exhibitions

exhibition landscape + architecture

thomas h brown jr university of georgia + college of environmental design

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04 05 06 + 07 08 09 10 11 12 + 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 + 21

the bog box chase district hancock street reidentification zero garden + restaurant gaines primary school courtyard williams residence d.a.r.p.a.r.s. broad street park urban nomads publication east athens piedmont conservatory bishop pavilion concepts c.e.d. rebuild campus reflection garden keller library* construction documentation*

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bio + resume

*spackman, mossop + michaels professional work

exhibits

03 _

southeastern bogs

secondary Hoping to expose designers, student and professional alike, to the unique and beautiful swamp ecosystem, the BOG BOX was designed to allow a single occupant ample space to work, draw, read, or relax. Two elevated concrete ramps grant access, while elevating views and considering fluctuations in water height. Naturally decay and water resistant sinker cypress would be used for the main pod, with horizontal slits cut out to admit breezes, views, and accentuate the swamp’s dynamic horizon line. Wall bump-outs serve as book shelves, or connection to roof top, which has significant overhangs to discourage direct, interior sunlight.

+ perspectives

the bog box

immediate

_ 04

PROCESS DIAGRAM +

(CURRENT)

chase DISTRICT

(PROPOSED) The Chase Street Project involved the redevelopment of an historic Athens’ rail depot into a vibrant, multi-use district, by adopting the principles of landscape urbanism to understand the site’s past, while creating new, interdependent systems for a healthy future.

+ site plan

+ north

Known as one of the artistic centers of the south, Athens was in need of a district suitable for creative exploration, performance, and artist housing. Building on the success and influence of CINE [a local theater/bar/restaurant] on Athens culture, a plan was erected to turn it’s Hancock Street block into a thriving artistic hub. Traffic patterns [car/bike/pedestrians/parking] were investigated, and a new street layout was designed to maximize parking, while creating more efficient travel patterns and encouraging multiple transportation choices.

hancock street reidentification

_ 06

+ street redesign

behavior mapping \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

+ south

perspectives

gaines primary school courtyard

Connected to the school’s music and art studios, the Gaines Courtyard was designed to foster creativity and force motion. Known as the ‘Movement Courtyard’, two large, curved structures were erected to suggest musical composition, while being randomly fitted with colored cells. These semi-transparent cells help block direct sunlight, while its colored shadows create an interesting, constantly changing pattern on the sidewalk. In addition, the site was planted with free growing, tall grasses and wildflowers, which sway with wind flow and reemphasize the concept of movement.

+ site elevation

model photos +

_ 10

williams residence

+ presentation layout

Designed as a North Georgia retreat for a fellow designer, the house serves as a living/studio space, meant to sit within and accentuate the piedmont landscape. The building form was inspired by traditional southern features, but updated and manipulated to add interest. The resulting architecture is both deeply vernacular/classical, while also modern and chic.

darien province avian rehabilitation sanctuary

d.a.r.p.a.r.s.

SITE PERSPECTIVES+

Presented with a Central America site with no design conditions, it was the task of the architect to determine the most appropriate program for the plot. Given the area’s centralized location and the influence (and threatened condition) of avian species on the region, it became important to incorporate bird migration and behavior into the program. The resulting plan features research facilities and housing for scientists and students, as well as a large scale bird sanctuary for rehabilitation.

11 _ +SITE PLAN

BIRD MAPPING+

rendering +

+ vegetable plan

broad street park

The Broad Street project began as a way to infuse the downtown Athens area with a formal, usable green space. As the park was intended for high volumes of users, it became important to create a diversity of space, to be used by a variety of populations. Three garden zones comprise the finished plan, based on different Athens ecologies (farmland/agriculture, open pasture, and forest). Each zone provides a different experience, while remaining true to the surrounding environment.

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plan+

SO CALLED

Complete with two large carriages, this alternative transport system is provided for free by corporations to the homeless. While granting the poor mobility as well as storage space, it also serves as active advertisement for companies, and shows their dedication to “green” transit and community involvement.

a better bike

a P A R K t o P A R K“UNDESIRSam Mockbee once said, “Architecture has to be greater than just architecture. It has to address social values . . . “ In this case we can tweak Sambo’s vision to say, “A park has to be greater than just a park.” Typically just an arrangement of lawn space, trees, and programmed areas, parks tend to be one note. While they are intended for the public, there remains a very specific population that are ostracized from these “welcoming” spaces. It seems that architects praise human use of their designs, but only if those citizens are clean, respectable, and can go home afterwards.

Our proposed park embraces the derelict, while still acting as a typical park. Large, grass covered mounds serve as shelters as well as interactive art pieces for children. Vegetable gardens provide food, along with moveable planters, which can be repositioned to take advantage of sun angles or to define separate spaces. And finally sculptural mist poles encourage personal hygiene, while creating a space to play and cool down.

