Latency Liberated by Vatsal Desai

Latency

An Attempt the Latent Qualities of and Integrate Suburban Lifestyles

Vatsal Thesis Fall-Spring Arch

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2 Contents What is Latent? Thesis Topic Goals and Objectives Thesis Questions Thesis Research Precedent Research On Sustainability Thesis Program Site Selection Climate Analysis Site Analysis Project Development Site Photos Preliminary Sketches Existing Master plan New Master plan Design Analysis Design Phase 2 Design Phase 3 Design Phase 4 Design Phase 5 Bibliography

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3 What is latent? Te c h n o l o g y a n d i n n o v a t i o n require years of research, government funding, and a lot of infrastructure for implementation of a particular product. S u s t a i n a b i l i t y, a s a n i d e a , a fad, a trend in terms of product development and sales, within a range of scales has stormed through main-stream media. It is different from previous trends because this new way of living has a dramatic effect on our environment. H o w e v e r, i t i s t h e s a m e a s any other innovation or product, because it requires years of research, funding, and infrastructure for its effects to be noticed. The effects of sustainability are latent. Although marketing and products have begun to scratch the surface, there are a lot of issues regarding the status of our environment. The fact is that we continue to consume at a much faster rate than what is available. Although some resources may be available, perhaps the question at large is do we really need all that we consume? How can we begin to condense, conserve, collect, and collaborate as a community to help improve our environment?

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4 Thesis Topic This project is the redevelopment of an urban infrastructure incorporating suburban and sustainable lifestyles. In essence, re-meshing suburbia into urban environments to make living in dense cities more appealing.

Goals and Objectives Why is it important? Suburban sprawl leads to higher levels of CO2 emissions due to workers forced to drive to work. Suburban sprawl also encroaches on wildlife populations, deforestation, and occupation of valuable farmland, and uses millions of dollars for unneeded additional i n f r a s t r u c t u r e . Tr a c k h o u s e s a n d d e v e l o p m e n t s a r e c o n s t r u c t e d w i t h o u t u s i n g s u s t a i n a b l e p r i n c i p l e s a n d e ff i c i e n t d e s i g n . S u b u rban sprawl results in separating communities and dissolves the rich fabric of our diverse cultures. How do I plan on resolving it? Dense living environments today are not appealing to the masses. These urban environments provide the necessary infrastructure, without additional costs, to develop sustainable housing. Current zoning trends depict a more outward sprawling approach, howe v e r, i f t h i s z o n i n g w e r e t o b e c o m e s t r a t i f i e d , i t w o u l d p r o v i d e opportunities for tiered development and utilization of air rights of low-rise buildings. With the incorporation of mass transit, better streetscapes, utilization of alleys, roofs, and other negative spaces, and smart, sustainable principles, the urban environment can begin to appeal to larger populations. One individual choosing to move to a dense urban city is not going to produce a dramatic change in the levels of co2 gasses, nor is 25% of people. This is mostly because, although individuals may be driving less t o w o r k , t h e i r h o m e e n v i r o n m e n t s t i l l i s n â&#x20AC;&#x2122; t s u s t a i n a b l e . H o w e v e r, when 25% of people move to a dense city that has been designed with sustainable principles, the effects become additive or maybe even exponential. And by making the urban living environment with suburban contextual elements, more people will be willing to make that move.

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5 Thesis Questions (cont.) Are there potential alternatives and issues to be addressed? As suburban sprawl invades valuable farmland, the population increases, and the amount of available resources continues to deplete, the solution to the problem seems to be sustainable urban environments. However, what occurs to the existing expanses of suburban real estate? This project deals with injecting suburban lifestyles back into the urban environment. Is there a possibility of implementing this new proposed system of a sustainable city back into the suburban lifestyle? What will the differences be? If people choose to move from suburbia back into the city, what happens to the vacant properties? Do they become scenes for crime and poverty? How do you address this potential outcome? What do you foresee as a potential solution that addresses new urban cities, as well as suburban developments?

Thesis Questions What will I learn through this project? I want to discover the means a n d m e t h o d s t o z o n i n g , u rban planning, sustainable principles, building re-use, latent space re-use, and provision of other infrastructure needed to attract a potential suburban user to an urban environm e n t . M o r e s p e c i f i c a l l y, I want to be able to discover the relationships and integral manner in which all of these elements begin to simultaneously coexist within a new urban master plan.

This diagram shows the relationship between rural and urban environments and the need for a more integrated way of living. Perhaps there does not need to be a distinction between the two, and rather they exist as one larger environment.

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6 Thesis Research It is estimated that sixty percent of the population in the United States is overweight, and 30 percent of the population is obese.

