THESIS PROPOSAL Natassja Addeo Research Methodologies 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS Thesis Statement Thesis Diagram Design Intent Statement Programmatic Diagram Mind Map Typology Typology and Programmatic Research Context Site Condition Research Summary Precedent Research Analysis Visual Essay Glossary Annotated Bibliography Image Citations
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THESIS STATEMENT
In my thesis proposal, I would like to explore the typology of urban infill by developing uses for underutilised spaces. Site context and conditions would ultimately dictate the use and direction of the thesis project.
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THESIS DIAGRAM
These diagrams illustrate void spaces that are created in between volumes, while urban infill occupies spaces in between buildings.
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DESIGN INTENT STATEMENT
To reiterate my thesis, I am interested in the typology of urban infill and analyzing underutilised spaces and orphaned sites. I would like to create uses for spaces that are deemed unusable or underdeveloped. Programming of a site could take shape of commercial, residential or community use. The programming and intended audience would be dependent on the site and surrounding area. Residential projects increasingly take place in urban infill sites and I would prefer to link orphaned sites in one area, and create pockets of community spaces. There are several orphaned sites in the city, and it would be interesting to create a generic template within a space that could be altered depending on community needs or restrictions of the site.
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URBAN OASIS HIGH DENSITY COMMERCIAL SPACE POCKET PARK URBAN CONSOLIDATION GREEN
PROGRAMMATIC DIAGRAM
INFILL
These diagrams picture a general template of urban infill space that generates different uses. The uses are dependent on the site, surrounding area, demographic, building types, emenities, etc. 4
MIND MAP
Dwellings around the world; use of space in comparison to North America Preservation of culture, architecture, local vernacular
Finding uses for spaces deemed unusable
my interests
Use of vernacular materials Urban Infill
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TYPOLOGY Urban Infill Typically sited on vacant or undeveloped land that is located within a pre-existing community, and flanked by other types of development Urban infill suggests that site redevelopment is filling in void space that is left over from previous development. I would like to explore the typology of urban infill because it Urban infill also has multiple applications such as residential, commercial and community space.
RESIDENTIAL
URBAN INFILL
APPLICATIONS
EXAMPLES: *NOT LIMITED TO CONDO, APARTMENT, HOUSE
COMMERCIAL
PRODUCE, TRANSIT STOP, STORES
COMMUNITY
POCKET PARK, COMMUNITY GARDEN, MARKET 6
TYPOLOGY AND PROGRAMMATIC RESEARCH PALEY PARK, NEW YORK CITY 1967
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TYPOLOGY AND PROGRAMMATIC RESEARCH PALEY PARK NEW YORK CIT 1967 The pocket park is located in the previous site of the Stork Club, a popular nightclub that was active between 1929 and 1965 in Manhattan, New York City. Pocket parks typically occupy single vacant building lots. The park is an urban oasis; bordered by high-rise buildings on either side, and accessed by a few steps at street level. The ivy covered walls, and the waterfall baffle and mask the noise coming from the street. The stone floor material in the park, and trees are also connected to the sidewalk to bring people into the space. Paley Park is bordered by streets with high traffic in Manhattan, New York City, and it acts as an oasis within the dense urban setting.
Waterfall baffles noise coming from the street
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TYPOLOGY AND PROGRAMMATIC RESEARCH SAMITAUR TOWER, CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA 2010
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TYPOLOGY AND PROGRAMMATIC RESEARCH SAMITAUR TOWER, CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA 2010 The Samitaur Information Tower is located directly across the Expo LRT line between two train stations, and can be seen from the I 10 highway. A large volume of traffic passes by the tower daily on their commute to and from Los Angeles. Screens on the tower’s exterior panels exhibit local work of local artists and graphic designers, and also promote local events. The tower also acts as a lookout of the city, as well as a meeting place for the community. Each screen is angled to target a specific audience. For example, the top screen will attract the I-10 highway, the second tier attracts attention from Venice Blvd., and the first tier attracts Expo LRT and local traffic. View of tower from various transit, and highway pathways
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TYPOLOGY AND PROGRAMMATIC RESEARCH LANEWAY HOUSE MOVEMENT, VANCOUVER
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TYPOLOGY AND PROGRAMMATIC RESEARCH LANEWAY HOUSE MOVEMENT, VANCOUVER Laneway houses are alternative investments to renting a condo, and are affrdable rental opportunities in Vancouver. Laneway homes sometimes providie two rental properties on one lot, and usually take the place of a car port or garage lot facing a laneway. They maintain the vernacular of Vancouver architecture. Laneway homes cannot be bought or sold because they are not separately zoned, and cannot be purchased separate from the principle property that they are sited
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CONTEXT
Commercial Space
There are several abandoned sites within large urban areas around the world - the intent is to be able to apply these uses of underutilised spaces in other locations. The use of these spaces could be altered to better suit the environment and culture of the region.
Residential Space
Community Space
National and International Context
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SITE CONDITION
The optimal site and context conditions would include but are not limited to under-developed sites within a city that are flanked by buildings on each side, or intended for other use. For example, uses include billboard advertisement, parking lots, etc., which are typically deemed unusable because they are geared towards a specific purpose.
