THE PEDESTER + EDICINE Kaleigh Stough-Peters Design IX and X University of Oklahoma 08.2019 - 05.2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS URBAN DESIGN PROBLEM EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
00 INTRODUCTION - PERKINS AND WILL 01 URBAN ANALYSIS
Preliminary Urban Analysis Problem Definition At Urban Scale Urban Scale Models
02 DESIGN PROCESS
Conceptual Design Alternatives Part 1 Conceptual Design Alternatives Part 2 Midterm : Preliminary Master Plan
03 FINAL MASTER PLAN
Consolidated Common Master Plan
04 CONCEPTUAL BUILDING DESIGN Building + Street Conditions Problem Definition at Building Scale Pre Schematic Building Design
TABLE OF CONTENTS ARCHITECTURAL PROBLEM 05 STAKEHOLDER + PROGRAMMATIC ANALYSIS Program Exploration Programmatic + Precedence Analysis
06 DESIGN EXPERIMENT Design Experiment 1 Design Experiment 2 Experiment Massing
07 BUILDING MASSING + PROGRAM ORGANIZATION Master Plan + Building Programmatic Plans + Sections Midterm: Preliminary Building Design
08 MODEL, PLAN + SECTION REFINEMENT Refinement 1 Refinement 2
09 FINAL ARCHITECTURAL PROJECT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Oklahoma City is like many cities in middle America, torn apart from a foundation of urban sprawl and still showing evidence of racial segregation. Founded during the Land Run, Oklahoma was planned without density in mind, and then with the construction of the interstate, the city, and state, became justified in their reliance of the automobile. As downtown OKC became more developed, and oil was discovered, minorities continued to be pushed around the city, continously being victims to segration. Now with established downtown districts, recently connected by a streetcar, OKC has become a city that is bringing more industry and new residents. The city now wants to develop an Innovation District to establish the city’s foothold in the energy, medical, and technology innovation industry. This district is slated for development on the east side of I-235 with the core located between 8th and 10th Street. The supporting area extending north to the capitol, east to Lottie Avenue which includes the OU Health Science Center, and south to 4th street.The city has hired Perkins and Will to develop a plan for this area. Like the rest of Oklahoma City, the establishment of the new district needs to address a handful of existing problems in the area to insure a successful project. The main problem to be addressed is the lack of resources and amenities in the area for the existing neighborhoods. In addition to the lack of resources, the neighborhoods included in the district plan have a history of being pushed out, so the solution needs to include the residents, rather than moving them. The solution should also address a lack of healthy density in the core area of the district. For the proposal included in this booklet, the master plan addresses the need for a transitional zone between the OUHSC and Innovation Core and the adjacent community, while linking the campus to the neighborhood through a system of courtyards and corner nodes. To further resolve the problem, an architectural solution was also developed to economically support and strengthen the community by proposing an educational resource center that joins the OUHSC and the community by providing certificate programs for people looking for existing and new job created by the Innovation District.
INTRODUCTION OKC INNOVATION DISTRICT - PERKINS AND WILL In the past 100 years, Oklahoma City has seen rapid change characterized by large growth and urban sprawl. In the past 50 years, local leadership has built a tremendous center of patient care and research just northeast of downtown. This part of Oklahoma City has been home to health care facilities since 1900 when OU College of Medicine was founded there, joined by the original University Hospital in 1919. It was not until the mid-1960’s that a plan was developed to create the campus we know today. The academic health center continued to grow steadily, with little to no commercialization of the research done until the late 1980s and early 1990s. These decades brought commericalization and job growth. A 2001 report showed that there were just over 12,000 full time workers in the Health Center. Today there are 18,000. During this time there was more than a billion dollars invested in new research and patient care facilities which elevated OKC’s profile within the industry. This led to new discoveries, new companies, research funding, and strong liquidity events. City leaders started to realize that the campus had become somewhat self-contained, with mostly daily commuters driving in for work and then out to their residences. The campus also was not integrated with the surrounding neighborhoods, in fact, decisions had been made that created barriers between the campus and the residents. With the Brookings Study having identified Oklahoma City as an ideal environment to cultivate an Innovation District. City officials then worked together to identify goals and opportunities to faciliate the needed growth and conditions.With the city’s success in MAPS, Perkins and Will was brought in to develop a comprehensive Land Use and Strategic Development Plan report and work collaborative to develop and implement a plan. Katie Boren with the Innovation District Organization helped facilitate the meetings and ideas between city officials, MAPS project teams, and Perkins and Will. The following discussion was found from the Innovation District Website: https://okcinnovation.com/
The land use use plan specifically focuses on the area east of I-235 in order to provide a vision for growth that matches the vibrancy of the recent investments west of the highway such as Automobile Alley and improve connections to the neighborhoods to the east. Much of this area falls within the Capitol-Medical Center Improvement and Zoning Commission, so the state recognized an opportunity to ensure that the entire area was planned comprehensively. Bounded roughly by Robinson Ave to the west, Lottie Ave to the east, NE 4th St to the south, and NE 13th St to the north, the emerging Oklahoma City Innovation District is 1.3 square mile area encompassing both the Oklahoma Health Center and the vibrant commercial corridor of Automobile Alley.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT There are several existing and historic neighborhoods in and near the 1400-acre study area. The Brookings study points out that the growing number of employment opportunities within the study area have not stimulated similar economic prosperity to neighboring residents. Poverty rates in the surrounding neighborhoods are persistently above 45 percent. Moreover, median household incomes are below $25,000, compared to over $50,000 for the region as a whole. Unemployment levels hover above 15 percent, nearly three times the metro rate. These disparities are exacerbated by a difficult history of redevelopment and urban renewal in the area. In efforts undertaken by the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority in the 1970s, significant portions of African American communities were replaced with what is now much of the Health Center (and later, I-235). The legacy of these actions—both physically and socially—are still felt today. As noted previously, the surrounding neighborhoods are physically disconnected from the area, with large blocks, vast parking lots and closed-off private structures having replaced the former human-scale, walkable street grid. To the south of the Health Center, a once vibrant commercial corridor along 4th Street was demolished and remains largely underutilized today. Residents have limited access to basic amenities such as grocery stores and open space.
OKC INNOVATION DISTRICT - PERKINS AND WILL COMMUNITY ASSETS Participants of the area were asked by the Perkins and Will design team and Innovation District team to identify physical, social and historical assets in the study area by placing a numbered dot on the asset and writing the name and significance of the asset on a corresponding post-it note. Through this community engagement process participants expressed the importance of preserving the Jewel Theatre, the Henrietta B. Foster Center, historic homes, Booker T. Washington Park and the State Capitol building. Participants also mentioned places important to black history in Oklahoma City such as Page Woodson school building, the Brockway Center, the Fifth Street Baptist Church and many other historically significant churches and schools. Based on this feedback, the project team recommends preservation strategies to ensure that neighborhood revitalization efforts are woven into the fabric of the existing community.
Asking the members of the community about Community Assets is important because it allows the design team to understand what areas of the community should be preserved or rehabilitated. From the date presented, the most important areas to consider to seem to be along 4th Street and at the OUHSC. The project will look further into the OUHSC conditions in particular.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Participants were given dots and a list of suggested programs and were asked to identify missing amenities in the study area. They shared a desire for more amenities and programs such as youth sports, community gardens, farmers markets, kids’ facilities, art galleries, museums, and activation in existing parks such as Booker T. Washington Park and in underutilized parcels throughout the study area. In addition to new amenities and programs, survey participants would like to see expanded childcare for students and employees and safer sidewalks and bicycle facilities. The project team recommends enhancing existing parks like Stiles Circle Park, Booker T. Washington Park and State Capitol Park, while providing short term activation strategies for vacant and underutilized lots and strategies for new private development to incorporate additional community benefits.
As far as Community Connections, the residents were particularly interested in active programs. With new programs potentially going in for physical activity, the semester’s project will further push the connection of amenities through reprioritizing pedestrian traffic and connecting the OUHSC with the neighboring community.
OKC INNOVATION DISTRICT - PERKINS AND WILL
DEVELOPMENT TYPOLOGIES The following development typology descriptions provide a vision for how the study area might develop over time. The descriptions provide future guidance to the City of Oklahoma City and the CMCIZC, as the city and the state embark on future development code updates and implementation projects. The typologies are modeled after the City of Oklahoma City’s DDF but customized to the study area context. Like the DDF, this is not a regulatory document and does not include additional requirements or standards for development beyond what is regulated in the municipal code. The zoning organization developed by the city and design team is useful for the urban design problem as it will help guide the proposed solution and building types depending on the proposed site location?
