SUBURBAN INTERVENTION
ISOLATED SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOODS
THE FUTURE OF AMERICAN SUBURBS As America rides the descending wave of oil through the second half of the century, I foresee a future suburban environment riddled with pockets of decay. Suburban neighborhoods once seen as investments for some, and homes for others, will begin to be moved out of as people naturally seek places to live closer to the economies that support their lives. This new wave of emigration back into the cities will leave suburban neighborhoods to rot as there will be no seen value in the buildings due to the cheap materials that were involved in the construction of them.
+ Decreasing Oil Resources
+ Current Corporate Economic Model
= Movement to the City
MIXED-USE OCCUPANCY INTERVENTION
New Existence New Identity
The reduction of available oil resources, the current corporate economic model, and the movement to the city will all work together at different levels leaving the suburbs in need of a new
The intent of my thesis involved looking at a traditionally developed suburban environment and try to remedy the constant necessity for automobile use during many aspects of daily life. The master plan and architecture were designed to minimize our oil consumption at many different levels, provide an alternative to America’s current suburban development practices, and create a space that competes with the current migrations patterns of the millennial generation. The concept that I developed for the Richmond Hill site involved an intervention that used existing rail infrastructure to create three regional tramway nodes in the greater Savannah area; one being the site chosen in Richmond Hill, the second being terminal station at the Gulfstream Complex/ Savannah International Airport, and third terminal used to revitalize the western portion of Savannah’s downtown historic district.
existence and a new identity.
Using a combination of urban design and architecture strategies, this project evokes a rethinking of what our suburbs could be. By emphasizing the need for simple access to transportation, nature, and proximity to daily amenities, this suburban intervention reduces automobile dependency and redirects our thoughts back to nature with increased natural light, terraced views, and abundant access to the outdoor recreation.
TRAM + RAILWAY INTERVENTION
Reducing the impact on the environment through the use of region materials, local trade practices, and renewable energies, also leads to an overall reduction in total embodied energy throughout entire project. Providing an economic infrastructure consisting of mix-used spaces, allows for all types of income levels to come together to create a diverse citizenship within the area. It also allows for better land investment opportunities.
SUBURBAN INTENTION 1920s - 1940s
NEIGHBORHOOD SUPPORT MIXED-USE OCCUPANCY
SUBURBAN EXPANSION 1950s - 1980s
SUBURBAN MANIFESTATION 1990s - 2010s
MIX-USE OCCUPANCY SUPPORTS NEIGHBORHOODS
SUBURBAN INTERVENTION The Sur-Urban Intervention concept involves providing a secondary method for transportation, along with mixed-use occupancy and residences, to stimulate the separation and segregation that
exists within modern suburban developments. This will reduce the current volumes of vehicular traffic, while creating denser living conditions that reduce stresses on local utility companies and municipalities.
Railway Connector
Neighborhood
Mixed Use
Automobile Connector
Walk/Bike Connector
Neighborhood
Existing Railway
Mixed-Use Space
Walk/Bike Path
Revived Railway
Matthew A Spinner . ARCH 799 Thesis II . Prof. Arpad Ronaszegi . Spring 2014 . Board 1 of 8
FULL INERVENTION
RICHMOND HILL, GEORGIA
TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE
FRONTIER OF THE NEW AMERICAN DREAM Gulfstream/Airport Downtown Savannah
INTERSTATE HIGHWAY FREIGHT RAIL MAJOR ROADWAYS
AMENITIES + SERVICE LOCATIONS
Richmond Hill
0
The master plan for the Suburban Intervention connects previously segregated neighborhoods with a new street layout. The connection of the different suburban fabrics created interesting geometries that were emphasized to create truly unique places.
4000
Street widths that have the ability to accommodate local fire trucks while still allowing for parallel parking on both sides creates a sense of enclosure, reducing the urge to speed.
