Madeleine Baskin | Urban Oasis | DAAP INTD Capstone 2021

how can we create an urban oasis ?

project abstract

From t space t room s distan After o City, th

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This q need a interca the be routin and em mimic gaps b design

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madeleine baskin intd capstone spring 2021 University of Cincinnati | DAAP UN

the dawn of the pandemic, out of necessity people quickly became confined to the they reside in, and for urban dwellers the very city, especially park space, is their living space. With greenspace being limited in quantity in urban cities due to density, social ncing measures make these greenspaces even smaller and harder to feel immersed in. observing this first hand in the first few weeks of the cornavirus outbreak in New York hese personal observations turned into inspiration prompting me to ask the question -

ow can we create an rban oasis?

query has been a guiding force throughout this capstone term and brought to light the and desire for natural reprive from the city - one that could pose a solution that is more ately woven within the city fabric. How can we think beyond physical green to harness enefits and qualities of nature? How can this experience become a part of city dwellers nes rather than a far destination? How can urban environments respond to their context mulate a phenomenon or formation in exhibited nature? How can we blend, contrast and c natural and urban fabrics? Environments like greenspace begin to address these missing but full immsersion, use of the sensory interaction and qualities of spatial and interior n can take it beyond to create moments of urban oasis within the concrete jungle.

what we n

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people are deprived of sensory experience

extra density the city with

Especially in public settings, the limiting or elimination of the use of our senses have people clamoring to feel in touch with the world around them. However, activation of scenes poses a new environmental risk to users health and will need to adapt as well.

Both urban and suburban pressure of lack of closene in major cities people are c apartment square footage. layer of biological stress an a tactic people are attempt counteract this stress.

need

y pressures of low nature

cities are feeling the ess to nature, especially confided to their tight This is inducing a new nd immersion in nature is ting to self-employing to

lack of energizing retreat from the home

The ‘home’ has become a workhorse, serving every function for the user from office space to gym to playground. People are left feeling drained by the home environment, not allowing it to be a peaceful safe haven away from daily life. What if there was a place that makes them feel energized and inspired once again in their daily endeavors?

taking back the con problem: Due to limited amount of greenspace allocated per person in dense urban cities and COVID restrictions limiting access to greenspace, people are lacking ways in which they can have the amenity of nature in their neighborhood and recharge using the rejuvenating qualities of nature.

why?

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Communities lack access to an interior space that provide the same benefits as nature elements, experiential sensorial experience to better connect with nature, a retreat from the home, and additional living space and properly accommodate social distancing. In northern climates that cannot accommodate physical greenery year-round and are at the whim of seasonal weather change, having a communitycentric nature inspired place is essential.

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ncrete jungle

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greenspace at an extra premium Users of urban greenspace are forced to adapt their existing conditions, however the existing exterior environment doesn’t provide enough urban fabric to adequately service both the physical and emotional needs of user. Dense urban city dwellers and suburban communities alike long for access to a more fulfilling nature oriented place to envelop in their community, not one that is unlocked when environmental conditions are favorable during a season.

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design interior centric p place and experiential im

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pocket parks rooted in mmersion

project goals

hybridized space forming the community living room, designed for full immers blended and harnessing the restorative powers of nature through experience ba

unity

unity in community users in unified in needs one with natural environment community living room encourage interaction and connection between users

resto

restoring deplete access to individuals rest sensory experien restoring com

sion with natural environments, interior and exterior fluidity fully ased design.

tore

ed communities nature tored through nce and nature mmunity hub

ignite

refilling users with energy to reemerge in the busy world ignite scene of imagination and discovery encourage play and release of energy and activity

experientia

blend

rejuvenate

blending the urban and natural fabrics

personal retreat and restoring moments

disco

igniting im and cu

al program

overy

magination uriosity

connect

energize

connecting with nature’s restorative tactics

energy boosting and refreshing interactions

nyc greenspace

co

w

Thes beca expa as in espe

w

low

Wit are gard mor larg resi dive ove this wel cou

concrete vs. green half-mile buffer

major nyc parks

concrete jungle

why is nyc prone to urban deserts?

