Louisiana Louisiana, named after the King of France in the mid 1600’s, meaning “Land of Louis”. Located in the southern region of the United states of America, the multicultural and multilingual influences originate from the Creole, French, and Spanish. The state is bordered in the west by Texas, the north by Arkansas, and the east by Mississippi. The south is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico, with 15 % of the land mass covered in water. The state is divided into two parts; the uplands and the alluvial (low swamplands, coastal marshlands, and beaches, and barrier islands). The southern coast of the state is among the fastest eroding landmasses in the world, losing about 30 football felds per day, due to rising waters and erosion.
The climate is subtropical, with average highs in summer in the nineties and in winter an average of mid forties. With subtropical climates, the area is highly susceptible to tropical storms, hurricanes, and cyclones. Louisiana was the first site of petroleum drilling over the water in the world, with other industry products including chemical products, coal, processed foods, and paper products. The port of South Louisiana is the largest volume of shipping port in the western hemisphere(4th in the world). The tourism and culture are major contributers to the economy , with the annual World Cultural Economic form held in the state.
Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall. At least 1,836 people lost their lives in the actual hurricane and in the subsequent floods, making it the deadliest U.S. hurricane since the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane; total property damage was estimated at $81 billion (2005 USD), nearly triple the damage wrought by Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Hurricane Katrina formed over the Bahamas on August 23, 2005 and crossed southern Florida as a moderate Category 1 hurricane, causing some deaths and flooding there before strengthening rapidly in the Gulf of Mexico. It caused severe destruction along the Gulf coast from central Florida to Texas, much of it due to the storm surge. The most severe loss of life occurred in New Orleans, Louisiana, which flooded as the levee system catastrophically failed, in many cases hours after the storm had moved inland. Eventually 80% of the city and large tracts of neighboring parishes became flooded, and the floodwaters lingered for weeks.
New Orleans Known also as “The Big Easy”, New Orelans is a tourist’s delight, with distinct French Creole architecture as well as it’s cross cultural and multilingual heritage. The famous cuisine and music, with the multitude of festivals and celebrations, helps make it “the most unique” city in the United States.
“Music has an Endless Life” Anne Dudley
Located in Southest Louisiana, with famous architecture and culture iconic in areas from film to industry. The French Quarter and the notorious Bourbon Street helped New Orleans to become one of the top ten tourist cities in the United States.
Noted as the best city in the United States for the “spring break” and “wild weekends”, New Orleans is full of boutique hotels and shops adding to the allure of the city. The city is steeped rich in history, becoming widely known for the element of ‘elegant decay’. The city’s many beautiful cemeteries and distinct tombs are thought to be of the highlight attractions of the city. New Orleans is home to many celebrations, with the world famous Carnival, also known as ‘Mardi Gras’. The festival begins on the Feast of the Epiphany (The Twelfth Night), with the final and grandest of days of festivities ending the last Tuesday before Lent.
History of Bywater, Louisiana An urban area of approximately 120 square blocks with mixed commercial and residential use. Originating as a Creole community in 1807, the history of the name “Bywater” is unclear. The common thought is that a student created the name in school contest, in reference to the fact that the neighborhood bordered the Mississippi River and the Canal. The name was used also used in promoting the area in the late 1940’s.
Culture of Bywater The history of the culture originated from a blend of Creole, German, Irish, and later Italian immigrants. The area is a National Historic District, with architecture that dates back to the nineteenth century, contrasting to the American look, with the main types of housing composed of Creole cottages, Shotgun houses, Camelback Houses, and Side Hall Plan houses. The composition of the area is a working neighborhood, made up of churches, schools, small businesses, and residences. Steeped in history, the neighborhood welcomes people, with the sights, sounds, and smells that invite.
