Architecture & Urban Design Portfolio by Scott Archer

Scott B. Archer

Architecture & Urban Design Portfolio

Table of Contents Architecture and Urban Design Portfolio

Urban Design Studio Projects 6

Growing Canopies

Kumasi, Ghana | GSAPP, Columbia University

Emerging Stages

A New Old

Brooklyn, New York | GSAPP, Columbia University Manhattan, New York | GSAPP, Columbia University

Undergraduate Architecture Studio Projects 50

Threshold: Freedom – Security

Urban Facade + Hotel

Well-Dressed Design Center

Sculpting Shadows

Jackson, Mississippi | Mississippi State University – Jackson Center Jackson, Mississippi | Mississippi State University – Jackson Center Washington, D.C. | Washington Alexandria Architecture Center Alexandria, Virginia | Washington Alexandria Architecture Center

Professional Work Samples 86

Park Pavilion

Park Restroom Facility

Union University Dormitories

Union City, Tennessee | TLM Associates, Inc. Jackson, Tennessee | TLM Associates, Inc. Jackson, Tennessee | TLM Associates, Inc.

Academic Research 94

Healthy Bodegas

Bronx, New York | Columbia University

Teaching: Student Work 106

Sustainable Urbanization

110

Power in Public

New York, New York | Columbia University New York, New York | Columbia University

Other Academic Work 118

3 American Regions + 1

122

The Survivors on Bowery

126

Transforming Treads

130

New Typologies in St. Louis

134

Doha: A Short History

138

Travel Sketches

142

Photography: Protesting

Brooklyn, Indianapolis, Oakland + Austin | GSAPP, Columbia University New York, New York | GSAPP, Columbia University NYC Subway Station | GSAPP, Columbia University Old North St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri | GSAPP, Columbia University Doha, Qatar | GSAPP, Columbia University Study Abroad â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Italy | Mississippi State University Washington, D.C. | Washington Alexandria Architecture Center 3

Urban Design Studio Projects

Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation | Columbia University 5

Growing Canopies Holistic Health through Ecology & Architecture Kumasi, Ghana In collaboration with Samarth Das, Vanessa Espaillat, & Sagi Golan Spring 2013 | GSAPP, Columbia University

The fast growing population of Kumasi is putting immense pressure on several key infrastructures, natural ecology, and most importantly the health of the city. This project focuses on the concept of ‘holistic health’ in the development of the city of Kumasi. The strategy is tested within two sites — a pilot project in waste management within a new peri-urban municipality of Asokore Mampong and a rural site that encompasses the design of a specialist hospital. Kumasi’s landscape consists of a series of ecological corridors that transverse the city, creating green spinal connections through its fabric. These lands fall under the traditional Chief’s authority but are presently threatened by sprawl and encroachment of housing, informal commerce, agriculture, and industry. These corridors can become key areas where development of productive canopies along with sustainable harvesting safeguard the same while contributing to the region’s economy. The pharmaceutical industry has been noted as an essential area of investment for the city of Kumasi. Favorable political policies coupled with an immense human knowledge capital emerging from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology provide the city with competitive advantages in developing this industry locally. The increase in demands for traditional herbal medicines suggest cultivation of an industry focused on the production and distribution of these herbs — 85% of which grow within the region’s semi-deciduous climate. A formal distribution corridor along the Tamale-Accra road, along with the upgrading of the airport and a new ring road proposal, places Kumasi strategically within the nation as well as the sub-Saharan region. Severe environmental degradation and frequent epidemics give the city the urgency to develop new treatments and drugs. The eco-corridors are also threatened by poor waste management. Providing a new system of collection as well as co-composting household and human wastes can begin to reduce the contamination of the city’s waterways. Currently filled with various types of waste, these waterways are distributing water-borne disease through direct human contact, dispersed agriculture irrigation and fostered mosquito proliferation. The cleaner irrigation water and newly produced compost would create higher yields for farmers as well as diminishing the spread of these diseases. 7

Overall Strategy The comprehensive system comprises various elements of holistic health, such as the healthcare system, traditional herbal medicines, aspects of eco-therapy, allopathic pharmaceutical industry as well as waste management. Our project aims to evolve a strategy that synthesizes these elements in order to have a meaningful impact on the overall health of the city of Kumasi. Enhancing the overall approach of holistic health, nature embedded within urban as well as architectural environments can provide exceptional healing effects and healthier lifestyles. This strategy is manifested within the design of the specialty hospital for the West African Health Foundation (WAHF) in the rural town of Juaben. Designed as a series of programmatic nodes interwoven with open-air circulation, courtyards and a productive landscape, the hospitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s patients can take advantage of the broadened ideas of holistic health. The intersection between the ecological and architectural canopy stresses the importance of nature penetrating the formal volumes of the hospital. Through its design, the building embodies the values of holistic health and aims to become an image that inspires future developments.

Holistic Health Kumasi â&#x20AC;&#x201C; once known as the Garden City of West Africa - faces a great challenge to preserve and utilize their lush protected lands along its waterways, which have become the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s key environmental infrastructure. Bottom-up cooperative models of development play an important role in improving the socio-economic conditions of their members and local communities. The organizational system provides both economic and social benefits, strength-

ening community networks and reinforcing the importance of cooperation and education through waste management and medicinal plant production strategies. In the dual political system, traditional authorities have complete ownership of the land and therefore play an important role in the land provision. Meanwhile, the modern government will continue to have a managerial role within the strategy.

Sustainable Eco-Corridors The natural canopy in Kumasiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s semideciduous forests hosts over a 150 species of native plants, which have a variety of nutritional, herbal, medicinal, and construction uses. Environmental degradation and unsustainable harvesting have made many of these plants extremely rare, and demand for these plants continues to rise in local markets.

Therefore, strategies of remediation and prevention should be employed throughout Kumasiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eco-corridors to protect this important infrastructure. A system of bioswales, co-composting, and herbal production can be used as a measure to prevent informal encroachment into these protected lands.

USES:

Construction

Food Source

Herbal Medicine

10 6

Paint

Allopathy

Asokore Mampong Asokore Mampong, the first municipality outside of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) boundaries, currently faces complex land tenure ship, environmental degradation, together with poor systems of service management and provision. The eco-corridor strategy is based on an environmental remediation plan, which restores the important natural canopy, replenishes the eroded soil with co-composting process of human and organic waste, collects and cleans

the rainwater runoff and sets up an economy of medicinal herbal production. This system is devised through a series of wet-bottom ponds and terraced bio-swales that slow down rainwater runoff flow and naturally cleanse it before releasing it to the waterway. After the water and waste system has been put in place, the medicinal plant cooperatives begin the process of selective harvest of medicinal plants, completely transforming the waterways into productive eco-corridors for the municipality.

WAHF Hospital Significance With extremely high maternal and child mortality in Ghana and a severe brain drain in Kumasiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health system, WAHF hospital has an opportunity to become a leading hospital in Kumasi locally, and internationally in the sub-Saharan region. By focusing on these health issues and providing specialty care, while retaining and training skilled doctors. WAHF creates a holistic approach to the role of the hospital. This holistic approach is not only programmatic but also uses herbal medicine as part of the healing process by developing codes of dosage and usage in the research and development center within the hospital. The hospital plays an important role in its relationship to the town of Juaben, where women from the town will be employed in the herbal and therapeutic center. The town itself will cater to visitors that come to the hospital by providing lodging and dining facilities. The hospitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic model provides health care for high income patients, who in turn will subsidize lower income patients and providing funding for the upgrade of the existing district hospital.

WAHF Hospital The plan organizes the most public elements of the hospitalâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; primarily the diagnostic and consultation centers, to be accessible easily to the majority of visitors. This initial out-patient department leads into a more private and secured in-patient facility with operation theaters, single patient rooms and wards for men, women and children. Stressing on the importance of herbal medicine, a therapeutic healing center is located towards the end of the site, along with shortterm hotel rooms for patientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; families.

Through each stage of its development, this plan has constantly aimed at integrating the formal programs of the hospital with the healing aspect of natural landscapes. The courtyard becomes a formal element of organization and orientation for users, setting up a rhythm of movement through the hospital. It allows natural light to flood the corridors and rooms while facilitating cross ventilation of air.

Hospital Entrance The entrance facade of the hospital becomes a key feature in asserting the presence and identity of the hospital on the main Ejisu-Juaben road. The image of the hospital as a leading center for training as well as research and development is asserted by locating these programs on this edge. The building sets back to a large fore-court that receives pedestrians. The drop-off area for vehicles is beyond a controlled entry point restricting the gathering of informal hawkers around such areas. Publicly accessible programs such as the pharmacy and the blood bank are also located along this edge, for users who only need these services. A new architectural canopy provides shade, facilitates ventilation, collects rainwater and hosts solar panels oriented for capturing maximum sunlight. The canopy becomes the visual identity of the hospital and is an element that unifies the various parts of the building.

Section Understanding The hospital is envisioned to be made of a composite structure of local materials such as landcrete, concrete and bamboo. Bamboo grown on site proves to be a highly economical material. It serves to allocate spaces for future growth of the hospital and can be used in various stages of construction. The project also capitalizes on the heavy rainfall and strong sunlight by collection in storage tanks for irrigation purposes as well as storing solar energy in inverters for small uses. Primarily a space frame that allows for the variations in the roof, the structure is comprised of bamboo members with prefabricated metal joinery. Modular sections allow for the extension of the roof along with the future expansion of the hospital. Other systems in the building include a passive cooling mechanism that deploys fresh cool air within the floor to keep the overall temperature in control and a grey water cleansing living machine that filters and feeds back into the flushing tanks in the toilets of the hospital.

WAHF Hospital Phasing The design of the hospital aims to promote the well-being of its patients through the overall values of holistic health that it embodies. To be sustainably constructed, the hospital has been designed to be built in phases if necessary. During early phases, bamboo can be planted in the future building footprint and building material can be literally grown on site. This cost effective solution can help WAHF build the entire hospital more quickly with smaller monetary capital investment. In conclusion, a hospital with an architectural canopy weaving through a new productive ecological canopy can serve as an example of development for the metropolitan region surrounding Kumasi.

Emerging Stages A Film and New Media Core in Greenpoint Brooklyn, New York In collaboration with Vanessa Espaillat, Carolina Montilla, & Jun Peng Fall 2012 | GSAPP, Columbia University

A learning city continues to innovate through collaboration and Greenpoint presents itself as a strategic location for collaboration within the film industry. Greenpointâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s urban fabric allows for different levels of collaboration not only within the film industry but with other industries already present in NYC like fashion and apparel, multimedia software, finance, performing arts, network TV and broadcasting, among others. Film industry subsectors can exist in close proximity to one another and promote collaboration by encouraging the existing diversity and flexibility of spaces. Our project intends to promote Greenpoint as a core for the film industry in NYC, while maintaining interaction and collaboration among other sub-sectors in the film industry. Through the creation of a set of design strategies Greenpoint will maintain its current urban character and scale, providing an alternative to the current zoning changes. At the same time, a new network of transportation is proposed using the current ferry terminal on India Street as a node of activity and introducing bike sharing stations and activating a new red of bike paths in Greenpoint. Within the film industry the stages of Pre- and Post- Production are the ones that allow for the highest level of collaboration with other fields. In order to promote such interaction, our proposal creates a set of programmatic clusters with anchor points. These clusters (pre-production, postproduction, education, cultural and residential) provide spaces and proximity for collaboration on multiple scales. Collaboration can occur within a building, between buildings in public spaces, and in between sectors through cluster relationships. Our proposal encourages collaboration within the Film and New Media industry, establishing Greenpoint as its center of activity. Our project challenges the idea of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;gated innovation campusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by integrating technology, innovation and collaboration into the urban fabric.

