Undergraduate Category: Humanities and Arts Degree Level: B. S. Architecture Abstract ID# 264
BLURRING THE BOUNDARIES BETWEEN LANDSCAPE PERFORMANCE AND ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
Marielle Samayoa
The rapid growth of cities demands for new architectural models that scarcely fulfill the standard living needs for their citizens. These models, often claimed to be sustainable, tend to lack consideration to integrate landscape systems that could aid the buildings’ quality and performance. This project focuses mainly on the study of coupling different landscape types with architecture in order to tap the performative potentials of the landscapes that support the buildings’ design and function. Horizontal strips, that imitate how the surrounding open green space is laid out, extend LARGE OPEN GREEN SPACES + EXTENSIONS
SITE CIRCULATION CONDITIONS
into the site, as each contains either landscape or built fabric. The integrated performance of architecture and green space is activated at the interface
major highway/route
between the bands' edges. A scheme of pedestrian paths loop smoothly around the site as they connect and complement these systems; they split
individual pedestrian sidewalk
T and Commuter Rail
VERTICALITY VS HORIZONTALITY horizontal allocation
GREEN BANDS EXTRUSION
PROGRAM BANDS
PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIONS WITHIN SITE
vertical allocation
main roads pathways sidewalk
the buildings at ground level and appoint performative values to the landscapes. Despite their constant interaction, the architecture and landscapes still have an identity of their own. The testing ground used for this proposal is Assembly Square in Somerville, MA. The consideration of the existing
MASSING PROGRAM
GREEN BANDS
Draw 7 Park near the waterfront and the current in-construction project were primordial for this design’s approach. The landscape bands extend from Draw 7 Park to create a waterfront-recreational connection, while the buildings’ massing respects the space within their neighboring context. It’s a project that successfully manages to integrate the systems within itself and within the larger urban scope to ameliorate urban architectural models.
Abstract
Urban Framework The framework suggests extrapolating green bands of landscape from a nearby park.These bands are the main components to integrating the different landscape systems with the architecture. The innovation lies within the edges that meet between landscape and the buildings, in which users can benefit from occupying a building in recreational manners. The ground level becomes an interesting space as occupants transverse through the building lobbys and are exposed to the exterior and the landscapes’ variety in use.
GROUND LEVEL PLAN 1/32”=1’0”
Site Plan and Ground Level Plan
ACTIVATION OF BUILDINGS
URBAN NODES