se neighborhoods in New York City are areas that had not been traditionally heavily invested in by the New York City Park system ause they are areas that were not originally designed for play. The population of New York City and the metropolitan area is rapidly anding and being inclusive of the original culture of communities and bringing in more amenities to uplift these communities such nserting green space is a necessity. The density of the city makes carving out greenspace in a existing city structure a difficult task, ecially one that feels ingrained, comfortable and in-touch with the neighborhood in which it resides in.

where best to craft an urban oasis?

wer east side

th a vibrant history of park and garden advocacy within, the Lower East Side has a handful of community gardens and they known to be “serene places to visit and lively community gathering spots.” This neighborhood is known for their community dening culture, and one of the most lively in Manhattan. The parks within the Lower East Side are deemed adequate, however, re relief from the concrete could greatly benefit this neighborhood as they lack actual grassy surfaces and green space and are gely mixed with concrete and cement pavement within the park. Almost all people who attend parks in the Lower East Side are idents of the community, and over half were born in another country other than America, giving the neighborhood a incredibly erse and culturally rich and welcoming community for all. According to the same study conducted by New York For Parks, the erwhelming majority of attendees visit the park to read or relax, pointing to the need for additional space for people to enable s ability, especially once the weather becomes cooler and before the weather breaks in the springtime. The Lower East Side is ll on its way to being nature haven with current measures in place, and the integration and insertion of urban oasis programming uld elevate the neighborhoods comfortability for its residents and provide a lush urban oasis to always retreat to.

lower east side

n

bu

Focu part space urba integ Man rent, footp

neighborhood site small scale parks

major nyc park

concrete jungle

bridges

adjoining neighborhoods

major nyc parks

major streets

local streets

uilding typologies space in between untapped rooftop bodega

using on spaces that are already a integrated of the architectural landscape or forgotten es with in Lower East Side will allow this an oasis to feel approachable and a natural gration to the existing community culture. ny of these spaces been vacant due to high , lack of development or more open retail prints as result of the pandemic.

neighborhood profile Welcome to the neighborhood! The Lower East Side has always had a rich demographic diversity and prides itself on its sustained cultural diversity. The neighborhood is known for a forward thinking attitude with historic roots. The unpretentious, no-frills attitude of the Lower East Side draws people from all walks of life, contributing to the neighborhood’s unique and eclectic identity.

During the day, LES is pretty quiet, many people explore hidden pockets of the neighborhood during the day. South of Grand Street is much quieter, housing closer to Manhattan Bridge is more affordable but becomes a public transportation desert. While the Lower East Side area is gradually becoming more popular, rent is still much more affordable than other neighborhoods in Manhattan and is closely connected to Brooklyn. Those who live in the neighborhood love it for its well-worn, homey touches of community, and the free spirited nature of the diverse and welcoming community. The preserved pre-war walk-ups are a dominate characteristic of the character of the neighborhood.

w

c l e

m o

e h t o et

e neig h

bo

rh

o od

site fa

natural x

untapped rooftop

bod

abric

x urban

dega

in-between

untapped rooftop

bod

dega

spatial diagrams axon diagrams with patches of urban fabric space being used

in-between

untapped rooftop

bod

dega

spatial diagrams axon diagrams with spatial strategy + form + space

in-between

activity high

in-between

duration + time long

bodega

individual vs. group solo

bodega

in-between

in

bodega

n-between

low

1 in -

short

b e w te e n

2 roo op

group

3 bodega

action postures

rooftop site - untapped rooftop site orientation - above posture - lounge action - picnic, gather, lounge natural inspiration- clouds formations

bode

site - bo site orientati posture action - resting reading, studyi natural inspir behind w

ega

odega ion - inside resting g, mediation, ing, working ration- cave waterfall

in-between site -in-between site orientation - in-between posture - meandering action - wandering, walking, pausing to rest natural inspiration- walk in the woods or forest

interior qualities ceiling plane

ceiling plane

walls & ceiling

walls & ceiling

furniture

furniture

walls & floor

floor plane

rooftop

bo

odega

ceiling plane

walls & ceiling

furniture

floor plane

in-between

interior qualities

what qualities makes this an interior? the insertion of an interior environment pattern and strategy of any other interior space or environment - through the cr immersive environment arises and uses interior elements as the basis to design

pl e c ace a and sp spatial qualities define and create a sense of location and destination each location responding to specific site orientation and characteristics to draw a natural inspiration connection and achieve immersion into nature.