Demograpics of Bywater Area:
1521 Sq. Mi. Population:
15,727 (73.1% Born & Raised) Established:
1807
Median age: Men - 34.7 years Women - 34.5 years Median Income: $27,000 area/ New Orleans $37,000
Bywater Community
People Per Square Mile
2,389
3,882
8,623
2,091 11,299
Local Business SITE
CHURCH
GROCERY
LIBRARY
BUSINESS
FIRE STATION
RESTURANT
MEDICAL
Demographics
Hispanic 16,812
White - 105,732
Asian - 10,806
Black - 217,256
Other - 4,244
Sales & office
Farm, Fishing, & Manegment, Professional,& Related
Production, Transportation, & Service Construction
Programming
Childcare/Daycare
Daycare - Space designated for child development and daycare; Incorporates light & space to promote creativity & learning. Open space with movable furniture for youth activities & needs. Codes: 35 Sq. ft. net pp ; 300 Sq. ft. total Sustainable Factors: Maximize lighting for decreased energy consumption Reclaimed furniture and materials in accordance with LEEDs Materials reuse: Furniture and materials to be reclaimed and reused
Energy Performance: Lighting power & controls, HVAC, & equipment Material needs: 4-5 tables(Seats 16-20) 20 chairs 1 desk for instruction 6-8 storage units/shelving
Programming
Meeting and Event Space:
Open space for multi-use for maximum user accessibility. Storage for muti-configuration of space, movable furnture for variable needs Codes: Approximately 400 Sq. Ft. (15 Sq. Ft. per user) Material needs: 30-50 Non-fixed seating 1 Portable Kitchen demo cart
Sustainable Factors: Maximize lighting for decreased energy consumption
Energy Performance: Lighting power & controls, HVAC, & equipment
Low Emitting Materials: Flooring
systems,
paints & coatings, & adhesives and sealants
Urban Garden
Multi use space for computer education and development Open space with movable multiuse furniture.
Sustainable Factors: Energy & Atmosphere - green power Materials & Resources - regional materials, recycled content, & certified wood Water Efficiency - water use reduction 20% Reduction Sustainable site conditions - alternative transportation - parking, bicycle, & community connectivity
Programming Education/Classrooms
Multi-use space to include movable furniture to encompass education and learning. Area that is spacious for various forms of activities suitable for classrooms.
Codes: 20 Sq. ft net pp; 280 Sq. ft. per room
Sustainable Factors: Optimizing Energy Performance - lighting power & controls, HVAC, & equipment Materials reuse - furniture and materials to be reclaimed and reused
Lobby: Open space for multi-use for maximum user accessibility Codes: Approximately 400 Sq. Ft. (15 Sq. Ft. per user) Sustainable Factors:
Optimizing Energy Performance - lighting power & controls, HVAC, & equipment Low Emitting Materials - flooring systems, paints & coatings, & adhesives and sealants
Bathrooms
Multi use space for computer education and development Open space with movable multiuse furniture.
Sustainable Factors:
Energy & Atmosphere - green power Materials & Resources - regional materials, recycled content, & certified wood Water Efficiency - water use reduction - 20% Reduction Sustainable site conditions - alternative transportation - parking, bicycle, & community connectivity
PRIVATE
PUBLIC
SEMI-PRIVATE
Precedent Yesler Community Center Seattle, Washington
LEEDs Gold
2,800 Square Feet, 2 stories Site 60,000 Square Feet, First Hill Neighborhood Completed January 2005
The design received a Civic Design Award from the American Institute of Architects, and a Gold certification for LEED, high performance in all six categories. The design used simple materials, with a clear simple design.
The Yesler Community Center serves as a neighborrd hub, with spaces that include a gymnasium, teen center, childcare facilities, finess center, computer rooms, and meeting rooms. Commmon spaces are welcoming and flexible, with daylighting utilized at a maximum. A low budget project, but used design, materials, and light to the maximum.
Center Attributes Built by the Seattle Housing Authority, the site lies among the “blue ring”, a proposed open space network that connects inner city neighborhoods. The primary means of travel to the site are walking and by bus. Six different bus routes are accessible with 1/4 mile of the community center.
42% Reduction in Energy Use 63% Less Water Use 76% of construction waste diverted from landfills 95% of building is naturally ventilated and daylit 41% of products and materials from regional sources • Indoor Air Quality - Natural Ventilation Lack of Mechanical Coolant system 90% of Interior Spaces have daylit views • Low VOC Adhesives & Sealants Paints • Daylight Set to south facing hillside, branches into 3 volumes, maximizing daylight
Site Difficulties
• Green Designed & Impliented Green Housekeeping Program(Low toxic)
The site previously contained lead and asbestos building material in the soil, officially classifying the site as a brownfield, and cleaned up prior to construction.
• Materials Brick & concrete facades Stainless Steel Base Flashing heavy Duty extruded windows at high monitors
Building Codes: 1000 Poland Avenue, Bywater, Louisiana Type AIII: Intended use for worship, recreation,
or amusement and other assembly uses not classified elsewhere in Group A.
