Heal the Field

Page 1

h e a l by Leslie K. Wheeler

fall 2013_Design Thinking professor_Adrian Luchini teaching assistant_Gwen Hutton Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts Washington University in St. Louis

the

f i e l d



To revive subjectivity, the ďŹ eld is pixelated to activate an edge and blur demarcation.


1

Edge Condition What is the relationship of edge and perception of field? 3-12 Edge Typologies None, Soft, Hard, Perceived

13

Activate Why Activate? 15-16 Reconstructing the Joint to Blur Demarcation

17

Subjectivity What is Subjectivity? 19-22 Knowledge of Depth Influences Perception

23

Edge Activation How to Activate? 25-32 Manipulation Typologies Internalize, Delineate, Distort

33

Site Pixelation Where to Activate? 35-38 St. Louis & Chouteau’s Landing 39-48 Demarcation is depreciated as the field is reconstructed 1837, 1903, 1933, 2013 49-54 Existing site activation defines its current atmospheric state

Table of Contents


55-62 Demarcation is manipulated as the field adapts to natural phenomena Low Level, Flood Stage, High Level 63-64 Site Boundaries 65-82 Current Pixelation

83

Blur Fields What Fields to Blur? 85-88 When the river rises...the water field extends Watershed 89-94 Overflowing sewers & hwy runoff...contaminating the field CSS, SSS, CSS Outfalls, CSOs limiting Swimmability

95

Program What to Propose? 97-104 Center for Water Filtration Investigations EPA: Why Urban Waters?, Revive the Riverfront, Revive the Infrastructure, Revive Education

105

Precedents What Projects to Study? 107-122 Atmosphere Analysis, Built and Unbuilt Projects Venice, Plus Pools, Airport Park, Tank Farm


Edge Co 1


ondition What is the relationship of Edge and Perception of Field? An edge can create a perceptual obstacle that alters Subjectivity, introducing Objectivity. Demarcation occurs when the viewer perceives a lack of depth and cannot see significance past the surface.

2


No Edge infinite field

Soft Edge continuous field

3 Edge Condition


Hard Edge discontinuous field

Preconceived Edge discontinuous field

4


No Edge infinite field

5 Edge Condition


The lack of an edge condition creates a limitless Subjectivity in that the environment is completely understood.

6


Soft Edge continuous field

7 Edge Condition


A surface introduces a layer of Objectivity in which the subject can not experience from within. Not eliminating Subjectivity, the semi-transparent surface enables some understanding of the environment past and around the edge.

8


Hard Edge discontinuous field

9 Edge Condition


A linear edge is one-directional and limits information given by the opposing side of the edge. Subjectivity is limited to one side of the edge and Objectivity is clear through the opaque surface.

10


Preconceived Edge discontinuous field

11 Edge Condition


The residue of a preexisting edge alludes that an existing edge is present, creating an artificial Objectivity. Subjectivity is at a disadvantage but is possible if the preconceived notion is rectified.

12


A c t i 13


v a t e Why Activate? Reviving a wider field of Subjectivity will require Objectivity to blur, thus manipulating the edge condition. If the edge condition remains constant, the field is limited to its boundaries of demarcation.

14


Depth of Perception manipulating the edge to control field of depth

15 Activate


Reconstructing the joint to blur demarcation Addition or subtraction of experiential marks adjusting focus aspect

16


Subjec 17


ctivity What is Subjectivity? Subjectivity enables selectness in depth of perception of a field. The ability to understand the field introduces an educated perspective to reconfigure trajectory.

18


Reveal Ephemerality breaking down the totality in the scale of space and time

19 Subjectivity


Knowledge of depth influences perception Process is revealed through the overall image, creating a juxtaposition of process versus totality in composition

20


21 Subjectivity


A field is perceived as a field when it is activated Simplified or unactivated compositions distract from overall clarity of perception and control the hierarchy of the composition

22


Edge Ac 23


ctivation How to Activate? An atmosphere induced by pixelation of the edge manipulates the surface, introducing blur.

24


No Edge infinite field

Internalize the Edge consuming the field

25 Edge Activation


Delineate the Edge filtering the field

Distort the Edge bridging the field

26


Internalize the Edge consuming the field

27 Edge Activation


Internalizing the edge creates opportunity for an additional connection with the environment past the boundary of the edge. The field expands to inhabit the edge’s surface.