BUILDING FRONTAGE TYPES Like the building typologies, the building frontage type can indicate a step down in intensity. The area east of I-235 is significantly less dense than downtown and development should step down in intensity towards the residential neighborhoods to the east. The project team recommends Mixed-Use Frontage for high intensity land uses and Commercial Frontage for properties along key commercial corridors and activity nodes. Landscape Frontage should be used for the remaining portions of the study area. Understanding how building frontage is developed through the innovation district also helps suggest a solution for the urban problem. Using the building frontage and development typologies, areas for immprovement and redevelopment can be more easily identified when cross examined.
OKC INNOVATION DISTRICT - PERKINS AND WILL OPEN SPACE AND PLACEMAKING The project team overlaid community input with applicable recommendations in the 2013 Oklahoma City Parks Master Plan. According to the 2013 Oklahoma City Parks Master Plan, many local parks are located within the study area. Stakeholders expressed a desire to see more amenities and programs in existing parks and under utilized parcels throughout the study area. The strategic direction of the plan focuses on maintaining and improving physical assets of existing parks and developing new facilities in existing parks to meet community needs. The Parks Master Plan recommends connecting 4th Street and Booker T. Washington Park into the city’s trail system. Building on this direction, the project team focused on enhancing existing parks like Stiles Park, Booker T. Washington Park and Capitol Plaza, while providing short term activation strategies for vacant and underutilized lots.
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON PARK Booker T. Washington Park is envisioned to become a center of neighborhood activity that anchors the restored commercial corridor envisioned for 4th Street. The 2013 Oklahoma City Parks Master Plan recommends that future trails connect Booker T. Washington Park to the Katy Trail and the City’s trail system. After analyzing the plans for revitalizing the parks in OKC, what is missing is the network of connecting these spaces. Is it an expanded street car system? Is it an intricate system of bike routes and paths? Or is it the development of smaller green spaces to connect the large ones?
INNOVATION PLAZA Innovation Plaza is a reinterpretation of Stiles Circle Park that creates a new public plaza, which acts as a link between the Innovation District’s existing uses and new proposed uses. Its flexible design allows for outdoor dining, programmed activation and community events with the Beacon of Hope remaining as the plaza’s centerpiece. Additional public realm improvements include enhanced pavements, green infrastructure, street tree plantings, a variety of seating options and landscaped garden areas.
After reading the Perkins and Will plan, analyzing the studio project’s goals, and starting to conduct our own research of the area, the group decided that our project should not contradict Perkins and Will’s core plan, but we instead should build on it and possible present a complementary enhancement plan. The semester master plan project seeks to complement the Perkins and Will Innovation Core by not adding future phases of the core, but rather seeks to address the most important part of the area to ensure the plan flourishes: the people. Our master plan looks to connect the people with the OUHSC which will eventually be addresed in the Innovation plan.
URBAN DESIGN PROBLEM Kaleigh Stough-Peters Divy Timbadiya Natalie Thompson Professor Andres Cavieres 08.2019 - 12.2019
01 URBAN ANALYSIS The first phase of the project began with analyzing the area of investigation in Oklahoma City through GIS data and demographc, economic, and social data. Then proposed solutions were developed based on three urban theories and ULI Hines Student Competiton winners from different years.
PRELIMINARY URBAN ANALYSIS
Oklahoma City
Analysis of Oklahoma City to establish history, and design problems. Founded : 1889 Area : 620 Sq. mi Elevation: 1201 ft Population: 580,000 Density : 930/ Sq. mi Settled during the Land Run, OKC was a major center for oil production. By the 1970s and the construction of the Highway exchange system, residents abandoned the city center for the sprawling suburbs. It was not until the 1990s that city passed a redevelopment program (MAPS) to rebuild the city core with civic projects to bring life to downtown. Recent plans include the development of an Innovation Center to make OKC a hub regionally and globally. Landmarks above: Devon Tower, Oklahoma City Memorial, Sky Dance Bridge, Bricktown Canal, Devon Boathouse
Where do people work? 2017 Map indicates the work locations for who lives within the boundrary. Most people work at the OU Health Complex or in the Business District. https://onthemap.ces.census.gov/
The map above is important to show the urban problem because of the lack of dispersion of workers. When compared to the rest of the map, there is a lack of connection between the different districts and housing neighborhoods. This is problematic because it leads to under-utilized public spaces and infrastructure, lack of activities, services and amenities, lack of walkability, crime, etc. What is needed is a more integrated district. or more developed transition zone to provided what is lacking.
Inflow - Outflow
2017 Based on the boundary, the inflow and outflow is based on the people that live and work in the area. More people work in the area than live, so a possible intervention is how to bring more people to live in the area and also work. https://onthemap.ces.census.gov/ What are the predominant job types? 2017 Briefly, Creative Class workers are paid for their thinking and problem-solving skills. Â Service Class workers are paid to perform routine work directly for, or on behalf of, clients. Working Class workers are paid to maneuver heavy machinery and perform skilled trades. Finally, farmers, fishers, and other primary extractors are paid to extract natural resources from the ground or seas. Source: ArcGis Online What is the average income? 2017 Redistribution of wealth and investment programs are most needed on the east side of the highway and in the arts district and metro park. $24,600 for a family of 4 is the Poverty Line in Oklahoma. Source: Social Explorer Another problem that is revealed through this map is the lack of income diversification. One of the interesting issues is around the OUHSC which has one of the lowest incomes in the selected area. Why is that? Is it because the OUHSC is not offering high enough pay? Or is it that the people living around the OUHSC have lower incomes? How can this be addressed?
Where do people live? 2017 Out of the people that work in the boundary, the map shows where they live. Most people live in Mesta Park. Where there is a higher average income, but also an equal number of renters and owners, and family and non-family households https://onthemap.ces.census.gov/
What is the average home cost and amount of vacant units? Bricktown and the Boathouse district have the most amount of vacant homes and the median home value is the highest in the area of question. With the knowledge of income in the area, there is clearly a need for affordable housing.
Renter vs Owner Occupied
Non-family vs Family Occupied
What is the ratio between homeowners and renters? The area of investigation is predominately renter based, with a slightly higher amount of family households. When comparing the percentages of each area, there are more families renting, than there are families owning. The area of intervention could target an area predominately renting and create affordable housing.
What is the access to community resources? The area of research to the west of I-235 is in a severe demand for grocery stores as it is a large food desert. The solution should include healthy food markets for the residents of the area.
COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION The image to the left blocks off a potential area to be adjusted. One of the main issues of the area is the disconnect between the east side and the west. The innovation core starts to address development right at the edge of the east and reaches west, but does not fully embrace unity.
By creating a cultural and recreational corridor, which connects the residential blocks with the business district it creates a higher density residential development on the east side to establish a stronger urban fabric. The red arrow indicates direction development for the proposal, while the yellow indicates active edges along that path.
PROBLEM DEFINITION AT URBAN SCALE Three readings were analyzed and then applied to the site: 1. The Image of the City by Kevin Lynch 2. Side Walks by Jane Jacobs 3. A City is not a Tree by Christopher Alexander
1. The Image of the City by Kevin Lynch
5 Elements which help to create mental map of cities. Kevin Lynch’s theory or analysis of city structures was important to understand when identifying the urban problem so that the solution could abide by a successful city structure. For example, being able to understand where districts, edges, and nodes overlap allows for development and frontage plans to be developed. Being able to identify where major landmarks are also points to development opportunities and for renovation or creation of new paths and edges.
PATHS
NODES
The area researched is the urban fabric of Oklahoma City.
The main nodes in Oklahoma City, happen at the highway crossings, and at primary street crossings in Bricktown, Automobile Alley, and around the OU Health Science Center.
Strategic Points of the City.
Streets, walkways, transit lines, and alleyways.
Primary Road
Secondary Road
Tertiary Road
LANDMARKS
Points of Reference Landmarks in Oklahoma City include the Oklahoma National Memorial, Devon Energy Tower, Myriad Gardens, Bricktown Canal, the Beacon of Hope, and Washington Park. These locations are used as way-finding.
EDGES
Boundaries between 2 areas. The area researched has psychological barriers between the residential neighborhoods and the OU Health Science Center, and the railroad. With I-235 acting as a physical barrier.
DISTRICTS
Common identity or character Oklahoma City is made up of six main districts. They include the OU Health Science Center, Bricktown, Deep Deuce, Business District, Automobile Alley, and the proposed Innovation District.
PROBLEMS IN THE CURRENT URBAN FABRIC Legibility Issues - Monotonous Experience
- The monotony in the design of streetscape, facade, or material affects the city’s legibility. - District, path or landmarks are not easily identifiable. - There is no visual sensation of color, shape, motion, smell, or sound within the city, which makes it “boring” for pedestrians.