C a s e 1 : H u m a n S c a l e : K e y E l e m e n t s : • Maximize Proximity • Minimize Driving • Create Walking City

The list below shows how density and obesity problems are related: Lack of neighborhood sidewalks and safe places for recreation. Not having area parks, trails, sidewalks, and affordable gyms makes it hard for people to be physically active. Work schedules. People often say that they don’t have time to be physically active given the long hours at work and the time spent commuting back and forth to work. People living in counties marked by sprawling development are likely to walk less and weigh more than people living in less sprawling counties. People in the most sprawling areas are likely to weigh 6 pounds more than people living in the most compact counties.

The result of the study provides us a basis point for investigation. A walking city under these conditions is a goal of this project.

Thesis Research (cont.) Human Inactivity Related to Sprawl The lack of integrated cities, providing necessary living amenities, the great distances between living and working environments, as well as the lack of viable pubic transportation are causes for individuals to rely on cars. However, dense urban environments also have an increasing number of individuals who are overweight and or obese. The reason behind this is not the sprawl, although it is a factor for a lot of individuals, but that even in urban environments, the lack of a truly rich fabric of walk able streets does not exist. Individuals are more likely to walk in environments such as parks and river walks because they offer elements that dirty and dingy street sidewalks don’t. The chart to the left shows how obesity has increased dramatically in US states, and that the US has the worst walk able cities in the world.

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7 Thesis Research (cont.) Inefficiencies of Private Transportation As the charts and statistics to the below depict, the inefficiencies of private transportation versus public transportation greatly out weigh their “value” to an individual. The fact is that for every 1000 Americans, 765 of them have cars (Source: Green Car Congress). With the existence of suburbs, the separation from work, live, and play necessitate the existence for automobile ownership. It is also visible that the emissions from public transportation are significantly less than automobiles, however current public transportation is still producing emissions. More sustainable solutions for public transportation need to be addressed through this project.

Thesis Research Street congestion within a city is one of the leading causes to high percentage of CO2 levels. The list below are facts from a study conducted by LTL Architects, published in “Opportunistic Architecture.” 25% of Urban traffic congestion is caused by people searching for parking. US Drivers spend 8+ billion hours per year stuck in traffic. A lack of parking might be the issue, however its estimated that 1 meter of big box retail requires 1 meter of parking space. At current growth rates, Ikea, Walmart, Home Depot, Target, and Kmart will cover the area of Switzerland in 40 years. 80% of crime at shopping malls and office parks occurs in the parking lot. A parked car is the second most popular site to conceive a child. For 96 hours, over 100,000 people tailgate in the parking lot of the Florida-Georgia Football Game. The game runs about 3.5 hours with less than 75,000 Fans.

The result of the study provides us a basis point for investigation. Should cars be eliminated altogether?

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8 Thesis Research Suburban Sprawl is expansive, inefficient, and unsustainable. Suburbs developed from an abundance of cheap oil and cheap land prices. All of our post WW2 wealth was invested in the infrastructure for suburban lifestyles. However, due to rising gas prices, and the housing crisis which is at its lowest point in the business cycle the suburbs have already begun their decline.

Thesis Research (cont.) Human Inactivity Related to Sprawl Levittown, NY was the prototypical suburban neighborhood where city dwellers flocked to enjoy amenities of a large home with green lawn. This was the new definition of the American Dream. The land was razed of trees, and houses were built in rapid succ e s s i o n , c r e a t i n g h i g h l y c o s t e f f e c t i v e h o u s i n g . H o w e v e r, a t t h i s t i m e , t h e s u b u r b a n â&#x20AC;&#x153; f a d â&#x20AC;? w a s a l u x u r y. N o w , t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f suburbs results from an increasing diverse population, need for h o u s i n g , a n d t h e v a r i e t y o f j o b s . T h e n e w s u b u r b a n n e i g h b o rhoods are developer driven, and are built without thought to sust a i n a b i l i t y, e c o n o m y, o r e n e r g y c o n c e r n s . T h e g r a p h b e l o w s h o w s which of the major states are still seeing rapid growth within the suburban lifestyles. This inefficient production of houses has not stopped, and does not appear to be slowing down. With the current economic crisis, developers are seeking out banks who will fund new construction p ro j e c t s , m o s t o f w h i c h a re i n A r i z o n a , a n d C a l i f o r n i a , w h i c h c o rre l a t e s t o t h e g ro w t h c h a r t b e l o w.

The fact remains that the need for resources will never be subsided, and the continual rapid consumption of available resources will mean increase in prices. Larger Urban Cities will see a surge of development within the business districts as well as waterfront locations, however, the smaller more dense cities, with access to local food production will be the ones who survive this inevitable crisis. The suburbs become the next stage of investigation.