Collaboration Innovative thought comes through productive collaboration. Face-to-face interaction can be housed in many types of urban environments. Brooklyn encapsulates many urban spaces that contain collaborative atmospheres: the protected Brooklyn Navy Yard, the co-working cooperative at the Metropolitan Exchange Building, the incubator cluster in DUMBO, and live/work spaces in Williamsburg, among others.

Brooklyn Navy Yard

Co-working Cooperative at the Metropolitan Exchange Building

Incubator Cluster in DUMBO

Business Hub of Downtown Brooklyn

Live/Work Spaces in Williamsburg

Collaborative Media Industries in Greenpoint

Film Industry in NYC An industry based on collaborative innovation is film and new media, and New York City is already home to many companies within this industry. Exhibiting strong financial ties to the city, four of the six top film companies (ranked by market share), are headquartered within New York. Current incentives by both the city and state have promoted many sectors of the production process to begin to use this city as a base for film production.

Month

DEVELOPMENT

Script Breakdown and Schedule Board Creation & Revision Budget Creation & Revision

Pre-Production Conceptual Meetings and Director Starts Casting Music & Post-Production Meetings Production Manager, Production Coordinator, and Auditor Start Production Designer and Location Manager Start

PRE-PRODUCTION

Location Scout and Discussions with Studio Department Head Set Decorator and Costume Designer Start First Assistant Director, Prop Master, and Transportation/Construction Coordinator Start Secure Camera, Grip, and Electric Bids Start Special Effects Hire Editor Sign Final Budget Cast Rehearsals, Measurements/Wardrobe Tests, Remainder of Crew Starts

PRODUCTION

Principal Photography Editor’s Assembly Director’s Cut Previews and Changes Lock Picture Turn Over to Music and Effects Opticals and Titles Foley (Sound Effects)

POST-PRODUCTION

ADR (Dialog Replacement) Scoring of Music Negative Cut Color Tuning Pre-Dubbing of Dialog and Effects Final Stereo Dubbing View Answer Print

DISTRIBUTION Striking Interactives

Video Game Developers

Finance

Performing Arts Companies

Multimedia Software Companies

Data Sources:

www.sonypicturesmuseum.com/uploads/img/std_content/timeline_02.jpg www.filmunderground.com/180/article/NWFS/Page/1/Five-Phases-of-Filmmaking.htm

San Francisco Film Office. “San Francisco Film Cluster Economic Analysis.” April 2007. http://38.106.4.41/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=52 30

Apparel / Fashion / Costuming

Internet Content Developers

Network TV and Cable Broadcasting

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20th

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Sony Pictures

Pic ny So NEW YORK CITY | 59.8%

New

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11.1

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Viacom | 19.3%

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Fox

Out of Scop e Sec

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BRO A

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NEW MEDIA

Film & New Media Industry

UBATO INC RS

TRADITIONAL MEDIA

H /TEC VC AN IA DIG L

MUSIC

ADV ER

G SIN TI ISHING AND

[Education ]

Schools

FILM & TV

WS NE

What are the needs of this industry?

T EN M ABLE

FILM

LIVE EVENTS

ENTERTAIN ED CASTING AND

MEDIA DISTRIBUTION

[ Spatial ]

Universities

Large Scale Production Studios (Range: 20,000 - 100,000 sq. ft) Medium to Small Production Spaces (Range: <20,000 sq. ft)

Cultural Institutions Film & New Media Training Center

Parking and Service Areas

Manufacturing

[ Lifestyle ]

[ Support ]

Local Character

Performing Arts Tourism Music Fashion Construction Finance

[ Transportation] Airports Trains Subway Local and Inter-state Road Infrastructure Bus Routes

Parks & Recreation

[

Time

]

Flexible Rent Periods Time Difference between Competing Cities Proximity for Industry Collaboration

Office Space Low- Rent Live/Work Space for New Media Residential Units Hotels

Broadband Retail Restaurants Coffee Shops Bars Safety

Bicycle Routes

Spatial Typology Needed The film and new media industry is unique in the spatial typology it demands. Large volumes of space are needed for setbuilding, filming, and storage, while small live/work spaces are demanded by small video editing, costume designing, and sound mixing companies. Therefore the discovery of this unique line where the cities industrial fabric meets a thriving residential community is ideal for this industry. Greenpoint has the longest of this type of “buffer line” within Brooklyn. Starting with this line, a series of actions were taken to create an “innovation zone” for the film industry and preserve the typology of space needed. By integrating public spaces, transportation, and existing industry, among others, the zone is not a fixed line, but continues to morph and develop over time.

Incorporating Existing Film & New Media Industry

Linking Subways & Ferries

Including Warehouse Truck Access

Absorbing Vacant Land

Integrating Public Spaces

Industrial/Residential Buffer Lines in Brooklyn

Why Greenpoint? Not only does Greenpoint house the longest industrial/residential buffer in Brooklyn it is located strategically between many assets for the industry. Steiner Studio in Navy Yard, Silvercup & Kaufman studios in Queens, and the new Made in NY Media Center to be located in DUMBO, surround Greenpoint and give a substantial critical mass of the industry needed for smaller firms and creative people to locate nearby. The Greenpoint Film Festival also has a long tradition of promoting creativity through film in this neighborhood.

Clusters Within Greenpoint, the presence of existing media industry, vacant lots and buildings, and the right types of urban fabric allowed for several sub-clusters to be designed throughout the community. Therefore, not creating the typical walled lots of studio complexes and integrating the industry within the existing community. A series of regulations, including height, setbacks, preservation, and social spaces were also developed to facilitate this new industry, as well as counteract a recently-approved planning proposal, which promotes high-rise (30-40 stories) of private residential construction, completely eliminating the character and scale along the Greenpoint East River waterfront.

Brooklyn Artist Alliance (existing)

Service Access (West St.)

Active Rooftop for Private Residential Uses

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Endâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Recording Studio (existing)

Fashion Designer Studio

Classroom Spaces

Artist Studios

Art Galleries

Mobility/Connectivity

Residential Live/Make Cluster

Connecting Bike Paths Pedestrian Routes to South Ferry

Residential & Live-Make Spaces (Max.height =13 stories) Workshop/Fabrication Spaces Greenpoint Manufacturing + Design Center Slightline Fabrication Stage Design

ess Blvd McGuinn

n Av Manhatta

Proposed Interventions Existing Program Proposed Green Spaces Existing Bike Paths Proposed Bike Paths

Cultural/Production Cluster

India Stree

Short-Term Residential Commercial Corridor + Public Plazas Flexible Production Space Theater Complex Kickstarter.com Faber Pencil Factory Lofts Stunt Training Center Brownstone Type (Live/Work)

ve. nA

ma Nor

Co-working Post Production Cluster

New Bicycle Route (Franklin St.)

Pre-Production Cluster Co-Working Spaces Pre-Production Warehouses Short-Term Residential Bars & Restaurants at Ground Level Broadway Stages

Education + Community Adaptive Re-use Library

Post-Production Warehouse Spaces Audio/Sound Stages Film and New Media Post-Production New Media Live/Work

Readapted Warehouse: Vertical Growth

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David Mastny Functional Art Studios (existing)

Maintaining commercial activity on ground floor

Separate Cycling Lanes

Cultural Cluster This cluster along the waterfront is seen as the trigger for the project. Connecting the ferry terminal southward to blocks hosting commercial, retail, and existing media industry, the needed pedestrian traffic can be leveraged to activate a new social corridor. The corridor is punctuated by the iconic Greenpoing water tower and provides a home for the film festival and museum near the existing Transmitter Park. The development of this sub-cluster will also help to establish the culture of development within the Greenpoint urban fabric.

East Ferry

Insertion of new commercial pedestrian corridor

KICK STARTER .COM Transmitter Park art market

AL TIV NCERTS FILM FMUESISC CO TS ITY EVEN

COMMUN

Activation through new cultural space ROOFTOP TERRACE

OFFICE

CLASSROOM OFFICE CLASSROOM

PERFORMANCE CHAMBER

ER THEATH

BACKSTAGE

LOBBY

LOUNGE/ CAFE/ MEETING SPACE

PLAZA

ENCIL FABER P Y LOFTS R O T FAC

SOUND STAGES

Fishing Pier

Re-Use of large warehouse structures

OR CO-W -

POST TION PRODUC

Core of interaction and collaboration Highlight and enhance local landmarks

Occupied roof spaces Public interaction in retail and education spaces

ENTER

AINING C

STUNT TR

Water

OWS Tower LIGHCOTMMSUNHITY EVENTS

Existing Playground

A New Old Active Aging in Two Bridges Manhattan, New York In collaboration with Wang Gu & Ara Hovsepyan Summer 2012 | GSAPP, Columbia University

New York City is aging. The senior population of NYC will grow from 11.8% in 2008 to 20% in 2030.” The redesign of the urban fabric of Manhattan—using the Two Bridges area as a case study—will provide this rapidly growing elderly population with a safer and more comfortable environment to age in place. [1] New housing, [2] transit connections with accessible waterfront, and [3] an integrated path network provide a framework in which the future populations can continue to use Two Bridges as a place of social interaction and graceful aging. With continued political and developmental focus on New York City’s waterfront, the current NYCHA housing stock on the East River waterfront in Manhattan is under constant scrutiny. This projects capitalizes on the political will of waterfront development and the city’s increased necessity for housing. Elderly design is community design. Through design which acknowledges the needs of the elderly, the urban fabric is more hospitable for a community of all ages. New mirco-unit housing provides spaces for elderly and young professionals to live, sharing communal spaces and developing relationships of mutual benefit. The addition of transit connections, integrating ferry and subway networks, provide increased access for all members of the community as well as access for other New Yorkers into the Two Bridges area. A network of resting stops, not only provide increased mobility for the aging, but also provide spaces for interaction and gathering for all of those in the community. A new Two Bridges, Manhattan can exist not only as a sympathetic urban fabric for an aging population, but an urban fabric that improves the quality of life for all of its residents.

Proposed Housing Towers

care

As NYC’s housing needs grow, new typologies are being developed. Mayor Bloomberg has announced support for a new “micro-unit” to be developed in the city. Traditionally these unitscare are targeted care care toward single, transitory, young professionals; however, a single elderly adult prevalent prevalent agesmall group could also benefit from the privateage group living spaces, with large active communal spaces throughout the building. Current NYCHA (New York City Housing Authority) waiting lists are hundreds of families long. Many of the occupied apartments are home to single elderly adults. Because policies of the Housing Authority have been developed to allow seniors to age in place, there are no mechanisms to free up these large 2 and 3 bedroom apartments for families in need. With the constuction of micro-unit towers nearby, portions of the facilities be reserved for the NYCHA elderly, care carecan allowing them to age in their neighborhoods, while freeing up needed space.

