Project Prepared for:
EPA BROWNFIELDS CONFERENCE 2011 By:
CCP STUDIO: ADC 259 DESIGN STUDIO IV, CCP Spring Semester 2011 Department of Architecture, Design & Construction Community College of Philadelphia
Urban Investigation: Revealing Forgotten Spaces North Chinatown/Callowhill Neighborhood Philadelphia, PA
Book Created by Seyed Mahdi Alavizadeh and Lena Voyevoda. Drawings and photographs produced by ADC 259 Studio Spring 2011. Copyright 2011.
Urban Investigation: Revealing Forgotten Spaces North Chinatown/Callowhill Neighborhood Philadelphia, PA
STUDIO DIRECTOR: Elizabeth C Masters, AIA Adjunct Faculty CCP
TEACHING ASSISTANT: Thomas Monk
CCP STUDENT TEAM: Catrice Phillips Deja Spigner Domera Agu Edmira Stefani Jennifer Morales Lena Voyevoda Marluis Mejia Mathias C Robinson Seyed Mahdi Alavizadeh Sina Solati Tamyra Marie Mont Robert Victor Gibson Jr Wendy Jacqueline Forde Wudasse B Berke
Urban Investigation: Revealing Forgotten Spaces North Chinatown/Callowhill Neighborhood Philadelphia, PA
Urban Investigation: Revealing Forgotten Spaces PROJECT GOALS:
The theme of this Community College of Philadelphia Design IV Studio in the Architecture Design and Construction Department for the spring semester will be urban revitalization in North Chinatown, Philadelphia. The exploration addresses urban issues at a number of scales, from urban to architectural. This project was created as a response to a request for local academic institutions to provide design ideas for brownfield sites in Philadelphia. It also responds to a need expressed by the Folk Arts Cultural Treasures Charter School (FACTS) for development of vacant land adjacent to their current facility on Callowhill Street. The urban phase of the project identifies some of the urban problems and opportunities for this northern section of Chinatown, an area that overlaps with what is known as the Callowhill Neighborhood. The area is dominated by a raised railroad viaduct, no longer in use. The Philadelphia grid in this area is cut by Ridge Avenue, as well. There are many loft structures previously used as industrial sites. In the architectural phase of the project, students have investigated some forms and uses that respond to site conditions and to the request by FACTS to reveal solutions that will create “more of a campus” for them. The studio has met three times with representatives from the Asians Americans United and FACTS. Design work is on-going. Some questions raised and explored are: How should urban neighborhoods with large numbers of abandoned buildings and vacant sites be redeveloped? Can we develop strategies that may be transferred to other sites? How to design and build under/above the abandoned RR line….??? Can this become an active place with new uses? How do you redevelop small, triangular sites caused by diagonal roads and the viaduct crossing the area? Brownfields and Environmental justice issues: What relevance here? Philadelphia and many other urban areas are beset with the paired problems of urban decline and suburban sprawl. These phenomena are directly linked to each other. Brownfields sites are ones that have been damaged. Can they be reused? How do we stop the cycle? Is this part of a natural evolutionary cycle of all cities? Can the site may be modified to “knit” the neighborhood together more? The transformation may build on existing neighborhood strengths and patterns of people, economies, institutions, and built/natural environments. Can FACTS become a neighborhood magnet for future renewal? Design interventions near the FACTS site are intended to raise questions about formal possibilities and programmatic needs. Student Lessons Learned: -Role of architect as citizen -The responsibilities that the profession has to create places that support public and private life -Necessity for architects to participate in public dialogue -Need to generate architectural ideas and to communicate those ideas clearly Awareness of the capacity of architects to visibly manifest a new vision -Awareness of the power differential that exists between individuals and the government and large landowners -Understanding that executing a design requires complex negotiations that are always a part of design at all scales
1795
1875
1870
1895
2010
1917
1918
1930
1945
1948
1950
1968
Then and now
Community College of Philadelphia Studio Instructor: Elizabeth C. Masters, AIA
Historical Aspects Lena Voyevoda
Blatt Tire and Services
Ridge Street
11th and Noble Street
Community College of Philadelphia Studio Instructor: Elizabeth C. Masters, AIA
Shamokin Street
Vacant Lot
Ridge and Noble Street
Noble and Ridge Street
Ridge and Callowhill Street
10th and Noble Street
Panorama and Immediate Area Catrice Phillips
North 11th street
Callowhill Street
North 10 th street
Callowhill Street
Ridge Avenue
Community College of Philadelphia Studio Instructor: Elizabeth C. Masters, AIA
North 10 th street
Callowhill Street
Triangular Site
Panorama and Immediate Area Seyed Mahdi Alavizadeh
FACTS Folk Arts-Cultural Treasures School - Charter school serving grades K-8 - Founded by Asian Americans United (AAU) - Over 400 students of all backgrounds - 1023 Callowhill Street
Edmira Stefani
FACTS Folk Arts-Cultural Treasures School Issues: -Now shares space with commercial enterprise - Tight site constraints - Limited opportunity for expansion - Health and Safety: - Industrial surrounding - Viaduct - Heavy traffic on Callowhill and Ridge