Fragmented Neighborhood
- The land prices escalated with increase of commerce in the Business District. People started living in the suburbs, which led the city to urban sprawl. As a result, the city is divided by a large network of highways and interstates.
The Loss of Public Life
- Blank and windowless facades surrounded by wastelands of parking lots, and fast moving traffic, decreases sense of safety for pedestrians.
2. Sidewalks by Jane Jacobs “The absence of this trust is a disaster to a city street” 4 Necessary Physical Conditions for Dynamic Urban Life: - Multi-functional Neighborhoods - Short Blocks and Connected Street System - Varied Age Residential Areas - High Concentration of People
Jane Jacobs’s Theory is important because no one wants to live in a city that even appears to be unsafe, but they also want to live in cities and neighborhoods where they can conveniently go to work, go out to eat and get groceries as well as entertain themselves. This particular piece is imporant for urban problem because of the lack of connection between urban “working” areas and the residential communities. It was suggested in an analysis of where people work and live, that transition zones could be better developed between the zone to provide the amenties that are talked about in Jane Jacobs’s work.
Are the residential areas a mix of ages? Are the neighborhoods highly populated with different amenities and functions?
Are the blocks short or long? - The urban street blocks are predominantly long. For future development, especially in the proposed innovation district, the blocks should be broken up to promote walkability and sense of pedestrian safety, and include mixed-use frontage to attract a diversity of people at different times of the day. Are the street systems properly connected? - The street systems for the most part are well connected, however the sidewalk and bike route system is very disconnected. The most important aspect is the connection of nodes and activities.
3. A City is not a Tree by Christopher Alexander A city should have integrated residential neighborhoods with varying scales of urbanism. People should be able to live where they work, so there is a need for a strong pedestrian city structure. This theory goes back to the idea of an array and “quilt� of development zones and frontage types. In order to properly integrate the city, transition areas need to be provided in urban areas and residential areas.
Current OKC conditions
Proposed OKC development
The solution needs to address how to integrate neighborhoods without gentrification. The solution needs to be knitting of residential, corridor commercial and urban density.
MAIN TAKEAWAYS “A region positioned for growth.� Role: - Encourage Investment - Programming - Collaboration - Education - Workforce Development Solution: Break down the district size and weave the residential, corridor commercial, general urban, and high density to create a stronger fabric, facilitate a connection across the highway and create pedestrian friendly networks. Most importantly, any plan needs to address how to connect people and nodes.
AN URBAN FABRIC FOR AN URBAN LIFE Incorporate features on the building facade that add visual interest to the environment.
Create compatibility between buildings, streets, and neighborhoods through architectural elements that add scale and character. Provide views beyond the street wall to enhance the public’s visual environment.
Use building elements to enhance comfort and security of pedestrians.
STRATEGY FOR IMPLEMENTATION
Incorporate different textures, colors, materials, and architectural features that add visual interest, which also makes streets more legible. Discourage blank walls. Architectural features, enhanced materials, planting, lighting, and signage may contribute to a more pedestrian friendly streetscape while creating a safer environment. Include overhead architectural features, such as awnings, canopies, trellises or cornice treatments that provide shade and reduce heat gain. Devote 75% of facades for ground floor retail uses for pedestrian entrances and pedestrian-level display windows. Contribute to neighborhood safety by providing windows at the street that act as “Eyes on the street”.
URBAN SCALE MODELS 3 past ULI Hines Student Competitions were analyzed for their design approaches to the contextual problems along with their graphic representation. Principles were then taken from each project and applied to found problems in the OKC Innovation District. https://americas.uli.org/programs/awards-competitions/hines-student-design-competition/previouswinnersandfinalists/ 1. 2012 Houston University of Colorado + Harvard Chad Murphy, Alex Atherton, Michael Albert, Anna Cawrse, and Victor Perez Amado 2. 2015 New Orleans University of Maryland Sebastian Dern, Ashley Grzywa, Daniel Moreno-Holt, Patrick Reed, and Sofia Weller 3. 2019 Cincinnati MIT + Harvard Joshua Brooks, Matthew Macchietto, Shiqi Peng, Alan Sage, and Zhicheng Xu
1. 2012 Houston - Bayou Commons They are missing key connecting factors between the gears and the Buffalo Bayou to make the downtown district work as a whole.
They added the pedestrian bridges to make connections across the bayou to the new site. Then added mixed program to create one integrate urban fabric system.
The winning team came up with their “Bayou concept. In their solution, they started by moving the I 45 HOV on ramp underground, adding 10.5 acres to the site. They added multiple Pedestrian Bridges and Plazas to cross over the bayou as primary connections with the other districts. While re-routing Franklin St. and adding more green space and a park, the team was able to create a more desirable riverfront, and elements of public use, to create a way to tie the other districts together.
Establish Connections Once the green paths are connected, they defined the direct connections and paths of circulation.
Integrated Development They integrated the new possible footprints for the building developments, and further defined the major points of public space.
2. New Orleans - The Crossing The Laffitte Greenway is a park and trail that aims to spur new development and investment in a dilapidated, traditionally low income community. The area faces further obstacles by being divided by I-10 Interstate.
They introduced missing gears between the medical center, Iberville Housing and the Faubourg Lafitte Development to make them work as a whole rather than independent systems.
The design team came up with concept of ‘The Crossing ’. In the solution, they introduce infill programs to densify and bring new investment. Introducing new streetcar lines, bike lanes, and removal of a highway ramp promotes pedestrian movement and infill under the highway helps unify the east and west communities. Addition of hotels, office and different housing types promotes densification and brings a new workforce to the area.
Environmental Context - The greenway and infill under the highway create strong eastwest and north-south connections stitching the existing park and neighborhoods together and creating a stronger urban fabric. Transportation Context - The project plans for the future transportation by creating new streetcar stops and bike lanes to extend transit services to previously disconnected areas and a more pedestrian friendly environment. Cultural Context - The corridor connects the French Quarter and Armstrong Park through the removal of an I-10 exit ramp and extending the greenspace to create a sculptural bioretention area and resilience center. These new programs will bring new tourism and investment to the area.
3. 2019 Cincinnati - The Cincy Stitch
The design team came up with concept of ‘Cincy Stitch’. In the solution, they introduce commercial corridor on the top of Fort Washington highway, which stitches the both part of city, and also developed the cultural corridor to tie them together.
Environmental Context - The thread creates strong east-west and northsouth connections stitching existing open space together and tying the site to a large pedestrian and bike network. Transportation Context - This thread plans for future transportation needs by building new stations and partnering with public entities to extend transit services to previously disconnected areas. Cultural / Historical Context - This tread connects existing arts and cultural assets of the region through the creation of a new cultural trail that bridges the historical and physical divide and creates a tourist attraction.
MAIN TAKEAWAYS Strong Network to reduce block length and district size. Create an expansion of the streetcar system to connect the Innovation District or create a strong pedestrian and bicycle route. Creation of Pedestrian Axis This can be developed to connect high intensity urban development with surrounding residential neighborhoods. New Programs to support Corridor Commercial Much of the surrounding residential areas in the area of investigation lack needed amenities such as grocery stores, clothing and accessory retail, and entertainment amenities such as bars, sports amenities, etc. Possibilities -Deep Deuce expansion, Creation of Gateway, and High-Line Bridge All three ULI Solutions identified key nodes on or around the site, and proposed connecting development. For OKC, it is clear that there is a system of nodes that exist on the west side of I-235 and was recently connected by a street car system. On the east side, there are some key nodes/landmarks that residents identified as part of the Perkins and Will investigation, but those amenities lack a strong connection to each other, making the area unwalkable and uninviting.
The Innovation District is currently isolated from the developed city center.
By creating two pedestrian axes at 10th and 4th street and a new street car route, the Innovation District becomes more pedestrian friendly and invites new densification and investment.
02 DESIGN PROCESS The second phase of the project starts to move into the design iterations of the master plan proposal. The project intent was refined through the process, along with the project scale, and phasing organization. Two conceptual design alternatives were proposed to addressed some of the problems that were identified between the Perkins and Will investigation and personal individual analysis of the area of investigation. Each alternative addresses Transportation, Intangible Barriers, and Physical Infrastructure.