NYCHA Waiting List

...................

WAITING

Typology 2 Typology 2

Living Room

Larger family moves into NYCHA residence.

care care

3 ygoloTypology pyT Typology 3 3 Single seniors move into more efficient housing nearby.

Kitchen

care care

Bath

prevalent prevalent ageage group group

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2 care care

685 sq. ft.

Average NYCHA Unit

erac

Typology Typology 22

Typology Typology 33

350 sq. ft.

Mirco-Unit Challenge

.............

WAITING

Library & Reading Spaces

Media & Entertainment Spaces

Bar & Lounge Spaces

Dining & Sitting Areas

Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Play Areas

Office & Computer Spaces

Laundry Areas

Arts & Performance Spaces

Gourmet Kitchen Areas

Outdoor Spaces

New Micro Unit Apartments 43

Transit Station & Waterfront A new transit station connecting the East River Ferry to the MTA subway system is integral in providing for mobility of this aging population. By creating a subway station connecting to existing lines on the Manhattan Bridge, a direct connection between this transit system and the East River waterfront is established for first time. Among the structure of the station, much needed spaces for recreation and relaxation are introduced for the community.

Path Network & Rest Areas An elderly person can comfortably walk only about a quarter of a mile before needing a rest. Through the development of network of rest stations, the aging population in Two Bridges can move further from their homes and into the community. Stations located no more than this threshold distance of a quarter mile provide ample opportunity for elderly mobility in the community. This greater mobility helps to combat the isolation noted earlier. Designed to resemble a subway map, the network can be easily understood with stops named and amenities clearly noted. These resting stations house many amenities. All include basic seating and spaces for rest; however, many include additional amenities such as shade, playgrounds, sporting facilities, game tables, MTA transit stops, ferry terminals, and dining or shopping nearby. Through the inclusion of all of these activities the map is versatile enough to be useful to future communities, even without a majority elderly population. These nodes become places of interaction and social engagement, strengthening the sense of community in Two Bridges.

Collect Pond Park

Columbus Park

Foley Square

Municipal Building City Hall West

Park Row

City Hall East

James Madison Plaza

Murry Bergtraum High

Smith Ho Verizon Tower

Catherine & S Peck & Pearl East River South Street Seaport

East River Blueway Cont.

Peck & South

Pier 17

Confucius Plaza Allen & Canal Seward Park Chatham Square Henry St.

Sophie Irene Loes Park

Market & Madison

La Guardia Houses

PS2 Meyer London

Little Flower Playground Madison & Pike

Catherine & Madison Coleman Square

ouses

Tanahey Playground East Tanahey Playground West Market & South

Cherry & Pike

Cherry Clinton Playground Rutgers Park East River Blueway Cont. Chinatown YMCA Basketball City

East River - Manhattan Bridge

South

Map Legend - Brooklyn Bridge

Seating Area

Public Plaza

Shaded Seating Area

Sidewalk Benches Available

Playgound

Elderly Accessible Path

Sporting Facilities Game Tables MTA Transit Nearby Ferry or Boat Terminal Food Nearby Shopping Nearby

Undergraduate Architecture Studio Projects Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation | Columbia University 49

Threshold: Freedomâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Security On the grounds of the Mississippi State Capitol Jackson, Mississippi Spring 2012 | School of Architecture, Mississippi State University

The Mississippi State Capitol sits on an axis that is perpendicular to the original axis of the city. Using the maps created from security concerns and the idea of a entry point into the city, the northeast corner of the Capitol grounds was chosen for my building. The proposed architectural intervention would frame the dome of the Capitol as one approached from the east on High Street. The building begins to dissolve into the sky from the heavy mass that is integrated with the earth perfectly framing the dome with the two main marble tubes. The mapping of security threats and barriers across the site also allowed for the generation of the topographical change to create a short security wall around the building without blocking any axial or symbolic views toward the Capitol. Entry into this secure zone could only be accessed through the proposed building. The building massing itself is composed of three marble tubes with connection blocks between. Entry is indicated through the angled slice at the ends of the tubes. The first tube acts as a extended vestibule, which holds the security screening, before entry into the lobby itself. The lobby opens back up toward the Capitol with views again framed by the two massive marble walls. The modern pureness of the tube form provides great contrast to the Baroque architectural features of the Capitol. By creating the tubes from the same marble as was used in the Capitolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s construction, a natural comparison between form and ornamentation would be presented. The second tube entered, once one passed through the lobby, would be the first gallery space and queuing for the orientation theater. Following orientation the visitor would be directed into the third tube and gallery space and then exit to the secure Capitol grounds and eventually return to this tube for transition to the dedicated exit space.

Axis of Symbology As mentioned there are two main symbolic axes within downtown Jackson, Mississippi. The Capitol exists on the northern portion of the new axis and comprises the largest public space within the downtown area. The architectural symbolism in style was also studied and abstracted to understand profile, shade, form, and color more thoroughly before making an addition to the site.

Planning The mapping of security threats and barriers across the site (including blast distances, vehicular speed, existing ground circulation, topographic and landscape features, among others) allowed for the generation of the topographical change to create a short security wall around the building without blocking any axial or symbolic views toward the Capitol. Entry into this secure zone could only be accessed through the proposed building.

Security Stand-off Distance Requirements for Luggage (75’), Automobiles (150’), & Trucks (350’)

Scale: 1” = 100’

Potential Security Threats from Vehicular Speed

Combined Map Security Concerns

Scale: 1” = 100’

The building massing itself is composed of three marble tubes with connection blocks between. Entry is indicated through the angled slice at the ends of the tubes. The first tube acts as a extended vestibule, which holds the security screening, before entry into the lobby itself. The lobby opens back up toward the Capitol with views again framed by the two massive marble walls. The second tube entered, once one passed through the lobby, would be the first gallery space and queuing for the orientation theater. Following orientation the visitor would be directed into the third tube and gallery space and then exit to the secure Capitol grounds and eventually return to this tube for transition to the dedicated exit space.

Pedestrian Movement Connections between Buildings

Scale: 1” = 100’

Security Barriers Physical and Topographical

Scale: 1” = 100’

North

Plan Scale: 1/8” = 1’-0”

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Form The modern pureness of the white marble tube form provides great contrast to the Baroque architectural features of the Capitol. By creating the tubes from the same marble as was used in the Capitol’s construction, a natural comparison between form and ornamentation would be presented. The lobby space is directly below the free speech plaza, which is comprised of three main levels that ascend toward the Capitol. If there were to be an organized protest or gathering, a leader or group of leaders could stand on the uppermost piece with the Capitol acting as a backdrop. The architecture would provide the symbolic nature of freedom, even amongst the security required. A system of ramps cups the spaces in plan to allow for multiple sizes of gatherings and a variety of spaces. Each elevation provides different views and exposes more of the focal point, the Capitol itself.

Section 1

Scale: 1/8” = 1’-0”

Section 2

Scale: 1/16” = 1’-0”

Section 3

Scale: 1/8” = 1’-0”

Section 4

Scale: 1/8” = 1’-0”

Urban Facade + Hotel Quilting Context Jackson, Mississippi Fall 2011 | School of Architecture, Mississippi State University

This project was developed for investigation into the design of urban buildings, specifically their facades. The semester was introduced through a series of assignments focusing on pattern-making and craft with the making of quilts. The quilts were derived from abstract representations of potential project sites, which were complex, layered mappings of light & shadow, movement, permeability, and effects of perceived perspective of buildings. Once the quilting was complete, the hotel was assigned for the final portion of the semester, with a strong focus on the facade and skin development. This development was derived from the pattern-making strategies in the quilt, the surrounding site conditions, and the clients who appreciate both folk art and modern architecture. Therefore, I developed the strategy of pulling the patterning and depth of openings from the facades of the surrounding buildings to create a new but referential pattern to be applied to the building mass, very much like the process of vernacular folk art in Mississippi. Concepts of figure and ground, overlapping, and connection were taken from the quilt and integrated into the building facade. The facade itself was designed to be constructed with steel framing, aluminum storefront, and an aluminum panel system, through which the developed pattern of figures protrude.

Quilting Context The semester was introduced through a series of assignments focusing on patternmaking and craft with the making of quilts. The quilts were derived from abstract representations of potential project sites, which were complex, layered mappings of light & shadow, movement, permeability, and effects of perceived perspective of buildings.

Pattern-Making Designing for clients who appreciate both folk art and modern architecture, the strategy of pulling the patterning and depth of openings from the facades of the surrounding buildings to create a new but referential pattern to be applied to the building mass, very much like the process of vernacular folk art in Mississippi. The facade itself was designed to be constructed with steel framing, aluminum storefront, and an aluminum panel system, through which the developed pattern of figures protrude.

EAST ELEVATION LAMAR STREET FACADE Scale: 3/32” = 1’-0”

Urban Form In order to reinforce density within a suburban-scaled downtown, A tall, thin tower was proposed with a party-wall, providing for future dense development as well. An urban space is protected within the site and is connected to the street through the multi-story lobby/museum space.

TECHNICAL WALL SECTION METAL PANEL & WINDOW DETAILS Scale: 1” = 1’-0”

FUTURE DESIGN SOUTH ELEVATION AMITE STREET FACADE Scale: 1/16” = 1’-0”

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Well-Dressed Design Center Fashion Design Center for D.C. Washington, D.C. Spring 2011 | Washington Alexandria Architecture Center

Designed for a city where symbolism is a basic element of architectural design, the building should not exist as competition to the country’s symbolic structures however maintain physical significance within the city’s urban fabric. My design approach was to arrange the programmatic elements vertically, making distinct and necessary connections between the various program elements. The structure is combination of steel columns and metal decking with poured concrete for slab floors throughout the building. A white stone edging is added to the exterior perimeter of each floor level and is allowed to visually pierce the facade’s skin. The skin itself is comprised of a folded metal and glass panel system that has five variations of panel configuration and operability: folding, pivoting, sliding, separated, and stationary. The specific configurations of panels are assigned to the skin based on the programmatic requirements on the skin’s interior. Both the exposed floor edging and the variation of skin configuration contribute a visual and physical movement of the building facades. By capturing movement, the building exists as a metaphor connecting architecture to fashion. The building’s skin is the clothing draped over the structure and the architectural expression of movement reflects the integral role that movement plays in the design of fashion.

Transforming Facade Referencing the manipulability of fabric, the folded, and changeable facade provides a showiness and exhibition that fashion requires. This building can act as a symbol of the developing fashion industry within Washington, D.C. The skin system design is composed of a series of glass and screened panels set at 45 degrees to one another creating a zig-zag motif in plan. Comprised of several configurations, the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s panels each operate in a different way and are placed according the programmatic requirements of the interior spaces. The panel configurations consisted of folding, pivoting, sliding, separated, stationary, and structural.

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Skin: In Detail The skin system design is composed of a series of glass and screened panels set at 45 degrees to one another creating a zig-zag motif in plan. Comprised of several configurations, the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s panels each operate in a different way and are placed according the programmatic requirements of the interior spaces. The panel configurations consisted of folding, pivoting, sliding, separated, stationary, and structural.