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RESEARCH SUMMARY
My initial research began with an interest in the topic of social, political, and cultural architecture. Prior to conducting my research, I was interested in buildings or spaces that preserve and promote culture, have a positive social impact on communities, or buildings that made a political statement. As I continued with my research I noticed that there was an overarching typology, which was urban infill. Infill is a development that is typically sited on vacant or undeveloped land that is located within a pre-existing community, and flanked by other types of development. Initially I chose three precedents that preserve local architecture, local vernacular, and find uses for underutilised spaces. I furthered my research by looking at pocket parks, which are parks that occupy single vacant building lots. The first precedent that I looked at was the Courtyard House Plugin by the People’s Architecture Office in Beijing, China. It is known as a “house within a house,� and is a modular prefabricated system developed to be placed in existing courtyard homes. It is more cost effective to maintain the existing structure and use the Plugin system than renovating or rebuilding because it requires less labour, less material and less time. Most importantly, it preserves the structure of the centuries-old courtyard homes and updates the home with structure, insulation, plumbing, wiring and interior finishes. The Parasite Office by Za Bor Architects was the second precedent that I looked at in my initial research. In Moscow, Russia, Za Bor Architects responded to the spaces between buildings that have blind-end walls, or walls with no windows. This conceptual project explores the use of inhabited area to create an office space by elevating the structure between buildings, and passage of vehicles or people beneath it. I found it interesting that they chose to use the spaces between buildings, and suspend architecture in order to maximize office space.
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RESEARCH SUMMARY
Additionally, the recent laneway house movement in Vancouver has developed the typology of laneway housing and alternative housing. Vancouver’s zoning laws are now allowing people to develop their carports or garages into homes. These laneway homes cannot be bought or sold because they remain on the principle property of the original home, therefore they can only be rented. They maintain the vernacular of Vancouver homes, and they are an alternative to renting apartments or the average home. To develop my interest in the typology of urban infill, I also looked at Paley Park located in New York City. The site was once home to a night-club between the 1920s and 1960s. It is a pocket park that was opened to the public in 1967. It is an urban oasis bordered by high-rise buildings on either side, and accessed by a few steps from street level. The ivy covered walls and the waterfall mask and baffle the noise coming from the street. The space becomes a meeting place, congregation space, and a space for individual reflection. This is one of the most interesting precedents because it is a simple urban intervention that attracts a large number of people to it, but still remains as a peaceful oasis in a compact city block. I chose these individual projects because they could have multiple applications within a local, national or international context. These projects support the framework of the urban infill typology, and show applications of residential, commercial and public space.
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PRECEDENT RESEARCH ANALYSIS COURTYARD HOUSE PLUGIN BEIJING, CHINA 2014 The courtyard house is known as a “house within a house.” Architects have developed a modular system that nestles into existing courtyard homes, and provides modern living amenities and preserves existing structures. It is cost effective to “Plug- In” modular units rather than renovating century + old structures. The assembly of courtyad homes can take one day with a few people. The system can be massproduced in high quality and remain inexpensive to purchase, considering that it is half of the cost of renovating, and a fifth of the cost to tear down and rebuild a courtyard. The Plug-In incorporates structure, insulation, plumbing, wiring, interior and exterior finishes. The exterior ennvelop remains static, while the interior is adapted to the structure, therefore it can have applications in different contexts around the world.
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PRECEDENT RESEARCH ANALYSIS
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PRECEDENT RESEARCH ANALYSIS PARASITE OFFICE (CONCEPT) MOSCOW, RUSSIA 2011 The Parasite Office concept explores the use of inhabited areas to create a business space or office environment. There is a large presence of long alleyways in between buildings with blind end walls in Moscow, and architects decided to utilise the void space. They designed a 3 level structure with passage beneath it, and roof access. I chose this conceptual project because it explores elevated spaces in between buildings, and provides an alternative to typical urban infill at grade.
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PRECEDENT RESEARCH ANALYSIS
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VISUAL ESSAY
The following collection of images expresses my interest in an array of different types of spaces. I am interested in the development of infrastructure that occurs around buildings, as well as what can occur in between them . A few of these photos are a few of my favourite “moments� in Toronto that have inspired my interest in Urban Infill, and the idea of spaces in between spaces.
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GLOSSARY
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GLOSSARY
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GLOSSARY
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ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Visual essay 1. Cover Photo: Vacant Lot (Construction), Koln, Weidenpesch, from Raimond Spekking, Urban Infill, Wikipedia, May 2010; Web; March 2016 2. Forlorn, Baltimore, United States, from Ben Marcin, Last Houses Standing, Mail Online, September 2013; Web; April 2016 3. 33 ½ Henry Street (Small green home in between others), Toronto, Photographed by Natassja 2015 4. Cinecycle Music Venue, Toronto, Hidden in Plain Sight, Duncan’s City Ride, June 2010; Web; April 2016 5. 303 Bay St. National Club, Toronto, Historic National Club, Globe and Mail, July 2013; Web; April 2016 6. The “Driveway” House, Toronto, from Peter Legris, Urban Architect Chooses Home Over Parking Spot, Globe and Mail, June 2013; Web; February 2016 7. Paley Park New York,2012, New York City, from Eric Vorenkamp, Paddle, 2012; Web; March 2016 8. Under the Gardiner Expressway, Toronto, photographed by Natassja 2014 9. Croft St Lofts, Toronto, Chaba Tomasi, I love U of T, Web; April 2016
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