Provocations
Urban Campuses
Spring 2013 Provocations Urban Campuses
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Global Practice The planet currently is experiencing the
fastest rate of urbanization human history has ever witnessed, placing the design profession at a critical crossroads. Globally, planners and designers are sculpting new developments, districts, and cities, creating new mega-regions that will influence how people experience the physical environment for generations. Technological advances in construction drive radical geometric forms, which starchitects pursue in search of their legacy. Are these forms negatively impacting the quality of urban space? While bringing a valuable ecological perspective, is landscape urbanism ignoring other opportunities for placemaking and interaction formed by architecture, streets, and an understanding of human ecology? Will the unique poetics of a place, driven by its social context and cultural traditions, be forever lost to a globalized approach where designers import repetitive ideas and formulaic solutions? Provocations is a forum for sharing work that illustrates Sasaki’s philosophy that thoughtful design solutions are not conceived in isolation, but rather from a collaborative and open conversation about issues and ideas. We carefully have curated projects for their challenging context, rigorous analysis, and original design solutions. Singular ideas, empty forms, and patternmaking are replaced by solutions derived from a deep understanding of the complex social and environmental forces that mold the context of a place. In each example, population shifts, changing demographics, and expanding economies play a significant role in shaping the 2
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issues. Cultural considerations, natural resources, and landscapes systems like hydrology and habitat inform big moves. Ultimately, bold ideas that consider multiple issues create a poetic expression that solves immediate needs while also providing flexibility for future adaptation. Our hope is that the sharing of the work in this series will result in an even more engaged discussion and cross-pollination of ideas that will help to continually cultivate our practice. THIS ISSUE In the second issue of Provocations, “Urban Campuses,�
ABOUT SASAKI Sasaki is an international design firm that tackles complex projects with innovative solutions in a global context. Since the founding of the firm in 1953, we have worked around the world. In the last 60 years, the issues that we face have become even more challenging. Urbanization, transportation, climate change, habitat loss, and water resources are all global issues. Although each of our projects offer solutions that are site-specific, many of these ideas translate across regions and cultures. A solution we have for flood mitigation in Iowa, for example, can also be the basis for how we look at a riverfront in China. The ideas we offer are more significant than where we work.
Moscow IFC Russia Beijing Technology District China
Songzhuang China
Suzhou
Sasaki
Jinan
China
Boston
Techtown
China
Sasaki
USA
Shanghai
Samsong Istmo
Guatemala
South Korea
Dead Sea Jordan
KUSTAR
Abu Dhabi
Lulu Island Abu Dhabi
Palava
India
Thu Thiem Vietnam
SUTD
Singapore
Sasaki Projects
Core Sasaki team members on projects featured in “Urban Campuses�
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Scales of Thinking
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The selection of projects for Provocations not only represents the unique cultural contexts in which we work, but also the broad range of scales. While our design principles do not vary from one scale to another, scale becomes a critical factor in how we research regional ecological and infrastructure systems; what mechanisms we utilize to assess densities, open space, and development impact; and also what strategies we propose for phasing and implementation.
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TechTown: Igniting Innovation Detroit, USA
The new economy requires new modes of learning, researching, working, and generating ideas that cut across disciplines and facilitate the transfer of ideas from the classroom to the marketplace. These advances demand that institutions reconsider how they are organized and how they collaborate in the context of their physical environments. TechTown, a knowledge district in Midtown Detroit, is leading Detroit’s transition from an automotive to an innovation-based economy, and is anchored by three key institutions including Wayne State University (WSU), the College for Creative Studies (CCS), and the Henry Ford Health System (HFHS). Over the past several months, Midtown Detroit Inc. (MDI), along with its institutional partners, has facilitated a district planning process that builds upon the unique strengths of each institution, while creating new opportunities for collaboration and growth. The district plan for TechTown provides a long term aspirational framework, with clearly defined catalytic projects that bolster economic development and support the ways people want to live, work, and learn in the future. The public realm emerges as the defining feature that accelerates this change. The character of TechTown itself is unique, featuring buildings that played an important role in the automotive innovations of a bygone era. Today, the district fosters new modes of innovation from alternative energy, to health care, to creative industries. In this manner, the district maintains its legacy as a birthplace for ideas. Provocations Urban Campuses
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Context
Downtown Detroit Creative and Tech Detroit Creative Corridor Medical and Educational Anchors Creative Production Anchors Creative and Tech Firm Locations Advanced Manufacturing Anchors Hubs of Entrepreneurial Activity and Influence
Innovation Context
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Henry Ford Hospital
New Center
Russell Industrial Center
TechTown ad ro l i a
R nk
ru dT n a Gr
Art Center Wayne State University
Medical Center
Midtown Detroit
Woodward Ave
Eastern Market
Downtown Detroit
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Institutional Anchors W GRAND AVE
T E C H TOWN
TECH TOW N
