Graduation project: Sensory landscape in public realm Leqi Wang 2020. 11
Project background Issue: Increasing on population and requirement however comparatively inadequate on the quality and quantity of current public space Research Question: How to upgrade current public domain to fulfill future requirement by deconstructing space and create sensory experience for users?
Now
2030
SOPA vision for 2030 A new centre of Sydney, a “lifestyle precinct� with integrated features includes event, recreation, working, living and education, with an expected significantly growth on population. How to meet the vision of an fantastic community with multifunction and high standard? It becomes a main concern for future landscape development. 2030 SOPA vision Reference: https://www.sopa.nsw.gov.au/Developing-our-Park/Master-Plan-2030
Theory study Deconstruction: Increase the ways space can be used
+
- It refers to abandon the existing meanings, contents and rules of objects, re-define and recreate them. The process challenging the common form of public space would importantly increase the flexibility on its space use and function, therefore brings solution to the aspect of space.
1
Unlike the traditional form, this park is formed by the overlay of ‘line’, ‘point’ and ‘surface’. The three elements have limited connection with each other but respectively take effect. This creative way of forming is quite flexible and a good way solving the complex site 2 condition.
An example of deconstructed landscape: Parc de la Villette, Paris, by Bernard Tschumi Reference: 1. https://omrania.com/inspiration/parc-de-la-villette-launched-new-era-urban-park-design/attachment/parc-la-villette-aerial-1995-eppghv-phillippe-guignard/ 2. https://omrania.com/inspiration/parc-de-la-villette-launched-new-era-urban-park-design/ 3. https://myk-d.com/projects/chicago-botanic-garden/
Sensory landscape: Enrich users’ feelings and what they can do
- It is to create experience that can be perceived by multiple sense receptors other than vision, includes sense on sound, scent, tactility, temperature and elevation, etc. - It helps to create immersive and intensive sense that times the experience in a same spatial dimension, thus a response to the growing population within an unchanged area.
3
This project use plenty of sensory elements to enrich the experience and bring intimacy to nature, includes the mound lawn, water channel, willow tunnel... Visitors can receive various stimulus from scent to texture, therefore understand nature in a direct and perceivable way.
An example of sensory landscape: Regenstein learning campus, Chicago, by Mikyoung Kim Design
Site selection
1
2
Cathy Freeman Park
Olympic Plaza
3
Yulang Plaza
500m
200m
Town Centre Area in SOPA Master plan 2030
Site selection in Town Centre Area
Town Centre Area
Selected site boundary
Parkland
1 park+ 3 plazas+ 2 roads
4
Station front plaza
5
Olympic Blvd
Source: 1. https://www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au/parks/cathy-freeman-park 2. https://www.thefifthestate.com.au/columns/spinifex/its-time-to-stop-prioritizing-cars-when-designingstreets/
3. google map 4. https://www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au/transport 5.https://www.australiantraveller.com/nsw/sydney/091-relive-sydneys-olympic-history/ 6. google map
6
Showground Rd
Analysis
Context scale
200m
Main axis
200m
Key building elements
Public transportation
Venues
Hotel
Train station
Heritage
Train route Shuttle bus route Shuttle bus route
Exhibition hall
200m
Current and proposed public space Current public space
Proposed public space
200m
200m
Landform Contour
Relatively flat area
Opportunity: Central location in SOPA + Current and designated public space + Flat landform + Great accessibility + Event zone Constraints: Surrounded by building structures therefore limited extensible space
200m
Major landuse(General) Proposed lightrail Shuttle bus route New metro station
Commercial
Sports/Event
Residential
Public area
Mix Com&Res
Others
200m
Major road
200m
Major landuse(Event) Easter show
Venue events
Easter show extension area
Event retail zone
Connection to the theory: - The area is the most important public space in SOPA and also the place with the most prominent population-space conflict. Therefore it is a reasonable site applies the theories of deconstruction and sensory landscape to upgrade it.