CONCEPTUAL DESIGN ALTERNATIVES PART 1 DESIGN IDEOLOGY Transportation - Proposed multi-modal transport hub. - Provide extended streetcar services. - Provide better pedestrian routes and experience. Intangible Barriers - Provide a more diverse mix of creative and service occupations. - Introduced community spaces and recreational activities in master plan. Physical Infrastructure - Provide more diverse public uses. - High density development with pedestrians being the priority. Intervention Core - The proposed core intervention site is next to Perkins and Will’s proposal. - The key junction for connecting both parts of the city would be at 4th Street, 8th Street, and 10th Street. The meandering line represents the development path as the east and west are connected with the innovation core and OUHSC at its heart. This area lacks the basic amenities for the people of the area, and by developing these features on this path, the fabric would be come stronger, but also repeatable in other parts of the city.
Core Development With 8th Street being a pedestrian corridor that connects the business district on the east side with the residential blocks on the west. A series of pedestrian friendly squares on this cultural corridor encourage social interaction and strengthen the social fabric of area. Program - Multi-modal transit hub - Higher density residential units - Co-workspaces - Retail and commercial spaces on ground level
Future Expansion Second phase development is to connect far North-east residential development by means of cultural corridor with active pedestrian edges on ground floor. The last square will be the key location for developing a community center or recreational center for the neighborhood residents. The branching red paths suggest more repeatable development patterns in the rest of the neighborhood in every direction. Program - Community Wellness Center - Youth Activity Facility - Community Civic Center/Clubhouse
Preliminary movement of master plan with a Mulitmodal transportation hub at the intersection of 8th street (blue) and 4th Street) on the east side of the highway and then reaching toward the Innovation Core.
Cultural Corridor view from the Beacon of Hope on 8th Street looking East.
Cultural Corridor with retail and commercial activities on 8th Street looking east
CONCEPTUAL DESIGN ALTERNATIVES PART 2 For the second alternative, the development plan was better organized into specific phasing. The basic sections explore building frontage conditions. By identifying specific phases, the design ideology was better addressed and a direction of the proposal was established. The core of the Innovation District proposed by Perkins and Will was phase 00, and the rest of the phases built on that. The goal was to complement their proposal, not contradict. Phase 01 was to address the crossing at I-235, Phase 02 addressed the commnity and transportation, and phase 03 connected the community with the rest of the district.
DESIGN IDEOLOGY Transportation - Proposed multi-modal transport hub. - Provide extended streetcar services. - Provide better pedestrian routes and experience. Intangible Barriers - Provide a more diverse mix of creative and service occupations. - Introduced community spaces and recreational activities in master plan. Physical Infrastructure - Provide more diverse public uses. - High density development with pedestrians being the priority.
Phase 00 ESTABLISH A CORE Perkins + Will proposal establishes a hub for research and innovation. The plan also establishes a Pedestrian plaza. PROGRAMS: Research centers
Offices
Hotel
Residential
Mixed Use
Phase 01 ENTICE COMMUTERS Create a commuter rail to bring people to the district, create commercial retail and other businesses to increase activity. Also, provide high density housing options to encourage people to move to the area. PROGRAMS: Residential Transit hub
Event space
Offices
Restaurants and Live Music Venues
Phase 02 ENGAGE NEIGHBORHOOD Create community centered programs such as wellness centers, community level retail and small business. Give ownership back to the community. Create walkability and community transit for ease of access to amenities and development. PROGRAMS: Local style businesses Community Market
Condos
Townhouses Fitness studios
Phase 03 EMBRACE CONNECTION Focus on establishing higher density housing and activating pedestrian paths through the OU Medical Complex PROGRAMS: Grocery Store Restaurants
Bank Apartments
Entertainment Clothing Retail Collaborative Work Space
Phase 04 EXPAND COMMUNITY Future development occurs on the edges of the phases, creating new stems and roots. POTENTIAL PROGRAMS: Traditional Main Street supply stores Gas stations Urban Centers Art Music
Infill Sites
Open Spaces
Reclaiming unused land Minimizing surface parking
Creating active green spaces Activating Pedestrian ways through the Medical Campus
There is a sea of parking and empty lots surrounding the OUHSC and along major paths and nodes. The movement of the plan should utilize these empty sites to increase density.
There is the opportunity to play off the network of greenspace on the OUHSC campus and the infill sites to better connect the campus with the surrounding community.
MAIN TAKEAWAYS The phasing and major points of the second alternative were sucessfull and getting across the goals of the master plan, particular in the infill sites and open spaces, however the development is too dispersed to really impact the targeted community. Walkability Establish transit stops to increase walkability Each stop should be located a key node to increase ease of transportation, but also make it so that it is not more than a 10 - 15 minute walk between stops. By having nodes closer together, the project will be more walkable to pedestrians and will offer more of an opportunity to be activated thus wanting to be a place people want to be.
For the next iteration of the master plan, the proposal should better target a single area to address all of the problens. With to focus of the problem being the disconnect between urban / commercial areas and the residential neighborhood, the most opportunity is located to the east of the OUHSC along Lottie Ave. There is an expanse of parking spots which allows the OUHSC to turn its back to the adjacent neighborhood. The neighborhood is also lacking commercial amenities. Developing this area would allow for the two communities to turn and embrace each other while strengthening both independently as well.
MIDTERM: PRELIMINARY MASTER PLAN
From the initial proposals of the master plan and phasing, the project was significantly scaled down to focus on the area immediately surrounding the OU Health Science Center. The reason for scaling down is to address the disconnection between the Innovation Core, the OUHSC and the adjacent neighborhood. The project seeks to provide buffer areas to protect the community, while facilitating development to increase value.
The master plan looks to take the power away from the car by providing the infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists. The master plan also takes into account the need for public transportations because of the isolation from the west side.
Through the OUHSC, there is a network of courtyards that exist between the hospitals and colleges, through the heart of the campus is a pedestrian thoroughfare. The master plan looks to continue this axis to the adjacent neighborhood to connect the two communities.
The master plan is located at the intersection between the OU Health Science Center, residential neighborhood, downtown and the innovation core proposed by Perkins and Will.
To increase walkability, the design establishes cores at key intersections and plans for community programs at the ground floor and street facing buildings.
Invite Pedestrians Create commercial retail and other large scale businesses to increase activity. Provide high density housing options to encourage commuters to move to the area. Market potential for commuter train and expanded street car. Program: High density residential Event Spaces Offices
Engage Neighborhood Create community centered programs and community level retail and small businesses. Give ownership back to the community. Improve walkability and community transit for ease of access to amenities and development. Program: Fitness Studios Condos / Townhouses Local level Business
Experience Connection Focus on establishing high density housing and activating pedestrian path between innovation core and neighborhood. Program: Grocery Market Restaurants Entertainment Collaborative Work Space
03 FINAL MASTER PLAN THE PEDESTER Narrative “The vision of the Oklahoma City Innovation District is to bring together the greatest minds in total collaboration, yielding world-changing results. Home to internationally-acclaimed organizations spanning Oklahoma’s diverse sectors – health, energy, aerospace, technology, research, academia, and more – the Innovation District provides opportunities for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community growth.” As a project, the PEDESTER does not seek to compete with the goals of the Innovation District but seeks to complement and emphasize the community role in the development of the district. There is a currently a long history of physical and psychological barriers that exist to keep the community out of the campus, the PEDESTER seeks to tear those barriers down and give back to the community while still addressing the goals of collaboration, entrepreneurship and innovation. First the project seeks to define key nodes at Lottie and 11th Street next to the Senior Center and at Lottie and 8th Street as gateways to the community and OU Medical Center. These nodes will be the main gear for amenities and services for the community. This includes grocery stores, retail, gyms, and multifamily housing. Once the nodes have been established, the second phase connects the nodes through densifying the street, bringing new amenities and pedestrian traffic. By focusing on Lottie as a community focused zone, it provides a buffer for the neighborhood to feel protected from future development, provides a gateway into and out of the community, and acts to provide amenities that are currently lacking all while creating a destination and strengthening the neighborhood. The third phase of the project is created when the PEDESTER meets the Innovation District in the middle and will be market driven by the turbulence of ideas and growth from both sides. The master plan highlights upon the existing network of courtyards that exist on the OU medical campus and reaches then to the east to connect to the neighborhood, improving the walkability and connectivity of the campus to its surroundings. The network of courtyards provides a meeting ground owned by the pedestrians that allows for the community and professionals on the medical campus to meet and discuss ideas, provide services, or unify as one community. “Walkers are ‘practitioners of the city,’ for the city is made to be walked. A city is a language, a repository of possibilities, and walking is the act of speaking that language, of selecting from those possibilities. Just as language limits what can be said, architecture limits where one can walk, but the walker invents other ways to go.” (Rebecca Solnit, Wanderlust: A History of Walking)
08 CONSOLIDATED COMMON MASTER PLAN After exploring desired individual project locations, the team worked to take into account the midterm comments to better the master plan. Our group switched the phasing around, and then updated the master plan to reflect the chosen sites.