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WOODWARD
LODGE HWY
RA
AVE
Wayne State University Henry Ford Health System College for Creative Studies
Land Ownership Structure
Three Anchor Institutions
The TechTown District Plan articulates an inspiring vision for the revitalization of TechTown, an emerging knowledge district in Midtown Detroit. The plan leverages the potential of three institutions that anchor the district – Wayne State University (WSU), College for Creative Studies (CCS), and Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) – to create a dynamic hub for innovation, collaboration and production. The purpose of the TechTown District Plan is to define an aspirational framework for the development of the district that accelerates innovation, promotes entrepreneurship, and builds a community around the generation of ideas in a vibrant, mixed-use setting. The goals for the plan are to: - Leverage the potential of the institutional anchors - Enable institutions to expand their biotech and life science research agendas - Create an environment that fosters knowledge generation and innovation - Strengthen connections within Midtown Detroit and to surrounding neighborhoods - Repurpose the historic building stock with uses that support innovation - Create a vibrant urban neighborhood that meets institutional housing needs - Integrate sustainability strategies at multiple levels 10
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INVESTING WITHIN
INVESTING WITHIN
M I NI M A L I NVES TM ENT
INVESTING WITHIN
Internal Institutional Focus
CCS MAIN CAMPUS
Collaborative Potential
While TechTown is centered among the three anchor institutions, they have yet to leverage the potential for collaboration within the district. Amenities to support a culture of innovation are currently lacking, and the district is characterized by a poor quality public realm. Provocations Urban Campuses
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Defining an Innovation District
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A conventional mixed use district creates a good living and working environment but primarily relies on consumption. An Innovation District, primarily focuses on production by capitalizing on programmatice synergies and fostering collaboration. At TechTown, mixed use programs form a strong underlay over which a host of components that foster collaboration and the exchange of ideas are overlaid to create a vibrant and distinct Innovation District.
Collaboration Components
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TechTown Today TechTown is a well established district within Mid-Town Detroit with active programs. However, the lack of a defined public realm and no public space together with a dominance of surface parking lots has created an internalised culture where people seldom leave their buildings. Lack of adequate lighting and poor connections also create a perception of the streets being unsafe and discourage walking. The district has virtually no places to eat / meet forcing people to drive or be confined to cafetarias within their buildings. Current Site Conditions and Challenges
District Area
Surface Parking 14
Public Space
Developable Area
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Lack of a Heart ‘Heart’
The district currently lacks a strong center or heart where people can come together and collaborate
Adaptive Re-Use
The district contains a number of historic buildings well-suited for re-use 16
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Parking Dominates
27% of the site is dominated by Surface Parking lots with chain link fences that discourage walking
Parking Dominates Safety
Poorly maintained underpasses, and inconsistent lighting contribute to unsafe perceptions of the district. Provocations Urban Campuses
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Lack of Amenities
There are few amenities to support the district Amenities that exist are largely internal
Blank Building walls define many streetscapes and discourage street activity
Blank Street Walls 18
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Undefined Public Realm
Streets are foreboding and discourage walking. Within the 149 acres no defined public space exists
Lack of Housing
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Framework Principles
A Heart for the District Create a new destination at the heart of the district that brings people out of their buildings and into the public realm.
Walkable Environment Transform the built environment from places for cars to places for people.
Activate the Public Realm Enliven the district through active ground floor uses, inviting civic spaces, and a connected public realm.
Collaborative Collisions Promote creative collisions and serendipitous encounters.
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Experiment! Position TechTown as a canvas for experimentation and innovation, both indoors and outdoors.
24/7 Activity Introduce varied programs that encourage diverse activities 24/7
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Overall Framework HFHS
The plan for TechTown establishes a public realm framework that defines key corridors that integrate a mix of uses and connect the institutional anchors. A mix of complementary uses, such as fab labs and production spaces, co-working spaces, incubators, housing, dining and support services will contribute to the success and vitality of the district. TechTown features many historic buildings that played an important role in the automotive innovations of an earlier era. The plan maintains a mix of building types, repurposing much of the historic fabric. A strategic open space framework for long term development enhances and integrates the district. The core plaza is a central feature of the plan, and will be the focus of early investment. The plaza is designed for flexibility and to support year-round activity, from curling and campfires in the winter, to movie screenings, robot competitions and maker’s fairs in the summer. A community park and two additional plazas connected along landscaped corridors provide amenities for each of the anchor institutions. This robust open space framework and urban design strategy transforms parking lots and vacant sites into places for people.