Precinct scale: Road use and Circulation Kevin Coombs Ave Australia Ave
Olympic Blvd
Grand Parade Murray Rose Ave Edwin Flack Ave
X
Showground Rd
X
Dawn Fraser Ave
X X
X
Public area Sports/Event High vehicle use Mid vehicle use Low vehicle use
Closed road
Common days: - The landuse of this area is consist of public realm and event use, thus no heavy circulation passing through
Event time: - Closing of Olympic Blvd, Showground Rd and Grand Parade. -The area is closed as a whole - Not much influence on vehicle circulation for alternative route around the precinct
X
Road with limited use
X
Summary: - Olympic Blvd is of low use and replaceable - It could be closed to make the two public realm blocks as a whole
Site scale: Spatial relationship Olympic plaza Olympic Blvd and Showground Rd Cathy Freeman park Yulang Plaza Station front plaza Main starting point of this area Main destination of this area Movement from starting point (Pedestrian) Movement towards destination(Pedestrian) Vehicle movement (detail ref to precinct scale analysis) 20m
Disconnection of space
Common days
- Olympic Blvd has higher use compare with Showground Rd but overall limited vehicle circulation through this way - The area with high usage is between Cathy Freeman Park and train station - Olympic Plaza is separated with Cathy Freeman park and Yulang plaza - The difficulty and unnecessariness of reaching Olympic plaza over the Blvd results to its low usage
Event active zone
Event active zone
Closed road
Closed road
Entertainment facility
Main destination of this area
Vehicle movement
Movement towards destination
Main destination of this area
Road end
Movement towards destination
20m
Event1: Easter show
- The integration of public space increases space usage
20m
Event2: Stadium event
- Anz stadium as destination thus Olympic Plaza being used - High crowd density on Olympic Plaza however low use of Cathy Freeman Park
Site scale: Program and user experience
Quick passing Slow passing 20m
Common days
Vehicle
- Cathy Freeman Park: lack of facilities and hierarchy, thus simple programs and lack of experience - Yulang Plaza: limited programs, just short stay and passing through - Olympic plaza: low usage, just for passing through Animal performance
Gathering and waiting
Retail booths
Quick passing
Entertainment facility
Vehicle Stadium entries
Rest of Easter show area
A
Quick passing Slow passing Vehicle
F E D C
20m
Event1: Easter show
- Main user: tourists of Easter show - Continuous active zone allows more complex and larger scale programs
B A
20m
Event2: Stadium event
- Main user: participants of Stadium event -High usage for Olympic Plaza during stadium event period for gathering and waiting. -Lack of supporting facilities (e.g. sitting area or kiosk) thus not a comfortable waiting zone
Site scale: Landform
Site scale: Vegetation Vegetation species Existing park canopy: Ficus macropyhlla, Ficus rubiginosa, Ficus microcarpa var. Hillii, Eucalyptus saligna, Lophostemon confertus, Erythrina X sykesii, Populus deltoides
12.0
12.5
14.0 13.0
Ficus microcarpa var. Hillii Pyrus ussuriensis Jacaranda mimosifolia
13.5
Major level change - Overall gentle slope within the site - Major level change between Cathy Freeman and Yulang plaza for 2.5m
Ficus macropyhlla
1
Ficus rubiginosa
2
Populus deltoides
3
Original park trees with long history and beautiful canopy, sense for summer, create unique identity of the place, should be retained
+16.0 +13.5
Yulang plaza
50m
Cathy Freeman park
Eucalyptus saligna
4
Lophostemon confertusii
5
Erythrina X sykesii
6 Trees with sense of place, also with sense of season. (With high performance in summer, autumn and spring separately)
Current landform section for the key level change spot:
Cathy Freeman Park Slope The Locker Room (Restaurant) Stairs Yulang plaza
7 Ficus microcarpa var. Hillii
8 Pyrus ussuriensis
Reference: 1. http://www.tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical. php?id=Ficus+macrophylla 2. https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/ficusrubiginosa 3. https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/populusdeltoides
9 Jacaranda mimosifolia
4. http://www.floragreatlakes.info/html/rfspecies/ saligna.html 5. https://caretransplanters.com.au/index.php/treesourcing/tree-sourcing-service/17-tree-sourcing/ advanced-natives-street-trees/48-lophostemonconfertus 6. https://mapio.net/pic/p-48621015/
7. https://alchetron.com/Ficus-microcarpa 8. https://www.pinterest.com.au/ pin/60094976260399163/ 9. https://www.pinterest.com.au/ pin/371898881705228286/
Typical sensory elements study: How these elements contribute to atmosphere and affect people’s feelings? Space:
Light:
A. Full open space: E.g. plaza Active/dynamic Play and do exercise
A.Full light Vibrant/active