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9 Statement Of Intent Downtown Champaign As the thesis research conducted to this point indicates, there needs to be a shift from suburban living lifestyles to urban environments. This shift is a progressive and time consuming process, so as designers in the 21st century, how can we mitigate the latencies that exist in our urban environments to effectively make this shift easier to achieve. One such smaller metropolis is the city of Champaign, IL. More specifically, the central business district which is bounded by Washington St. to the North, Randolph St. to the West, Logan St. to the South, and the railroad tracks to the East, has the potential to become a well designed, walkable, sustainable, and habitable environment. Through a series of design phases, I plan on initially developing an Urban Master plan for the central business district that focuses on a livable community, density, and versatility in terms of zoning. These initial plans will be the basis of investigation on a much smaller scale that will deal with the incorporation of suburban living lifestyles and mitigation of latencies which exist in Urban environments. The Precedents to follow will be an exploration of different scales that will help to inform the project of the successes of projects past. These projects and precedent research will be a continuation throughout the project. A more in-depth analysis of the Downtown Champaign central business district will follow the precedent chapter.

Precedent Research This project will explore precedents in three different fields. The majority of the research done focuses on specific elements within a city or cities that will eventually influence the outcomes of the master plan, and prototype design. Additional research includes sustainable technologies, urban-planning strategies, and building scale projects. It is interesting to note that the specific correlations between some of the data provided and the effect it has on our living environment have been dramatically magnified over the last few decades. The sustainable principles which our ancestors developed have not changed, but somehow our ability to efficiently implement improvement strategies has not kept up. Through this research, the precedents found begin to lay a foundation to where the project will attempt to steer its course.

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10 Precedent Case 1: City Scale: Portland, Oregon

Key Elements: • Most Sustainable US City • Transportation System • Sustainable Planning

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11 Precedent Research (cont.) Portland, Oregon The Central Portland Plan is a series of Urban planning efforts scheduled to take effect over the next couple of decades. The plan was initiated with various methods of outreach which resulted in more than 3,300 people who provided their ideas on what was needed. The main issues discussed that needed to be addressed, dealt with transportation, housing, and the environment. There were additional parameters which need to be implemented in order to change growth patt e r n s w i t h i n t h e c i t y. A f f o r d a b i l i t y, s u s t a i n a b i l i t y, c o m munity-building, and place making were all key elements which would trigger more sustainable growth. Portland is unique because they have effectively implemented the strategies discussed above. They have maintained a high level of successful urban growth, and have limited suburban sprawl. Revitalization of their Central Business District, implementation of their mass transit system, and beautification projects have led them to the top of the most sustainable cities list p u b l i s h e d b y S u s t a i n L a n e â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2008 list. A title they have held for four consecutive years.

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12 Precedent Case 2: Suburban Scale:

L T L A r c h i t e c t ’s P a r k To w e r . Incorporates user

Key Elements: • Increase Density • Create Suburban Lifestyle • Reduce Consumption of Resources

Latency Vatsal

need for cars within a dense urban structure to create integrated live, work, play environment

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13 Precedent Research (cont.) P a r k To w e r , L T L A r c h i t e c t s P a r k To w e r a t t e m p t s t o i n corporate parking, living, shopping, working, and hospitatility tendencies within a dense infrastructure. It even attempts to cut consumption costs with a large photovoltaic screen wall on the southside. This projects integration of program and p a r k i n g i s a w a y o f i n c o rp o r a t i n g t h e s u b u r b a n c h a racteristics within a dense urban city building. The success of this project comes from the full integration, not plug and chug of formulas.

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14 Precedent Case 3: City Block Scale:

E C O C I T Y, H a r b u r g H a r b o u r, H a m b u r g , G e r m a n y. T h i s c i t y w i t h i n

Key Elements: • Building Reuse • Fully Sustainable Architecture • Effectively Provide for User Needs

Latency Vatsal

a city provides the highest standards for an efficient, satisfying leisure and work place.

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15 THE ENERGY CONCEPT

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E C O C I T Y ’s o r g a n i c e n e r g y concept aims for self‑suffic i e n c y, c r e a t i n g t h e s m a l l e s t possible ecological footprint. It is a self‑sustaining place that does not exploit, or pollute the environment b u t a i m s t o c o ‑ e x i s t s i n h a rmony with its surroundings. This is guaranteed by the implementation of 21st century technologies such as: WIND TURBINES Iconic wind turbines tower over the site, generating the b u l k o f E C O C I T Y ’s e l e c t r i c i t y. S m a l l e r v e r t i c a l w i n d t u r bines are distributed across the site, further providing emission free renewable ene r g y.

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SOLAR ENERGY Solar water heating will be used to offset the use of natural gas. Site lighting will be powered by solar technolo g y.

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GREEN ROOFS The majority of all visible roofs will be green and planted with ample trees and f l o w e r b e d s , p ro v i d i n g a reas for walking, relaxation, cafe spaces etc. They will help slow down the run off of storm water from the site and will avoid overburdening the municipal storm water system as well as significantly reduce the heat island e f f e c t o f E C O C I T Y. M AT E R I A L S The project will utilize environmentally friendly materials which will help promote a healthy indoor building atmosphere. Passive design techniques and efficient facade and building design will reduce energy consumption by 30%.