HFHS
Existing Institutional Anchors 1 2 3 4
Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) College for Creative Studies (CCS) University Prep Academy WSU Medical Biological Research Bldg (MBRB)
Other Programs 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Next Energy Detroit Children’s Museum Criminal Justice Bldg (Incubator) Tech 1 (Incubator) Wayne State University Police Fisher Building New Center Park
Proposed Interventions
Public Realm Strategy 22
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12 Core Plaza 13 Community Park 14 CCS Plaza 15 North Plaza 16 Viaduct Improvements 17 Residential (Live / Work) 18 Co-working Space 19 Mixed-use Infill (Live/Work, Galleries) 20 Rapid Prototyping Facility 21 Small Batch Manufacturing T Light Rail Transit Stop
1
10 W GRAND BLVD
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1
P
15
P
MILWAUKEE ST
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CCS
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14
T
BALTIMORE ST
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P
P 16
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16 16
P
P
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AMSTERDAM ST
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3
P
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6
13
T
8 BURROUGHS ST
P
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ST
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P
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17
AVE
RP
YORK ST
D WOODWAR
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CASS AVE
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1
2 AVE
P
3 AVE
JOHN C LODGE HWY
9
21
17
3 ANTOINETTE ST
EL EDS
HWY
D FOR
)
(1-94
WSU
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Framework Corridors The corridors reinforce different institutional sectors, including Medical, the Creative industries, and Research within the Focus corridor. The Neighborhood corridor forms a vibrant mixed use spine with residential live-work units, cafes and co-work spaces. The Recreation corridor re-purposes existing wide sidewalks and medians to create linear parks and a productive landscape. A community park with recreation fields and exercise stations are located along this corridor.
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e Woodward Av
e Woodward Av
Focus Corridor
Neighborhood Corridor
e Woodward Av
e Woodward Av
Grand Blvd
Recreation Corridor
e Woodward Av
e Woodward Av
Medical Corridor
Creative Corridor
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The TechTown Core P 15
15
15
10 P 15
13 P
3RD ST
1
Existing Institutional Anchors 1 2 3
Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) University Prep Academy WSU MBRB
Other Programs 4 5 6 7 8
Next Energy Detroit Children’s Museum Criminal Justice Bldg (Incubator) Tech 1 (Incubator) Wayne State University Police
Proposed Interventions 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 T
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Core Plaza Community Park Residential (Live / Work) Industrial Kitchen Small Batch Manufacturing Launch Pad Medical Research Light Rail Transit Stop
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P
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11 12 AMSTERDAM ST
3
14
3
5
T
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BURROUGHS ST
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CASS AVE
2ND AVE
4 6
11
WOODWARD AVE
8
YORK ST
P
11
12
11
ANTOINETTE ST
ORD EL F EDS (1-94)
HWY
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Strategic Interventions
W GRAND BLVD
MILWAUKEE ST
MILWAUKEE ST
BALTIMORE ST
BALTIMORE ST
AMSTERDAM ST
AMSTERDAM ST
ST
)
)
(1-94
Integrated Building Use
Proposed
Live Work
Existing
Research
Public Greens
Commercial
Public Plaza
Education Amenity Fabrication Parking Garage Service
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ANTOINETTE ST
AVE
ER
WOODWARD
YORK ST
RP
(1-94
Proposed Interventions
BURROUGHS ST CASS AVE
HA
2 ND AVE
ANTOINETTE ST
3RD ST
ST
JOHN C LODGE HWY
ER
AVE
YORK ST
RP
WOODWARD
BURROUGHS ST CASS AVE
2 ND AVE
3RD ST
JOHN C LODGE HWY
HA
W GRAND BLVD
Mobility
W GRAND BLVD
W GRAND BLVD
MILWAUKEE ST
MILWAUKEE ST
BALTIMORE ST
BALTIMORE ST
k
in
5m i
ER
AVE
YORK ST
RP
ST
ANTOINETTE ST
)
)
(1-94
Proposed Shared Parking Strategy
CASS AVE
HA
2 ND AVE
3RD ST
ANTOINETTE ST
BURROUGHS ST
JOHN C LODGE HWY
YORK ST
AVE
CASS AVE
JOHN C LODGE HWY
2 ND AVE
BURROUGHS ST
WOODWARD
m
3RD ST
2.5
AMSTERDAM ST
AMSTERDAM ST
WOODWARD
k
al nW
al W
(1-94
Institutional Shuttle Network and Transit
Proposed Parking Garage
College for Creative Studies
Existing Parking Garage
Henry Ford Health System
Surface Parking
Wayne State University Amtrak M1 Light Rail
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Proposed
Existing
Transforming TechTown
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A district currently defined by surface parking lots and A lack of identity will be transformed into a dense, well-balanced urban setting, with a clearly defined heart and a strong sense of place. Provocations Urban Campuses
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Sustainability and Livability Environmental, economic and cultural sustainability are foundational elements of the plan. Public open space improvements create a vibrant walkable district that reduces demand for parking, and provides access to new light rail transit on Woodward Ave. The plan contains an exercise circuit and an integrated bicycle network to promote health and wellness. Landscape strategies include bioswales to enhance infiltration and reduce surface run off, while streetscape improvements increase pervious surfaces. The economy of the district focuses on local production of goods and services, and job creation around innovation. The plan preserves the district’s history and character through adaptive re-use of historic buildings.