Existing space categories in site: A. Full open space C. Half interior space (the area in front of The locker room restaurant)
B. Half open space: Cool/enjoyable short stay and relaxing
B. Part shadow Relaxing/leisurely
Existing light environment in site: A.Full light
C. Half interior space static/comfortable Sitting/dining/chatting
C. Night lightning Vibrant/nightlife/busy urban life
B.Part shadow C.Night lightning:
Sound:
Texture:
Typical vocal objects
Typical material A.Birds 25 db positive natural/lively
B.Leaves 15 db positive/natural/relaxing
C.Water 50 db positive/natural/ peaceful
Sense/mood
A.Wood
Natural/calm/stable
B.Rubber
Artificial/playful/sporting
C.Grass
Natural/relaxing/soft
D. Water
Natural/cool/vibrant
E. Brick
Urban/historical/slow
F. Concrete
Urban/rigid/high speed
Existing sound categories in site: A. Birds B. Leaves C. Water D. People E. Traffic
D.People 60 db neutral/alive
E.Traffic 80 db negative/anxious/fidget
Existing material categories in site: A. Wood B. Rubber C. Grass D. Water E. Brick F. Concrete
Overall existing sensory experience of the site Opportunities:
Constraints:
Obvious differences senses between spaces, thus can develop various sensory experience area based on current condition
Current sensory experience is of low quality 1. A place with natural identity but does not give visitors chance to be close enough to nature 2. An open plaza intends for people gathering but lack of supportive or attractive structures 3. A place prepared for short stay but currently boring and repeating scene
1
3 2
Active area with natural sense Active area with urban sense Active area with mix natural-urban sense
Principles and strategies Principle1: Increase space usage Strategy1: Integrate patches of public domain to improve connection and space usage Operation in site: 1: Close Olympic Blvd, make Olympic plaza and Cathy Freeman park+Yulang plaza as a whole. 2: Change Showground rd between Yulang plaza and Station front plaza to a sharezone
Patches of space, incontinuous circulation and hard to use
Change the whole site into an integrated zone
Integrated large space, continuous circulation and easy to apply programs
Sharezone
Strategy2: Blur the edge between each zones , make them flexible and dynamic
Operation in site: 1. Upgrade the belt between park area and plaza area to change it as an experiencing area as well 2. Extend it and let it go through potential active area (Existing groves, level change area) to form an complete experiencing loop Boring and useless edge
Park area Plaza area 50m wide vacant belt outside stadium Upgraded edge
Potential active area The whole loop
Blurred edge with more interesting experience
Extend and connect active zones to form a experiencing loop
Principle2: Improve overall sensory experience in the site Strategy1: Identify the active places with great opportunity, apply intensive sensory elements to make them as the main experiencing zone Operation in site: 1. Extend the dimension of these area to cover the area without obvious sensory experience 2. Enhance their existing characters by applying coherent sensory elements
Active area with natural sense Active area with urban sense Active area with semi-urban sense
Current dull natural sense
Rich natural sense
Current dull urban sense
Rich urban sense
Strategy 2: Upgrade the passive space with simple elements (e.g. pavement or street furniture) to support the overall sense of place and make it more comfortable Operation in site: 1. Use pavement and street furniture to support the function and enhance the overall atmosphere 2. Modify plantings to better cool down the area
Current ground pavement
Passive space
Area to grow new trees
Area to apply street furniture
Area to keep original trees and add groundcover
Modify to enhance the sense of place
Overall zoning plan Dynamic edge: the loop
Active plaza Passive plaza Sharezone
Park Existing ficus street Plaza
Stadium vacant belt (no design applied) Area applied design
Site boundary
Zoning vision and precedents 1. Park
A
B
Vision: A large area of city green, whose current natural atmosphere is remained and enhanced by applying corresponding sensory experience in some places
A
Area A: Canopy Walk
Area B: Sensory path
- Keep the current beautiful canopy trees, apply stairs and platform structure and let visitors closely appreciate them - Use materials that response to the natural sense (e.g. wood) - Consider the interaction with the existing children playground
- Develop a new track on lawn to connect two canopy walk area - Apply shrubs to increase the hierarchy of scene - Use species with sensory features (e.g. scents, forms, seasonal features) - Apply interesting ground pavement material
Precedent
Precedent “Heide healing garden” Melbourne
“Eveleigh Tree House” Sydney