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Program & Form The site given for this project was extremely limited in area (approximately 25 ft. x 50 ft.). Therefore, careful consideration and arrangement of programmatic elements had to be organized vertically. The program includes the following spaces: • Presentation (Runway) Space • Exhibition & Reception Space • Ground Floor Retail • Production & Finishing Spaces • Student Studio Spaces • Materials Library • Academic Library • Classrooms • Master or Visiting Designer Residence

Sculpting Shadows Sculpture Museum and Garden Alexandria, Virginia Fall 2010 | Washington Alexandria Architecture Center

This project was a deep study into the role of architecture as function versus its role as art. Many times architects take a specific view of architecture (either function or art) and do not consider architectural designs as an important balance between these two qualities. Before receiving the program of the building, I was tasked to truly analyze the site through many personal visits and drawings. I then made drawings (seen to the right) documenting and analyzing the qualities of shadow and sound on the site itself. The building design was greatly influenced by these first analyses. Because the art selected for the projectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collection was sculpture, I was able to draw correlations between sculpture and building. As the building both housed the sculpture, as well as acted as sculpture by manipulating shadow throughout the various spaces. I intentionally created spaces of great variety in light qualities for the obvious comparison between soft and harsh shadows inside. The walls act as both blades splitting the light and curves to capture and redirect light evenly across surfaces and throughout the space. These issues asserted themselves as the most important throughout the design process for a sculpture museum and garden.

Site Analysis & Design A waterfront site in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia was given for this sculpture museum and garden. To understand the site more thoroughly, a series of diagrams entitled Recognize, Invent, and Displace were developed. Recognize diagrammed the existing shadows on site and their threedimensional occupation of space, at various times of day and seasons. Invent diagrammed the noise levels and conditions sectionally across the site, as well as time of day, and tries to insert a complementary sound cycle into the site. Displace diagrammed tidal change of the Potomac River and hypothesizes the exhibition and interaction of the water physically within the confines of the site. The overall site plan maintains the large open park for views and recreation while physically polarizing the two opposite programmatic components of the building: the noisy studio workshops and the quiet exhibition spaces.

Site Design Shadow, sound, and water continue to play a major role in the site design. A multi-level sculpture garden with transparent tanks of water, reflecting the river tidal heights, provide augmented viewing of the exhibited sculptures. Visitors are somewhat isolated from sounds as they are depressed within the earth. And finally shadow is continued to be analyzed as not only source and projection but the space in between.

Building Design The main gallery and social spaces are housed within the brick building, created of a myriad of shapes and formed walls which sculpt the light and shadows throughout the space. The building opens towards central courtyards with light from above filtered through a gridded glazed roofing system.

Professional Work Samples TLM Associates, Inc. | Jackson, Tennessee 83

Architectural Intern TLM Associates, Inc. 117 East Lafayette Street Jackson, Tennessee 38301

Since 2006, I have worked with mid-size firm of TLM Associates, Inc. in Jackson, Tennessee, during summers and breaks of the academic calendar. While at this office, I was integrated into all phases of the design and construction process, even small project management. From a summer of on-site building inspection to proposal preparation and submission, I have been well-versed in all of these phases. Projects types that I have worked on include educational, collegiate, banking, parks, residential, adaptive reuse, interiors, and graphic design, among others. “TLM Associates, Inc. is a professional architectural and engineering firm that has been serving the Mid South since 1964. The firm consists of registered, licensed professional architects and engineers along with experienced design professionals and technical personnel specializing in architectural and engineering services. Our team has over 300 years of combined experience.” “TLM Associates, Inc. is headquartered in downtown Jackson, Tennessee. This central location allows the firm to deliver professional services quickly throughout West Tennessee. We also have the capability to serve clients nationally and internationally. TLM has been retained on projects ranging from $5,000 to $60 million in construction cost.” “TLM Associates, Inc. also has a team of LEED Accredited Professionals that are capable of working with organizations or municipalities to design sustainable buildings and sites. This team includes architects, civil engineers, and mechanical engineers. One LEED goal is to revitalize existing buildings and systems to make facilities more energy efficient. By having a LEED certified building, the owner can be provided with a quick return on investment through reduction of energy and maintenance costs.” Quotes from TLM Associates, Inc. promotional materials. www.tlmassociates.com

Park Pavilion Union City, Tennessee The park pavilion project in Union City was a project that I would on from beginning to end. I, with Ginger French, AIA, managed the design, correspondence, and construction of this project. Meant to mediate between a nature-filled park and an industrial site, the material choices highlight this unique intersection.

66'-0" CONCRETE PAD PERIMETER

A.1

7'-3 1/2"

8'-8 1/2"

16'-0"

1/2"

2'-10"

1'-4

12'-0"

20'-0"

5'-0"

31'-8"

CEDAR PERGOLA

15'-0"

46'-0" 3'-0"

H / J (TYP) A5.1

3'-0"

B A5.1

H / J (SIM) A5.1

8'-0"

4" SPLIT-FACED C.M.U. (SEALED)

Womens Toilet 101

Picnic Area 104

C. JT. 7'-11"

6'-9 5/8"

F.D. 7

2 4

6" C.M.U. (SEALED)

SLAB SLOPE, REFER CIVIL & STR. DWG'S.

4'-0"

5 5A

4'-9 5/8"

ACCESS PANEL

C. JT.

H/C W.C.

STEEL COLUMN (PAINT)

Mens Toilet 102

TOILET PARTITION (TYP)

13'-8" x 10'-2" 128 SF

1'-3 5/8"

102

5'-9 7/8"

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F.D.

11 0

3'-4"

C. JT.

3'-4"

103

C. JT.

Mechanical Room 103

13'-8" x 7'-6" 60 SF

5'-9 7/8"

32'-7 3/4"

CHASE

3'-0

51'-3 3/8"

3 1

W.C.

44'-0"

8" SPLIT-FACED C.M.U. (SEALED)

5 5A

51'-3 3/8" CONCRETE PAD PERIMETER

22'-2"

3'-4"

101

13'-8" x 10'-1" 138 SF

A A5.1

27'-3 1/8" CONCRETE PAD PERIMETER

11 5/8"

C. JT.

MOP SINK

F.D.

4'-4 3/8"

4'-9 1/4"

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2 7/8

5'-9 7/8"

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16'-0"

12'-0"

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Overall Floor Plan 1/8" = 1'-0" 2,590 SF OVERALL SLAB 449 SF BUILDING

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Outdoor Restroom Facility Jackson, Tennessee The restroom facility was designed to exist within a small scenic park in the suburban Jackson. The lit figures provide a graphic iconography for the building. Stained plywood, cast-in-place concrete, and rusty corten steel blend with the ecological elements of the park. This project is yet to be built.

Dormitories Union University Jackson, Tennessee After a tornado demolished most of the student housing on campus, the university needed safe new dorms quickly. I was involved with a large portion of the construction administration and inspection, located on-site for the entire summer for this project. I was not on the design team for this project.

Academic Research

Urban Design Lab & GSAPP | Columbia University 93

Healthy Bodegas (selected publication spreads) Research for the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Bronx, New York In collaboration with Richard Plunz, Ankita Chachra, Vanessa Espaillat, Carolina Montilla, Kristina Ricco, & Janice Tan Spring 2013 | GSAPP, Columbia University Bodegas in New York City play an important role in the health of the city. They not only serve as commercial enterprises selling food (both healthy and not-so-healthy products) but also as significant places of social interaction and influence. In developing their products lists and services provided, bodega owners respond to two constituents: product distributors and the local community. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to draw a distinction between bodegas and supermarkets by establishing that bodegas are not supermarkets. The most obvious evidence is the differences of spatial organization, total square footage, and layout, but also in terms of relationships between distributors and the communities. The social relationship between a bodega owner and its community is crucial. The interaction between this owner (or bodega cashier) and the customers is more personalized than that of a supermarket. A bodega owner can have a positive influence in the healthy choices of a customer in the same way that a customer can influence a bodega by requesting healthier options. There is a generational and ethnic change in bodegas in New York City. The new generation of bodega owners is reanalyzing the concept of a bodega and investing in the revamping of these spaces from crowded and visually noisy convenient stores to a cleaner, modern look. Existing analysis of spatial conditions of bodegas is very limited and not fully understood. However, across the city, the spatial configuration and the appearance of bodegas are being used as targets of new investments. As these investments are being realized, we aim to use our research and knowledge of architecture and design to identify areas of potential design intervention to both benefit the health of the community and the sales of the bodega itself. Our aim is to develop a series of strategies and solutions in the form of a Healthy Bodega Design Manual that can be implemented within the broad range of bodega types, helping store owners promote and sell more healthy products within their communities. This array of design interventions varies economically and spatially, just as bodegas do. A matrix of design proposals responding to these parameters will help to create a diversity of potential solutions and outcomes for these owners to use. 95

THE BODEGA

Mass Transit Access Bodegas

A disappearing social institution

Mixed Res. & Com. Neighborhood Bodegas

Commercial

Institutions

Residential

According to the Bodega Association of the United States, two or three bodegas close down every day in New York City.

Currently, there are 1500 bodegas

in New York City and half of these are at risk of bankruptcy. The CPEX Fall 2010 Retail Report showed that between the years 2005 and 2010 bodegas’ rents per square foot rose from 50 percent to 130 percent (New York Times, 2011). The eventual disappearance of bodegas could mean a negative impact for the thousands of owners, families and larger communities that depend on these small businesses. These corner stores have become an ideal place where people get together and form tighter community bonds. Bodegas are also an alternate solution for customers who cannot afford to purchase in bulk at supermarkets and need to buy their groceries several times a week depending on their unpredictable income. A great example of bodegas’ role was evident during Hurricane Sandy, one of the most devastating storms that have affected New York City to date. During ‘Superstorm Sandy’ the corner stores stayed open, supplying the communities with the essential supplies to endure the crisis, such as: water, milk, bread, candles and flashlights. While big box stores closed their doors, bodega owners offered community members a place to discuss the current events, stay informed and purchase their groceries.

Sources: 1. Glass, Claire and Plasencia, Amanda. “For bodegas, An Uncertain Future. “The Local East Village, New York Times, March 11, 2011, accessed March 6, 2013, http://eastvillage.thelocal.nytimes.com/2011/03/11/for-bodegas-an-uncertain-future/. 2. Gratereaux, Alexandra and O’Reilly, Andrew “Hurricane Sandy: Some Loyal Bodegas in NYC weathered storm as best they could,” October 31, 2012, accessed March 6, 2013, http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2012/10/31/some-loyal-bodegas-in-nyc-weathered-hurricane-sandy-customers-as-best-could/.

HEALTHY $ELLS

DISPLACEMENT Gentrification and big retail The two main culprits? THE TRADITIONAL BODEGA The 2008-2009 New York Hispanic Small Business Survey accounted that 53

•

Rents have risen 50% - 130%

percent of Hispanic bodega owners are at risk of losing their business. Out of the

•

1/2 of NYC Bodegas are at risk

937 ‘bodegueros’ or bodega owners surveyed, 74 percent blamed the increasing rents

of closing

and 18 percent said they were unable to compete with bigger franchise stores.