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2nd Ave Re-imagined 2nd Ave is re-imagined as an exercise and recreational corridor with a linear park along the HFHS building that connects to the larger community park and playfields. The central median is transformed into a bio-swale and a productive landscape space.
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The TechTown Core Today
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The TechTown Core The analysis and outreach process helped us arrive at both a long term aspirational framework for the district, including defined public realm identities for corridors, along with a near term catalytic site that focuses investment around a signature plaza. Initial investments link the proposed light rail stop to the east with a proposed park to the west. Strategic street closures and the transformation of existing surface parking lots create a defined heart for the district. A dense grove of trees and linear bench direct individuals from the proposed light rail stop into the plaza. A fabrication lab anchors the southern side of the plaza with fabrication tables that span both indoor and outdoor environments. Collaboration cubes—or moveable and adaptable work stations—populate the plaza and can be reconfigured and relocated to meet the specific needs of the user. These cubes create a collaborative icon for the district. A projection screen, rock climbing wall, and signature shade circuit define the north side of the plaza, which includes a café with seating among an informal grove of trees. These amenities complement a nearby flexible space that can be programmed according to time of year and community needs. The plaza is home to the maker’s fair and hacker challenge in the fall. In the winter, the plaza accommodates a light installation and temporary curling lane, with collaborative campfires for warmth. Spring transforms the plaza into the epicenter of an alternative energy challenge with solar test cubes and food trucks. Colored pavers pixelate the ground plane and create a branded identity for the heart of the district.
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Collaboration Cubes
Movable
Demonstration
Brain Storming
Games
Collaboration
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The Core
16
Westcott Displays
University Prep School Gym Children's Museum
Utilities 6
7
4
Tech One 5
8 9
Burroughs St
14 13
Next Energy 2nd Ave
FabLab 12
15
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Criminal Justice Building
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
16
Proposed Light Rail Stop The Grove Seat Wall and Shade Structures Circuit Cafe Think Tank and Brainstorming Grove Climbing Wall Media Screen Multipurpose Space Shade Circuit Pedestrian Priority Street Food Trucks Terrace Lounge Fabrication Tables (Fab-Tab) Collaboration Space Next Energy Testing Site Residential (Live / Work) Community Park and Exercise Station Exercise Circuit and Bioswale
MBRB
1 2
11
3 14
Burroughs
St
10
WSU Police
16 16
Woodward Ave
Cass Ave
Lofts
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A Heart for TechTown
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A New Front Door A new entry plaza by the MBRB building and tree grove create an inviting entry space that connects the light rail stop on Woodward Ave to the core plaza. A screening element on the Tech One building provides clear visibility from Woodward Ave and creates a strong visual marker for TechTown
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Cass Ave Re-imagined
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Cass Ave is conceived as a Neighborhood Street that connects different parts of the WSU and CCS campus. Extensive surface parking lots along Cass Ave are infilled with innovative live-work typologies with co-working spaces, pubs and cafes that activate the street level. The intersection of Cass Ave and Burroughs St is transformed into the core plaza that forms a new heart for the district Provocations Urban Campuses
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Fall Maker Fairs and Innovation Challenges in the Fall activate the core plaza and encourage collaboration and entrepreneurial activity in the heart of the district.
