Andrea N. Perea 14 December 2010 Sustainability 241-001 Final Project The Edo District: Mixed Used Development Introduction: The area between 2nd & 3rd and Lead & Gold lies within institutional/ government and commercial zones, without a registered neighborhood district. This opportunity to transform these plots of land as well as establish their distinct character within the urban fabric is valuable to the public and the city. Downtown Albuquerque is rich with variety, having interconnected relationships of neighborhoods.
The idea of a multi-use site can be taken to a micro level in utilizing this sector for various applications. The proper ratio of exterior and interior space, multi use interior space, multi use systems, as well as recycling water and harvesting water will be a crucial combination. A wealthy opportunity lies within this area.
The program for the structure is to be thought of generally so that investors can see the space for their personal need. Along the lower levels retail and restaurant space can be planned with a variety of square footage as well as each can have design characteristics to set it apart from the business next to it. The upper levels of the structure will be private residences. The garden space will have a community effort of using it for growing produce. The balance between business owner’s effort and resident’s responsibility can create a relationship between the multi-use spaces.
Andrea N. Perea 14 December 2010 Sustainability 241-001 Final Project Proposed Project Uses + Precedent Inspirations:
Intended uses of the site will be multi-family residential housing, small commercial space and a community garden space. The importance of dense urbanism is crucial to the development of community, the control of sprawl and for the community to grow produce.
The Edo District is the heart of Albuquerque. There is a high demand for commercial and residential space in this area of the city. The incorporation of residential and commercial space is growing. This is the place to start doing it right. The stacking of residents above commercial space creates a smaller footprint. As the population grows the need for density among high demand neighborhoods must be addressed. This is an opportunity for sustainable homes, small businesses to grow and communities to
Andrea N. Perea 14 December 2010 Sustainability 241-001 Final Project form. The major benefit of housing downtown will create a part of town, which doesn’t shut down at five when other businesses are closing. Incorporation of living areas within this area is vital to keeping the city going around the clock creating a macro community outside of this site while a micro community is within.
Urban sprawl is an epidemic here in the southwest due to the vastness of the landscape we are surrounded by. We are taking away the natural ecosystem when cities bleed out of their bounds into suburban areas. The control of urban sprawl is through retrofitting existing buildings that aren’t making a positive impact on our community and through density among the existing neighborhoods. Integration of commercial and residential while providing a garden space is an encompassment of needs and wants for people.
The housing will be state of the art minimalism. With basic amenities available to the residents for their comfort, yet not exceeding over the lines into luxury will draw in people who are ready to be a part of a community and contribute to their community.
The
community
aspect
citywide is being lost. This is rejuvenation and this is where sustainable living and community responsibility are a must. (http://www.alley24.com/)
Alley 24, located in Seattle Washington is
an
excellent
example
development bringing together sustainable, simple living with ease of access to business.
of
a
Andrea N. Perea 14 December 2010 Sustainability 241-001 Final Project
Small commercial space below residential space must be local business only. The stress of this is extremely important to keeping local businesses thriving in an economic decay. As major
corporations
and
businesses
nationwide
even
internationally take money away from local businesses it is becoming the cities responsibility to promote small business ventures. These commercial spaces will have equal weighted responsibility along with the residents to upkeep the urban garden. Any restaurant businesses, which wish to use the green space to grow food for their business, may have a section to do so at no extra cost. This percentage of land given will be for their consumption only so they may keep (http://www.olsonkundigarchitects.com/Projects/461/1111E-Pike-Mixed-Use-Development#)
record of harvests. Residents will have a percent or discount card awarded to them to give incentive to eat and shop at the
businesses below. At 1111 E. Pike, a mixed-use site designed by Olson Kundig Architects is an example of mixed-use urban infill project, which is successful. The project itself is close to the street but gives the impressions this project will have within a busy downtown urban area of the city.
This fully functional urban garden will be the responsibility of the commercial businesses as well as the residents living there. Through shared responsibility a community between residents and businesses will merge into one. The idea of community has faded in areas of the city and abroad due to sprawl and disconnections between live and play integration. The garden space is where people can come together again.
Andrea N. Perea 14 December 2010 Sustainability 241-001 Final Project
The community garden space will be a multi- functional outdoor gathering area available to the public and some spaces will be private residents.
for
businesses
Gustafson
and
Guthrie
Nichol specializes in outdoor space. Shown here is North End Parks project located in Boston. This is an exceptional example of public
http://www.ggnltd.com/projects_detail.php?id=27
space with a city skyline within arm’s reach of a place to relax and rest. Juxtaposition of a garden and mixed-use building is even richer.
This space will be broken down to two major categories, public and private. Then broken into private space for residents and employees, and private spaces for each residence unit. The public space is to invite others to take part in this site, relax, socialize and draw in revenue for the commercial spaces upon the lower levels of the building. People here can enjoy their dining experience outdoors, enjoy the greenery within a downtown urban environment and also learn about the grey water filtration system. Integration of relaxation and learning is important so the community we create can spark interest in the macro community to do something in their own community.