env ir o

creates a cohesive multiple aspects; responsive to the the site context wi natural inspiration a separate environm the concret

within an exterior setting follows the same rhythm, forms, function, reation and definition of place and space the opportunity to craft a an experience.

t n e on m

environment in as the design is environment of ith an analogous n and also creates ment apart from te jungle.

in ter io

s t n e m r ele

replicating interior elements is the basis of the design strategy and used as a template to form the kit of parts replicating floor plane, walls, furniture and celling plane that are uniquely designed to each site and responsive to the context.

application site orientation

posture

+ resting

bodega: inside

+ lounging

rooftop: above

+ meandering

lot: in-between

element of nature

+

= bodega

waterfall cave

+

= roo op

clouds and sun

+

= in -

walk in the woods

b e w te e n

experientia

blend

rejuvenate

disco

al program

overy

connect

energize

lower east side 1

1

1 154 stanton street

untapped rooftop

adjacent bu

picnic hills

adjacent building

wind chimes mobile

cloud lounge

entry/threshold space

sidewalk

floor plan

uilding

energize energy boosting and refreshing interactions

picnic hills

connect connecting with nature’s restorative tactics

blend blending the urban and natural fabrics

cloud lounge

untapped rooftop

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look & feel

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untapped rooftop 8.

1.

7.

2.

4.

materiality

1. dichroic film applied to clear acrylic

2. light blue moulded fiberglass

4. grid panels suspended from posts

5. mirrored circles applied to brick wall graphic

7. neighboorwoods color rooftop blue

8. neighboorwoods nature textural effect logo

3. cloud as a material in its natural form in the space

6. white textured fiberglass, moulded for pinic hills

9. mirrored environmental graphic mural

untapped rooftop

untapped rooftop

untapped rooftop

lower east side 1

2

2

2 328 grand street

in-between

tree swin

spanish moss

adjacent building

tree st

stepping stones entry/threshold space sidewalk

floor plan adjacent building

discovery igniting imagination and curiosity

rejuvenate personal retreat and restoring moments

ngs

tumps

blend blending the urban and natural fabrics

adjacent building

in-between

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look & feel

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in-between 7.

8.

1.

7.

2.

3.

materiality

1. rubber flooring white with black speckles, made from recycled tires

2. dark green multi-layered mesh, can hold tension

3. light green multi-layered mesh, can hold tension

4. concrete stamped or trex to look like birch wood

5. grid system above as

ceiling element integrated with LED lights

6. led tube light, flexible and rope, moves with the fabric

7. neighboorwoods color in-between green

8. neighboorwoods nature textural effect logo

9. light environmental graphic mural

in-between

in-between

in-between

lower east side 2

1

3

3

3 209 henry street

bodega semi-private personal caves

quiet wave cave

sound proof pod

entry/threshold space

floor plan waterfall divider

energize energy boosting and refreshing interactions

ds

rejuvenate personal retreat and restoring moments

blend blending the urban and natural fabrics

bodega

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29

look & feel

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bodega 8.

5.

1.

7.

3.

6.

materiality

1. medium blue acoustic felt

2. medium gray acoustic felt

3. chiffon textured image printed on fabric or vinyl

4. water as a texture and feature generating sound and obscuring window

5. acoustic ceiling light fins

6. white textured cork flooring

7. neighboorwoods color cave wall peaceful peach

8. neighboorwoods nature textural effect logo

9. backlit environmental graphic mural

bodega

bodega

bodega

branding in-between

bodega

neighborwoods

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site specific logo: in-between icon

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site specific colors: light green, dark green, and yellow (as light)

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site specific logo: neighboorwoods logo in in-between green & tree textured

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site specific logo: bodega inside icon

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site specific colors: peach, shades of yellow (as light), pairs with blue of space

rooftop

neighborwoods

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site specific logo: neighboorwoods logo in peaceful peach & water texture

neighborwoods

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site specific logo: rooftop above icon

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site specific colors: shades of sky blue, and yellow (as light)

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site specific logo: neighboorwoods logo in sky blue & cloud textured

neighbo

orwoods urban oasis

image & research sources how can we create an urban oasis?