Edmira Stefani
N. 15th ST .
BROAD ST . EXPRESSW AY
City Hall
North
N. 12th ST .
VINE STREET
N. 13th ST .
BROAD ST .
FACTS Sch oo
E. MARKET
ST.
N. 11th ST.
N. 10th ST .
N. 9th ST.
E. SPRING GARDEN ST .
l
N. 8th ST.
GOOGLE EARTH MAP OF CHINATOWN/CALLOWHILL DISTRICT Thomas Monk
Stakeholders PRIMARY CONTACT: FACTS AAU (Asian Americans United)
OTHER STAKEHOLDERS: Callowhill Neighborhood Association PCDC (Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corp) Businesses and Institutions Residents Chinese Immigrants Artists and Galleries
CCP students working with FACTS and AAU in Studio.
Deja Spigner
CHINATOWN CENTER CITY DISTRICT
READING VIADUCT
Overlapping Communities: Callowhill District & North Chinatown The Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PCDC) formed in 1968 FACTS SITE
Callowhill District: *William Penn plan for farming area. *Early 19th Century- residential *Late 19th century- Reading Railroad, area became industrial district * 20th century- Depopulation and abandonment, leaving loft and industrial buildings.
VINE STREET EXPRESSWAY
STAKEHOLDERS IN AREA: PCDC (Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation Callowhill Neighborhood Association Asian American United Reading Viaduct Project F.A.C.T.S (Folk- Arts Cultural Treasures Charter School) Warehouses Business Institutions : churches Loft Residents Chinese Residents Artist & Galleries Convention Center Homeless People
o
1840’s: Chinese began to immigrate to Philadelphia Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882: Prevented Chinese people from establishing families in Philadelphia,the residents were mostly consisting of single men, a “Bachelor Society”. Lacking many opportunities the Chinese immigrants operated hand laundries, worked in restaurants and ran small specialty shops. Many workers sent their wages home to their families as they continued to work. After World War II, a new wave of immigrants helped transformed Chinatown into a family community. Chinatown first consisted of 6 mere city blocks: from Vine to Race streets and 8th to 11th streets.
CALLOWHILL DISTRICT CITY HALL
Community College of Philadelphia Studio Instructor: Elizabeth C. Masters, AIA
Chinatown & Callowhill District Tamyra Marie Mont
What is a Brownfield? Brownfield sites are abandoned, idled, or under-used industrial
.
and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is
Viaduct
Warehouse
Open site i
Aband. A band. buil.
viaduct
t 8th stree
2000). Brownfield sites are almost always found in urban areas,
10th street
12th street
Trigen
e Av ge Rid
13th street
complicated by real or perceived environmental contaminations (EPA,
particularly near highways, railroads and low income areas of a city. The size of a site varies and has no limitations. A Brownfield site could be a single building or an entire industrial development. One acre Viaduct Vi V i d
IIndustrial d build.
of Brownfield offsets 4.5 acres of Greenfield development Community health and Economic Growth
Brownfield restoration:
The motivation behind brownfields is concerned with the
Unfortunately Brownfield sites are expensive to clean up, this makes the potential site for redevelopment unattractive to developers.
Industrial building
Hiring an environmental consultant and testing the contaminated soil can add additional cost to a budget.
Possible Brownfield -Industrial uses (correct and previous building) -Viaduct (railroad) -Contaminated area -Warehouse -Open sites
health of the community窶馬ot just physical health, but economic and aesthetic health as well. By reducing the number of commercial and industrial sites contaminated with hazardous substances, a community reduces the risk of exposing its residents to harmful pollutants. Through
Advantage:
redevelopment of these sites, a community can attract more
One acre of Brownfield can offsets 4.5 acres of Greenfield in Abandoned industrial building
private investment and job creation.