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16 Precedent Case 4: Future Scale:

Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, by Foster+Partners, is the first planned city

Key Elements: â&#x20AC;˘ Community Integrated â&#x20AC;˘ Fully Sustainable Architecture â&#x20AC;˘ Ultimate in Net-Zero, Net- Positive Energy Design

that will rely entirely on solar energy and other renewable energy sources, with a sustainable, zero-carbon, zero-waste ecology

The city is planned to be the nexus between three surrounding major metropolitan areas. It will house the sustainability institute, and provide spaces for living, working, and researching. It will fully utilize active and passive sustainable strategies to maximize resource conservation. The city will incorporate a fully walkable lower plaza, with public transportation accessible from within the city a n d o u t s i d e o f t h e c i t y.

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17 Precedent Research (cont.) As the first major hydrocarbonproducing economy to take such a step, Abu Dhabi has established its leadership position by launching the Masdar Initiative. The Masdar Initiative driven by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala) is a global cooperative platform for the open engagement in the search for solutions to some of mank i n d â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s m o s t p r e s s i n g i s s u e s : e n e r g y s e c u r i t y, c l i m a t e c h a n g e and the development of human e x p e r t i s e i n s u s t a i n a b i l i t y. Abu Dhabi is leveraging its substantial resources and exp e r i e n c e i n g l o b a l e n e r g y m a rkets into the technologies of the future. One key objective of Masdar is to position Abu Dhabi as a world-class research and development hub for new energy technologies, effectively balancing its strong position in an evolving world energy market. A related objective is to drive the commercialization and adoption of these and other technologies in sustainable ene r g y, c a r b o n m a n a g e m e n t a n d water conservation. In doing so, Masdar will play a decisive role i n A b u D h a b i â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s t r a n s i t i o n f r o m technology consumer to techn o l o g y p r o d u c e r. The goal is the establishment of an entirely new economic sector in Abu Dhabi around these new industries, which will assist economic diversification and the development of knowledgebased industries, while enhanci n g A b u D h a b i â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s e x i s t i n g r e c o r d of environmental stewardship and its contribution to the globa l c o m m u n i t y.

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18 Precedent Case 5: Pedestrian/Reuse Scale:

Highline, Manhattan, New Yo r k , J a m e s C o r n e r, F i e l d Operations, with architects

Key Elements: • Community Integrated • Fully Sustainable Architecture • Ultimate in creating a walkable, urban park

Latency Vatsal

Diller Scofidio + Renfro

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19 Precedent Research (cont.) Highline, Field Operations, DS+R The High Line was built in the 1930s, as part of a massive public-private infrastructure project called the West Side Improvement. It lifted freight traffic 30 feet i n t h e a i r, r e m o v i n g d a n g e r ous trains from the streets o f M a n h a t t a n ’s l a r g e s t i n dustrial district. No trains have run on the High Line since 1980. Friends of the High Line, a communitybased non-profit group, formed in 1999 when the historic structure was under threat of demolition. Friends of the High Line works in partnership with the City of N e w Yo r k t o p r e s e r v e a n d maintain the structure as an elevated public park. T h e p r o j e c t g a i n e d t h e C i t y ’s support in 2002. The High Line south of 30th Street was donated to the City by C S X Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n I n c . i n 2005. The design team of landscape architects James Corner Field Operations, with architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro, created the H i g h L i n e ’s p u b l i c l a n d s c a p e with guidance from a diverse community of High Line supporters. Construction on the park began in 2006. The first section, from Gansevoort Street to 20th Street, is projected to open in June 2009. The project informs the thesis because it begins to merge the gap between creating suburban environments withn dense urban cities with the use of sustainable practices and using latent spaces as the medium. This will be the emphasis of this thesis.

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20 On Sustainability Latency Liberated assumes the position of addressing sustainability from the standpoint of stopping suburban sprawl, reestablishing the smaller urban downtown areas as living, working, and playing environments, as well as creating a new standard for sustainable living.

S u s t a i n a b l e S c a l e : C i t y ,

K e y E l e m e n t s : • Environmental factors • Social factors • Economic factors • Materials and processes • Methods or fabrication • Life-cycle and re-cycle • Density • Create Suburban Lifestyle

Using existing buildings, a new building typology will be discovered, which will focus on creating suburban style living environments within the individual’s home. Although a denser area within the urban environment will be created, the quality of life that people tend to enjoy within the suburban fabric will be the base point of this study. It will be possible for people to enjoy a lot of the elements from suburban lifestyles, however in a new sustainable, urban context.

