFTING EXPERIENCE
sections embracing the elevation change
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enrtances trails
DESIGNFOUND IMAGES AND PHOTOGRAPHY
source: “EUMiesAward,” accessed March 18, 2023, https://www.miesarch.com/work/1379.
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left - close-up site plan and section upper right - site plan lower right - site photo
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a park that manifests aesthetics and affect. sculpture: “Eulogy to Water” by Chillida
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a park that manifests aesthetics and affect
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1st tier
2nd tier
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3rd tier
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immersive view of the 2nd tier
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2nd tier (view from 3rd tier)
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entrance circulation area
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view from the trail above the 3rd tier
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stairs/steps/seats
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clusters of gathering
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trails that wrap around the park
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PARC DE JOAN REVENTÓS
designer: BAGURSA (Barcelona Urban Management)
year: 2008
description: The park is located in the Sarrià neighborhood, a threshold where the city touches the Collserola mountain range. The park was once an abandoned forest and the catchment area of “Riera de les Monges”. The design embraces the sunken topography and uses a series of ramps and steps to connect urban fabrics that locate at very different elevations. The whole park is composed of flat lingering areas, a playground, and a series of accessible ramps that sinuates along the stormwater management system. The sinuous shape is stretched in a linear direction, forming comfortable and convenient shortcuts for pedestrians, bikers, and skaters. The park development kept the lush and rich vegetation of the once-forested area, creating an enclosed and tranquil public space to linger.
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119 50M
120 50m
before, 2004an abandoned forest in a suken bowl
after, 2008a park with accessible paths and lingering zones
121 50m 50m
DESIGNWORKING WITH THE EXISTING TOPOGRAPHY
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DESIGNCONNECTING NEIGHBORHOODS ON DIFFERENT ELEVATIONS
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125 ELEVATIONS
the park is in a sunken bowl
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entrance switch-back ramps and stairs
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enclosure and tranquility provided by the sunken topography, thick woods, and shrubs
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stormwater management system
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accessible ramps as desired walk/bike/skate paths
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138 enclosure
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