Building Codes: Type IIIA
Existing Conditions:
Occupancy Loads
Interior:
Access Storage Area 300 Sq. Ft. Gross
Wall materials Deteriorated Stucco over masonry brick No visible toilets or bathrooms
Assembly Occupancy (concentrated - chairs not fixed) 7 Sq Ft. Net
Approximately 4 forms of exit No Ramps or visible forms of ADA
Assembly Occupancy (standing spaces) 5 Sq. Ft. Net Assembly occupancy (unconcentrated seating) 15 Sq. Ft. Net Daycare Areas 35 Sq. Ft. Net Educational Occupancy (classroom work areas) 20 Sq. Ft Net Kitchen (commercial) 200 Sq.Ft. Gross General Storage 300 Sq. Ft. Gross
Size:
19’ x 131’ or 2489 Sq Ft.
Exterior:
Timber and shingle roof Fencing as form os security Greenspace available for use Accessible parking along street
Zoning: Residential Low Density Pre-War District 7 (RD1:RD2:RD3)
Lighting minimal, with ample daylighting and windows
Egress and Safety Max common Path of Egress Travel............................30 Ft. Assembly Seating >50 Occupants 75 Ft. for others Largest Room that has 1 form of egress.....................49 Occupants Minimum Length of dead end cooridors....................20 Ft. Door Width......................................................................32” Min Net Clear 48” Nominal Minimum Clear Door Width..........................................44” for >49 Occupants 36” for 49 or less Sprinkler (Maximum Travel Distance).......,..................200 Ft. (Unsprinklered) 400 Ft. (Unsprinklered open-air seating) 250 Ft. (Sprinklered)
North Rampart Community Center, New Orleans, Louisiana Opened in May 2007, the primary concern is children, providing a safe environment for children to play, learn, and grow. Extensive after school programs are available, with camps, education, and community involvement the focus. Goals for Youth Environment Assist with ongoing programs & daily activities Portray a positive role model for program participants by maintaining an attitude of respect, patience, courtesy, and understanding. Enthusiasm and commitment is key to working with youth.
Dublin Community Recreational Center, Dublin, Ohio A recreational center for all ages to enjoy, including teen and senior lounges, exercise facilities, theatre, and classrooms. The facility is open everyday, with extensive activities available. The computer labs offer classes for education, and the theater alows for the community to interact with the performing arts. Facility rental space available for convenience of members. Goals for Center To keep the communty united, offering many activities for all age groups, from exercise to performing arts. Education classes, theatre groups, and exercise classes offered for all who
Neola Area Community Center, Neola, Iowa Mission Statement: We, the members and employees of Neola Community Center; working with all people, committed to providing a facility for the use and benefit of all citizens. Goals for Center Promote an atmosphere for healthy lifestyles and offer a commitment to wellness, for the betterment of the community. Offer space for local Lions’s Club, American Legion, youth, and senior activities. Fitness classes, education classes, sports, and recreation available. Senior facilities including meals and library available.
Site: Old Stables The proposed site is located at the corner of North Rampart Street and Poland Avenue, with mixed use within the neighborhood. Median household income Bywater $27,114 New Orleans $37,751 Average Household Size Bywater 2.2 people New Orleans 2.5 people Average Family Size Bywater 3.2 members New Orleans 3.2 members Average estimated value of housing Bywater $81,296 New Orleans $124,588 Population below poverty level Bywater 38.4% New Orleans 27.9% Crime index for city Bywater 676.8 New Orleans 293.0
Site Views The old stables have a series of views that range from postive outlooks of the community and the remnants of a post Katrina blight. View 1 looks directly east from the building at a plasant row of neighboring houses. View two focuses more upon commercial spaces, occupied by a couple of resturants. One being the “joint�. Finally view 3 focuses on the adjacent sports facility which is set to be rebuilt in the next two to three years.
View 1
The Red arrows are symbolic of negative views. The Northeast arrow is facing a large vehicular intersection with conguested street traffic, which takes away from the natural beauty of Bywater. The southwest arrow faces a deserted row of houses, that may become rather vaulable with the completion of the community center.