04 CONCEPTUAL BUILDING DESIGN The final step of the semester, was exploring different site configurations and conditions. The site was explore through 3D Modeling and physical models using paper cutting and folding. The two techniques were used to explore different spatial conditions. The goal of this phase is to explore different local densities, frontage typologies, and topographic plays within the larger master plan.
BUILDING + STREET CONDITIONS After the Midterm presentation, the master plan comments were reviewed to consider any needed reorganization, expansion or reduction of scale, and what the proposed building locations and programs are. For this review, building sections were done to highlight how the buildings should engage with the street and basic typology.
The first section was located adjacent to the node at 8th Street and Lottie Avenue. The two structures tried to address the relationship with parking, wide pedestrian walkways, bike lanes and street buffers. Overhangs and roof top terraces were considered for variety of spaces and pedestrian comfort.
The second section explored the relationship between primary and secondary pedestrian pathways. By breaking up the mass of a building to 2 separate entities, a pedestrian only walk way is created, which allows for program to flow out to engage the walkway.
For the third section, the location of the exploration was change to see how the tectonics of the building change without the street, and instead address the neighborhood, and address the college.
The fourth section explores the same location, but changes the orientations to explore how the buildings should address the extended pedestrian way.
With the same orientation as the fourth section, the fifth section takes principles learned from the second. By breaking up the building mass, a more interesting and dynamic is created, and creates a visual distinction between programs within the building, and circulation paths. This section also starts to take into account topography through sloping, and sunken levels for back of house parking.
The last section explores the same building gestures as the fifth section, but from another view point. In this section more interior spaces are seen to show the relationship with different levels, overhangs, terraces, and suggested program such as an auditorium.
PROBLEM DEFINITION AT BUILDING SCALE For the next step of the building design, we took the 3D Model sections and pushed it a step farther by exploring the design as a field condition. We explored questions such as: how does the design respond to topography? How does the building pattern and orientation respond to intended pedestrian path? How should the topography respond to the development to facilitate a successful experience? For this progression I continued with the chosen location from the section exploration, along the pedestrian way between the OUHSC and he community. I explored the field conditions through various models of cutting and folding, and additive techniques. The cuts and folds are to explore how buildings incorporate the landscape and open up to or close off to interior courtyards or thoroughfares.
For the first field condition model, paper was folded to mimic the stepping of the topography of the site. A space was left for the pedestrian way, and the paper was cut and folded in to create different elevations and show explore how spaces are created as the paper is folded up in different ways.
For the second model, paper was added to the base to represent the context buildings to show how the field condition relates to context. The field condition was also made more dense and reworked to address the pedestrian way more directly.
The third model explored the density along the pedestrian way further, and how the different building clusters could create public and private plazas and courtyards.
The fourth model changed the organization of the clusters slightly, and used thread to map out how the relationship of the programs of the buildings interact across the pedestrian way. How does the community and education programs cross and intersect? What happens when the two programs cross?
The fifth model built on the foundation of the fourth by showing how the intersection of the programs, or the path of the circulation influences the form of the buildings.
The sixth field condition model used the organization explore through the thread exercise, but the depth exploration of cutting and folding. It was in this exercise that the relationship between the topography and the “interior� space was related by seeing how the folds and cuts responded.
The final field condition model attempted to give an architectural language to the field condition, showing how the topography naturally slopes, while also being manipulated to compliment the building.
PRE SCHEMATIC BUILDING DESIGN From the field conditions exercise, the project really needed to take advantage of the natural sloping of the site, and embrace the same language as the master plan by integrating both public and private courtyards or green spaces to mimic what is already happening on the OUHSC campus, as well as connect the campus with the adjacent community. Moving forward, the last model from the field conditions was the most developed and lends itself to having the most interesting spaces, and being the most dynamic for the individual building proposal. The architectural interpretation of the field condition model was then translated into a 3D exploration.
As part of the final step of the pre schematic phase, the architectural interpretation was also explored in how program would relate within the interpretation. A program diagram was developed as an abstract plan and section was made to explore how different program types interact with each other. What happens with education and community interact? What happens with education and wellness interact?
ARCHITECTURAL PROBLEM Kaleigh Stough-Peters Professor Andres Cavieres
05 STAKEHOLDER + PROGRAMMATIC ANALYSIS After Design IX and the building site was chosen and building type was established, the first phase of the building project looked back at the program and better identified stakeholders, key information to narrow the program, and similar projects to use as inspiration or design guidance. Precedent projects were chosen based on their roll as a community or education center. Projects were also selected for their location along major pedestrian thoroughfares on campuses or in cities.
PROGRAM EXPLORATION After the site of the program was chosen, and the type of building was identified, the program was explored. The area is severely disconnected because of a large parking lot and there are things that both communities could offer to the other if they were connected. For example, the OUHSC could provide reduced healthcare services to members of the residential community for seeing the nursing, pharmacy and medical students. In addition, the OUHSC hospitals and colleges have multiple positions open that only require vocational school and a certificate. 66.2% of the adjacent residential area’s highest level of education is a high school degree or equivalent. With a program that provides the resources for them to earn relevant certificates, they would be able to fill the needed positions at the OUHSC. The location chosen is ideal for acting as the gateway between the two communities. It would allow training and education for candidates of the OUHSC, and it would also provide career and health services to members of surrounding community.
Certification vs Certificate Certification is earned through a test that proves an individual knows the information. (Professional) Certificate is earned through a program that teaches the skills to someone. (Non-Professional) The proposed building targets the Non-Professional certificate programs. What is already offered at the OUHSC? The OUHSC offers certificates in Public Health and Healthcare Administration; however, to qualify for both certificate programs, individuals must have an MBA. What are examples of Certificates that do not require a college degree? According to an article in US News by Rebecca Koenig (Jan. 2019) - Respiratory Therapist - Dental Hygienist - Physical Therapist Assistant - Clinical Laboratory Technician - Diagnostic Medical Sonographer - Web Developer - Personal Care Aide - Home Health Aide - Wind Turbine Technician - Medical Assistant - Medical Secretary - Licensed Practical Nurse and Licensed Vocational Nurse - Paramedic - MRI Technologist - Environmental Engineering Technician - Phlebotomist - Pharmacy Technician - Physical Therapy Aide - Radiation Therapist
What are the programs within the building? - Library - Classrooms - Lecture Hall - Labs - Career Services Center - Writing Center - Cafe / Restaurant - Collaboration Spaces - Offices Precedent Projects ROUTE 9 LIBRARY (2017) Perkins and Will New Castle, DE Program targets a community with limited public services. The project offers professional skill resources, literacy programs, and has a STEM lab, Media Production Studio, Maker Space, Scriptorium and sensory room. The project is also connected to a performance theater, cafe and outdoor farmer’s market. https://www.archdaily.com/923854/route-9-library-perkinsand-will STUDENT CENTER AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY (2014) ikon.5 Architects Washington D.C. A student center that address a main pedestrian way along the Potomac. The building includes a variety of food options, a Great Room, and multiple study rooms music and dance studios, a multipurpose room and meeting spaces. https://www.archdaily.com/639726/georgetown-universityikon-5-architects
TEACHING AND LEARNING BUILDING (2018) Make Architects Nottingham, UK The project includes a broad range of teaching and learning environments from a double height learning hub with a mezzanine for quieter, informal learning and peer monitoring, drop in desks, shared tables and private study rooms, lecture hall and teaching rooms. https://www.archdaily.com/913639/teaching-and-learningbuilding-make-architects
MUENSTER UNIVERSITY CENTER (2009) Charles Rose Architects Vermillion, SD The goal is to energize and reorder campus. The student center connects with a historic pedestrian mall and links to the library through a covered glass structure referred to as the “link lab”. https://www.archdaily.com/275575/muenster-university-centercharles-rose-architects HEALTH SCIENCES AND STUDENT RESOURCE CENTER Schacht Aslani Architects Seattle, WA (2014) Renovation and expansion project that includes a 2 story atrium that acts as the physical and spiritual center of the campus. The atrium is surrounded by a cafe and tutoring Center on the ground floor with labs and classrooms on the second floor. https://www.archdaily.com/539389/health-sciences-andstudent-resources-building-at-north-seattle-college-schachtaslani-architects?ad_source=search&ad_medium=search_ result_projects DUKE STUDENT WELLNESS CENTER (2017) Duda | Paine Architects Durham, NC Student health, nutrition, counseling and psychological services, wellness and case management programs under one roof. The project is located on the edge of campus between athletics, student services and residential complexes. The public and private functions are layered to create social and private circulation. https://www.archdaily.com/904664/duke-student-wellnesscenter-duda-paine-architects UNIVERSITY OF NORTHAMPTON LEARNING HUB (2018) MCW Architects Northampton, UK Non-departmental approach drives flexibility. Focus on the student’s learning experience that blends a radical re-thinking about teaching, learning, working and social spaces to provide a range of dynamic and supportive environments as a group or individually. https://www.archdaily.com/913455/university-of-northamptonlearning-hub-mcw-architects