•

Throughout the five boroughs, rents have more than doubled due to the

Gentrification is displacing many of the bodega customers.

citywide process of gentrification, forcing premature closures of hundreds of small businesses, preventing the opening of new small businesses and creating a scenario where only larger chain stores will survive. With the new incoming population the ethnic bodegas have opted to adapt and rebrand themselves as health shops,

IMMIGRANT OWNER

offering fresh and organic products that appeal to higher-income residents. There

THE “HEALTHY” BODEGA

is a common consensus that “Healthy Sells!” and this has become the key marketing

•

strategy of bodegas in the city.

Bodegas are rebranding as healthy and organic retailers.

Parallel to this process of gentrification, there is a generation and ethnic

•

change in bodegas in New York City, which has also accounted for the physical

Attracting a new high-income clientele.

changes in the corner stores. A younger and higher educated generation of bodega owners, are investing in the revamping of these spaces from crowded and visually noisy convenient stores to a cleaner and modern look, in order to attract higher spending customers. However, retrofitting and rebranding are not viable options for smaller less-

ETHNIC AND GENERATIONAL SHIFT

THE FRANCHISE BODEGA •

profitable bodega businesses that lack financing opportunities and unfortunately •

In 2012, the New York Times reported 7-Eleven’s plan to open 100 new stores

includes: a fully stocked store,

called the Business Conversion Program, whose stated goal is to entice mom-and-pop

a business consultant, an

shops into becoming 7-Elevens”.

HEALTHY $ELLS

Offering bodegas a business conversion program which

in the city, “armed not just with data processing tools but also with a system

Sources: 1. Levere, Jane. “7-Eleven sees an opportunity to open doors”. The New York Times. July 14, 2009.

7-Eleven is planning to open 100 new stores by 2017.

have to close down or become a franchise of bigger corporate retail stores.

inventory tracking system and FRANCHISEE OWNER

a business model that reduces spoilage.

THE BODEGA A disappearing social institution

Mass Transit Access Bodegas

Mixed Res. & Com. Neighborhood Bodegas

Institutions

Commercial Residential

According to the Bodega Association of the United States, two or three bodegas close down every day in New York City.

Currently, there are 1500 bodegas

HEALTHY $ELLS

BEYOND HEALTH Corner stores as health agents Good health is very much determined by one’s access to healthy food. Studies in Brooklyn and Harlem have showed that bodegas far outnumber the supermarkets in the area. However, these corner stores carry limited stock of healthier items like fruits, vegetables, reduced-fat milk, low sodium or low sugar goods. This has affected mostly the poorer neighborhoods and has contributed to the increasing rates of obesity, deaths from diabetes and heart disease. For these reasons the NYC Health Department has launched a series of initiatives that provide nutrition education and outreach to target communities like South Bronx, North and Central Brooklyn and East and Central Harlem. The Healthy Bodegas initiative, now renamed Shop Healthy, put forth by the NYC Health Department, has delivered an Adopt-a-bodega Toolkit for communities to work with corner stores to increase healthy offerings. The manual proposes support activities such as cooking demonstrations, new product tastings and store-cleanups that engage the community through a series of win-win scenarios with the bodega owner. The bottom-up process of change in the bodega’s healthy inventory results in a greater outcome: the emergence of trust between the bodega owner and the community, laying the foundation for future collaboration. Another relevant pilot project is the “Farm to Bodega” which links bodegas with local farmer’s markets, in order to establish connections with high-quality and low priced healthy produce. This process could benefit from greater support and training for bodega owners, since most of them need information on how to purchase, price and store the fresh produce.

Sources: 1. Graham R, Kaufman L, Novoa Z, Karpati A,Eating in, eating out, Eating Well: Access to Healthy Food in North and Central Brooklyn. New York, N.Y.: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 2006. 2. NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, “NYC Healthy Bodegas Initiative - 2010 Report”, 2010. 3. NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.,Center of Economic Opportunity, “Adopt-a-bodega Toolkit”, 2010.

HEALTHY $ELLS

SOCIAL CAPITAL The Dominican bodega & community as a case study

THE DOMINICAN ‘SAN’ •

This informal means of credit gives bodega owners the opportunity to

Buy new shelving

have large sums of capital Social capital is a wealth of intangible social resources- such as information,

in a particular moment to

Repair Refrigerator

social support, and personal connections – indispensable for achieving social,

kickstart or improve their

Replace counter

economic and political goals (Reynoso, 2003). The surfacing of new forms of social

stores.

capital in the city is particularly evident when looking at the Dominican immigrant community and their relationship to the bodega business in New York City. Dominican immigrants’ successful adaptation and integration to a new urban environment, depends highly on the support of an existing transnational ethnic

WITH THIS MONEY I CAN IMPROVE

community. Social capital gives migrant individuals resources and possibilities

MY BODEGA

beyond their individual reach, and helps them transition from low-income jobs to entrepreneurial small business endeavors. The Dominican “San”, a traditional and informal means of credit, has been key in the growth of Dominican-owned bodegas in the city. The “San” involves a limited number of participants who agree to make regular contributions to a fund that is given to each contributor in rotation, either in whole or part (Sassen, 1987, 283). Many bodega Dominican immigrants, have limited or no access to credit, therefore the “San” becomes an important community support system that can kickstart, expand or improve a bodega business. Another aspect of Dominican culture is the “Fiao” or informal lending system that help their customers purchase the basic necessities and pay them at a later

THE DOMINICAN ‘SAN’

time. This system is of great benefit for low-income residents, which often rely on bodegas as a safety net during economic unstable times and as a result, strong community networks of trust and mutual benefit are established. If bodegas have been the preferred business model to an array of different immigrant groups, can we devise of ways in which bodega businesses can adapt through community-based support systems in order to meet the current challenges? Sources: 1. Reynoso, Julissa. “Dominican Immigrants and Social Capital in New York City: A Case Study”, Encrucijada/Crossroads Online Academic Journal 1 (2003), accessed May 12, 2013 2. Sassen, Saskia. “Formal and informal associations: Dominicans and Colombians in New York”, In Caribbean life in New York City: Sociocultural dimensions, 1987.

HEALTHY $ELLS

SPATIAL LAYOUT Learning from the Supermarket

Time, User and Experience

An article in the UK news journal ‘The Independent’ by Simon Usborn uncovers consumer behavior. All these trick may not necessarily apply to a bodega but some of them have potential to prove advantageous towards encouraging healthy consumer behavior in bodegas. Some of these are illustrated in figure...... He highlights Golden zones which are “impulse areas” or “grab zones”, they include “checkout arrays” or “walk-through queues” filled or lined with treats. The

OTHER SUPPLIES

10 tricks that supermarkets use in order to increase their sales and influence

USER TYPE 1 - LONG STAY Necessities and Daily Buy PROCESSED FOODS

checkout counter can act as an impulse zone for healthy products. Another trick that can attract consumers towards a particular section is ‘Shop-in-shop’. These are microenvironments created within the store, example Wooden floors and shelves and nice lighting can be suggestive of a different environment in the wine aisle. Most common profit generating technique is placing the object at ‘Buy level’. of Shopping: How We Shop and Why We Buy used eye-tracking cameras on volunteers to

USER TYPE 2 - SHORT STAY Deli and Fast Buy

DELI

Simeon Scamell-Katz, a leading global consumer analyst and the author of The Art

COMMON ZONE OF IMPACT

show “we naturally look lower than eye-level to somewhere between waist and chest level”.This zone can be further used to promote health.

way. The most crucial tip towards attracting consumers inside is the Facade itself, which should be appealing and inviting. Usborn

describes it as ‘Front

CHECKOUT COUNTER

ATM

Usborn also talks about the ‘Traffic builder’, placing essentials away from the entrance means exposes consumers to more potential purchases and offers on the

USER TYPE 3 - VERY SHORT STAY ATM and Quick Buy

of shop’. Scamell-Katz gives the example of stores with abundant displays of beautifully presented carrots or exotic fruits that give an impression of entering a store of freshness.

Store layout and zoning not only influence the consumer preferences, but can be key in increasing sales of certain products. Basic techniques like visibility,arrangement

increasing

and order of goods are effective only to an extent. For

Bodegas, identifying the users based on time and intention, to determine their ideal Sources: 1.Usbrain, Simon. “The Secrets of Our Supermarkets.” The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, 27 Oct. 2012. Web. 15 May 2013. 2. Scamell-Katz, Siemon. The Art of Shopping: How We Shop and Why We Buy. London: LID, 2012. Print.

HEALTHY $ELLS

zone of influence is equally important. To encourage healthy consumer preferences, the store layout can further supplement to the personal influence that Bodega’s offer. Zone of Impact vary for different user type, each should be leveraged upon. 19

SHELVING INSERT

QUICK & EASY

The shelving insert works within the framework of the standard metal shelves commonly found in bodegas.

It attempts to create a “Shop-in-a-Shop” experience

to attract customers’ attention as well as to provide a material backdrop for a particular product. In its conception, the shelving insert holds multiple possibilities: 1. STICK-ON SIMPLICITY: This could be something as simple as a decal sticker that draws attention to, or provides additional information on, the product that the particular shelf is housing. SHOP-IN-A-SHOP 2. ADD-ON SHELF: This is a smaller shelf that is dimensioned to fit within the standard metal shelves. It should be made out of a different material to create a “Shop-in-a-Shop”, and its form can be custom-designed to the particularity of the product it is meant to enhance. As a side note, we observed that the length of the standard metal shelves found in many bodegas range from 4-6 feet. These are combined length-wise to form longer shelves where necessary. It is imperative to note that while the metal shelves are configured to be “flexible”, in that the height of the shelves can potentially be adjusted to accommodate varying heights different products, the weight and length of the individual shelf limits its flexible use.

As a result,

STANDARD METAL SHELVES

shelf space is not optimized in many instances. Moreover, the opaque structure of the shelf provides backing for the product but at the expense of light, and therefore visibility, to products located further toward back of the shelves.

HEALTHY $ELLS

SHELVING UNIT

COMPLEX

The proposed design of a typical shelving unit for bodegas is based on three principles that promote a healthy interior environment, while increasing the saleability of products: 1. MODULARITY: The need to increase or decrease shelf lengths according to the varying space availabilities in different bodegas calls for a strategy of modular shelving.

The standardised components reduce overall construction cost,

and allows possibility for a third party industrious contractor to pre-fabricate these modules to cater specifically to bodega owners. 2. PRODUCT VISIBILITY: In a closed environment where the real estate of display and storage space is oftentimes milked to an extreme, the shelving unit takes advantage of the entire floor-to-ceiling height, as well as integrating storage space at the foot of the shelf where visibility of product is at its lowest. To counter the “less than 3 feet” zone, the singular display shelf is designed to transform from a horizontal facing to that of an optimal 30-degree angle facing by a simple reversal of the shelf. In so doing, the product is now angled towards the view cone of the standing shopper, and renders it more visible.

The material

surface of the shelf can be further defined to create a “Shop-in-a-Shop”. The individual shelf also doubles up as a backing for the product, but it does not cover the full height of the shelf, and allows for visual porosity through the shelving unit.