A B L E S ” ARE NOT THE PROBLEM. IT IS THE MEASURES TAKEN TO COMBAT THEM THAT IS THE PROBLEM. WILLIAM H WHYTE P E O P L Ekeeping it simple WHO ARE HOMELESS ARENOTSOCIAL INADEQUATES. THEY AREswelling dwelling P E O P L E WITHOUT H O M E S .

When designing for a group, such as the homeless, that have little money and fewer resources, the best ideas are those that stay simple and easily reproduced. Here is a simple quarter arc concrete structure that can be installed against existing planters to provide basic safety. “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

_ 14 light

SHEILA

Whereas most sidewalk greenery acts solely as a visual feature or stormwater mitigator, these pulsating planters create void space intended to house the homeless. While protecting the urban nomad, the strips continue to fulfill the basic requirements of a median by creating aesthetic interest, reducing runoff, and remaining easy to install. What an easy way to integrate social relief into nominally bland design.

McKACHNIE

night information+infrastructure While food, shelter, water, and safety are all necessities for the homeless, there remains a sphere that is often overlooked . . . Information. Available information is what allows our population to improve and advance. Without a consistent source of local, global, and economic news, how can we expect the homeless to improve their situations.

These conceptual walkways serve as a source of notification and enlightenment for citizens who otherwise would have no source of information. Scrolling, electronic screens, cast inside concrete, give up to the minute news, job listings (specifically for the homeless), nutritional/health counsel, weather, bus schedules, and other information. The bold, architectural forms create interest from the street and make the walkways more than just a hangout for the poor and derelict.

urban nomads publication Brochure of concepts and projects looking at homelessness and possible solutions for shelter, food, water, information, and hygiene

(u)tube.

foodforthought

FRINGE FARMING

Using marginal locations to act as community gardens helps to: 1) educate on agriculture; 2) encourage interaction and trust; 3) create responsibility; 4) create a source of income; 5) make safer/healthier environments; 6) provide better quality food; 7) cheapen the cost of organic produce; and 8) move homeless communities from gathering societies into agricultural producing societies

cleverly named sleeping system is designed specifically for homeless populations, allowing them the flexibility to sleep when they like, without fear of abuse or arrest.

These simple structures can easily be installed, and operate much like a parking meter. The fatigued customer inserts their money, the door unlocks, and they

MOBILE GARDENS

climb inside. Once the time is up an alarm goes off and will continue to until the user exits and closes the door.

phase 001 _ the top _THE URBAN NOMADS PROJECT

NATIONAL COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS www.nationalhomeless.org info@nationalhomeless.org 202.462.4822.

NATIONAL ALLIANCE TO END HOMELESSNESS www.endhomelessness.org naeh@naeh.org 202. 638.1526 THE NATIONAL POLICY AND ADVOCACY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS www.npach.org info@npach.org 202.714.5378 THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT www.hud.gov 202.708.1112.

_CREDITS AND THANKS SUPPLEMENTAL PHOTOGRAPHY THE DOCUMENTARY DARK DAYS DIRECTED BY MARC SINGER THANKS TO HEATHER BENHAM, BROOKS BRYANT, AND ALFIE VICK

phase 002 _ the front

urbannomadsproject@gmail.com

_NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

phase 003 _ the supports

i n f o r m a t i o n

leeland mooring, tears of the saints

to keep a closer eye on activities.

population, and there assemblage would allow police

low governments to keep better track of this particular

parks, areas, or parking lots as “tent cities” would al-

can congregate and be secure. Designating certain

istence and create environments where these nomads

ficials, instead of turning a blind eye, accept there ex-

current economic trends, it is imperative that city of-

highly vulnerable and often volatile camps grow with

A LARGE NUMBER OF HOMELESS AND OTHER URBANITES RELY ON THE RUMMAGING AND RESALE OF GOODS AS THEIR SOLE SOURCE OF INCOME. THIS SIMPLE SYSTEM, WHICH “DISAPPEARS” INTO THE SIDEWALK WHEN UNUSED, IS EASILY SET UP AND PROVIDES AMPLE SPACE FOR THE DISPLAY AND STORAGE OF MERCHANDISE. VENDORS NOW HAVE A SAFE, ATTRACTIVE STATION IN WHICH TO SELL OLD V.C.R.s AND FAKE ROLEXES.

ment aided settlement is more unusual. As these

pop up peddling

[there are many prodigal sons, on our city streets they run, searching for shelter+there are homes broken down, people’s hopes have fallen to the ground, from failures+this is an emergency+there are tears from the saints for the lost and unsaved, we’re crying for them come back home+and all your children will stretch out their hands, and pick up the crippled man, father we will lead them home]

dealing with the homeless, the concept of a govern-

inside and the alarm with cease.