The importance of private space separated from public space is to bring together people who live in this building and employees of the small commercial businesses. A green roof is an ideal solution for the need for this space, for grey water treatment and for cooling of the building.
Andrea N. Perea 14 December 2010 Sustainability 241-001 Final Project
The private outdoor spaces for each residence will also embody the urban garden principles in some shape or form. It is personal preference to have an edible garden,
although
it
is
highly
encouraged. Either route, it is a necessary responsibility to keep some sort of vegetation in the balconies. Shown to the left is an Unknown
unknown project in Seattle. This outdoor space embodies a wrap
around spaces. This is an inspiration for how these outdoor spaces can illuminate the faรงade of the building.
Andrea N. Perea 14 December 2010 Sustainability 241-001 Final Project Site Diagrams + Precedent Inspiration:
Veg.itecture is an incredible site to find inspiration for linking the natural world with the built. The two plots of land can converge into one through the use of a bridge between the two. The competition submittal for the spanning over Interstate 5 in Vancouver, Washington by Gustafson Guthrie Nichol + Allied Works embodies the idea of un-interruption. The use of a simple bridge between the two ways creates walkways for pedestrians, fun cycling paths for bicycles as well as not interrupting the traffic of the urban area. It is important to keep as many transportation ways so the city can accommodate multiple modes of transportation. This bridge is a way to stray from the conventional steel structure and keep it green.
http://www.vegitecture.net/2010/02/vegitectural-crossings.html
Andrea N. Perea 14 December 2010 Sustainability 241-001 Final Project
Andrea N. Perea 14 December 2010 Sustainability 241-001 Final Project Water Usage Ideals:
Water usage citywide is on restriction. A resident’s previous year is used to project their averages. If they falter, and go over this average the following year they will be fined. Although this is a new project the city will use the square footage finalized as well as the surrounding buildings usage to create a cap for this first year. After the first year the sites averages will be taken into consideration. From the first day onward every year it will be a goal of this site to decrease blue water usage by 5%. This percentage is for the entire building. It is the residents and the small businesses responsibility to do all they can to conserve. Improved methods must constantly be evolving to decrease water usage.
http://www.totalhabitat.com/P&P.html
Andrea N. Perea 14 December 2010 Sustainability 241-001 Final Project
Water Diagrams:
Total Habitat designs natural ponds which filter water on a residential and commercial scale. Shown on the previous page is a pond in Newton, Kansas. The utilization of grey water to water the plants and the plants to filter can be used in the urban garden to create a body of water and also to be used to pump back to the building for reuse.
The filtration system to be used to filter grey water for reuse in non-potable occurrences contributes to the diminishing water availability the area is facing. Water is scarce and becoming scarcer, this important initiation among this community to reuse as much as possible and harvest water is important.
Andrea N. Perea 14 December 2010 Sustainability 241-001 Final Project
In this break up you will see that we can use ravines along the edge of the site to reduce water runoff and divert it to use upon the site. The current water restrictions and shallow, sparse draining systems downtown make this system vital. The exterior space between vegetation and porous pavement will be connected to sub grade systems. The main drainage of these systems will divert water back into the vegetation ecosystem and also through a grey water filtration system for the non-potable water use on the site. Using ravines of the two materials will provide a visual element that those systems are a part of the whole and not separate entities of social space and mechanical, they will work as one.
Andrea N. Perea 14 December 2010 Sustainability 241-001 Final Project Shown here is a diagram for a micro garden. This micro garden can be used throughout the residences, commercial space and outdoor space. It is a simple bed of vegetation, which filters water for an aquarium below. This micro ecosystem can be an aesthetic feature as well as a learning tool for occupants of this site. It is a micro illustration of the macro environment they are immersed within.
Andrea N. Perea 14 December 2010 Sustainability 241-001 Final Project The Three E’s:
The three E’s are embedded within this site without force, without second thought. They are part of this site, naturally. Equity is felt among the commercial business and the residents of this site in the accountability for both parties to upkeep the garden space. It is a way to bring together business and residents to a common responsibility in their micro community.
Economics play a vital role to the success of the local commercial businesses of this site. This site is about advocating the local worker, the local citizen within their community to bring in a profit and serve their community. By having only local businesses at this site it creates a positive outlook for the local economy, for the local citizen.
The Environment aspect is seen through most formally in the revitalization of edible garden space. By creating a micro ecosystem on this site the city can bring in natural wildlife to an urban area. The green space also improves air quality. Since vegetation sequesters carbon to oxygen, the outdoor space created is a fresh air space among a high-density urban area. This air surrounding the building is also important to the indoor air quality of the residents, employees and customers, which visit this site because of the ventilation of fresh air entering the building. This idea of air quality also spills into the equity- environment fractal of the Three E’s. It is a disservice to provide polluted air to occupants.