28


Delineate the Edge filtering the field

29 Edge Activation


Delineating the edge produces passage of perception in more than one direction from an initial standpoint. The field can be filtered through the edge and posses information of the opposing side of the edge.

30


Distort the Edge bridging the field

31 Edge Activation


Distorting the edge diminishes preconceived notion of boundary. The field can be bridged and extend interest of the lost field.

32


Site 33

Pi


ixelation Where to Activate? Human interaction with the constructed and natural edges have severely changed at the Mississippi River’s edge throughout history.

34


city of st. louis, missouri

Arch Grounds

Mississippi River

Chouteau’s Landing

35 Site Pixelation


36


chouteau’s landing Arch Grounds

Sub-grade Tunnel

Interstate 64

Levee

McArthur Bridge

37 Site Pixelation


Topography Freight Rail Line City Grid On/Off Ramp 4-lane Highway 8-lane Highway Levee

38


1837

39 Site Pixelation

1903


1933

2013

Demarcation is depreciated as the field is reconstructed depth of field is improved as edges deteriorate

40


1837 A dense city grid was initially planned for the colonization of St. Louis. Narrow streets limited pedestrian access the greater field but the river remained connected to the city.

41 Site Pixelation


42


1903 As the city grew, industry grew, initiating the design of freight rail lines which connected St. Louis to the eastern U.S. After the implemented rail, the city grid deteriorates and the pedestrian field begins to open.

43 Site Pixelation


44


1933 Clearing for the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial begins, widening the field of transgression and view. At this point, the city is connected with the river.

45 Site Pixelation


46


2013 Implementation of highways and the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial further deteriorate the dense city fabric, opening the pedestrian field. Flood walls and elevation change are barriers created to disconnect the city from the water’s field.

47 Site Pixelation


48


49 Site Pixelation


Existing site activation defines its current atmospheric state Cars, pedestrians, trains and ships pass site edges while vacant buildings and industrial land create preconceived edges, detracting from the field

50


51 Site Pixelation


52


existing activation

Low industrial land, docks & levee

Medium unactivated roads, buildings & parking lots

53 Site Pixelation

High active rail lines, roads & buildings


Maximum constantly activated roads & highways

54


Low Level

55 Site Pixelation


Flood Stage

High Level

Demarcation is manipulated as the field adapts to natural phenomena as the Mississippi River rises, the field of the Arch Grounds is connected and the field of Chouteau’s Landing is disconnected

56


lower river levels When the Mississippi River is at low levels, flood wall doors are open, providing connection of local roads. However, flood walls and the arch ground bluff remain permanently, dividing fields year-round. If these edges are activated, the pedestrian field from the river to the city would be reconnected.

57 Site Pixelation


58


flood stage As water levels rise, the city closes roads and flood wall doors, separating fields of land and water. The water field gets closer to the field of the arch grounds as it ascends.

59 Site Pixelation


60


higher river levels Chouteau’s Landing is disconnected further from the field on the opposite side of the flood wall as the river rises. The levee creates this dangerous edge condition for the bordering pedestrian field. This condition has potential to activate, reconnecting land and water and also preventing a levee failure disaster.

61 Site Pixelation


62


site boundaries

63 Site Pixelation


Arch Grounds Sub-grade Tunnel

Poplar St.

Vacant Bldg. 60’ Levee Interstate 64 24’ Levee

64


Current Pixelation the Arch Grounds are separated from Chouteau’s Landing by the bluff, north of the site. Chouteau’s Landing is again separated by a building connected to a permanent levee and an impermanent levee door, east of the site, when flooding occurs

65 Site Pixelation


Arch Grounds Sub-grade Tunnel

Poplar St.

Vacant Bldg. 60’ Levee Interstate 64 24’ Levee

66


No Edge : open field to transgress and view Soft Edge : can transgress, limited view Internally Activated Hard Edge : selectively transgress and no view Hard Edge : cannot transgress, no view

Analyzing the Edge the field is currently discontinuous from the higher ground and riverfront, obstructed by hard edges: levees, and soft edges: the river and the interstate

67 Site Pixelation


Arch Grounds Sub-grade Tunnel 52’ Bluff

Poplar St.

Vacant Bldg. 60’ Levee Interstate 64 24’ Levee

68


No Edge : open field to transgress and view Soft Edge : can transgress, limited view Internally Activated Soft Edge : can transgress, limited view Internally Activated Hard Edge : open field to transgress and view Activated Hard Edge : open field to transgress and view Activated Hard Edge : selectively transgress and view from above

Activating the Edge the field is connected by internalizing the soft edges: consuming the vacant building, delineating the hard edges: filtering the bluff, and distorting the hard edges: bridging the levee.