View 2
View 3
View 1 - The remnants of old sports facility, directly behind the old stables
View 2 - Walking out of the existing entrance, facing southwest looking towards the Joint (BBQ restaurant)
View 3 - Directly across from the stables, neighboring houses
Windrose
The wind patterns throughout the year.
vary
slightly
Average Wind Speed January 9 mph June 9 mph September 12 mph
Wind Direction
January North Northeast June North September Northeast
Average temperature January 51.3 June 80.0 September 78.1
The wind path is minimal, with wind speeds that have little variance. Temperature is humid based, with highs and lows that create a mild teperature environment. Humidity dominates in the south, with hurricanes and tropical storms the barometer of the climate.
Circulation The site of the old stables is located in a key location of the community, with numerous vehicular paths to the site as well as two bus stop located right outside of the current site. The two main arteries of traffic flow are St. Claude Ave. and Poland Ave. which both intersect adjacent to the site of our coumminty center. Which Emphases the importance of location that will ultimately play a key role in attracting people the community. Bywater is beset by it’s lack of transportation. Less than 40% of the community owns a car. Walking and biking are the two main forms of transportation within the Bywater District, with many of its residents taking the bus to work every day, as well as to get groceries.
Pedestrians Pedestrian traffic will be key to the success of the Bywater Community center. The diagram to the right shows the most commonly travelled streets by both pedestrians and bikers. With the Poland ave walkway marked by two blue dots, symbolic of the two bus stops which run every 30 mins. The location of the community center plays a strategic role in attracting all races of the community. With whites currently reside mostly river side of St. Claude Ave, and the lakeside being predominantly black. The Community Center being located directly on St. Claude provides an opportunity to attract both races, as well as other cultures represented within Bywater to use the new Community Center.
Bus Route The bus route plays a major role in transportation for a post Katrina New Orleans. With most of the New Orleans county without their own cars, and Bywater specifically with less than 40% of the community without a car, the bus system is critical to the future success of the communites in New Orleans. The Bywater bus route has four stop on its daily route, the first being the Earnest N. Memorial Center, followed by two stops in the French Quarter. The Bywater/Marigny bus route ends in Bywater directly outside of the new Stables Community Center.
Conceptual Design Definition: Improvisation is the
practice of acting, singing, talking and reacting, of making and creating, in the moment and in response to the stimulus of one’s immediate environment and inner feelings In the first concept model, I looked to explore the rhythm of Jazz music. Specifically, the relationship between the Improvisation and the Rhythmic quality as a whole. And through this exploration create circulation through my building. The Green string represents the Improv on the model. The card board not only represents the rhythm of the song, but also the built environment surrounding the existing site. Through the natural qualities of Improv, we move through the model with little hesitation, free of guidelines or regulations.
Conceptual Design Definition: Rhythm is a “movement
marked by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions.� [2] In other words, rhythm is simply the timing of the musical sounds and silences. Again I explored the qualities of Rhythm and Improvisation. In this model I focused on the aesthetic qualities and attempted to investigate the characteristics of Rhythm in an elevation. In this model I employee cardboard and basswood to illustrate the rhythm and Improv. As seen in the plan view the rhythm works as a ripple effect, radiating outword from the Improvisation. This is symbolic for what a new community center would do for the Bywater area. Along with attracting adjacent neighborhoods to do the same.
Concept Development Project Bywater encompasses the heart of New Orleans. The community center is designed as a place for people of all ages to relax, enjoy, learn, and connect. History and tradition unite with new and modern to bring a place that all can use. Innovation is the creation of the new or the re-arranging of the old in a new way Michael Vance A community center should provide a place for the residents to gather for social and cultural events. In this model I’ve attempted to unify the existing with new contruction in order to fuse the two together. To achieve this unification I’ve attempted to address the facade as two house holds suchs as the existing ones opposite the new community center. The reason for this is not only to bridge the new and the old, but as well as to respect the existing typeology of the neighborhood.
Concept Development Bridging the existing building with new spaces, creating clean lines and a simple design. Interior and exterior spaces flow together to combine the site for maximum use. The southern climate is ideal for gardens, both creating green spaces and enhancing the aesthetics of the site. The site constraints include a long and narrow space, with the existing building that affords minimal exposure. Coupled with the new structure, garden and exterior spaces, the community center will provide a cohesive design that enhances the quality of life for the residents of Bywater.
Creation of Space The site is located at an intersection that allows for maximum lighting and exterior space. The new and existing structure allows for the interior and exterior spaces to flow seemlessly together. Our intial designs revolved around the aspects of a corner store, and how it realtes to the community. So naturally the circulation of the building starts at the entrance of the corner store and flows outward into the exterior courtyard. From there we arranged the program based upon importance and coinvent location.