rural areas. Open site
To support health, economy and vegetation Trees can filter polluted air -Create more planted areas
Brownfield -Phase I Analysis -Clean contamination -Viaduct -Rehabilitate warehouse -Provide more green space
Potential Green Space -Rooftops -Brownfields -Vacant Lands
Brownfield
-Definitely recommended Phase I evaluation for ID possibility brownfield -Possibly recommended Phase I -Empty site
BROWNFIELD vs. GREENFIELD Domera Agu
Strengths and Opportunities for Chinatown North
Mid Autumn Festival performance at 10th & Arch
public/semi-public buildings North
Black arrows: traffic patterns Green: opportunities for redevelopment Red: strength in rebuilding the area Yellow: secondary streets east to west Brown : weaknesses to public safety
public parking Pubic /semi-public buildings Schools & Churches
public/ semi-public buildings, parking/ empty lots SCHOOL
Empty lots Parking lots
DPW
Private spaces Major streets
FACTS
SCHOOL
Secondary streets and driveways
CHURCH/ SCHOOL
Expressways
Threats and Weaknesses Street Heirarchy in Chinatown North
includes commercial use, illegal dumping and deriliction
PUBLIC SPACES CCP Student: Wendy Forde
SITE CONCLUSION FOR NORTHERN CHINA TOWN, PHILADELPHIA BY WUDASSE BERKE, CCP SPRING 2011
PROBLEMS
SOLUTIONS
Potential site for affordable housing
Boundaries Map
Public facilities ( food stores,schools, medical facilities)
Vacant lots -become trash dumping sites
Dirt -Neglected side walks filled with trash
Cover underground road and use space as a gathering place, market...
Train tracks -Vertical barrier -Source of contaminants (brownfield) unmaintained roads not promoting vehicular movement
Perceptual District
SITE EDGES IN 3-D
Public gathering , Community area
Increase vehicular and pedestrian movement in the site by improving Roads and sidewalks
High line Park
Vine street Exp. way -psychological and physical barrier -Source of pollution and noise
18th
Down town China town
Legend
Old city
Vacant lots
Pedestrian route
Dirt and Trash
Legend
North Philadelphia
Public
Pedestrian route
Residence
Vehicular routes
Greenery
callowhill industrial district South street
NORTH PHILADELPHIA
Brown fields
Spring Garden
Vehicular routes
st.
Church of the Assumption
SITE EDGES IN 3-D Holy redeemer church
Vine Street Exp.way 11th 1th h st.
I-476
Broad Street
Reading train tracks
Major routes and site edges - Vine St., Broad St., Market St., Spring garden St.
I -95
The Friendship gate
Minor edges City Hall SOUTH PHILADELPHIA
vehicular path
Pedestrian path
Nodes
Landmarks
Edges of the site
Wudasse B Berke
Community College of Philadelphia Studio Instructor: Elizabeth C. Masters, AIA
Chinatown North Character Robert Victor Gibson Jr
Location
Strengths
Rittenhouse Square 15 min walk
Community
Study Area
Location Viaduct
Philadelphia Museum of Art
th
St
40
Girard
Ave.
City Hall
Market-Frankford Line Independence Mall
~0.5 mi ~1.5 mi ~1.5 mi
Kimmel Center
Transportation Wa sh
ing
ton
FACTS
Ave .
Penns n Landing 20min i walk
Nodes
PATCO
Broad Street Line
Washington Square 17min walk
Original drawing source: Philadelphia 2035 Plan, Philadelphia City Planning Commission
Culture
Community College of Philadelphia Studio Instructor: Elizabeth C. Masters, AIA
Views
Strengths Robert Victor Gibson Jr
Weakness and Threats
EExisting PECO Generation Site #1
The Viaduct has become a haven homelessness for people in close proximity of FACTS.
EExisting PECO Generation Site #2
GENTRIFICATION
GARDE
N ST.
The Abandoned Reading Railroad Viaduct
VINE STREET EXPRESSWAY
N
BROAD
STREET
G E. S P R I N
Gentrification takes place in cities throughout the United States and other countries. It is the process of moving low income residents out, and replacing them with residents of a higher social class. Buildings and businesses in gentrified areas are also revamped. Gentrification is a controversial issue because while it improves cities and offers a brighter future, there are negative effects placed on displaced families who remain in poor living conditions just as before gentrification took place. Many also feel gentrification creates a new neighborhood and the old neighborhood is no more - when a neighborhood is gentrified it loses a bit of its history and a false, artificial neighborhood is created.