MBRB
Tech One
Burroughs St
Cass Ave
FABLAB
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Provocations Urban Campuses Criminal Justice Bldg
WSU Police
Winter Fire pits allow people to use the circuit cafe and brain storming grove for collaboration even in the winter months. The flexible space in the plaza is converting into a curling rink.
MBRB
Tech One
Burroughs St
Cass Ave
WSU Police
FABLAB
Criminal Justice Bldg
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Fall: Maker Fair
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Winter: Fire Pits
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Spring Fabrication tables extend from the adjacent fab-lab to facilitate the visible testing and development of new products. Shade structures and complementary landscaping create a comfortable environment for collaboration.
MBRB
Tech One
Burroughs St
Cass Ave
FABLAB
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Provocations Urban Campuses Criminal Justice Bldg
WSU Police
Summer The Brainstorming Grove provides an informal destination for meeting and socializing, with access to the nearby Short Circuit Cafe and Food Trucks.
MBRB
Tech One
Burroughs St
Cass Ave
WSU Police
FABLAB
Criminal Justice Bldg
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Spring: Innovation Challenge
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Summer: Brainstorming Grove
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Realizing the Vision The vision for TechTown will be realized over time. The plaza is regarded as the near term critical action item for the district. It serves as the nexus and collaborative common ground for a multitude of stakeholders, but also requires the coordination of several landholders to realize this vision. This planning process provides the foundation for seeking sources of seed money essential to implementing this project. If realized, the core site public realm strategy has the potential to ignite innovation and drive Detroit’s transition toward a new economy. Initial investments will occur at the heart of the district, and will begin with the creation of a pedestrian priority zone that reinforces connections among existing institutions and businesses. Low cost, high impact installations, such as mobile and adaptable collaboration cubes specifically designed for TechTown, will support a range of active uses from spontaneous brainstorming sessions to planned social activities. The subsequent development of the core plaza will include amenities to support innovation and livability, and public realm improvements that connect to a new community park and proposed light rail transit.
e Woodward Av
Burroughs St
Phase 1 Components 60
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Spring 2013 - Pedestrian Priority Zone
A - Low Cost High Impact Installations
B - Define the Heart
C - Extend Investment to the Park
D - Connect to Future Light Rail
E - Complete the Core Provocations Urban Campuses
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Process A variety of creative strategies were employed to encourage participation in the TechTown planning process. A stakeholder committee composed of representatives from the anchor institutions and other constituents provided leadership and direction at key milestones. A regular series of open forums afforded opportunities for wider participation, and included presentations from experts in innovation districts and research parks, urban design and planning. Interactive games, such as the “Circuit Board” and the “Coin Survey,” were employed at the forums to test program and design alternatives, and to rank strategies for investment. TechTownTalk, the project blog, was developed to document the planning process and provided another vehicle for information exchange. A “MyDistrict” survey, an interactive online graphic survey, was distributed to anchor institution employees and other constituents to surface qualitative impressions of the district. Individuals were asked to identify where ideas are formed, where they collaborate, favorite dining locations, favorite outdoor areas, and other questions about the amenities and qualities of the district. The survey responses helped to tailor the planning, programming and urban design strategies to the unique requirements of an innovation district that supports the institutions.
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Project Blog
MyDistrict Survey
The Circuit Board Game
What Areas do you find Unsafe?
Game Pieces - Collaboration Components
Where is Collaboration taking place?
The Game Board
What are the Extents of TechTown?