Latency Vatsal

D e s i g n G u i d e l i n e s B u i l d i n g , U n i t

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21 On Sustainability (cont.) Sustainability Analysis A new mass transit system will be initiated, reducing the street noise, traffic congestion, and pollution, as well as create freer flowing pedestrian streetscapes. This urban study will utilize the latent spaces and create new green and outdoor spaces for residents to interact w i t h a n d e n j o y. P r o x i m i t y, q u a l i t y, a f f o r d a b i l i t y, m o b i l i t y, s u s t a i n a b i l i t y, a n d e f ficiency are all key words that w i l l d r i v e t h e p r o j e c t â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s g o a l s . The sustainability affects will be tri-fold; reducing suburban sprawl, re-utilizing urban environments, and creating sustainable living environments within dense urban fabrics. T h i s p ro j e c t w i l l d e a l w i t h i n c o rporating sustainability at multiple scales. From the individual living units, to the actual building which will house them, to the city that will be the host to the building. Each element will attempt to conserve resources, i n c r e a s e e f f i c i e n c y, a n d p r o m o t e the well being of the user and the environment. Sustainable innovations will be researched a n d i n c o r p o r a t e d , h o w e v e r, t h e main emphasis will be on smart design, rather than expensive, new technologies. Appeal of the living environments must be affordable to the masses, or else they will be left vacant. New technologies, and living styles must also be appealing to individuals, and the only way the true effect of these sustainable cities will be realized is if the individuals practice the strategies themselves.

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22 On Program What is missing? Missing within cities in general are integrated green spaces, a lack of parking spaces, congestion on the streets, and affordable lifestyles. Also, there is an under utilization of negative spaces, more specifically, alleyways and rooftops. There is also a lack of indoor-outdoor freedom of movement, i.e., balconies. Suburban lifestyles include backyards, and separation of houses, which maybe a reason why individuals choose to not occupy urban environments. However, the appeal of good design, accessible environments, and a richer, greener lifestyle will trump the need to have large, inefficient trackhouses. What is necessary? Sustainable and smart design principles within the living environments are of the utmost importance. These ideals should also transcend to office and retail zoning environments to maintain a cleaner lifestyle. The streetscapes and negative spaces should be utilized to their maximum potential, to minimize waste. What would be beneficial? By providing a trolley system, or some sort of light rail system, the effectiveness of dense urban environments will be noticed. Cutting the need for hardtop parking surfaces, congestion in the streets, and maximizing the flow of streetscapes, the urban environment will gain freedom and liveliness.

Latency Vatsal

P r o g r a m m i n g G u i d e l i n e s L i v i n g : T h r e e s c a l e s o f h o u s i n g : Apartments, Condos, and Hotels/Hostels T h r e e s c a l e s o f A p a r t m e n t s : One Bedroom, Tw o B e d r o o m , a n d T h r e e B e d r o o m T h r e e s c a l e s o f C o n d o s : O n e B e d r o o m , Tw o B e d room, and Three Bedroom W o r k i n g : Office spaces to be connected to Living spaces S m a l l Offices for 20-35 people M e d i u m Offices for 35-50 people L a r g e Offices for 50-65 People X L Offices for 65+ People P l a y i n g : Bars, Restaurants, Clubs, Art Galleries, Museums, and Theaters, etc

S h o p p i n g : R e t a i l , H a r d w a r e , P h a r m a c e u t i c a l , G r o c e r y, F l o r a l , e t c I n f r a s t r u c t u r e : Police, Fire, Hospital, City Building, Radio Station, Mechanic, Wat e r / S e w a g e Tr e a t m e n t P l a n t , e t c T r a n s i t : B u s s e s , Tr o l l e y s , W a l k i n g , B i k i n g , e t c R e c r e a t i o n : P a r k s , G a r d e n s , Te r r a c e s , R o o f t o p s , E x t e n s i v e L a n d s c a p i n g , e t c

L i b e r a t e d D e s a i

23 On Programming (cont.) Programming Notes Additional resources will be added as needed to provide maximum level of infrastructure within proximity to the living environments. As the program becomes more refined, and the site context determines what is missing/ needed, the program will also start to provide itself as a prototype for new developing downtown urban areas. Large metropolises in general have multiple sets of competing markets to promote competitive pricing. W i t h a s m a l l e r s c a l e c i t y, this maybe an issue of one type of retailer becomes a solitary provider of a particular product. An analysis will be conducted to provide the necessary markets to ensure that an affordable urban lifestyle can be maintained.

Thesis Preparation Fall Arch

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24 Site Selection Downtown Champaign, IL

Why this location? The existing infrastructure, the on-going efforts to revitalize the central business district, and the existence of a campus-town nearby, providing a constant flow of new tenants, Downtown Champaign provides a reasonable vehicle for this study. The current zoning laws represented by the city are effectively promoting sprawl, which provides a good example of how restructuring the zoning into a stratified arrangement can increase the potential for Downtown Champaign. It also is at a scale which allows a prototype to be developed that can be either scaled up or down to meet other cities needs.