Shifting the Concept While bridging the gap between the existing stables and the modern intervention still played a key role, we developed a more unified way to explore this concept. We conceived the idea of intersecting the existing stables with the intervention to create a more unified hierarchy, but also to symbolise a new entrance for the community. The new entrance not only works to define a more significant entrance, but allows for traffic to pass seamlessly between the new community center and the neighboring athletic facility. It finally works as a form of protection from the harsh summer sun and cold winter rain for local residence waiting for the bus.
Final Concept
Definition: Juxtaposition the act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side Definition: Fusion, a merging of diverse, distinct, or separate elements into a unified whole. My final concept embodies juxtaposition and fusion. In developing my thoughts and initial designs, I found myself further from a literal interpretation of jazz, to a more refined essence of Jazz. While staying true to the roots of Jazz I tried to develop a concept that fuses the new and the old. I believe it was achieved though my final concept model.
Initially I choose to place a mirrored building adjacent to the existing stables in order to reflect the juxtaposition in plan view. From there I derived a series of lines and view points based upon the Bywater city grid. In order to justify the angle of Which I Penetrated the existing structure. The reason for the penetration was to create a more defined entrance, along with fusing the two structures together. With the fusion of the new and old I believe we achieved a more unified building, which will ultimately reflect in a more unified community. In order to respect the existing facades that would have otherwise been demolished I choose instead
To elevate them to represent the wall of the new intervention. Again emphasizing the relationship of the existing and intervention. While the massing of the building is key to any design it is the details that truly make the building. As already stated I choose to keep all the existing facades and preserve them in a state of elevation. I also wanted to maintain the essence of New Orleans. Which is why I’ve kept a majority of the building directly on the property line. As well as a balcony over the Polland Ave street. Which will serve as both protection from the rain, as well as resembling the balconies seen throughout the French quarter.
Site Plan While bridging the gap between the existing stables and the modern intervention still played a key role, we developed a more unified way to explore this concept. We conceived the idea of intersecting the existing stables with the intervention to create a more unified hierarchy, but also to symbolise a new entrance for the community. The new entrance not only works to define a more significant entrance, but allows for traffic to pass seamlessly between the new community center and the neighboring athletic facility. It finally works as a form of protection from the harsh summer sun and cold winter rain for local residence waiting for the bus.
HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE PARKING
EXISTING SIDEWALK ROOF TOP GARDEN
EXTERIOR COURTYARD
GRAND GARDEN ENTANCE
BALCONY OVER POLLAND ST. EXTERIOR WALKWAY CORNER STORE ENTRANCE
EXISTING ON SITE PARKING
Exterior Walkways While bridging the gap between the existing stables and the modern intervention still played a key role, we developed a more unified way to explore this concept. We conceived the idea of intersecting the existing stables with the intervention to create a more unified hierarchy, but also to symbolise a new entrance for the community. The new entrance not only works to define a more significant entrance, but allows for traffic to pass seamlessly between the new community center and the neighboring athletic facility. It finally works as a form of protection from the harsh summer sun and cold winter rain for local residence waiting for the bus.
ADA Accessible Parking
Building Context While bridging the gap between the existing stables and the modern intervention still played a key role, we developed a more unified way to explore this concept. We conceived the idea of intersecting the existing stables with the intervention to create a more unified hierarchy, but also to symbolise a new entrance for the community. The new entrance not only works to define a more significant entrance, but allows for traffic to pass seamlessly between the new community center and the neighboring athletic facility. It finally works as a form of protection from the harsh summer sun and cold winter rain for local residence waiting for the bus.
Egress and Callouts
Bathroom Detail
2’6”
Stair 1 - Detail
Stair 2 - Detail
Final Design
Floor Plans While bridging the gap between the existing stables and the modern intervention still played a key role, we developed a more unified way to explore this concept. We conceived the idea of intersecting the existing stables with the intervention to create a more unified hierarchy, but also to symbolise a new entrance for the community. The new entrance not only works to define a more significant entrance, but allows for traffic to pass seamlessly between the new community center and the neighboring athletic facility. It finally works as a form of protection from the harsh summer sun and cold winter rain for local residence waiting for the bus.
Elevation : West
Section : Longitudinal