CULTIVATING THE COMMUNITY COMMONS: Climate, Culture and Craft
Street Revitalization Ped Overlay
Street-
Considered Users
Max Baker Multi-Modal Street Redesign The site sits at the crossroads of a number of major
Bike Lane
transportation systems; buses, protected bike paths, streetcars
Rap
Bikeshare
idR
and a pedestrian overlay district all vie for priority within the
ide
area. By restructuring mode hierarchy along primary streets and enhancing pedestrian travel along secondary ones, conflicts
Transportation Considerations
are kept to a minimum while still providing efficient movement
Multiple transportation modes surround the site, making it necessary to address any potential interactions.
of each form of transportation.
Ped Bike Auto
Travel Conflict Zones Conflicts exist largely at intersections and along secondary streets where pedestrians are considered incidentally.
Broadway
12th
New Realms for Travel and Rest 23rd
The improved site design allows for efficient travel across different modes, creating safe spaces for all user types. SITE DESIGNS: Embodied Energy: Max Baker
2
Multi-Modality: Fir Street and 13th Avenue
Fir Street The Fir Street right of way is one of the best areas for enhancing the public realm outside of the site boundaries. Each of the larger surrounding streets (Yesler, 12th, and 14th) helps to move traffic away from here, allowing for the creation of a one-way street where pedestrian spaces are protected through the creation of a meandering vehicular pathway.
13th Avenue This narrow street effectively functions as an alleyway for the site, providing access to building utilities and loading docks. On-street parking is kept to a minimum, and any remaining spots are limited to short-term parking to serve neighboring buildings. Pedestrian elements are interspersed to encourage exploration. CULTIVATING THE COMMUNITY COMMONS: Climate, Culture and Craft
Intersections and Midblock Crossing 12th & Yesler Intersection The current intersection contains many potential areas of conflict between different transportation modes, creating a dangerous public realm.
NACTO Standards The National Association of City Transportation Officials advocates
Yesler Way Midblock The current street layout heavily favors car travel and offers few options for pedestrians to cross the right of way. Wide lanes allow vehicles to speed, increasing the risk for all users.
for more protected bike travel, but still favors car travel over other modes.
Danish Alternative Inspired by Copenhagen intersections, each travel mode is better separated, allowing for efficient, safe movement of
The combination of street improvements along with the installation of a mid-
pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles, and
block crossing creates a safe environment for children to move between the site
mass transit.
and school. Streetcars help to improve safety by forcing car traffic to yield. SITE DESIGNS: Embodied Energy: Max Baker
4
Design Consideration: Squirrel Douglas Squirrel Tamiasciurus douglasii Lifespan: 5-6 years Size: 10.5-14 inches
4 Feet 10 Feet
Average Vertical Jump : 4 Feet The Douglas squirrel is one of the Puget Sound’s few native squirrel species. Having managed to expand its habitat back into urban areas in recent years, any improvements to the natural environment will only work to ensure their survival in the community. Street elements have been organized to allow for safer movement through the site, making it possible for these animals to move through the right-ofway without ever touching the street itself.
Average Horizontal Jump : 10 Feet CULTIVATING THE COMMUNITY COMMONS: Climate, Culture and Craft
Seasonal Experiences The reconceived Fir Street public realm supports a plethora of activities throughout the year. Flexible pedestrian pathways make it easy to move from one block to another, while improved street elements encourage users to pause and enjoy the environment. The space takes advantage of solar exposure during the daytime, offering shared spaces that are warmed until the sun falls behind the Olympic mountains. At night the street evolves into a new space, with pressure sensitive LEDs accentuating the movement of traffic along the street. Residents returning home from work are provided with a safe, well-lit route that offers opportunities for reflection before moving inside. Autumn Afternoon
Winter Snowstorm
Midsummer Night SITE DESIGNS: Embodied Energy: Max Baker
6