This increases light and visibility to adjacent products, as

well as to adjacent aisles. 3. FLEXIBILITY: The individual shelf is designed to be 2 feet in length, and is supported on dowels attached to the main frame structure of the shelving unit. Given its smaller size compared to the standard metal shelves, there is a higher possibility for shelf space to be optimized where necessary. HEALTHY SELLS $ELLS

100

SHELVING ITERATIONS

HINGED TO CEILING

INDIVIDUAL PRE-FABRICATED SHELVES

DOWELS & STORAGE

FRAME STRUCTURE ADDITIONAL STORAGE

SHOP-IN-ASHOP INDIVIDUAL PRE-FABRICATED SHELVES

COMPOSITE SHELVING UNIT

SIDE & FRONT ELEVATIONS HEALTHY $ELLS

SHELVING UNIT

HINGED TO CEILING COMPOSITE SINGULAR SHELVING UNIT

DOWELS & STORAGE

FRAME STRUCTURE

FRAME STRUCTURE INDIVIDUAL PRE-FABRICATED SHELVES

HEALTHY $ELLS

101

CHECKOUT COUNTER

QUICK & EASY ELIMINATE THE VISUAL NOISE BY REMOVING THE SURROUND MAINTAIN A CLEAR AND CLUTTER-FREE COUNTERTOP

The checkout counter is a key place of intervention to impact

3. Provide an area for healthy pre-packaged foods displayed.

consumer habits and bodega use. By focusing on a few key objectives, the checkout can

These products often bring higher profit margins than other merchandise.

easily facilitate a healthy bodega strategy. Some of the design objectives are as

4. Develop a series of pieces that could be used collectively

follows:

or individually.

1. Limit visual noise and choice, and thus boost sales

5. Provide a space for socializing, if desired to

of a few specific products placed in the coveted impulse buy area. This area can house circulating merchandise to become even more successful.

increase the social influence of the bodega.

2. Give a lack of physical access to easily stolen and unhealthy snack choices by placing them behind the counter and requiring the patron to ask for the product.

All of these strategies provide a basis for a healthier, more social, and more profitable bodegas.

USE THE COOLER FOR HEALTHIER OPTIONS

HEALTHY $ELLS

1. ADD A SEATING COMPONENT

4. ADD A CLEAN CASHIER STATION WITH RECESSED REGISTER

2. ADD A COOLER FOR SALE OF PRE-PACKAGED PREPARED FOOD

5. CREATE A 3-ITEM DISPLAY FOR IMPULSE BUY

3. CREATE HIERARCHY IN REAR SHELVING DISPLAY

6. PLACE UNHEALTHY & EASILY-STOLEN ITEMS BEHIND GLASS WITHIN THE COUNTER

3 1

4 5 6 2

HEALTHY $ELLS

102

GRAPHIC LANGUAGE Abstraction Current packaging trends lean towards “honest” representation of product. To compete with surrounding noise, a distinct visual language should be developed. Bold, simplified representation of the product should be bright and monochromatic. PaletteBright colors can often clash when used side by side especially when afterimages interfere with one another, causing a “visual vibration.” In this instance, the effect is desirable to help the product stand out in its context. It can be reduced by placing a neutral color between the two areas of bright colors or by making one of the colors a pastel or dark shade.

HEALTHY $ELLS

SIGNAGE & PACKAGING

Signage placed perpendicular to the shelving creates a special “call out” condition, interjecting itself into the shoppers aisle space. The projection should be no more than 4” away from the edge of the shelf, and should be tall enough to accommodate 2” tall text elements. A similar language can be deployed on packaging. Cut fruits and other prepared foods benefit from having a uniformly branded strategy.

HEALTHY $ELLS

103

104

Teaching: Student Work

Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation | Columbia University

105

106

Sustainable Urbanization New Designs for the Future City In collaboration with Patricia Culligan, Vanessa Espaillat, Sagi Golan, Richard Plunz, and Jose Sanchez Summer 2013 | School of Continuing Education, Columbia University

Course Brief: This course is designed for students interested in the field of sustainable development. Students will be exposed to emerging trends in urban sustainability in an interdisciplinary workshop environment where they will explore new solutions for sustainable cities in the context of a real-world project. The majority of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population now lives in urban areas. As a result, cities around the globe are increasingly facing challenges related to the provision of adequate infrastructure (energy, water, transportation), the delivery of public services (education, health care, public safety), and the management of environmental quality (air, water, natural habitat). Students in the course will learn about these challenges through lectures, case study research, and guided group discussions that will expose them to the interdisciplinary nature of sustainable development. Field trips to locations and facilities in New York City will illustrate and reinforce these learning experiences. The basic tools needed for sustainable urban design will be introduced in a workshop environment where students will gain hands-on experience in geographic information systems, data analysis and visualization, architectural and engineering design principles, and 3D modeling tools. The course project will focus on an urbanization challenge for an actual client. Students will work in teams to propose solutions to the challenge. They will be encouraged to be collaborative, think creatively, and explore non-traditional methods so as to generate new ideas and approaches. Project work will be guided by researchers from the Urban Design Lab at Columbiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Earth Institute and teaching assistants from the Sustainable Engineering Graduate Scholars program in Columbiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School of Engineering and Applied Science. At the end of the course, students will present their final project ideas and work products to a panel of invited experts representing disciplines in the fields of government, research, and practice. Students designed in groups for the Two Bridges neighborhood in downtown Manhattan. They were asked to use a barge as an urban trigger within a larger design scheme addressing flooding issues, among others. 107

Student Work Work shown by the following groups: (1) Sofie Alabaster, John Bonina, Dominic May, Wes Purpura, Noah Sims (2) Jonas Cabaret-Mertel, Joey Epstein, Nick Godridge, Alex Kent, Jonathan Schermer (3) Emma Clark, Maya Linden, Gabe Suazo, Katrine Trampe (4) Corey Brennan, Nicholas Murray, Ramya Srinivasan, Yijia Zhang

108

109

110

Power in Public Studio New York/Paris Urban Studies In collaboration with Moji Baratloo, Nickie Huang, & Carolina Montilla Fall 2012 | GSAPP, Columbia University

As a teaching assistant and part of the faculty team for the Urban Studies Studio in the GSAPP New York/Paris program, I worked with fellow TA, Carolina Montilla, and faculty, Moji Baratloo and Nicole Huang. My duties included multiple desk critiques per week, digital tutorials, review scheduling, project descriptions, and archiving, among others. The general topics of the studio are as follows: The Urban Studies Studio of the Shape of Two Cities: New York / Paris Program is designed to simultaneously research and develop projects according to: 1. A unique condition of a “Site” in New York City. 2. Specific “Agents” that are considered the drivers of our changing global cities and environment. 3. “Clients” that best represent the local and the greater community. The focus of the studio was as follows: Pier 6 and its larger contexts and connection via the Atlantic Avenue artery to broader Brooklyn communities such as the Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hills neighborhoods. Pier 6 is also adjacent to Brooklyn Bridge Park, a celebrated New York City waterfront project. During the semester our emphasis will be on the recognition and understanding that any urban site is part of a series of interconnected networks, neighborhood and communities. Important to note is that the studio by intention will focus on the larger metropolitan scale, landscape/ecology scale, and architectural/human scale, but there will also be an opportunity for students to develop a project at no scale. The final product of the studio will be a thesis proposal by each student, which will incorporate indepth research and analysis as well as potential short-term “micro-interventions” such as landscape, urban, and/or architectural projects in service of a much more important and long-term “macro-impact”.

111

Site Constructions & Records Students were asked to make analytical drawings for the site in preparation of their mini-thesis. Also students created site constructions from objects found on site. Work shown by the following students: Tatiana Baglioni Gabrielle Lewis Alica Meza Michael Phillips

112

113

Mini-Thesis Students composed their research and design proposals onto accordion-style booklets and placed them in custom-designed packaging. Work shown by the following students: Tatiana Baglioni Gabrielle Lewis Alica Meza Michael Phillips

114

115

116

Other Academic Work

Misssippi State University | Washington Alexandria Architecture Center | Columbia University 117

TOTAL POPULATION

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA QUAN

"Coliseum City is one of the centerpieces of Oakland’s economic renaissance."

polit

Amritha Mahesh

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA BALLARD

“We must be the best city in the Midwest, the city that is globally recognized that is inclusive that where companies want to create these jobs.”

D+38 390,000 ACCELERATED GROWTH 15 Acres [City Center Plan] LARGER COLISEUM CITY Very Consolidated

D ATE LID

N CO

R+38 830,000 MODERATE GROWTH 4,226 Acres [Indianapolis Regional Center Plan] Leaning Consolidated TRENDING TOWARD CONSOLIDATED

As the voice o

broader ambi

a delicate bala

beyond the co

expressing the

examination o

Mayors vision

phor for the i

adapt, to com

NSE

RVA TIV

variab

resourc

economi

jurisdict

political

political LIB

DIS

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

AUSTIN,TEXAS

BLOOMBERG

LEFFINGWELL

"If you don't like wealthy people or successful businesses, you are not going to have a city." D+38 2,540,000 MODERATE GROWTH 232 Acres [DoBro Plan] Fairly Consolidated

BUT

TRI

ERA

"This is a momentous achievement to create a collective vision for Austin’s future.” R+13 TRENDING LIBERAL 820,000 MODERATE GROWTH 1,044 Acres [Downtown Austin Plan] Fairly Distributed

CITATION City of Austin. Downtown Austin Plan. http://ftp.ci.austin.tx.us/ | Cook Political Report. http://cookpolitical.com. | Department of Metropolitan Development, Indianapolis, Indiana. Indianapolis Regional Center Plan 2020. Indianapolis: 2004. | Downtown Brooklyn Plan. www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/pdf/dwnbklyn2/dwnbklyn.pdf | Downtown Oakland Plan http://www2.oaklandnet.com/oakca1/groups/ceda/documents/report/dowd007631.pdf | United States Census. “Population 2010.” www.census.gov

118

metric

populat

budget s

economi

unemplo

crime ra

standar

happines

ecologic

urban d

3 American Regions + 1 Understanding Policy & Politics Brooklyn, Indianapolis, Oakland + Austin In collaboration with Andrew Leung, Amritha Mahesh, & Kristina Ricco Fall 2012 | GSAPP, Columbia University

In order to broaden our understanding of our site, we were asked to analyze three other cities in addition to Brooklyn (which would eventually become our project site). The studio was divided into 11 topics including: transportation, water, energy, ecological systems, technology/innovation, land/geography/natural features, waste, production/manufacturing, policy/politics, economy/finance, and real estate/urban development. Through the research and analysis, we were able to get a diverse and comparative understanding of these topics within the American context. In studying policy & politics, we analyzed political jurisdictions, power structures, political lineage, and adopted urban development plans, among others. The final graph developed (left) charts several data sets for comparison: a liberal-conservative axis, a centralized-distributed power axis, a population axis, the physical area of the adopted urban development plan, and how these change over time. Among these cities, we concluded that the more centralized the power, the more rapid the change can occur as well as a smaller, more specific development plan seems to be more effective and more often accomplished over time.