EDWARD J. MINSKOFF PAVILION (2019) LMN Architects East Lansing, MI State of the art teaching facilities with social spaces. A unified complex with the College of Business for students, faculty, corporate partners, and alumni to collaborate in forming future business leaders.Technology integration, classrooms and flexible spaces promoto academic and professional excellence. https://www.architectmagazine.com/project-gallery/edward-jminskoff-pavilion_o CHARLES LIBRARY (2019) Snohetta Philadelphia, PA Sited at the intersection of two major pedestrian pathways on Temple’s campus, the project anchors social and academic hearts of campus. The project also reinterprets the tradition typology of the research library and integrates it with diverse collaborative and social learning spaces. https://www.archdaily.com/925180/charles-library-at-templeuniversity-snohetta ROUX CENTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT (2018) CambridgeSeven Brunswick, ME An ensemble of flexible classrooms, laboratories, research labs, faculty offices and unstructured learning spaces. A glassy, tiered spaces host lectures, informal gatherings and serves as a focal point for the entire campus. Transparency enables a clearer engagement of teaching, learning, and scholarship. https://www.archdaily.com/932718/roux-center-for-theenvironment-cambridgeseven ANTEATER LEARNING PAVILION (2018) LMN Architects Irvine, CA Facility brings together active learning and educational opportunities to students across campus. The pavilion flips traditional learning on its head to maximize collaboration and emphasize exploration, discovery and testing ideas. https://www.architectmagazine.com/project-gallery/anteaterlearning-pavilion-at-the-university-of-california-irvine
PROGRAMMATIC + PRECEDENCE ANALYSIS For the first part of the second phase of the project, design was paused and stakeholders and program were reanalyzed. After the end of phase one (Design IX) the idea of a wellness education center continued, the stakeholders, program and program organization was more carefully looked at, along with some precedent examples. Importance of Community Colleges The cost of higher education has never been greater, nor more out of reach for people seeking to train (or retrain) and position themselves for success in the global economy. Community colleges are intimately familiar with the kinds of group based active learning classrooms that four-year institutions have only just started to embrace. Community colleges are interested in place-making, in creating campuses where students learn, linger, and interact. Community colleges have to compete with four-year institutions and online programs, so they need to provide something that sets them apart from the experiences people could get elsewhere. https://www.metropolismag.com/architecture/community-colleges-innovative-architecture/ https://www.architectmagazine.com/practice/community-colleges_o In a study done by Pew Research Center, Americans with varing higher education backgrounds were asked about the preparedness of four-year, two-year and technical certificates. It was found that no matter what the educational background of the individual, 1 in 6 Americans felt that Professional, Technical Certificate Programs prepared them well for the workforce. The rest of the study looked at different areas of preparedness as well as how the break down was affected when asking different races. For example, blacks and hispanics are 13% more likely to think that higher education is more important for their child’s success. https://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2016/10/06/5-the-value-of-acollege-education/ Precedent Analysis Malcolm X College (Chicago, IL) 20,000 sq. ft. Core is comprised of student union, library, and external roof garden. Academic classrooms, teaching labs and recreation facilities surround the core. Crowned with “virtual” hospital. Ambulatory/surgical simulation centers Mixed use study spaces Cafe Computer stations
The biggest take away from the first floor plan is how the project is able to be penetrated from multiple sides. The project is also organized by services, allowing some privacy, but also allows for some functions to be put on display. Having the welcome desk in the center gives unity to the programs.
The majority of the upper floors are all the same. The towers programmatic plans show the division between classrooms, academic labs, and health science labs. Sense the majority of all programs require one of those three spaces, this organization forces different disciplines to cross paths. The staggered study spaces also invites the disciplines to collaborate and work amongst one another.
A better look at the health science division better reveals that the programs are scattered and alternated so that teaching spaces are next to student observation spaces, support space, and collaboration spaces. This allows for the most well rounded teaching/learning environment and brings teachers and students closer together. https://aiachicago.awardsplatform.com/ gallery/DPkVNjLQ/mneAmoAn?search=09d201ae884ff3ff-26
Tarrant County College (Fort Worth, TX) Serves the downtown community that has significantly lower levels of education than other areas of the region in large part because of the lack of easy access to a college. The design intent was to link downtown to its forgotten waterfront. The new campus was used to carve a pathway through the bluff down the river, creating a visual and physical link. The organization of the five buildings allows for the extension of the downtown street system as well. The exterior was treated as an extension of the interior to create a fully functional campus. This includes outdoor teaching areas, landscaped courtyards, plazas, and water features such as fountains and waterfalls. From the site plan, the Tarrant County College Center directs the main circulation between the buildings, and also spreads out the classrooms and labs similar to Malcolm X, which allows for more movement and potential for cross pollination of ideas. The project also takes advantage of the natural topography through a series of terraces and stairways.
Tarrant County College Center of Excellence for Energy Technology (Fort Worth, TX) Is part of the Tarrant County College complex that houses the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration program, as well as training programs for oil, gas and renewable energy technologies. The new cluster of buildings will operate high performance and will be a living, teaching and learning laboratory. The building will be a pedagogical tool allowing occupants to observe its inner workings and mechanics. Similar to the other two colleges, the complex pushes the main circulation path to the center to allow equal access to all the buildings. The central space also features common learning areas and outdoor teaching spaces.
Duke Wellness Center (Durham, NC) Weaves health and wellness into everyday student life by housing student health, nutrition, counseling and psychological services, wellness and case management programs. To offer the privacy that is needed, the building has two different circulation paths, one more public, and the other more private. the site also opens up to a private courtyard that is sheltered by woods on the backside, offering privacy and serenity. The first floor has a pharmacy that faces one of the main promenades through campus, allowing for easy access, the first floor also has a multi purpose rooms to house workouts, yoga, and other wellness gatherings that face the private courtyard allowing for an indoor, outdoor experience.
The second floor is where the more private functions are with private exam rooms and provider and physician offices.
Site Application Because of where the site is located for the project, there are several things that can be taken from the precedent examples. As the projects moves towards program diagrams and massing explorations I have taken several things in mind: - Central Circulation- should the building spread across the pedestrian way and force visitors to walk through it? - Public and private courtyards. - Should the project be a cluster of buildings? - The programs should be equally dispersed to force circulation and crossed paths. Anticipated Programs - Surgical Room Simulator - Exam Rooms - Labs - Collaborative Study Spaces - Classrooms / Labs - Staff Offices - Cafe - Library - Career Services
06 DESIGN EXPERIMENT Similar to the Conceptual Building Design Section (04) this phase looks to revisit the building design conceputally, but rather dealing only with building language and tectonics, the experiments combine program with tectonics.
DESIGN EXPERIMENT 1 After analyzing some precedents, and establish the types of programs that our project should include, we stepped away once again to think about a spatial relationships present in the project. We were asked to explore: Space Transparency Tectonics Fluidity Circulation Structure Materiality Thinking directly and indirectly about space, I chose to explore the qualities of program organization in the selected precedents and then apply the same or similar principles to the chosen site. To explore this idea, watercolor was used because of the fluidity of the paint. The hope was that the paint would bleed and suggest intersection points or unique points in the organization. The challenge is also to think critically on how to apply the organization to the unique qualities of the site.
The first set of watercolor diagrams were an analysis of the Duke Wellness center and Tarrant County. The floor plans or programmatic diagrams were diagramed as they are in the project, and the were applied directly to the chosen site for this project. Some shifting of program had to occure because of different circulation paths and site conditions. The first exercise allowed me to better understand the organization, but loosen up on how the programs could be applied to the site. The third watercolor diagram looked to combine the two precedents, take the successes of both and trying to make a more well rounded product for the project. From this step, the diagrams were too rigid and needed to become more fluid to allow the programs to mix more. The fourth set of diagrams was using the wet on wet technique, to allow the colors to bleed more. After the colors had dried, a pen was used to mark where the most blending had occured. What happens at those blending spaces? Are they moments of transition? Or are they a collaboration areas?
For the fifth diagram set, I redid the what I felt to be the best option from the fourth set, and used thread to diagram the bleeds. On the back of the diagram, the thread formed interesting intersections which made me start to consider on whether it could be a circulation path that crreates interior and exterior courtyards, or view points through the building.