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Open Forums
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TechTown Acknowledgements: Client: Sue Mosey - Midtown Detroit, Inc representing Henry Ford Health Systems, Wayne State University, College for Creative Studies, Next Energy, Tech One Sasaki Team: Dan Kenney, Dennis Pieprz, Romil Sheth, Caitlyn Clauson, Philip Perlin, Victor Eskinazi, Alexis Canter, Ponnapa Prakkamakul Strategic Advisors: U3 Ventures Consultants: Rebar Interface Studio Anthony Townsend Street Plans Collaborative 66
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Integrated Vision
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Universidad del Istmo Guatemala
The purpose of the project is to plan a new campus for the university aiming at consolidating the school’s operation, presently dispersed throughout Guatemala City. The new campus will provide a home for the long term development of the institution that anticipates a steady growth in student enrollment over the next 25 years. The key objective of the Master Plan is to develop a campus that is conducive to the realization of the University’s mission: to contribute to the formation of extraordinary professionals, with a deep commitment to society, rooted in a humanitarian worldview and with a keen appreciation of interdisciplinary learning. The Master Plan translates the University’s academic mission into a vision for the campus, capable of guiding its development over time and with a specific focus on its first phase of development. Additional objectives include: - The development of a flexible program and phasing strategy that allows the campus to grow in an organic manner, matching building and space resources with progressive enrollment. - The development of a campus environment that can jumpstart a new pedagogical model for the school. - The design of an integrated building site complex as a model for the restoration and sustainable redevelopment of the agricultural landscape characteristic of this region of Guatemala. Provocations Urban Campuses
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Site and Context City Center
G
ro wt
h
rr Co ido r
Site
Regional Context
Site Topography 70
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Site Topography
historic mounds
gentle slope
valley dense forest
steep slopes
lower plateau
promontory bowl ridge forested slopes
forested slopes
steep slopes
stepped terraces
dense forest
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Site Features
A
C
B
The Promontory
B - The Bowl and the Promontory on the Ridge C - The Valley Landscape
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A - The Ridge
The Ridge
The Bowl
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Site Features
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Typical cross sections showing strategies of integrating storm water filteration Provocations Urban Campuses
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A New Academic Type
The Farmhouse - Vernacular Typology around the new campus site
Use of Verandahs and Arcades in the current campus in Guatemala 76
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Vernacular Typology The traditional typology consists of a living space with a a deep verandah that acts as climatic response and a space for social interaction. This type effectively blurs the ‘inside - outside’ relationship.
Living Space Garden / Farm
Re-interpreting the Traditional Typology The Verandah as a multi-dimensional space 1. facilitate cross ventilation & providing shelter from the rain 2. a space for informal learning expanding the classroom into the public realm 3. a space for social interaction and engagement
Green Roof Rainwater Collector
Academic Space
Public Realm / Landscape
Verandah
Developing a New Academic Type A building form that is rooted to the local context, responsive to climatic conditions and seamlessly integrates pedagogical intentions of combining academic learning with social life. This type also integrates multiple sustainability strategies - shading, rain water capture, thermal insulation, etc Green Roof Rainwater Collector Verandah
Seminar Room
Classroom Shaded Arcade
Public Realm / Landscape
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Conceptual Strategies
The campus is conceived as a compact “village on a hill� surrounded by a unique natural setting, its plan is a model for the development of rural areas transitioning to urban conditions. It is organized as a linear structure of buildings clustered around courtyards and patios and interconnected by colonnades.
Historic Mounds
Reforestation and an increase in the Forest Cover around the Site
l/
ita
ey
vall
ics
sp
em
Dense Forest
Ho
ad
Ac D
R&
The plan responds to its site context through a variety of conservation and development strategies, among which are the continuation and restoration of existing natural ecosystems including: the Mediterranean pine reforestation in the hillside, the extension of the forested prairie in the elevated plateaus, and the conservation of wetlands, open springs and streams as part of the larger watershed in the valley.
Farm House
Library Rectory Student Center Chapel
ics
Academ
student life
hospital / r&d
student life
academics
student life
Development Zone
ation sports & recre
Student Life
student life
Campus Core
housing
Integration of Student Life 78
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Drop-Off Primary Public Space
Concept Strategy
Framework Structure
Farm House
Historic Mounds
Historic Mounds
Sports Field Parking 10 minute walk circle (800m)
Hospital
Dense Forest
Dense Forest
Library Rectory Student Center
Promontory Pavilion
Chapel
Bowl / Amphitheatre
Sports Center
Parking
Dense Forest
Dense Forest
Academic Buildings Student Life Parking Vehicular Access Drop-Off Promenade
Conceptual Organisation
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Integrated Framework
The Master Plan takes advantage of the morphology of the site by concentrating the development in two key areas: the main campus, elongated over the site’s upper plateau, and the university hospital and research complex, positioned over the site’s lower plateau, and separated from the campus by the ravines and the valley. The campus is organized as a linear structure of buildings clustered around courtyards interconnected by colonnades. These clusters revolve around a plaza that acts as the campus heart and main civic space. Located at the plateau’s highest point, the plaza is both focus and viewing frame to multiple vistas of the campus, and it is defined by the Library, Campus Center and Rectory buildings. The campus central plaza and its buildings constitute the campus cornerstone around which the rest of the campus will grow over time. Future academic departments, student residences and support uses will line up the remaining areas of the plateau. The landscape spaces between them will render the campus as a pedestrian environment in a garden setting. The valley between the campus and hospital provides a natural reservoir for an existing seasonal stream, this landscape is the central amenity of a major park that connects the university with its surrounding development. Building and key program destinations are concentrated within a 5 minute walking radius, making the campus a completely pedestrian environment. 80