A small scale garden with rich vegetation, attracts visitors to slowly walk through and appreciate the scenes with a relaxing mood
A place with rich natural elements such as birds sound, tree texture and scents, allows visitors to relax down get intimacy to nature. Reference: https://www.broadsheet.com.au/sydney/art-and-design/article/new-treehouse-art-installation-celebrateseveleighs-nature-history?fbclid=IwAR1cuKCmnYuV-DkzmhyFsT_OKbSPndXXDAvuxsSULIlopVifrSqwdBh6EEc
Reference: https://landscapeaustralia.com/articles/heide-garden-1/#
2. Active plaza
Vision Vibrant public space with structures supports various programs and creates intensive sensory experience, proposed to be the main gathering and experiencing area
B
A
Area A: Sunken pocket plaza
Area B: Vibrant plaza
Treatment: - Long stairs to solve the level change (about 2.5m) - Sense of relaxing and cozy (e.g. Ground of Alexandria) - Elements includes water feature (sound and moisture), vegetation with season change and scent, hanging installations
Treatment: - Apply several small scale attraction without occupy the whole area to ensure the circulation and event gathering function - Sense of lively and vibrant - Interactive sensory experience made by installations and light effect at night
Precedent
Precedent
“Ground of Alexandria” Sydney
“140 West Plaza: Exhale” Chapel Hill, NC
A place with the topic of intensive relaxing zone, includes cafe, restaurant, bar, markets... There are various programs and rich sensory experience which can support a long time stay
An active small scale open space with interactive sensory installations (moisture generator), make use of light to keep its vibrancy until night, welcome people to gather here and play with them.
Reference: https://www.bestrestaurants.com.au/nsw/sydney/alexandria/restaurant/the-grounds-of-alexandria
Reference: https://myk-d.com/projects/140-west-plaza/
3. Passive plaza
Vision: The public space supports passive use of passing through and short stay, which subtle sensory stimulus such as scent, shadow, material, pavement texture and seasonal changed colour are applied here to create the atmosphere and sense of place.
A B
Area A: Upgradation of current plaza
Area B: Modification of current plaza
Treatment: - Apply new vegetation which is selected native species with canopy and scent - Add street furniture, with the function of supporting stadium event use (e.g. cafe table) - Consider the density of trees to create beautiful shadow
Treatment: - Remain the existing seasonal trees (Pyrus ussuriensis and Jacaranda mimosifolia) - Add vegetation on groundcover level to activate current dull space and cool down the microclimate - Add street furniture for a better experience while short staying (e.g. seats)
Precedent
Precedent
“David H. Koch Plaza” New York
“Public realm of Darling Square” Sydney
Tree array on the plaza with cafe table and seats. Together with the tree canopy and shadows, the place offers a delightful short stay experience.
Vibrant atmosphere created by groundcover and street furniture. Eucalyptus provide the adorable scents.
Reference: https://www.theolinstudio.com/david-h-koch-plaza-metropolitan-museum-of-art
Reference: https://www.gooood.cn/darling-square-a-public-space-for-all-by-aspect-studios.htm
4. Dynamic edge (The loop)
B A
Vision: A blurred edge between plaza and park and a continuous walkway passing through the site, connecting key sensory nodes.
C
Area A: Ficus street and Parkviewing walkway - Follow the original pavement pattern to keep the coherence - Continuation of ground paving material (lawn grass), extend them to hit in the passive plaza - Apply street furniture and hanging installations between trees to create a relaxing atmosphere
Area B: Canopy Walk and park walkway *Ref to park page Area C: Sunken pocket plaza *Ref to Active plaza page
Precedent “911 Memorial plaza� New York Smart use of pavement material to separate space but still keeps visual coherence between them. The bar pattern create a neat and orderly sense. Reference: https://www.911memorial.org/visit/memorial/about-memorial
https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/241294492510010312/
5. Stadium vacant area
6. Sharezone
Vision A 50 m wide belt around stadium that is fully vacant with current appearance
Vision: A zone shared by both vehicles and pedestrians on Showground Rd between Yulang plaza and station front plaza
Treatment: - Trees from passive space reach the edge to define the boundary
Treatment - Slow down sign on the road edge - Change of pavement to suggest the zone
Precedent “Denver’s 16th Street” Denver
Current Olympic Plaza around stadium
Reference: https://cityseeker.com/sydney/321327-anz-stadium
A sharezone between busy commercial streets, with pedestrians and vehicles share the road in good order.