After the first diagram using thread to mark the bleeds in color, two more diagrams were produced as iterations of the first one. Playing with more bleeds and cross overs. From this point we reached to classmates to comment on our “experiements�. From here I was not sure of the next step, but the take aways were crossing of paths, elongation, and common gathering places whether it be indoor out outdoor. From the comments that were made by my classmates, the main thing was continuing to blend the programs more organically, not being so rigid. From looking at the project intent, some key words that were given to consider in the rest of the design phase were: -Reconnection -Reciprocity -Level the playing field -Balance
DESIGN EXPERIMENT 2 After the first design experiement, the second experiement was meant to somewhat step away from the media of the first, but still address the key take ways. For the second experiement, I generalized the program types to be public (acryclic) and private (wood) all under a metal canopy that “houses” those functions. The metal was all bent in different configurations to create a reflection of the topology of the site, but also give a dynamic aspect that could be interpreted as multiple levels, and layering of program in both plan and section.
Configuration 1 arranged the pieces so that the were all connected with a central spine of private activity. The pros of this configuration as that the programs would allow for the building to address both sides of the pedestrian way if it forced ciruclation to go through its core.
Configuration 2 also used a spine to connect all the pieces, but rather than be centralized, the pieces were aligned on one side. The pieces were also arranged so that the slops were in alternating order to create both visibility, but also to visual represent the idea of “leveling the playing field”
Configuraation 3 eliminated the spine all together and organized the pieces into a corner condition. With the open side allowing for the building to pull away, similar to what was designed for each node in the master plan.
Configuration 4 organized the pieces in the same direction as their slope, with the lowest point addressing the pedestrian way, making the buildings seem more in scale.
Configuration 5 brought back the central spine, and organized all the pieces in the same sloping direction, but allowed for some of the pieces to overlap each other. This model allowed for opportunities of topography changes, beacons, and layering of program.
When the model configurations were presented, another classmate was asked to show another reconfiguration that was not shown, that still followed the ideas from the first experiement. The final configuration above is what a classmate organized. This configuration allowed for an organizational spine, allowed for a corner condition for a plaza, as well as opportunity for an internal courtyard that was private to the users of the building.
EXPERIMENT MASSING MODELS After the second experiement. We stepped away from physical diagrams or models, and moved into a 3D modeling tool where we were asked to Model the best configuration from experiement 2, and then create several iterations. The iterations were to explore different qualities of space through either bottom up design or top down. For the massing models, I chose to work on the top down, focusing on proportion and sequence of mass and void.
The first 3D model was a digital recreation of the configuration that a classmate suggested. Yellow was the private programs while purple represented the public. After the massing was grouped a ground plan was created to represent the conditions of the site (at the corner of the pedestrian way and alley way, and then faces of the model started to be extruded. In the first iteration, a plane was extended to create a balcony-like walk way to connect two of the “structures”, and then vertical conditions were extruded to create circulation paths, or enclosure conditions. The next step of the model was taking the “structures” farther and creating interior and exterior conditions. Transparency and opaque was also experimented with. In the first iteration, the model was sitting at grade on the site and incorporated stadium seating over looking a sunken courtyard. On the inside of the structure, the levels were design to be half levels, to allow for visual connection from one to the next. This design decision fit with the “balanced” focus idea. In other parts of the interior, there are double height spaces paired with a mezzanine for the same effect.
The second iteration rearranged the buildings into a different configuration and created a “garden level” on the other side of the alley, but also removed the “interior” courtyard condition. This iteration was interesting because of the garden level, and the monumental stair condition, but the breath of expansion from the courtyard was lost.
For the third iteration, I used the same basic configuration as the first, but sank the structure to create the garden level. By doing this, The best features of the two previous iterations were made.
Though some interesting conditions were made through the massing exercise, the moves were still to conservative. The direction that the design was going was not convincing enough. The conrner condition was proving difficult to design for both through traffic and pedestrian traffic while remaing connective. The project was also leaning itself towards being more linear, as its purpose was to connect the community to the east with the OUHSC to the west.
07 BUILDING MASSING + PROGRAM ORGANIZATION This section explores the next iteration of massing that stemmed from the design experiements, and then further explored how the interior spaces are broken down with the planned organization of program within the building.
BUILDING PROGRAMMATIC PLANS + SECTIONS After the 3D model sections were analyzed, a different approach was taken. From the last phase of the design, it was concluded that the solutions so far were not strong enough to continue to pursue. So instead of furthing those ideas, I looked back on the field condition model that was developed in Design IX and manipulated it to start to reflect the principles that were discovered from the first two experiements and the massing model phase.
DESIGN IX Field Condition Model
The first iteration of the Field Condition Model, though incomplete, expanded the original model as a reflection on the other side of the alley way to give the illusion of reaching in both directions. The intent was for the internal couryard in the original courtyard, to continue across to the other side of the alley way, providing some sort of unity. What is the bottom of this model is the east side, so if the model was completed, there would need to be another structure on the east side along the pedestrian way to have the eastern courtyard be enclosed. Though this model was closer to being more linear, the concept itself was still compact, with smaller complex of structures making up the whole. Again, the hardest part of the concept to design for, was the alleyway, which acted as a barrier, that needed to be crossed so that the two sides were connective and showed continuity.
I realized that I had lost sight of what the main idea of the master plan was: THE PEDESTER. The pedestrian should come first, and take the power away from cars, and encourage walking, biking or public transportation. The alley way is only there to allow for cars to circulate through the sea of lots. WIth the master plan we are removing 90% of the spots, taking away the need for a through street. The next design iteration took this into account, and built over the alleyway, creating two ends that dead end right before the building. The reason for allowing the dead ends, is so that access can still be maintained to existing buildings’ parking spots, and also to allow for emergency service access. Once the alley way was solved as a design problem, the rest of the concept flowed easily. To orient the project properly, north facing up, the project is reaching both east and west with three distinct sections. the overhead condition allowed for containment of “open” space, but also suggested landscape conditions. The overhead condition also defined the central section as the main circulation zone. Though the building now covered the alleyway. It was important that visually, that access was still shown. To do this, a site line was created to go straight through the building.
The first floor plan of the model reveals that there is an auditorium space that descends into the site, while there is a straight cut through running north - south where the alley way have run. The large classroom spaces are organized so that there is a circulation path between them, allowing the people that use the classrooms to mingle in the same space, but by also pushing classrooms to the exterior walls, it maximized the daylight each receives. The smaller office spaces also have a circulation path for the same reason, but move away from the exterior wall so that more offices could be provided. The main circulation is through a ramp system with expanded landings, providing the opportunity for sitting spaces where students and faculty could mingle, or wait for their next class. It also slows down traffic, prompting people to really look around, seeing what is going on above and below them, tand o stop and say hello.
The second floor plan does not go as far as to block off smaller spaces. But more of the ramp is exposed, showing the procession. The top of the detached building also lends itself to a roof top terrace, as it is still “sheltered� by the over head condition.
The third floor was also not designed out for functions, but again gives the full effect of the ramps. The main issues are exposed in this plan, as it reveals, inconsistent platforms for exiting onto each wing. There is also no defining features in the east and west portions of the central atrium. The ramp also appears to become somewhat monotoneous. Things to consider for midterm: Program Diagram - How are the functions of the spaces organized? Circulation - How can the circulation achieve the same thing but be less monotaneous? Scale - How can the building have varying proportion to create hierarchy?
MIDTERM: PRELIMINARY BUILDING DESIGN For midterm, the concept diagrams were readdressed in order to better show each step of the design development. The floor plans were also more closely looked at on trace paper. In order to better look at the floor plans, more research was done on the types of classes that are required for the certification programs of interest.
Start with a box.
Divide into 3 equal sections. Recess the middle.
Split one of the missings into 2 massings. Extrude one end of the masses.
Extrude transparent circulation cores.
Create an overhead condition.
Create a ramp in the central void. Enclose with glass.
Ground the overhead condition.
Scale the masses in one direction.
Define interior levels.
The first floor plan starts to show where wall openings are, landscape elements, and basic program placement. The plan starts to show repetition through the column elements of the overhead condition, as well as the two movements in the eastwest and north-south directions. For the program organization, classrooms and labs are located on the first floor, along with conference rooms and a lecture auditorium. The cafe also allows for an annexed experience from the building, and provides outdoor seating. In addition, the Library addresses the pedestrian way and with a mezzanine on the second floor allows vertical connection.
The second floor plan shows the procession of ramps, and still has the same format of classrooms on the south building. The cafe has a roof terrace that can be accessed through the cafe or from a bridge coming from the main building. On the north building, office spaces, study rooms, and conference rooms are mixed together to help facilitate collaboration. The idea is that a student could be studying for a class, and their teacher is easily accessible, or would see them studying and ask if they need any guidance.