Abandoned Public Transportation Rails hinders Vehicle Movement
ULack of Sanitation Maintenance
PA Convention Center
Blatt Tire Lot Prohibits FACTS Expansion
City Hall Gallery Marketplace
E. M A R K E T
The Vine Street Expressway
PECO Energy
Viaduct
Community College of Philadelphia Studio Instructor: Elizabeth C. Masters, AIA
STREET
Poor Infrastructure Conditions
Commercial Traffic
Viaduct Prohibits FACTS Expansion
PECO Energy
Viaduct
FACTS
Blatt’s Tire Service
Weakness and Threats Thomas Monk, Robert Victor Gibson Jr
Location
SOLUTIONS
Bridge addition over Vine St to connect to Viaduct. Vine Street Expressway could be enclosed from 12th St. to 10th St. Chinatown and creating much needed public space.
Opportunities for the Future
Spring Garden St. serves as a natural border but obtaining newly opened vacancies could further expand its realm by establishing a strong presence here.
Open Courtyard above Vine St. Expressway Vertical Garden surrounding PECO Potential site for affordable housing
Convert station into underground artist space.
Conditions
Road Impovements
Clean up Repurpose unused warehouses in a way that retains character
Vacancies
Opportunities for green space
Viaduct
Asian American Museum of History and Art
New Buildings on ends of courtyard Green Opportunities New Streetscape
Opportunity to develop unique city attraction to produce development
Uses
High line Park and Brightfield
Museum Space Repurposing and landscaping is least costly option Adds character to existing area Connect two communities Expansion could be built into pedestrian pathways along Vine St up to Ben Franklin Pkwy.
View South on Viaduct
Correct aesthetic issues (e.g. facades) Add spaces to attract local and tourist/guest uses Increase retail and residential presence to build real community Viaduct Vs. Highline
Community College of Philadelphia Studio Instructor: Elizabeth C. Masters, AIA
Opportunies Robert Victor Gibson Jr
Viaduct Conclusion – landscape and develop viaduct; build beyond Spring Garden to bridge access into neighboring areas
Options: x
x
x
x
Retail market o Open air market o Partially covered o Fully covered Outdoor park/garden o Garden plots o Running paths o Flanking parks Brightfield o Solar panels o Wind turbines o Vertical gardens o Rainwater management system Hybrid approach
Pros
Cons
DEVELOPING VIADUCT Historically significant structure Unique, full of character Opportunity for elevated spaces Least costly
Obtrusive Safety beneath viaduct Limited connections up to viaduct No control over its program
REMOVING PARTS OF VIADUCT Flexibility in managing Inhibits viaduct costs development for park Removes grade-level Still need to address barriers security issues Creates opportunity for building development REMOVING ENTIRE VIADUCT Removes grade-level Most costly barriers Creates opportunity for building development
N
Viaduct School Arts Retail Construction Supply Food Distribution Auto/Chemical Vacant Lot Parking/Asphalt Residential Green space Other
Community College of Philadelphia Studio Instructor: Elizabeth C. Masters, AIA
Viaduct Options Deja Spigner
PROBLEMS Large stock of industrial site
SOLUTION Industrial Browfield site turned into a park -Duisburg-Nord Landscape Park, Germany
PROBLEM -Triangular sites left by the viaduct
SOLUTION Building on the site -Flat iron building, New York City, NY -Gastown housing , Vancouver, BC
Community College of Philadelphia Studio Instructor: Elizabeth C. Masters, AIA
PROBLEM Industrial loft shells
PROBLEM Dark underpass and bridges
SOLUTION Industrial buildings into lofts - The Lofts at Logan View, Philadelphia PA - Loft conversion to residential, Philadelphia PA - The Packard Apartments, Philadelphia PA
PROBLEM - The Reading line abandoned viaduct
SOLUTION Abandoned Railroad into Park -The High Line New York City, NY
SOLUTION Under pass lighting -Amsterdam, Netherlands -Houston, Texas
PROBLEMS -PECO sub station fence
SOLUTION Vertical Gardens -Parabienta living wall, Japan -Embassy of Finland, Washington, DC - Toutnesol Site works Green Wall
Problems and Precedent Solutions Wudasse B Berke
Design concept -To provide public space on viaduct -Provide a gymnasium -Provide extra space for the school -Improve safety of the area
FACTS Gymnasium
- Connects by viaduct to FACTS - No public on the viaduct - Viaduct used as bright field only - Green roof - Serves the Callowhill and Chinatown community
Community Center On triangular site across FACTS
Community College of Philadelphia Studio Instructor: Elizabeth C. Masters, AIA
Seyed Mahdi Alavizadeh
Concept -Outdoor space for the school -Empty lot into green spaces and activities area -Solar film covered metal cocoon -Large scale features for shielding
LIGHTS AFTER SCHOOL
Wudasse B Berke
Questions Raised - What else might the school need? - What possible businesses can be placed on the viaduct? - How can we use the viaduct to promote sustainable design? - What is land and building ownership? - What is the level of contamination?
solar screen and night lights for Viaduct
The concept is to create a community center that is directly linked to the FACTS school. This design keeps the Reading viaduct and it uses it as a bridge for connection between the two buildings. In addition my design also includes a green roof at the community center which introduces more green space to the community.