S i t e

A n a l y s i s :

N a t u r a l

F a c t o r s :

Geology To p o g r a p h y H y d r o l o g y, s u r f a c e a n d g r o u n d w a t e r Soils Ve g e t a t i o n , p l a n t e c o l o g y Wildlife, habitats Climate, solar orientation, wind, precipitation, humidity C u l t u r a l

F a c t o r s :

Existing land use Tr a f f i c a n d t r a n s i t , v e h i c u l a r a n d p e d e s t r i a n o n a n d n e a r s i t e Density and zoning Socioeconomic factors U t i l i t i e s , s a n i t a r y a n d s t o r m w a t e r s y s t e m s , w a t e r, g a s , s t e a m , e l e c t r i c i t y, a n d telephone Existing buildings Historic factors, historic buildings, landmarks, and archaeology A e s t h e t i c

F a c t o r s :

Natural features Spatial pattern, views, spaces, and sequences Psychological/experiential factors Scale and proportion Materials and expression P a r k s , G a r d e n s , Te r r a c e s , R o o f t o p s , E x t e n s i v e L a n d s c a p i n g , e t c

Legislative Mayor City Council Member at Large City Council Member at Large City Council Member at Large City Council Member District No. 1 City Council Member District No. 2 City Council Member District No. 3 City Council Member District No. 4 City Council Member District No. 5

Gerald Schweighart Thomas Bruno Deborah Feinen Karen Foster Gina Jackson Michael LaDue Vic McIntosh Marci Dodds Ken Pirok

Administrative City Manager Assistant City Manager Deputy City Manager for Development Finance Director City Attorney Director of Public Works Planning Director Neighborhood Services Director Director of Human Resources Police Chief Fire Chief Library Director

Latency Vatsal

L i b e r a t e d D e s a i

Steven Carter Dorothy David Craig Rost Richard Schnuer Frederick Stavins Dennis Schmidt Bruce Knight Kevin Jackson M. Chris Bezruki R.T. Finney David Penicook Marsha Grove

25 On Site Selection (cont.) Current zoning indicates a dramatic need for change in order to prevent the continuation of sprawl and the effects of an unsustainable lifestyle. The downtown area is specifically zoned for retail and the commercial sectors, thus indicating a negligence for residential within this central business district. The incorporation of residential zoning within the existing downtown would merge for a more sustainable, live-work-play attitude.

Thesis Preparation Fall Arch

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26 Site Selection Downtown Champaign, IL

History of Site

S i t e

A n a l y s i s :

G e n e a l o g y : Sandborn Map of Champaign, IL

Downtown Champaign began with the completion of the Illinois Central Railroad in the early 1850â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Following the completion of that line, a small railroad town began to emerge 2 miles west of Urbana. This new town named West Urbana quickly began to grow from a mere railroad station to a thriving city center. By 1860, the new town decided to incorporate as the City of Champaign. By the turn of the century Downtown had a metropolitan feel. Wood frame buildings were replaced by stone and brick structures and the boarded sidewalks became limestone.

Latency Vatsal

L i b e r a t e d D e s a i

27 On Site Selection (cont.) History “The automobile industry was quick to shift from war production and to dust off its 1942 models for the 1946 production year. The long decline in local bus service began as people wanted to drive instead of ride. Vintage buildings began to come down as individual businesses attempted to accommodate the increased need for parking. A pioneer in this movement was Robeson’s Department Store. The City installed parking meters to encourage turnover and prevent employees from monopolizing scarce places on city streets. But the proliferation of automobiles opened a new threat to the downtown. People could drive further to do their shopping. Developers were quick to seize the opportunity and in 1959, Country Fair Shopping Center opened at the intersection of Springfield and Mattis Avenues . In the downtown, owners of many of the older buildings constructed sleek metal facade treatments to “modernize” their businesses and thus make them appear more fashionable to customers. But the knockout blow to downtown retail was the development of Marketplace, a shopping mall located just north of 1-74 on Neil Street extended. Delighted to have the retail expansion, yet at the same time desperate to appease and preserve the downtown interests, the City embarked upon a study of the aging area. The consultants recommended a plan which would have roofed over much of the central downtown area. The scale and costs of the proposal were staggering, far exceeding what could reasonably be built and sustained. The compromise was the pedestrian mall blocking off Neil Street from the corner of Main and Neil south a block and a half south to Chester Street. The idea, largely promoted by Downtown business interests, was to make the downtown more pedestrian friendly. Another part of the “improvements” was to take out the flatiron block in front of the Sears store and virtually the entire area to the rear of the store and in back of J.C. Penney’s to create huge parking lots, all in an effort to keep the two large chain stores downtown. It was all to no avail. Within two years, both Sears and J.C. Penney’s had fled to Marketplace Mall. The pedestrian mall on Neil Street, the perceived trendy, miracle cure for downtown ills, made a downtown already difficult to navigate because of its contorted street patterns, next to impossible. Still larger parking lots were built, this time south of Main Street. That failed to arrest the closing of the traditional downtown department stores-Lewis’ and Robeson’s - with Jos. Kuhn hanging on only by a sliver. For a decade and a half, from 1975 until 1990, what had once been a vibrant downtown became virtually an 8:00 am to 5:00 PM operation. Even the major movie theaters - The Rialto, The Orpheum and finally The Virginia began to shut down, victims of the multiplex operations located elsewhere.”