AMENITIES + SERVICES
RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS
SITE BEFORE INTERVENTION
NEIGHBORHOODS
RECREATIONAL + OPEN SITES RECREATIONAL OPEN SITES
REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESSFUL INTERVENTION
WALKING TIMES/DISTANCES
RAILWAY ACCESS
NEIGHBORHOOD CLUSTER
AVAILABLE GREENSITE
200
IN 10 M
5M
20
15
I
NS
500
0F
T
T
0
FT
SITE CONNECTIVITY
100
S
0F
FT
MI
NS
MI
NS
150
IN
40
S
0
M
IN
25
S
M
IN
S
12
50
F T
5
M
1
15
00
FT
00
FT
Matthew A Spinner . ARCH 799 Thesis II . Prof. Arpad Ronaszegi . Spring 2014 . Board 2 of 8
BIKING TIMES/DISTANCES
SUR-URBAN MASTER PLAN
MIXED-USE NEIGHBORHOOD CONNECTION
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S The second living condition is a transitional one. It is meant for young adults leaving their parents homes and older singles who want to still feel alive as they enter into retirement. It contains street parking for residents who still want to own a personal vehicle with elevated views to the suburbs on one side and the city core on the other. The third living condition is the closest to urban living that you will find in Richmond Hill. It overlooks the tram stop and is located directly above the 2-stories of retail, offices, and dining. This condition is meant for those looking to completely remove themselves from the automobile.
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Far
et
ark
M r’s
Platform
9,000 Ext.
5:30am - 9:30am/ 3:30pm - 7;30pm
Retail
25,000+ Int.
8:00am - 8:00pm
Dining
20,000+ Int.
5:00am - 11:00pm
Living
144,000+ Int.
24 Hour
Office
15,000+ Int.
Dependent
Theater
30,000+ Int.
3:00pm - 12:00am
Farmer’s Market
14,000+ Int. 26,000+ Ext.
10:00am - 8:00pm Weekends/Holidays
TOTAL
64,000 ~
r
Su
Theater
TIME OF USE
te
od e
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Sur-Urban Master Program SQ. FT.
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Phase Two of the Suburban Intervention consists of additional zoning where all, or any, of the Sur-Urban Models can be successfully added.
Th
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ed Mix
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Three models transition the vast differences between suburban and urban lifestyles. The first is closest to the suburban living conditions. It is further away from the town core to help minimize noise levels and take full advantage of the local greenspaces in Richmond Hill. The first level reflects the single-story ranch style home, while the second and third levels work together to create a two-story single family housing condition very similar to that found in the suburbs.
Path
r-U rb
Overall, 32 new single family 2-story homes, 32 -1200 sq. ft. condos, 12 – 1500 sq. ft. and 12 – 1200 sq. ft. urbanized apartments, 11 – 900 sq. ft. and 11 – 600 sq. ft. semi-urbanized apartments, 22 – 1500 sq. ft. and 24 – 1200 sq. ft. retail, office, and dining spaces, work together to create a walkable atmosphere.
Bike
el I
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Retail
Farmer’s Market
M
ixe
MEP/ Restrooms
Ph
as
e
d-
Us
e
Tw
o
Platform Living
Dining
PARK
SQ. FT.
TIME OF USE
Cinema Space
6,000 Ext.
Sunrise - Midnight
Bike Paths
10 Ln. Mi.
Sunrise - Sunset
Walk Paths
5 Ln. Mi.
Sunrise - Midnight
Nature
---
24 Hour
Water Features (Living Machine)
---
24 Hour
Solar Panels
10,000+/100 kWh~
Sunrise to Sunset
Car Parking
600+ spaces
24 Hour
TOTAL
6,000 +
Solar Panels
Walk Paths
Bike Paths Parking
Maintenance
Cinema Space
Nature
Matthew A Spinner . ARCH 799 Thesis II . Prof. Arpad Ronaszegi . Spring 2014 . Board 3 of 8
SSTAGE U R ONE - U RTRANSITION BAN M O D E L I FROM SUBURBS
Living
Restroom Sleeping
Two Story Single-Family This 1,800 square foot unit fulfills the wants for the two story, single-family unit found primarily in America’s suburbs. Its attention is focused on the positive characteristics associated with living in the suburbs, with a design greenroof lawn and adequate balcony space for adequate views and daylighting.
Master Suite
Balcony
Kitchen
Dining Restroom
Aerial View of Sur-Urban Model I
Living
Lown Space
Office
West Elevation Intervention Model I
South Elevation Intervention Model I
Patio
One Story Couple
Living
This one story unit was designed after the ranchstyle homes found throughout early suburbs. It is 1,200 square feet and meets all ADA requirements. It is directed at couples of any age who do not currently have children.