119

POLITICAL ALIGNMENT OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

CHANGE IN POPULATION FROM 2000 - 2010 OVER 20% INCREASE

In 1999, Mayor Jerry Brown announced his 10K

NORTH GATE

10% - 20% INCREASE 0% - 10% INCREASE

Plan, an initiative to bring 10,000 residents

0% - 10% DECREASE

LAKE MERRITT DISTRICT

OVER 20% DECREASE

to Downtown Oakland. The plan hinged on

MAJOR ROADS

Brown’s POLITICAL CONNECTIONS, and cre-

CITY BOUNDARY

UPTOWN

ated a Redevelopment Agency charged with

10K PLAN

LAKE MERRITT

developing the Central District Urban Renewal Area. Redevelopment Agencies gave local governments the ability to capture a greater share of property taxes by freezing allotments

TREASURE ISLAND

to other city agencies, by using additional

OLD CHINATOWN OAKLAND

PIEDMONT

funds created by growth to invest in development projects. In 2011 Jerry Brown was elected Governor of California and one of his first acts in

IRONWORKS DISTRICT

10K PLAN

office, discontinued the RA policy in an effort to balance the state budget (which is currently suf-

JACK LONDON SQ

fering a massive deficit.) Mayor Jean Quan has

TO SAN FRANSISCO

announced plans for a massive arena project

OAKLAND ESTUARY

called Coliseum City, and the fate of the 10K Plan remains unknown.

J. Brown 11-

Quan 11-

Dellums 07-11

J. Brown 99-07 Davis 99-03

Schwrzngr. 03-11

Harris 91-99

Deukmejian 83-91

Reagan 67-75

J. Brown 75-83

GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA P. Brown 59-67

COLISEUM CITY

Wilson 77-91

Reading 66-77

Houlihan 61-66

MAYOR OF OAKLAND

Wilson 91-99

Of the 7,053 units represented as products of the 10K initiative, 3,911 remain in the planning stages.1

1. San Francisco Chronicle, Economy casts shadow on Oakland 10K plan’s 10th. Published July 12, 2009 2. Change in population interpreted from NY Times Census Map

Clinton 93-01

Obama 09-

3. Information about Redevelopment agencies comes from http://www.npr.

G.W. Bush 01-09

G.H.W. Bush 89-93

Reagan 81-89

Carter 77-81

Nixon 69-74

Ford 74-77

http://projects.nytimes.com/census/2010/map

Johnson 63-69

Kennedy 61-63

Esnhwr. 53-61

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

org/2012/07/03/155916629/oakland-turns-a-corner-as-calif-faces-budgetwoes 4. Budget report snapshot comes from Oakland’s Community Economic Development Agencies annual report from 2009-2001, the year before the RA was collapsed. http://www2.oaklandnet.com/oakca1/groups/ceda/docu-

TO SAN JOSE

ments/report/dowd007631.pdf

Policy + Politics AUSTIN, Texas Texas Triangle Region

DALLAS

Capit

AUSTIN

Federal State of Texas University of Texas Travis County City of Austin City of Austin Parkland

HOUSTON

Senate District Boundaries House District Boundaries

State of TEXAS

Lad

35 Power of the purse

GOVERNOR Rick Perry (R)

Lt. GOVERNOR David Dewhurst (R) (Presides over)

State Senate

y bir

State House

d la

20000 plus 15000 to 20000 10000 to 15000 5000 to 10000 2500 to 5000

Population growth 2010 -2020

AUSTIN CITY LIMITS MAYOR

DOWNTOWN AUSTIN

(Hires)

Transportation Framework Plan

(executes)

Assistant City Manager Infrastructure Services

Assistant City Manager Community Services Neighbourhood Housing and community Development

Capital Planning Office

Parks And Recreation Department

Infrastructure Strategy

Economic Growth And Redevelopment Services

1871 Passenger rail

1800

120

1820

1840

1860

1880

1920

Downtown Austin Neighbourhood Association

Density Bonus Program

District Plans

Public - Private Partnerships

Austin Neighbourhood Council

Historic Preservation Policies

Austin Revitalization Authority University Of Texas, Austin

1960s - Construction of Interstate 35 1893 Damming of the Colorado river

1900

Parks and Open Space Master Plan

Downtown Austin Plan & Implementation Program

Improvement Program

Sustainability Office 1839 Waller plan

Housing Strategy

Austin’s population is expected to double over the course of the plan. Transportation in and out of the city is a major point of interest, and the planners hope to create a Downtown where everyone can live and work.

West End Austin Alliiance Board

Assistant City Manager Development Services

Planning And Development Review Department

Transportation Department

Urban Rail

The plan divides the city into nine districts, each with its own guidelines for future design.

Greater Austin Chamber Of Commerce

CITY MANAGER Marc Ott

In order to keep up with the city’s population boom, the Austin City Council approved the city’s Downtown development plan in 2011.

Downtown Austin Alliance

DOWNTOWN AUSTIN PLAN

CITY COUNCIL

Lee Leffingwell (D)

The City of Austin is implementing policies to strengthen its tax base by densifying the Downtown "Urban core" in an effort to encourage sustainable development by favoring compact growth in contrast to earlier decades of sprawling low density development.

1940

1960

Mayor Will Wynn announces goal of acheiving a population of 25000 in the Downtown Austin by 2015 UT Austin aquires large chunks of land

1980

2000

Revised Zoning and Ordinances

General fund

FUNDING

Bonds City Economic Development Corporation Concessions

Lee Leffingwell elected as Mayor, continues DAP DAP released to public and project execution begins

2020

2040

Philanthropy and grants Property improvement District General fund

Events

Bicentennial year 2039 - Projected Completion

Corporate Sponsorships

Public

Earned income

Private

Citations 1)City of Austin - Downtown Austin Plan ftp://ftp.ci.austin.tx.us/DowntownAustinPlan/dap_approved_12-8-2011.pdf 2)State of Texas - GIS Viewer http://gis1.tlc.state.tx.us/ 3)http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/demographics/downloads/zip_forecast.pdf 4)http://www.austintexas.gov/ -City Demographer report

POLITICS + POLICY

2010 Residential Populations URBAN DENSITIES Higher Lower

Pre-1970 County Government Pre-1970 City Government

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA GREAT LAKES REGION

District 17

District 11

Existing as state capital with a unique consolidated local government, Indianapolis’s POLITICAL

STRUCTURE is a

50 Members (8 Indianapolis)

Governor

Indiana House of Representatives 100 Members (14 Indianapolis) John Barton (D)

PAST MAYORS

CONSOLIDATED TO

Greg Ballard (R)

Unigov

the success of businesses. After consolida-

Public Works

detract from the tax base. Although down-

Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce

town residential growth is stated as a goal of the new plan, all incentives and programs

Indy Partnership

Policy & Planning Code Enforcement

Department of

Metropolitan Development

city + county

county boundaries, this sprawl did not

Develop Indy

Captial Improvements Board Indianapolis-Marion Co. Building Authority GUIDES

Department of

tion in 1970, suburban sprawl continued to grow, but because the city limits mirrored

FUND

CONTAINS

Ex-Officio County Commissioners

DIRECTS

Downtown Development Corporations

Municipal Corporations

APPOINT

Elected County Officials Assessor + Auditor + Treasurer

Mayor

CONTAINS

AGENDA

continue to be directed at business growth,

Business Ownership Initiative

Historic Preservation Community Development

and the largely un-urban legislature has been

PUSH TOWARD CONSOLIDATION

historically inhospitable in funding the de-

mayoral push for further consolidation

CONSOLIDATED FROM

velopment of a combined “live, work, learn,

townships + excluded cities + services +education

public safety consolidation

and play” downtown.

police + fire

AGENDA

development + commerce consolidation (private + public money)

Citations City of Indianapolis. Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. December 31, 2011. http://www.indy.gov/eGov/City/OFM/Finances/ Documents/2011%20City%20of%20Indpls%20CAFR-FINAL.pdf. Department of Metropolitan Development, Indianapolis, Indiana. Indianapolis Regional Center Plan 2020. Indianapolis: 2004. Develop Indy. http://www.developindy.com/about-us/merger-faq.aspx. Accessed September 21, 2012. Indy Star. “Mayors of Indianapolis.” http://www2.indystar.com/library/factfiles/ history/indianapolis/mayors.html. Accessed September 21, 2012. Owen, C. James and York Willbern. Governing Metropolitan Indianapolis: The Politics of Unigov. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1985. State of Indiana. “Tax Types & Various Rates.” http://www.in.gov/dor/3343. htm. Accessed September 21, 2012. U.S. Census of Population 2010. Accessed through Columbia University’s Spatial Information Design Lab.

Chamber of Commerce + Develop Indy + Indy Partnership + Business Ownership Initiative CAMPAIGN

corporate tax structure

simplified corporate tax

8.0% tax goes into effect + abatements for new businesses

corporation-friendly tax adjustments to flat tax

central business district regional plans

live + play + learn objectives added to work objective

2012

2008

2004

2000

BUSINESS-FOCUSED DEVELOPMENT

1970

1963

Indianapolis Regional Center Plan 2020

APPROVED

business-focused comprehensive planning

URBAN DENSITY. Regional

1960’s and were always closely defined for

SUPPORT

ELECTED

Bart Peterson (D)

COLLABORATE

25 Districts + 4 At-Large

COLLABORATE

Stephen Goldsmith (D)

NYC

desired

plans for the city have existed since the

Exempt Cities’ Elected Officials

City-County Council

Richard Lugar (R) William Hudnut (R)

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT and

District 16

MERGED

Indiana Senate

BOUNDARIES, which is evident in its

AUTONOMOUS but REPRESENTED

ELECTED

complex network of JURISDICTIONAL

Columbia University, GSAPP, Architecture and Urban Design Studio “Learning Cities: Smarter Regions” Fall 2012

Policy+Politics DoBro Plan JURISTICTION BOUNDARES REZONED

+10 FAR C6-1

C6-4

"If you don't like wealthy people or successful businesses, you are not going to have a city." - mayor bloomberg

+10 FAR C6-1

R7-1+C2-4

D+38 POLITICAL ALIGNMENT Consolidated POLITICAL STRUCTURE +13,000 POPULATION GROWTH High income ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

metro-tech

DEVELOPMENT since 2006 fult

st.