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Historic Mounds
Dense Forest
Student Center Library Rectory Health School Business School Education School Engineering School Chapel Law School Design School Sports Center Student Housing University Hospital Future R&D Arcade
Program Distribution
Dense Forest
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ess Busin l o Scho
tion Educa l Schoo
Library
Entry Plaza
Re c
Campus Plaza to
ry
En Sch ginee ool ring
Design School
t en r d u St ente C
Chapel
Law School Design School
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The campus is designed as a largely passive development that draws upon the site’s resources and unique climatic conditions to function. The design paid special attention to the integration of building, infrastructure and landscape solutions to manage water on site, conserving and reusing the heavy volume of storm water, helping revert existing erosion processes. Buildings are optimized in their orientation, massing, height and section to take advantage of natural ventilation and daylighting, contributing significant energy consumption reductions to the campus. Provocations Urban Campuses
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The Campus Framework
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The Academic Core
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The campus open space system is based on the extension of the armature of natural systems existing on the site: the forest, the vegetated plateaus, the valley and the ravines. A key campus landscape strategy is to reinforce these systems by promoting the use of native vegetation, managing the extent of development and impervious areas and complementing existing ecosystems like the integration of drainage with the regulation of the site’s watershed and the development of terraces and planting areas to stabilize the ravines. Provocations Urban Campuses
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Sustainability Strategies
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Cross Sections
Cross Section through the Library, Medical School, Valley and the Hospital Cross Section through the Academic Greens and Academic Buildings
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Academic Greens
With a central operation in the campus community center, student life spaces permeate the whole campus setting providing destinations for recreation, sports, residential life, student advising and dining mixed with academic spaces throughout the campus. 92
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Landscape Strategies
Restored Urban Forest 94
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The Valley Landscape
The Ridge Landscape
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The Valley Landscape The campus open space system is based on the extension of the armature of natural systems existing on the site: the forest, the vegetated plateaus, the valley and the ravines. In this setting, the campus and hospital parcels provide a pedestrian focused connective system characterized by streets, plazas, walks and trails.
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University Hospital
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The Valley Landscape
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The Campus Core
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Universidad del Istmo Acknowledgements: Client: Universidad del Istmo Sasaki Team: Pablo Savid, Dennis Pieprz, Romil Sheth, Hsing-Chih Lee, Roberto Viola Ochoa, Vee Petchthevee, Radhika Mahan, Anthony Fettes Renderings: Arch Partners Provocations Urban Campuses
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University of Technology and Design Singapore
The Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) master plan provided a unique challenge: to design the campus for a new university that advances the implementation of the latest cutting-edge academic vision of interdisciplinary, collaborative, and project-based learning. The University’s academic mission, developed in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is based on bold new paradigms for integrating technology and design education in the fields of Architecture and Sustainable Design (ASD), Engineering Product Development (EPD), Engineering Systems Design (ESD), and Information Systems Technology and Design (ISTD). The master plan fosters collaboration through multi-functional academic buildings that are anchored by an International Design Center and interconnected by an outdoor pedestrian network. Like MIT’s “infinite corridor,” the east-west spine serves as the main pedestrian corridor of the campus, provides horizontal and vertical connections, and creates lively spaces for a wide range of University activities. Student-life facilities, housing, and recreational buildings are integrated in mixed-use precincts and connected through open spaces and plazas. Sustainable design plays a large role in the campus plan, utilizing a shade canopy over the spines, building orientation, green roofs, building systems, pedestrian and transit access, and storm water management. The result is a campus that has a strong sense of identity, supports a vibrant community, and demonstrates the University’s commitment to engaged learning and student development. Planned to open in the fall of 2014, the new campus will support projected growth to 7,000 Provocations Urban Campuses
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Site and Context Located 13 kilometers northeast of Singapore’s Central Business District, in a district with residential and commercial uses, the SUTD site comprises three parcels totaling 22 hectares. Adjacent to the site is an emerging research and technology park - Changi Business park and an Exhibition Center.
Changi Business Park Cluster as seen from the site
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Site Features
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The site has two distinct levels and inherent topography with concrete storm water channels carved into the landscape. There is potential to work with the natural site levels and better integrate storm water management into the public realm of the campus.