69 Site Pixelation


Observatory Deck 52’ Bluff FILTER

Poplar St.

60’ Vacant Bldg. CONSUME

24’ Levee BRIDGE

70


60’ Vacant Building 24’ Levee

Interstate 64

Poplar St.

24’ Levee

71 Site Pixelation

Sub-Grade Tunnel

60’ Vacant Building


Arch Grounds

Interstate 64

Poplar St.

Sub-Grade Tunnel

East Section

Arch Grounds

East Perspective

72


60’ Vacant Building 24’ Levee

Interstate 64

Poplar St.

73 Site Pixelation

Sub-Grade Tunnel


Arch Grounds

East Section

74


60’ Vacant Building 24’ Levee

Interstate 64

Poplar St.

75 Site Pixelation

Sub-Grade Tunnel


Arch Grounds

East Section

76


Vacant Building Interstate 55

Mississippi River

Poplar St.

60’ Levee

Interstate 64

Sub-Grade Tunnel

Vacant Building

77 Site Pixelation

Poplar St.


60’ Levee

Freight Rail Line

Mississippi River

South Section

Interstate 64

North Perspective

78


Vacant Building Interstate 55

Poplar St.

Interstate 64

Sub-Grade Tunnel

79 Site Pixelation


60’ Levee

Mississippi River

South Section

80


Vacant Building Interstate 55

Poplar St.

Interstate 64

Sub-Grade Tunnel

81 Site Pixelation


60’ Levee

Mississippi River

South Section

82


Blur 83


Fields What Fields to Blur? The hydrological infrastructure produces problems of polluting the Mississippi River by sewer system overflow and increasing the risk of flash floods by levee failure.

84


when the river rises... the water field extends

Fall + Winter

85 Blur Fields

Spring + Summer


1993 Flood

1993 Flood if Levee Fails

River levels increase and decrease velocity and volume Natural and artificial factors effect river levels, including: heavy rain, snow melt, pollution from point and non-point sources and climate change

86


watershed “We all live in a watershed -- the area that drains to a common waterway, such as a stream, lake, estuary, wetland, aquifer, or even the ocean -- and our individual actions can directly affect it.” Chouteau’s Landing is on the lowest elevation in the City, subject to storm water runoff pooling and increased risk of flash flooding if the levee fails. Flood precautions include permanent and temporary flood walls and gates in addition to water pumps along the levee.

87 Blur Fields


88


overflowing sewers & hwy runoff... contaminating the field

css outfalls

combined sewer

overflow

treatment plant

river

river

Combined Sewer Systems (CSS)

St. Louis City established a sewer system that excepted both storm water and wastewater sources. The problem with this system is evident when heavy rainfall and snow melt push the sewer system and treatment plants to exceed their volume capacity and spill directly to the river. Rainwater runoff, domestic sewage, industrial wastewater, debris and other toxic materials pollute the river when the system overflows.

wastewater

treatment plant

storm water

Sanitary Sewer Systems (SSS)

St. Louis County progressed from the City’s system and separated wastewater from storm water into different pipes. The separated system prevents overpowering the pipes and polluting the river with raw sewage. However, the river is still polluted with toxic chemicals from road and household runoff.

89 Blur Fields

river

river


CSS in St. Louis City, SSS in St. Louis County

Combined Sewer, Pump Stations, Street & Hwy

90


css outfalls To prevent the combined sewer system (CSS) from overflowing into the city during heavy rain, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) was designed to pump the overflow directly into the Mississippi River. This system saves the City money by not forcing them to update the infrastructure, but instead, the river has become extremely polluted by the untreated overflow. Storm Water Facilities CSS Outfalls

91 Blur Fields

Certified Wells


US Environmental Protection Agency on NPDES “They are a major water pollution concern for the approximately 772 cities in the United States that use them.�

92


Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) limiting Swimmability “CSO pollution has caused many receiving waters to exceed water quality standards, resulting in threats to public health, aquatic species, or aquatic habitats. CSO pollutants have impaired receiving water body uses and have contributed to restrictions on numerous beach closures. Potential odors and solids deposits in the receiving water body can also compromise aesthetics and limit recreational uses of the water body.�

93 Blur Fields


94


P r o g 95


g r a m What to Propose? A site specific program is a necessity and should respect existing conditions; such as: movement of people, infrastructure and natural phenomena.