Dining Kitchen Restroom Sleeping Front Entrance Stairway Three Car Covered Parking
Matthew A Spinner . ARCH 799 Thesis II . Prof. Arpad Ronaszegi . Spring 2014 . Board 4 of 8
SSTAGE U R -TWO U RTRANSITION B A N MFROM O DSUBURBS EL II
Living Kitchen
Studio Apartment
Utilities Sleeping
Dining
Restroom
The 600 square foot studio apartment is appropriate for someone living alone. Young singles, graduates, and working professionals require less interior space as they seek social connections throughout the provided public spaces.
Office Restroom Utilities Kitchen Sleeping
Living
Dining
Aerial View of Sur-Urban Model II
Two Bedroom Apartment The 900 square foot two bedroom apartment is an appropriate space for couples, active seniors, and single parents looking to live closer to the sur-urban core.
West Elevation Intervention Model II
Retail, Dining, + Office South Elevation Intervention Model II
The first two floors of this model are dedicated to 1,500 square foot retail, dining, and office units. These small local and corporate businesses provide amenities and an economy to support the local residents.
Matthew A Spinner . ARCH 799 Thesis II . Prof. Arpad Ronaszegi . Spring 2014 . Board 5 of 7
Kitchen
SSTAGE UR-THREE URBA N M O D E L III TRANSITION FROM SUBURBS
Utilities Restroom
Dining
Sleeping
Two Bedroom Apartment This 1200 square foot, two bedroom apartment is located directly above the sur-urban core, with views towards the grand plaza and the tram station platform.
Sleeping Living
Restroom Utilities Kitchen Balcony
Kitchen Utilities
Living
Dining
Restroom
Dining
Sleeping Aerial View of Sur-Urban Model III
Two Bedroom Apartment This 1400 square foot, two bedroom apartment offers the same proximity to all of the sur-urban amenities, while providing a little extra room for a larger family.
Sleeping
Living
Utilities Restroom Kitchen
Living
Dining
West Elevation Intervention Model III
Retail, Dining, + Office The first two floors of this model are dedicated to 1,200 square foot retail, dining, and office units. These small local and corporate businesses provide amenities and an economy to support the local residents. South Elevation Intervention Model III
Matthew A Spinner . ARCH 799 Thesis II . Prof. Arpad Ronaszegi . Spring 2014 . Board 6 of 7
SUSTAINABLE AMENITIES RESPECTFUL SUBURBAN ARCHITECTURE
Refracted Daylighting Stack Ventilation
A good urban plan can become great when the same design principles that guided the larger master planning are carried down into the architecture and building systems. In the Suburban Intervention it is critical to use economic and environmentally sustainable materials so that the architecture becomes an investment to the patron and the users. Throughout this project a wide variety of building technologies come together to try to create a net positive project. The idea is to use this intervention as a way to strengthen the energy independence of the city or municipality. Passive
and active techniques work towards reducing the energy demand for heating and cooling a building; reclaimed local wood and brick from downsizing neighborhoods can be utilized to minimize the extraction of raw materials and reduce the need for new manufacturing and long distance transportation; precast concrete hollow-core slabs and wall panels will maximize on-site construction efficiency and will be able to be delivered directly to the site via the existing rail-line; pervious parking surfaces and driveways allow for the local water table and aquifers to naturally replenish through immediate ground penetration, and terraced balconies provide views of the surrounding rural, suburban, and urban contexts.
4 4 6 8
Panels = 1kWh kWh - Model 1 kWh - Model 2 kWh - Model 3
Planting Layer Filter Fabric
SUN SHADING
Drainage Layer (1� Pea Gravel)
PHOTOVOLTAICS
LIGHTWELL
Filter Fabric Polystyrene Insulation
Root Barrier Membrane Waterproof Membrane
SUBURBAN + RURAL VIEWS
Topped Hollow-Core Slab
ROOFTOP LAWN
RECLAIMED WOOD
PERVIOUS PARKING SURFACES
Stone + Grass Gravel Bedding
Topped Slab
Sand/Soil GeoFiber Mesh
Crushed Stone Sub Base
Untopped Slab
Matthew A Spinner . ARCH 799 Thesis II . Prof. Arpad Ronaszegi . Spring 2014 . Board 7 of 7
PRECAST WALL PANELS + HOLLOW CORE SLABS
RECLAIMED BRICK