Andrea N. Perea 14 December 2010 Sustainability 241-001 Final Project
Structural Integrity + Biomimicry:
There most often is a disconnection between the structural engineering side and its architectural design counterpart. A building truly becomes diverse when these two intertwining disciplines interact aesthetically. An exposed, well-designed structural system can become the architectural focal point while still having its needed integrity. The beauty of the Nymphaeaceae, a giant water lily named Victoria, can be used to mimic for vertical members. The Opuntia, the native Cholla Cactus and prickly Pear of New Mexico, are a great example of truss systems, which can be used as girder structural members.
Andrea N. Perea 14 December 2010 Sustainability 241-001 Final Project The Victoria Nymphaeaceae is an Amazon lily. It spans several feet across and is strong enough to support a human upon itself. The underside of the lily pad has a strong matrix like grid making it strong enough to support such weight. It branches out in a fractal like manner from the stem. Its petioles, stem system, is quite light. At a closer look upon the ratio aspect of branching and angles it can be applied to pour in place concrete or a steel skeleton. The openness of this structural system is a good choice for continuous long spans vertically up the building. The openings of the matrix can provide areas for fenestration as well as a support system for a glass curtain wall, keeping the beauty of the matrix exposed.
The exposure of a matrix grid such as this can be taken to two very different architectural design aspects dependent upon the material used. Slim concrete strands coupled with a dense matrix can provide a delicate finish. A more industrial, sturdy approach would be the use of steel. Steel is much more rough and unrefined. The matrix would take upon a thick quality. Another idea would be to join the two and create movement upon the building. The interaction of various materials is quite alluring, especially when the structural system becomes exposed and acts architectural in nature.
Andrea N. Perea 14 December 2010 Sustainability 241-001 Final Project The Prickly Pear and Cholla Cactus are both very different in biological structure on the outside but share similar internal structural designs. The Prickly Pear cactus has flat, jointed pads and grows out rather than up. The Cholla Cactus grows similarly to a tree with cylindrical segments like branches. Both the flattened pad and the cylindrical stems can break off easily and form a new plant. Their own weight of stored water can cause them to falter. In a cross section of cactus you can see the outer skin is tough and tube like areas transport water while other areas store water. This system is an updated form for the waffling system. The waffle can become distorted and take upon more organic shapes rather than the static rectangular forms of its predecessor.
Andrea N. Perea 14 December 2010 Sustainability 241-001 Final Project Bioclimatic Features:
As the site moves from exterior to interior space the attention to climatic detail will be utilized. A thorough site analysis will be provided giving the sun paths throughout the year, temperature extremes and averages and wind gusts and directions. The incorporation of these factors will be a basis for a strong development. Upon further request and recommendation, it can be provided energy modeling for decades from now to plan accordingly.
It is important to utilize the sunshine the area has year round. To keep energy costs down all windows will be at least doubled paned, low e glass. Most of the glazing will be operable. The residents, employees and customers will control the building envelope manually.
Some basic ideals this site must maintain upon the simplified four fascades of the building and site: North o
The indirect northern light must be utilized for daylighting
o
Shallow vertical fins can be used to block the slight petrusion of western sun radiating indoors
o
Openings are vital to allow air flow throughout the building of the prevailing south east winds and north west winds
East o
Horizontal fins to block intense morning sun although lets in light and views of the Sandia Mountains
o
Openings to control micro climate inside
South o
Utilize the winter sun angles to allow direct radiation to warm inside the building
Andrea N. Perea 14 December 2010 Sustainability 241-001 Final Project o
Openings are vital to allow air flow throughout the building of the prevailing south east and north west winds
West o
Horizontal fins will have to block the intense setting sun, allowing shallow angled winter light in
o
Openings to control micro climate inside
Experiential Description + Conclusion:
Someone approaching near this site will see the greenery peak around the corners of the surrounding city blocks. The area is green and vivid, full of life. A bridge spans across Silver Avenue connecting two plots and converging them into one site. Pedestrians and cyclists flood the pathways enjoying the area. Slender towers burst out from the urban garden, covered in vegetation along their faรงades and residents enjoy the outdoors. The air smells fresh and cool. It is a small paradise within downtown. It is the newest edition to the Edo District of Albuquerque.
Through time this site will evolve, it will morph into the adapting changes this city faces. Through mixed use and density it can mold to whatever it needs to be to accommodate the times and stay present. It will not become outdated, it will be an ever-changing, thriving district, which will spread onto other urban infill projects, which need retrofitting so they do can adapt and change as needed.
Over time the community garden and green gathering space will become more lush, greener and denser. The crop output will increase with time as the soil becomes richer and the residents and employees tending the garden become more aware, more educated on sustaining this outdoor space.