Reference: https://www.denverpost.com/2011/09/01/as-it-nears-30-years-denvers-16th-street-mall-teems-with-characters/
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Masterplan 1~3 detail design area a. Passive plaza b. Sensory path connects two parts of canopy walk c. Ficus street d. Park viewing walkway e. Vibrant plaza f. Sharezone g. Slope down to lawn h. Stadium vacant belt
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4 Legend 1: Canopy Walk 2: Sensory path 3: Existing playground 4: Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Cauldron 5. Grand parade
Detail Plan 1 Canopy walk 1:200@ A3
Detail Section 1: Canopy walk 1:100 @A3
Moisture from existing water feature Olympic cauldron
Canopy Walk+Tree house+ Existing children playground
Human scale sensory section1
Wooden house/ platform Shadow from leaves Texture of branches and leaves
Scent from trees
Sense of place: being in forest
Reference plan
Perspective 1: Sensory path to canopy walk
Mix shrub with strong colour and scent stimulus
White gravel pavement with unique sense
Detail Plan 2 Dynamic Edge 1:200@ A3
5
Legend 1: Park viewing walkway 2: Existing ficus street 3: Passive plaza 4: Vacant belt 5. Canopy walk area 6. Lawn 7. Hanging installations 8. Playful street furniture 9. Upgraded flower bed
6
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2 7 3 9
8 4
Detail Section 2: Dynamic edge 1:100 @A3
Ficus microcarpa var. Hillii: Large canopy and great shadow Corymbia maculata: Provides scent Flowerbed with herb planted: another source of scent
Pyrus ussuriensis Existing trees with temporal sense
Human scale sensory section2 Attractive installation with colour and sound
Fresh air Soft lawn for a relaxing afternoon
Parametric design, consists of wooden panel and steel structure, can apply to any different based on need
Going towards canopy walk area
Wooden seat
Reference plan
Perspectives for Dynamic Edge Birds view
Relaxing public area
Cafe table on plaza
A path good for exercise
Shadow and scent from corymbia
Human perspective1
Human perspective2
9 1
2 3
7
4 5
6 8 7
Legend 1: Lawn 2: Dynamic Edge and restaurant 3: Sensory buffer between two sense zone 4: Major relaxing zone 5. Cafe 6. Waterfeature 7. Waterfall 8. Long stairs 9. Slope
Detail Plan 3 Sunken pocket plaza 1:200@ A3
Detail Section 3: Sunken pocket plaza 1:100 @A3 Vine: Wisteria sinensis
Mix scent shrub and flower bed
Jacaranda mimosifolia Cafe next to “The locker room� restaurant
+16.0
+13.5 Yulang plaza
Human scale sensory section3
Cathy Freeman park
Waterfall with light effect at night
Pergola with vines
Wind bell: provide sound stimulus
Seasonal and romantic sense from Jacaranda
Vines and bulbs: A leisure dusk Waterfall as a calm background sound
Scent shrub Reference plan
Light bulbs for a cozy night
Perspectives for Sunken pocket plaza
Cozy cafe under Jacaranda
Human perspective1
Lively space with vines and hanging installations
Human perspective2
Other design: Concept plan for interactive structures on vibrant plaza - Sense: lively, modern and urban - Use of temporary art installation/ sculpture, always with the sense of freshness - Interactive installations, create immersive experience - Lightshow as a key feature, quite active at night 1:200@ A3 Dawn Fraser Ave Rotatable glass panel, as both cover and seats
Day
Carved bricks with local culture
Colourful glass panel
Neon Light column
Light changes based on sound
Night
Physical model: 3 nodes on The Loop
Physical model1: Canopy walk
Existing large canopy trees
Canopy walk
Stones on the lawn
Physical model2: Dynamic Edge
Hanging art installation
Flowerbed with herb
Wooden seats
Lawn pavement
Physical model3: Sunken pocket plaza
Yulang plaza
Waterfall Stairs Sunken pocket plaza
Cathy Freeman park
Under the vision of 2030 Master plan, SOPA will quite likely meet a conflict between growing population and limited space. Increase the space usage would be an essential principle solving this issue. “Deconstruction” and “sensory landscape” would be a group of effective concept for first one free the boundary and brings flexibility to space, while the other one times the experience for visitors to perceive.
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