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summer 2020

image sourced from designboom “brookyln’s domino park painted circles on the grass to ensure social distancing”, image by marcella winograd image sourced from Unsplash; image by Nathan Anderson

untapped rooftop: look & feel 8

summer 2020

image sourced from Picfair, image by Marcelo Araujo image sourced from Unsplash; image by Manuel Peris Tirado image sources from New York Post “The windows to the souls: NYC dwellers living in coronavirus lockdown”, image by Mark Peterson image sourced from TIME “Why America’s Lasting Advantages May Allow the Country to Emerge Stronger After COVID-19”, image by Noam Galai

greenspace at an extra premium 6

summer 2020

image sourced from Picfair, image by Marcelo Araujo

taking back the concrete jungle 2 3 4

summer 2020

image sourced from Unsplash; image by Sander Weeteling

what we need 2

summer 2020

image sourced from Unsplash; image by Sander Weeteling

project abstract 1

sourced

image sourced from Landezine, Landscape Architecture Platform, “Buga 05 Playground”, image by Klaus Leidorf image sourced from Yanko Design , “The Cloud Chair Makes You Quite Literally Feel Like You’re On Top Of The World!”, image by Shota Urasaki image sourced from Pinterest, art installation by Jacob Hashimoto image sourced from dezeen, “Nap Bar in Dubai invites visitors to sleep on soft pebble-shaped seats” and from design milk “Nap Bar Invites You to Take a Break and Recharge”, image by Smarin Furniture image sourced from PrepScholar, “How to Identify the 10 Different Types of Clouds”, image from Pixabay image sourced from Tumblr, art installation by Juwelier E. Kutter

spring 2021

untapped rooftop: look & feel 14 15

image sourced from Shutterstock, image by Peter Paunchev image sourced from Pinterest, Chubby Cloud installation for Anya Hindmarch London Fashion Week

in-between: look & feel 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

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spring 2021

image sourced from Pinterest, image by Alcon Lighting image sourced from Pinterest, image by Ola Rindal image sourced from designboom “katayoun lazar + pinkcloud.dk’s ‘dubai smiles’, a recreational pavilion with huge hammocks in dubai”, image by Katayoun Lazar and pinkcloud.dk image sourced from Pinterest, art installation by Jesús Rafael Soto image sourced from Pinterest image sourced from gestalten, “Dreamscapes & Artificial Architecture: Imagined Interior Design in Digital Art”, coffee table book with various authors and artistic contributors image sourced from dezeen, “Linda Tegg fills Jil Sander HQ in Milan with “spontaneous plants”, art installation by Linda Tegg for Milan Design Week image sourced from dezeen, “BIG’s New York City school for WeWork encourages interaction and play” designs and images by BIG Architecture

bodega: look & feel 24

sourced

spring 2021

image sourced from dezeen, “Wavy green lounge by Svet Vmes Architects replaces an old school entrance”, images by Atevž Paternoster and Agencija Umer image sourced from Pinterest image sourced from Architectural Digest, “10 Forward-Thinking Buildings by Snøhetta”, art installation for Milan Design Week, images by Getty Images image sourced from Pinterest, image by Workspace Furniture Collection image sourced from Pinterest images sourced from Eventscape image sourced from Smarin image sourced from Archillect

spring 2021

thank you!

Madeleine Baskin BS Interior Design madeleinebaskin@gmail.com INTD Capstone Spring 2021 Professor Mandy Woltjer University of Cincinnati | DAAP

neighborwoods urban oasis

Madeleine Baskin BS Interior Design madeleinebaskin@gmail.com INTD Capstone Spring 2021 University of Cincinnati | DAAP