Thesis Preparation Fall Arch

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28 Site Selection Downtown Champaign, IL

Status of Transportation

S i t e

A n a l y s i s :

T r a n s p o r t a t i o n : T r o l l e y ,

a n d

B u s s e s

Buses first appeared on the streets of ChampaignUrbana for a very short time in 1901. The Illinois Motor Transit Company introduced service which only lasted from February to December of that year. In 1925, buses were used in conjunction with street cars. This saved the Illinois Light and Power Company, the owner of the trolley system, the expense of laying rails and paving streets in some parts of the Twin Cities. Best of all, it allowed transit to go where ever streets were located.

Tr o l l e y f r o m 1 9 2 7

Operations in the new Transit District began August 2, 1971. Fare was 30Â˘ and transfers were (and still are) free. The MTD has had a close working relationship with the University of Illinois since its creation. In 1973 two Campus routes were created, the Illi and the Orchard Downs. The Illi provided service nearly identical to the present day Quad route. The Orchard Downs remain virtually unchanged from its inception. U of I students paid 10Â˘ a ride or they could purchase a semester pass for $20.

Northern Aerial of Downtown

Today the MTD carries more than 10 million passengers per year. The Illinois Terminal was completed in 1999 and provides the MTD with an enclosed transfer station and an extra form of income through the leasing of office space.

Latency Vatsal

L i b e r a t e d D e s a i

29 On Site Selection (cont.) History It wasn’t long before Champaign began to out pace it’s sister to the east and quickly established itself as the commercial center of the region. By the turn of the century Champaign was booming. Streetcars soared down its streets and shoppers flocked to its department stores. Downtown Champaign experienced its greatest growth and prosperity right after the turn of the 20th century. By the 1920’s Downtown had a fully developed streetcar system, brick streets, limestone sidewalks and a dense network of fine architecture. By this time Champaign had started to outpace Urbana as the commercial center of the County.

On Site Selection (cont.) History The first horse drawn trolley trip connected Main and Market Streets (now Broadway) in Urbana with the Depot, which was the famous Doane House in Champaign. The Depot was located at Main Street and the I.C. tracks. Records state that “A German named Fritz guided the horse and mule that pulled the coach and when he said “Giddyap” it was a momentous occasion. The trolley usually made seven trips a day and although the company hired the conductor, the driver provided the horsepower. In 1890 William B. McKinley, founder of the Illinois Power Company, directed the creation of an electrified trolley system in Champaign. It is worth noting that over 100 years ago Champaign was already on the “cutting edge” of transportation technology. The electrified trolley system was built just 2 years after Frank Sprague had perfected the electric railroad in Richmond, Virginia. One of Champaign’s last trolleys at its peak, the trolley system provided service all over Champaign and Urbana. There were as many as 20 routes operating, including “Owl Service” which linked the cities through the night. There was also a trolley that carried passengers to what was then known as West End Park (now Eisner Park). The last street car to operate in C-U made its final trip on November 10, 1936. Dr. Taylor was also passenger on that day. The National City Lines had purchased the system from Illinois Power and Light Company for $53,000 the previous October.

The Champaign Streetcar system effectively managed all public transportation within the downtown and surrounding areas. The lack of cars within the downtown area provided a s t r o n g e r, w a l k a b l e c o m m u n i t y. R e s i d e n t s a n d v i s i t o r s alike relied on the streetcars to get from one place to the next efficiently

Thesis Preparation Fall Arch

B o o k l e t 2 0 0 9 5 7 3

30 Site Selection Downtown Champaign, IL

Status of City

S i t e

A n a l y s i s :

P a r k i n g : Current surface parking involves street parking, parking lots, as well as one parking structure. Street parking is run through the city and is metered. Cashkeys offer advantages to commuters and residents alike, however they are still expensive. Parking lots are either run through the city or are privately owned by developers or retail owners. The parking structure on Hill Street is the best parking solution to date, but the structure itself is not sustainable.

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The city of Champaign has developed a master plan and are in the process of implementing numerous strategies for improving the quality of life within the downtown area. One major element discussed through the master plan, involves the beautification of streetscapes as well as the realization that there are a lot of buildings within the downtown limits.