96


Center for Water Filtration Investigations EPA: Why Urban Waters? • •

yield positive impacts for populations in both urban and upstream communities public spaces along rivers and lakes offer residents opportunities for community gatherings, recreation, and environmental education increased access to waterways can spur the creation of new jobs and the growth of local business, whether cleaning up polluted or abandoned properties, opening businesses along the waterfront or working on water protection efforts like green infrastructure projects

97 Program


The river’s pollution strips the riverfront of its civic glory, limiting development and activity along its edge. Progress between the USEPA and the MSD to make public waters swimmable is at a halt and the combined sewer system infrastructure has yet to be replaced from the City’s establishment.

98


Revive the Riverfront, Revive the Infrastructure, Revive Education Reviving the waterfront in Chouteau’s Landing has been proposed for many years since the decrease of activity in many buildings in the area. There is no current proposal by the owners of the properties but many St. Louis residents believe the City should reconnect the public with the Mississippi River.

99 Program


the river

A research facility on filtering water with no chemicals (a non-treatment plant based facility) accompanying a large civic landscape is appropriate for the site along the riverfront. Research will depend on a built infrastructure, collecting water from the CSS, runoff from the local area and Interstate 64, and rising waters from the Mississippi.

the city

Public access to the facility will occur during tours but mainly when researchers present their findings in exhibitions and conferences. The project will emphasize the need for community involvement and education of how the City uses and disposes of water.

the people

Public pools will be provided in warmer months, utilizing the filtered waters of the facility. In the colder months, shallow and frozen or empty pools can be used for skating, sledding and skateboarding.

100


collect

analyze

Tank Farm

Laboratories

Investigation Fields

27%

6%

18%

Water Storage 30000 sqft º Combined Sewer º Building Collection º Street Runoff º Highway Runoff º Flood Waters

Laboratories 7000 sqft º Wet Labs º Dry Labs º Library º Computer Lab

101 Program Tank Farm

Zachary Gong - Washington University in St. Louis

test

Fields º Docks º Filtration º Vegetation

20000 sqft


educate

recreate

Conference

Exhibition, Admin, Cafe

Pools

7%

4%

18%

Auditorium Meeting Spaces

7000 sqft 1000 sqft

Gallery Offices Cafe

2000 sqft 2000 sqft 500 sqft

Pools, etc. 20000 sqft º Thermal Baths º Laps º Children’s º Public Shower Rooms

102


150,000 sqft

103 Program


Conference

Investigation Fields

Laboratories

Tank Farm

Parking

Pools

Exhibition, Admin, Cafe

104


Prece 105


dents What Projects to Study? Research and proposals to expand public access while respecting the environment occur every year. This knowledge must be recognized and built upon for future progress in the built environment.

106


venice, italy 1929 “laguna ghiacciata� frozen lagoon Venice offers a variety of atmospheric conditions that manipulate the land and water fields. These conditions alter how a person sees, perceives, walks, swims, and feels an environment.

107 Presedents


Ice Gorge of 1905

Mississippi River near the Eads Bridge - St. Louis, MO

108


acqua alta

high water rising waters in the spring season blur the water and land’s edges

109 Presedents


nebbia

neve

canali congelati

fog depth of perception is blurred as the fog consumes the canal edges

snow blankets of snow are formed, blurring permanent and movable objects

frozen canals movement through water is challenged as canals begin to freeze

110


plus pools Brooklyn, NY Dong-Ping of F A M I L Y Architects, and Archie Lee Coates IV and Jeffrey Franklin of PlayLab + POOL is designed to filter the very river that it floats in through the walls of the pool, making it possible for New Yorkers to swim in clean river water for the first time in 100 years. The layered filtration system incrementally removes bacteria and contaminants to ensure nothing but clean, swimmable water that meets both city and state standards. No chemicals, no additives, just natural river water.

111 Presedents


112


113 Presedents


layers of filtration

The pool will clean up to half a million gallons of river water every single day. In doing so, + POOL will make a measurable contribution to the rivers of New York City.

114


airport park Quito, Ecuador LCLA Office

Through flooding the runway of the old airport, the project aims to generate an active hydrologic park. The transformation of the runway into an urban park ultimately serves as an opportunity to test the insertion of leisure activities and aquatic ecosystems typical to the tropics.