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Conceptual Strategies In translating the totally new pedagogical idea into a campus design the planners worked directly with the SUTD academic planning group at MIT, the SUTD Board, and Singapore Ministry of Education. As a new university, SUTD did not have faculty, students, or staff. The design connects and integrates uses through a primary pedestrian spine, an east-west corridor that reflects the University’s interdisciplinary and collaborative mission, gives an address for the major program elements, and links to key community uses, including Changi Business Park, Expo Center, and the transit system. At the heart of the campus and the spine is the Design Centre. It is the symbolic and functional hub of the University and international center for interdisciplinary learning and research. Integrated around the Design Centre are the academic spaces of the four academic fields (pillars) of the University. Each pillar is housed across clusters of buildings that include academic, student life, meeting, collaboration, and exhibition space, and each has a significant public presence on the primary spine. Intersecting the primary academic spine at the Design Centre is a north-south pedestrian corridor—or “living-learning corridor”—that connects the academic core to the residential program. The strong connection between the academic, residential, and student life areas promotes living-learning communities and builds on the vibrancy of the campus core.
Conceptual framework organization of the new Campus 108
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New relationships between technology and design education
Creating an integrated community of living, learning and leisure
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Campus Vision
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Spine Level Plan
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Cross Sections Located at the heart of SUTD is the Design Centre around which are clustered the core academic facilities housing the four major program areas. Student-life and residential facilities emanate north and west to the edges of the campus. The living-learning corridor to the north includes the library and student center, athletics and recreation facilities, and undergraduate housing. Parcels 2 and 3 to the west provide housing for graduate students and faculty. SUTD envisions housing a very high percentage of its students, faculty, and staff on campus to promote an engaged learning community and student development.
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Housing Student Life Academic Space Faculty / Admin Design Center Parking
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The Spine The primary spine defines the identity of SUTD by giving an address for the major program elements and creating a public face for the University within the city’s fabric. A shade structure provides pedestrians with relief from the tropical climate and also gives the campus a signature identity. A gateway plaza on the western end of the primary spine and pedestrianoriented gateways adjacent to the transit lines reinforce SUTD’s image within the city. The plan also increases SUTD’s public image by establishing physical ties to the adjacent Changi Business Park.
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The spine is directly connected to the future transit station
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Cross Sections Encompassing over half of the SUTD campus, the open space network includes pocket parks, courtyards, gardens, green roofs, athletic fields, and forested buffers, all of which form a green network interlinking the site. This network is complemented by a network of canals, water features and bio-swales which manage stormwater sustainably. A tiered network of pedestrian paths, including the canopy-covered primary spine, connects nearly all of the campus within a ten-minute walk. The result is an integrated system that enhances environmental quality while providing students with varied spaces for movement, recreation, and congregation.
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Integrated Sustainability Underpinning the SUTD campus is a strong commitment to sustainability. All campus buildings face south to optimize solar orientation and minimize heating and cooling needs. They also feature green roofs to modulate energy use and provide additional green space. To respond to Singapore’s warm climate and promote pedestrian comfort, a canopy extends along most of the primary pedestrian spine and living-learning corridor. These architectural measures, combined with landscape strategies to promote sustainable stormwater management and with transportation measures to promote transit use and reduce parking demand, fulfill SUTD’s goals of communicating sustainable development practices to the campus community and beyond.
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Cross Sections To promote interdisciplinary conversation and innovation the academic fields (“pillars�) are distributed across the building clusters, rather than isolating each in a distinct area. During the first three semesters all undergraduates are grouped in interdisciplinary cohorts and are taught in specially designed technology-enhanced active learning (TEAL) classrooms. These classrooms are located on the lower levels of the buildings, putting the most active student learning spaces closest to the spine. To further promote the exchange of ideas, the master plan connects the academic clusters to each other and to the Design Centre. A network of pedestrian bridges and entries knits the buildings together.
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Housing Student Life Academic Space Faculty / Admin Design Center Parking
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Student Housing Clusters
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The Campus Core
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T University of Technology and Design, Singapore Acknowledgements: Client: Singapore University of Technology and Design Sasaki Team: Dennis Pieprz, Romil Sheth, Dan Kenney, Victor Eskinazi, Vee Petchthevee Local Architect: MKPL Architects Landscape Architect: Sitetectonix 126
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Boston
64 Pleasant Street Watertown, MA 02472 United States T +1.617.926.3300 F +1.617.924.2748
Shanghai
600 North Shaanxi Road Building 10, Suite 402-408 Jing’an District, Shanghai, 200040 China T +86.21.6190.5290
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