While the idea of “tent cities” is nothing new when

A growing trend over the past decade has been “mobile homelessness”, or citizens living out of their cars. One idea to help these individuals is to retrofit their cars so as to provide food. The mobile garden is meant to be installed in the beds of trucks, which at an average of 30 square feet of surface area, could provide up to $2,300 in produce yearly. These crops could either be resold for profit or used as a healthy diet for the homeless citizen.

A weight sensor within the tube will confirm no one is

TEN(an)T/CITY

Imagine a fusion between a bike share program and a far east nap hotel and you have the (u)tube. This

URBAN OASIS

A serious problem facing homeless populations is the availability (or absence) of clean water and sanitary facilities. Few cities put significant funding into open, public drinking fountains in fear of misuse and exploitation. In return few derelicts have a reliable, legal source of uncontaminated water. Similarly, there is little evidence of sterile bathroom and shower facilities for homeless citizens. To frequently these people are forced to sneak into private restrooms or use unsanitary methods of “cleaning” themselves.

Instead of ignoring these conditions, planners should accept these facts and design urban “springs”, such as this, that utilize collected rainwater and condensation (cleaned and pumped using solar energy) for the benefit of less fortunate people.

In response to the shortage of socially mindful projects, URBAN NOMADS was created to engage and encourage designers to look at homelessness as a platform to test new, creative ideas. Within are an assortment of ideas and suggestions meant to stimulate the fertile minds of architects, and, hopefully, lead to better design solutions.

These concepts are not perfect, and were not expected to be. Instead they are a starting point, and our field, en masse, will determine how far they go.

As planners it’s our moral responsibility to address ills in society, and in America there is no dilemma more prevalent, and more suited to be solved by designers, than homelessness. While we possess the skills to approach these maladies, architects are quickly forgetting their obligation to all citizens, not just the highest bidder. Commerce, not conscience, is what drives our business.

URBAN+NOMAD what is

+ SITE ANALYSIS

EAST ATHENS PIEDMONT CONSERVATORY

+ PROGRAMMING

Designated to remain an undistrubed green space, an opportunity was seen to accentuate the site’s character and educate the general public to the native Athens ecosystem. The space was special in that it featured three of the Piedmont region’s promident sub-zones.

Using a comprehensive analysis plan, the site was divided into three zones with designated buildable sites. This system will allow for local artists to install vernacular artwork in areas of least disturbance, ensuring the protection of the native landscape while creating a more dynamic, educational experience.

VERNACULAR ART +

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c.e.d. rebuild UGA’s College of Environmental Design (CED), was in need of a more updated facility which better reflected the school and its core focus. Because of the site’s hilltop location a large studio block was erected, with substantial windows to accentuate views and allow natural light. The block sits upon a gabion base, which gives nod to the area’s natural materials and houses administrative offices and gallery space.

+ floor plans

+ views

17 _

+ perspective

While the University of Georgia had already constructed a memorial for fallen student soldiers, the design was unfitting for such a sacrifice. The new garden would be designed around a series of elevated bridges, surrounded by a gravel pit and substantial concrete poles. The depression is meant to suggest death, with the rising poles suggesting the fallen students. The network of bridges, interrupted by the posts, is a metaphor for life and serves as a circulation system as well as a remembrance space.

///////campus reflection garden

SITE PLAN + construction documents on page 20

construction documents on page 21

+ reading courtyard new orleans. louisiana.

KELLER LIBRARY\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ COMPLETED AS A MEMBER OF SPACKMAN, MOSSOP + MICHAELS Part of an extensive redesign of a failing New Orleans library, the Keller project involved a complete overhaul of the existing landscape. The final plan included a constructed wetland featuring complex forms and various wildflowers at one entrance, and a modern reading courtyard at another.

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+constructed wetland

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COMPLETED UNDER THE SUPERVISON OF DOUG PARDUE, UGA FACULTY

///////campus reflection garden

construction

documentation

KELLER LIBRARY\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ COMPLETED UNDER THE SUPERVISON OF WES MICHAELS, SM2 GROUP PRINCIPAL

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bio + resume

with fiancee brandi _ photo by altmix photography

THOMAS H BROWN JR EDUCATION university of georgia _ bachelors of landscape architecture 3.70 gpa INTERESTS digital representation urban ecology productive architecture social advancement through design urban food production documentation southern vernacular architecture WORK EXPERIENCE moon’s tree farm _ loganville, ga ldi reproprinting _ tucker, ga mihalko landscape architecture _ athens, ga spackman, mossop + michaels _ new orleans, la.

ACTIVITES mad housers emerging green builders baptist collegiate ministries georgia students of landscape architecture uga hort club

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thomas h brown jr. 3021 hampton ridge way. snellville, ga. 30078 404 545 3946. thbrownjr@gmail.com