+ 7.9 million sf developed

+12 FAR

+10 FAR C5-4

$3.5 billion new private investment

1/4 mile radius

C6-4.5

COMMUNITY

C6-1A

35 small business get $80,000

C6-4

+6 FAR C6-1

48 units of rent-stabilized housing were bulldozed

1/2 mile radius

Department of City Planning Downtown Brooklyn Plan Plan.http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/pdf/dwnbklyn2/dwnbklyn.pdf. 2004 Downtown Brooklyn Partnership. Downtown Brooklyn StrategicPlan http://www.dbpartnership.org/lookingahead 2012

C6-2

zoning area change zoning before 2004

zoning after 2004

white

DRASTIC REZONING

16%

black

16%

DoBro from 2000 to 2010

Zack Fink Downtown Brooklyn Strong Despite Weak Growth http://brooklyn.ny1.com/content/top_stories/165587/growth-indowntown-brooklyn-strong-despite-weak-citywide-growth 2012

nyc unanimous vote councilman approve

ETHNIC POPULATION DISPARITY

councilman reject

REGIONAL COUNCIL APPROVAL PUBLIC ADVOCATE

DEPARTMENT OF CITY PLANNING

appointed

DEPUTY MAYOR

DOWNTOWN BK PARTNERSHIP

appointed ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

METRO TECH BID

appointed

FULTON STREET DoBro COUTY LIVINGSTON SCHERMERHORN DoBro

COMMUNITY DISTRICT 2

DISTRICT 35+33

strong

appointed BOROUGH BOARD

MAYOR

BOROUGH PRESIDENTS

elected appointed

COMMUNITY BOARD

BROOKLYN: 16 MEMBERS

51 MEMBERS

CITY COUNCIL elected

DoBro Timeline 2003 city planning submits proposal

2006 DoBro Partnership est.

2004 city unanimous approval

2008 most luxury apartments completed 2007 small businesses start to shut down

appointed by reports to apart of connected to

2008 old residents begin to move out 2008 new residents begin to move in

2012 DoBro Partnership strategic plan

121

122

The Survivors on Bowery Web as Site New York, New York In collaboration with Vanessa Espaillat, Sagi Golan, & Marlin Torres Spring 2013 | GSAPP, Columbia University

‘The Survivors’ on the Bowery is a virtual repository of narratives that begins to reveal the story of one of New York’s most interesting and vibrant communities. Formerly known as ‘skid row’, the Bowery has been home to numerous artists, merchants and also infamously known for its poverty-stricken tenants. The current redevelopment pressures on the Bowery have resulted in displacement of many residents and businessowners. The ones left have great stories to tell and give hope to what the future holds for The Bowery. This half-semester class focused on developing skills in web site design and coding in HTML, CSS, jQuery, and JavaScript.

123

Site Design & Navigation In creating a list of “survivors,” we collected and curated many media, including video, interviews, photographs, news articles (historic & current), audio, and contact cards, among others. The site exists as a single page with an index to serve as a continuous repository for “the survivors” on Bowery. The map key not only serves as a locator for the project, but also as a navigating device within the site.

340

E. Housto

266 240 227

196 Delancey

158

130

Grand

Canal 124

125

126

Transforming Treads Digital Modeling in Urban Design New York City Subway Station Summer 2012 | GSAPP, Columbia University

When asked to create a public space that responds to a metric, I developed a unique staircase that can make climbing stairs more efficient. A generic NYC subway station is my test site. When a user approaches, their height is measured, and the tread height of the stair adjusts to create the most efficient possible climb. Therefore, commuters could exit the stairs at a speedier rate as well as save much needed energy. Adjusting handrails also provide added benefit for the aging or those with disabilities. Groups can be accommodated through the use of an average height, and speedier users are able to pass slower users as the stair will reroute your path if an alternate is available. This model and animation was completed in Maya with video editing done in Adobe After Effects.

127

128

129

Proposed Interventions (white) Existing Fabric (grey)

Residential bar above alley (12 foot width)

Empty lots are built (28 foot building width standard) 1 Lot: single building 2 Lots: L-shaped building 3+ Lots: U-shaped building

When space allows, up to 16 additional feet of width (8 per side) Offset distance of 5 feet maintained between structures

Building circulation cores at rear of empty lots Buildings infill reinforce the street wall Lots are combined, providing shared common spaces Four story height when adjacent existing Five story height when approaching corners

130

New Typologies in St. Louis Housing Seminar Old North St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri In collaboration with Aaron Foley Fall 2012 | GSAPP, Columbia University

In response to the extreme vacancy in Old North St. Louis, we developed three main strategies in order to infill these empty spaces. First, the poorly maintained service alleys will provide a network of residential spines within each block. We propose inserting a raised 5-6 story bar building raised above the current alley right-of-way, allowing pedestrian and cyclist to continue to move throughout but re-routing cars to only the main roadways. This bar building will expand in width where possible in order to allow for larger rooms. By inserting this spine we are able to use these corridors as another system of building entry, secondary to the streets. This bar also allows a new activation of the underused space of the backalleys. Secondly, we are proposing a reestablishment of the street-wall through new buildings. Since so many of the historic structures have been removed or destroyed, the historic street-wall is almost completely non-existent. We propose secondary housing to be built perpendicular to the alleyway spine and pulled flush with the facades of the existing, neighboring buildings in order to infill some vacancy and redensify the streetfront. At strategic points in the fabric (especially along the main boulevard) some of these structures may also hold commercial uses as well to provide a more active street-scape. Finally, the new structures transform the idea of a â&#x20AC;&#x153;private yardâ&#x20AC;? by creating a series of semi-private courtyards accessed from the newly developed alleyway. The spatial condition of the courtyard was developed in response to the number of sequential vacant lots. One lot produces a larger and smaller I-shape building, 2 - an L-shape, and 3 - a U-shape. These new buildings, along with the bar structure will allow for the combination of lots to provide new semi-private spaces to be shared by the residents. By stepping the new housing down toward the existing structure height, we are able to remain sympathetic to the existing scale and create some more private terraces, in exchange for the private yard. The proposed housing condition tries to respect the existing historic fabric, while infilling the extreme vacancy and preparing for a future of increased density in Old North St. Louis.

131

BAC

EXISTING

K ALL

BAC

EXISTING SITE PLAN

EXISTING SITE AXONOMETRIC

St Louis, Missouri, United States / Aaron Foley, Scott Archer

OLD NORTH ST. LOUIS - 1968

CURRENT

Fabrics and Typologies: New York City - Global Instructor: Richard Plunz

PROPOSED

POSSIBLE RESIDENCE

MASSING STRATEGY

10’

HALL (unit access) RESIDENCE RESIDENCE HALL (unit access)

12’ BACK ALLEY

RESIDENCE 12’

ALLEY CLEARANCE UNIT 1 UNIT 2

28’ WIDTH

Multi-story stacked units with corridors needed only every third floor. 1 LOT

2 LOTS

BAR BUILDING SECTION

INCREASING DENSITY

K ALL

BAC

3 LOTS

Combine lots to create defined shared outdoor spaces.

Reuse Of The “Back Alley” with an Elevated Residential Spine Steps to Respect Existing Scale while Increasing Density and FAR Reinforce the Street Wall 132

DIAGRAMS

PROPOSED

Historic Fabric N

PROPOSED SITE PLAN St Louis, Missouri, United States / Aaron Foley, Scott Archer

Fabrics and Typologies: New York City - Global Instructor: Richard Plunz

Historic Fabric 1968

PROPOSED SITE AXONOMETRIC St Louis, Missouri, United States / Aaron Foley, Scott Archer

Fabrics and Typologies: New York City - Global Instructor: Richard Plunz

Proposed Fabric

Total Project Area

640,000 sq ft

Total Building Lots

120

111

Number of Floors

1-3

1-6

Total Building Footprint

163,200 sq ft

Building Lot Coverage

33%

22%

41%

Total Number of Dwellings

104

195

Subject Lot Area / Dwellings

6154 sq ft / dwelling

Gross Floor Area

489,600 sq ft

Heights & Setbacks

32 ft

Usable Open Space

225,000 sq ft

FAR

.83

.45

1.85

Total Parking Area

2400 sq ft

Total Parking Spaces (Dwelling)

0 (Street Parking) 32

0 133

134

Doha: A Short History Recombinant Urbanism Seminar Doha, Qatar In collaboration with Vanessa Espaillat, Elaheh Kerachian, Devanshi Purohit, & Kristian Ricco Spring 2013 | GSAPP, Columbia University Doha, Qatar is a city-state off of the oil and natural gas rich Persian Gulf. Barely a city before the 1970’s, the Qatari government has orchestrated many massive construction projects and continues to build entire new sections of the city year-by-year. As a city with emmense natural resources in terms of energy, it lacks just about every other necessity. For water, the city relies on costly desalination processes, and for food the Qatari Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) has purchased land in many other countries including Indonesia, Australia, Brazil, and Kenya. Pretty much everything is imported, included people. Since Doha relies so heavily on imports the transportation infrastructure is focused around an expanding international airport. Advertised as 6 hours from everywhere, Doha is trying to position itself in the center of international commerce, trade, and information. The transportation infrastructure within the city is highly segregated (as most everything else) with Qataris & Americans using personal cars for most of their transportation and guest workers (usually men from India, Indonesia, or other South Asian countries) use public buses that drive directly from the worker’s city to their places of employment. This worker’s city houses about 800,000 people (mostly construction workers) of the 1.6 million people in the county, making the vast majority of the population foreigners. The heterotopias of malls are also culturally divided. Qatari-only and bachelor-banned malls are common, with classes legally divided between public spaces in the city. Because of the extreme climate these exists as some of the most frequented “public” spaces of the city. A hyper-reality is developing as extreme consumption and consumerism mix with the traditional values of the culture. For the future of the Qatari economy, the government has intentionally invested in creating a knowledge center with both Education City and Qatar University. Although Qataris are allowed and do attend Education City, there is a large portion of the student population imported from elsewhere. This focus on education is contrasts intensely with the rigid power structure of monarchy, that enforces very traditional Islamic values within the city. Made of a series of walled enclaves, like Education City, Doha builds beyond the megablock, to create “cities” within its borders. 135

City as a Machine

Lo New

York

[12

Hou

Kuwait

Bahrain

UAE-Dubai

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a mb

Enclaves & The Tele Cittรก

Qatar University

Education City

Co rn i

e ch

International Airport

Knowledge Economy

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Travel Sketches Architectural Sketching in Italy Study Abroad Summer 2009 | School of Architecture, Mississippi State University

During a 6-week summer study abroad in Italy, I participated in a architectural sketching course. Focused on developing freehand sketching techniques, I sketched many historic and contemporary Italian architectural icons. This course was influential in developing how I see and analyze the physical world, especially in terms of scale, proportion, and materiality. The selected sketches included here are diagrams and drawings of the Palladiano in Vicenza, the Statue in Piazza dei Signori in Vicenza, Chiesa dei Carmini, “General’s House” in Vicenza, and Milano Duomo.

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Sketches Left to Right: Statue in Piazza dei Signori in Vicenza Chiesa dei Carmini “General’s House” in Vicenze Milano Duomo Spire Milano Duomo Facade

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Photography: Protesting Protests of the Arab Spring Washington, D.C. Spring 2011 | Washington Alexandria Architecture Center

On Saturday, January 29, 2011, dozens of citizens gathered in the capital of the most influential nation in the world. Red and white became increasingly dominant as the assembly multiplied. Gathering with a common goal and a known purpose, this team of people occupied two significant public spaces in Washington, D.C. in a manner that I had never experienced before. Now I was in the midst of this effort as a spectator, as an architecture and photography student, not included in the team, but definitely welcome. Inadvertently, I became a center of attention, as I held an official-looking camera, with its shutter in almost continuous motion, opening and closing to document this historic event. This intense, but peaceful, protest for Egyptian freedom allowed me to experience teamwork on a scale of which I had never been a part.

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Arab Spring Protests in support of the People of Egypt, Bahrain, Libya, and Iraq, among others. Lafayette Square at the White House, & Egyptian Embassy (Washington, D.C.)

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Arab Spring Protests in support of the People of Egypt, Bahrain, Libya, and Iraq, among others. Lafayette Square at the White House, & Egyptian Embassy (Washington, D.C.)

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