115 Presedents


116


117 Presedents


118


119 Presedents


120


tank farm

le. The e city’s

ble. The e city’s

e water e storm charged of the e water ble. The e storm he city’s charged of the

121 Presedents

le. The e city’s

e water

New Orleans, LA Zachary Gong - Student at Washington University in St. Louis Large water tanks situated along the freeway right of way collect and store water coming from the road surface. Water can be gradually released into the storm sewer system, or it can be used for irrigation and industry. The tanks, charged by photow-voltaic panels, are illuminated to create a dramatic awareness of the presence of water in the city.


Tank Farm Zachary Gong - Washington University in St. Louis

122


Cover Intro Edge Condition

Activate Subjectivity Edge Activation Site Pixelation

Image: Chuck Close Prints: Process and Collaboration, Terrie Sultan, book, 2003 Image: Chuck Close Prints: Process and Collaboration, Terrie Sultan, book, 2003 Image: Art Work by Ceith Creekmur, http://artworkbyceithcreekmur.wordpress.com Image: Infinite Sadness...or hope?, http://infinitesadnessorhope.wordpress.com/ category/mental-health-2/self-harm-mental-health/ Image: Georgia Scenic Route, http://sturmovikdragon.livejournal.com/96699.html Image: The Photography Network, http://www.picturesocial.com/photo/harvestsunset Images: Chuck Close Prints: Process and Collaboration, Terrie Sultan, book, 2003 Images: Chuck Close Prints: Process and Collaboration, Terrie Sultan, book, 2003 Image: The Mark of Athena, http://jadeledford.weebly.com/settings.html Image: Cinema etiquette?, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmnews/9683403/Cinema-etiquette-Try-not-to-provide-your-own-sex-scenes.html Image: Most v Tvare Tulipรกnu, http://www.chill.sk/8102d/ Image: Fur Traders and Immagrants, http://www.stl250.org/crash-course-furtraders.aspx Image: Look Back: Jefferson National Expansion, http://stltoday.mycapture.com/ mycapture/enlarge.asp?image=31999522&event=1092643&CategoryID=23105

Bibliography


Blur Fields

Program

Image: History of St. Louis, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_St._Louis Image: Aerial Photography of St. Louis, http://stormhighway.com/stlouisphotos/ aerials/ Diagrams based on Sanborn Maps: Geospatial Solutions, http://www.sanborn.com Image: Mississippi River Flood 2008, http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx/?n=mississippi_ flood_2008#stlouis Image: Satellite view of Chouteau’s Landing, Google Earth Image: Elevations of Chouteau’s Landing, Google Maps Diagrams based on Flood Data: National Weather Service, http://water.weather. gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=lsx&gage=eadm7 Image: Elevation Data, http://www.wavgen.com/index.php?route=information/ information&information_id=8 Research on Watersheds: US EPA, http://water.epa.gov Research on Sewer Systems: MSD, http://www.stlmsd.com/ GIS maps for St. Louis Water Infrastructure: Natalie Yates & Kees Lokman Research on CSS Outfalls: US EPA, http://water.epa.gov Research on NPDES: US EPA, http://water.epa.gov Research on CSOs: US EPA, http://water.epa.gov Water Quality Standards: US EPA, http://water.epa.gov Benefits of Urban Riverfronts: US EPA, http://water.epa.gov Research on EPA & MSD Settlements: US EPA, http://water.epa.gov


Precedents

Image: San Marco Press, http://www.sanmarcopress.com/page11.htm Image: Missouri History Museum, http://mohistory.licensestream.com/ licensestream/portal/index.aspx Text: Plus Pool, http://www.pluspool.org Images: Plus Pool, http://www.pluspool.org Text: LCLA Office, http://www.luiscallejas.com Images: LCLA Office, http://www.luiscallejas.com Text: From the Gutter to the Gulf: Legible Water Infrastructure for New Orleans, University of Toronto, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, Jane Wolff, Elise Shelley with Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts Washington University in Saint Louis, College of Architecture, Derek Hoeferlin, Studio 6/8: Zachary Gong, “Tank Farm,” Spring 2009 Images: From the Gutter to the Gulf: Legible Water Infrastructure for New Orleans, University of Toronto, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, Jane Wolff, Elise Shelley with Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts Washington University in Saint Louis, College of Architecture, Derek Hoeferlin, Studio 6/8: Zachary Gong, “Tank Farm,” Spring 2009 Research on the Mississippi Watershed & Pollution: Gutter To Gulf Goes Global, Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts Washington University in St. Louis, College of Architecture, Fall 2010

Bibliography



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