Sina Solati
This place of gathering for the Callowhill and Chinatown communities will promote a more cohesive and active neighborhood. Having a place to gather, community members and even immigrants can have a rich dialogue concerning common problems and future opportunities. This center can embrace programs that include the immigration process, language and culture, community meetings, political forums, classes, and social parties.
x Community Center x Engages Viaduct x Viaduct can be used as a public garden
Asian American Community Center
Marluis Mejia
Design Proposals
CHALLENGES FOR FACTS: -Small school -Viaduct -Parking -School bus -Playground -Green space -Sidewalk MY DESIGN IDEAS -Extend school to triangle site -Building addition Indoor sport Field -Use Viaduct for public space -School garden --Connecting bridge Concept Urban wind turbines and solar panels
Brightfield:
Lena Voyevoda
Viaduct as energy generator and public garden
Triangle Park: FACTS
Domera Agu
Concept Uses the ancient art of origami as a precedent or as an formal inspiration. Origami is the art of paper folding. It was first developed by the Chinese, but was later adopted by the Japanese. Origami brings extra meaning to a piece of paper by shaping it into a form that has symbolism. How will this museum affect the people and the community of Chinatown?
Origami from ori meaning "folding", and kami meaning "paper" is the traditional Japanese folk art of paper folding, which started in the 17th century CE and was popularized in the mid-1900s.
This Museum will bring more visitors and attract a lot of attention for the area of Chinatown. It is Located 11th and Vine St. and approx. Three blocks from the FACTS school. Here children, young adults, and people of all ages will come and learn more about the Asian culture and heritage of Chinatown. Hopefully this design will bring More activity, creativity, and a spontaneous attitude to this community.
Asian American Museum of History and Art Community College of Philadelphia Studio Instructor: Elizabeth C. Masters, AIA
Mathias C Robinson
Asian American Museum of History and Art
Mathias C Robinson
Design Proposals
ZEN GARDEN G adjust wall ht. for context
pervious paving
MODEL shown with rain water
stormwater management basin
Design concept -Remove the viaduct -Expand north Chinatown -Family clinic -Playground -Parking for FACTS -Public garden
Design Concept: The Zen Garden will operate with the purposes of providing courtyard area for the FACTS campus which will filter and recirculate stormwater into the basin. Jennifer Morales
Catrice Phillips
Northen Park
Concept - enhance public space - Use space under the viaduct as retail -land scape viaduct and include a climing park The Welcoming Center will connect new arriving immigrants to economic opportunities in the area to help them integrate into the new neighborhood and ease their transition.
Welcoming Center for New Immigrants Community College of Philadelphia Studio Instructor: Elizabeth C. Masters, AIA
Edmira Stefani
Viaduct Park
Wendy Jacqueline Forde
Rock climing and shopping
Design Proposals
Discussing development at the charette at the EPA Brownfields Conference.
ADC 259 Studio portrait at the AIA Center for Architecture.
Delivering ADC 259 Studio presentation.
Drawing conclusions and establishing next steps at the end of the charette.
CONCLUSIONS FROM CHARETTE F.A.C.T.S: Develop green space adjacent to school:
VIADUCT:
Priorities Learning space for children/ student Public green space Support/ strengthen intergenerational connections. Gardening Engaging young people in creating change Community/ self empowerment Connecting school with community Capacity- building for greening of the community
Brightfield energy: Must have off-taker: Either PECO or a business Need approval for solar project: Formal agreements Funding: Secure financing or lease the land and have an installer who would build, maintain, etc. PA is difficult for solar because of lack of payback: 7-9 years in PA for payback right now
Actions/Next Steps Land acquisitions Financing Community involvement/buy-in Volunteer organization Clean up Indentify government agencies with resources Mapping out community organizations and stack holders Blog/ website to exchange information Develop design ideas to present to community Engage elected officials Engage zoning/DVPC/ PECO Design elements Lighting Picnic spaces Recreational space Creating connection between space & school Garden plots
Greening the Viaduct: How can FACTS work be part of larger greening of viaduct? Reclaim green space Children Neighborhood Need access to green space Reading ownership: Have a liability; polluters must clean up where they’ve polluted. Zoning remapping and community development is needed: Building studies and potential Conduct market studies Neighborhood Improvement District is under discussion Stakeholders need to be at policy table when decisions are being made.