The third floor is limited to the south building. The more private programs are housed on the top level, to still allow for those users to collaborate with other on the lower floors as they process up. On the third floor is a minute clinic, which will provide basic care to residents of the community, without them having to go to the hospital. In addition to the minute clinic, a surgical and clinical simulator will also be on the third floor to allow students the opportunity to learn and refine skills before the move on to working in actual hospitals. The simulators will provide students the opportunity to collaborate as they would in real life, and also practice with patient care, and with the technology.
Render looking west along the pedestrian way. After presenting and have reviewers comment on the prelimary plans, it was clear that I needed to show more about the circulation pattern. The ramp system was not completely understood, so a section is needed to better articulate that procession and space. In addition, the building needs to be reduce in scale, with just the footprint exceeding 60,000 sq feet. I would also like to define the labs and classrooms further, with doing more research into exactly what classes are needed for each certificate program, as well as develop a more comprehensive list as to which certificate and certificate programs will be offered.
08 MODEL, PLAN + SECTION REFINEMENT The last phase of the Architectural problem was to refine the model, plan and section. Small adjustments were made such as grid alignment, program size, and landscape development.
REFINEMENT 1 After the midterm review, the project needed to revaluate a few things. First the master plan needed to be revisited. The building footprint had changed significantly since the last time it was updated. The plans also needed to be articulated better, with a reduction in square footage, more awareness of size of programs, and circulation presented graphically.
The only thing that was changed in the Master Plan was the articulation of paths through the OUHSC, some of the buildings along the pedestrian way, and the alley way was disconnected. From the adjacent image, the project stretch along the pedestrain way and acts as the link between the community (east) and the OUHSC (west). The alley way is disconnected and is capped on each end with a roundabout. Public plazas reach around the circular turnarounds and connect the various buildings and green spaces. From this step, foliage and landscape still needs to be considered.
The section needs to show more connect with the surrounding area, particular with how it relates to the system of courtyards. But the section does start to articulate how the procession through the central core of the building works. One of the changes made to the ramp, to make it less monotoneous, was change the directions of every other ramp, as well as change the length of the ramps, some are longer, with a smaller slope, extending the walking time, while others are shorter, more compact. The space adjacent to these more compact ramps lend themselves towards stadium seating to relax between classes, or space for extra foliage or tables and chairs.
View of ramp system, with front curtain wall hidden. Planters act as the side guard rails all the way up the procession.
Ground Floor Plan The updated floor plans don’t have any different program organization, rather have a greater awareness of program size, and circulation articulation.
Second Floor Plan
Third Floor Plan The next iteration of floor plans and sections needed to show more context for the building. The drawings should show the alleyway roundabouts, the pedestrian way, the surround network of plazas and couryards with the hints of adjacent buildings. Specifics of Certificate Program Classes: Surgical Tech -Biology -English Comp -Pharmacology -Common Surgical Procedures -Fundamentals of Surgical Assisting -Microbiology -Medical Terminology Pharmacy Tech: -Pharmacy Tech Fundamentals -Community & Institutional Pharmacy Hospital Transcriptionist -Computer Applications -Pathology -Medical Transcription Skills
Current Job openings at OUHSC: Medical Assistant -Phlebotomy -Patient care -Clinical Courses -Office Admin -Anatomy and Physiology Ultasound Tech -Physical sciences -Applied Biological Sciences -Applied Ultrasound -Instrumentation -Image Evaluation *underlined courses are though that are shared across certifcate programs.
-Care Team Associate - Unlicensed and at least 3 months of related vocational school training - Neurophysiology Technologist I at least some post-secondary college education in science or health related area. -Office Clerk - Advanced Unlicensed Assistant AUA - Mom/Baby - must be certified by the Oklahoma State Board of Nursing as an Advanced Unlicensed Assistant. - Document Imaging Technician have at least high school diploma or equivalent.
REFINEMENT 2 For this review and set of drawings, the landscape was updated to reflect the existing green space, the master plan was updated to allow for the desired axis for the project view, and the floor plans were updated to conform with a 20’x20’ grid system. The central circulation was also edited to compress the ramps, reduce landing widths, and give more space at the entrance.
Graphically updated Master Plan highlighting Architectural Solution
Architectural Solution aerial looking north
Architectural Solution aerial looking west (front glazing is hidden to show ramp)
Architectural Solution perspective looking west (front glazing is hidden to show ramp)
Architectural Solution perspective looking north
First Floor Plan The 20’ x 20’ grid can clearly be understood, all walls are aligned in 5-10 foot intervals of the grid. Unfortunately, the texture of the floor does not lend well to this scale and format, but a note has been made for the final and future iterations to be included. More articulation needs to be made to in terms of the furniture pariticularly in the cafe. The auditorium can also be expanded, as the stage area does not need to be so large, and a control room should also be articulated. Vertical circulation also needs to be determined.
Second Floor Plan + Third Floor Plan On the second floor plan, the only change that was really made was the articulation in the ramp system in the central atrium. The ramps were compressed and the circulation to the third floor became expanded seating. On both the second and third floor, the classroom and clinic spaces recessed walls to allow for faculty and students to wait for classes. The clinic spaces were also compressed to give room for medical storage spaces. One of the comments for the second floor was to utilize the wasted space under the seating for either more storage or another gathering space.
09 FINAL ARCHITECTURAL SOLUTION Focusing on how to break the barrier between the OU Health Science Center and the adjacent residential neighborhood, EDICINE will bind community resources with wellness programs to compliment the goals of the Innovation District. Located along an extended pedestrian way originating from the core of the OU Health Science Center and reaching to Lottie Avenue, the project acts as the central threshold to both the campus and neighborhood. EDICINE will unite the aspects of wellness care including nutrition consultations and basic physician care with professional development programs. Currently, the Health Science Center provides jobs in the medical field for individuals without traditional four-year degrees but lacks enough advertising for those jobs. EDICINE will target the surrounding community where 66.2% of people over the age of 25 highest level of education is a high school diploma or equivalent and 12.7% have a Bachelor degree or better. Certificate programs that require no more than a two-year vocational school will be offered through EDICINE to provide community members with the skills they need to obtain jobs such as Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Ultrasound Technician and Hospital Transcriptionist. In addition to certificate programs, the project will provide programs to help professionals obtain their continuing education credits. To support the professional development programs and wellness consultations, EDICINE will have spaces to include, a communal gathering space, classrooms and labs, a cafe, library, a minute clinic, offices, conference rooms and study rooms, and a career and computer center. Other specialty spaces will be included to support required courses such as a surgical simulation lab. The program has been developed to give students, faculty, professionals and community members the opportunity to get together to collaborate while benefiting everyone involved.
FINAL ARCHITECTURAL SOLUTION For the final proposal, the site was addressed signficantly more than in previous iterations. The site plan shows an enhanced axis to promote the connection of the building to the adjacent neighborhood. From the College of Pharmacy to Lottie Ave, the site drops 36’, and 24’ through the length of the building. To address this, the contours were moved so that the whole building could be at the same grade. This allowed for the west plaza to be 2’ below the adjacent grade, creating a more protected feeling to the plaza and cafe. The east plaza is 2 feet above the adjacent grade, givinga pronouned entry point. The secondary axis that extends from project to Lottie Avenue then controls the slope through retaining walls and planters. The landscape of the site is also designed in such a way to not only carryout the existing network of courtyards but also to reiterate the linearity and intervals of the architecture project.
Lottie Ave looking West
Student Union looking East
First Floor Plan
The final first and second floor plans were changed to use more of the space underneath of the central ramp. The first floor used some space behind the conference rooms as additional storage space, while on the second floor, an additional gathering spaces was added for either a study room, or larger social gatherings.
Second Floor Plan
Third Floor Plan
The third floor plan only changed in that the door and wall patterns weres shifted to allow for a double door entry into the clinics.
Section A
Section A cuts through the East entry of the project, showing the elevation of the northern wing, and the classrooms and clinic in the south wing as well as revealing the elevation of the central circulation ramp.
Section B
Section B cuts through the mid point of the building. The upper stadium style stairs are shown leading to the third floor, as well as the circulation spaces between the classrooms, offices, and labs.
Section C
Section C is the final section of the series revealing all stages of the central atrium. In this final section, the auditorium space and bonus gathering room on the second floor. The south wing shows the career and advising office, computer lab, and surgical simulation lab. In the north wing classrooms and student and faculty offices and collaboration spaces are shown.
East Exterior Perspective
East Entry Perspective
Second Floor Interior Perspective
West Exterior Perspective