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L i b e r a t e d D e s a i

31 On Site Selection (cont.) I - 74 EAST I - 74 WEST I - 57 NORTH I - 57 SOUTH

Master Planning Team’s Assessments

EET

CLARK STREET ET

WHITE STREET

STOUGHTON STREET

SPRINGFIELD AVENUE

WRIGHT STREET

SPRINGFIELD AVENUE

NEIL STREET

HEALEY STREET

GREEN STREET

JOHN STREET

DANIEL STREET

LOCUST STREET

WILLIAM STREET

ILLINI UNION

FIFTH STREET

JOHN STREET

THIRD STREET

SECOND STREET

STATE STREET

PRAIRIE STREET

GREEN STREET

RANDOLPH STREET

SCOTT PARK HEALEY STREET

MATHEWS STREET

AN STR E

STR

CHALMERS STREET

MAIN QUAD

LOG

STE R

PARK STREET

WRIGHT STREET

UNIVERSITY AVENUE CHE

FOURTH STREET

CLARK STREET

FIRST STREET

UNIVERSITY AVENUE

STR E

FIFTH STREET

PARK STREET

NEIL STREET

WEST SIDE PARK

SECOND STREET

MAIN

FOURTH STREET

CHURCH STREET

DOWNTOWN CHAMPAIGN

THIRD STREET

CHURCH STREET

ENGINEERING QUAD

T ST WA LNU

I - 72 WEST I - 57 NORTH I - 57 SOUTH

BUSES ONLY

HILL STREET

REE

HILL STREET

Current trends include property values are continuing to rise due to ongoing redevelopment. Residential markets in Champaign continue to be strong in the southwest area and generally on the fringe of the city. Surrounding communities use Champaign as an employment and shopping center. Champaign and Urbana are growing steadily. Downtown is becoming more competitive with Campus town and downtown Urbana. The public transportation system in the area will not change drastically. Neighborhood commercial centers are growing increasingly competitive with downtown. North Prospect and Marketplace mall are maintaining their status as the regional shopping destinations in the community and region. Downtown is drawing more visitors from regional locations. Additional commercial CAMPUSTOWN centers will be constructed throughout Champaign, increasing competition with downtown. Current renovations are adding demand to the downtown parking system. SIXTH STREET

WASHINGTON STREET

SIXTH STREET

WASHINGTON STREET

Major Parking Lots

FOURTH STREET

EUCLID STREET

THIRD STREET

ARBOR STREET

SECOND STREET

OAK STREET

RANDOLPH STREET

ELLS AVENUE

STATE STREET

PRAIRIE STREET

STANAGE AVENUE

FIRST STREET

CHARLES STREET ARMORY STREET

ARMORY

Major Green Spaces

LIBRARY

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

GREGORY DRIVE

GREGORY STREET (Limited Hours/Buses Only)

Major Roads

HUFF HALL

AVONDALE AVENUE

SOUTH QUAD

GREGORY STREET RESIDENCE HALLS

STADIUM DRIVE HESSEL BOULAVARD

KIRBY AVENUE

MEMORIAL STADIUM

FOURTH STREET

IMPE

FIRST STREET

BIRCH STREET

PEABODY STREET

NEIL STRE ET

BUENA VISTA DRIVE

PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE

ROSELAND CEMETARY

MOUNT HOPE CEMETARY

KIRBY AVENUE

ASSEMBLY HALL

I - 57 SOUTH

Thesis Preparation Fall Arch

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32 Site Selection Downtown Champaign, IL

S i t e

A n a l y s i s :

C u r r e n t

P r o j e c t s :

Status of City

Current development projects are focused around the outer city limits. This indi-

master plan predicts that the upper floors of older buildings will be converted to

cates that zoning within the district of champaign has not changed. Although the residential, this is not reflected in the zoning plan of 2009.

DEVELOPING SUBDIVISIONS IN CHAMPAIGN GROWTH AREAS Planning Department

0.25

0.5

1 Miles

Interstate Highways Streets City of Champaign Boundary

In t

t In

February 2007

Note: Developments shown in yellow have all been approved for development. However, each subdivision is in a different phase of completion. The number of units listed represents the approximate total of units once the development is completed.

Developing Subdivisions

e 74

i ng

t on

Olympian Dr.

Clearview

Ashland Park (538 units) The Reserve at Stamey Farms (208 units) Interstate Dr.

Market St.

Blo

Villas at Ashland Farm (152 units) Shurtz (800 units) Twins (240 units) Cardinal Rd. Seasons at Champaign (240 units)

Boulder Ridge (900 units)

Bradley Ave.

Aspen Gold (48 units) West Ridge (73 units)The Cove (78 units) Tuscany Pointe (96 units)

Wellington Place (56 units) Sawgrass (400 units)

Interstate 72

Springfield Ave.

Cobblefield (288 units) Crowwood (64 units)

Trails at Abbey Fields (119 units)

Kirby Ave. Trails at Chestnut Grove (148 units) Trails Edge (104 units) Will's Trace (115 units) Ironwood West (208 units)

Windsor Rd.

Prairie Creek (466 units)

Liberty on the Lake (374 units)

Old Church Rd.

Latency Vatsal

L i b e r a t e d D e s a i

First St.

(Hwy 45 ) Neil St .

Prospect Ave.

Mattis Ave.

Curtis Rd.

Duncan Rd.

Legends of Champaign (435 units)

Interstate 57

Staley Rd.

Rising Rd.

Charter Oak (178 units)

33 On Site Selection (cont.) Master Planning Teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Assessments The projects on the boards focus mainly on street work, electrical work, and city sewage management. These projects are typically maintenance projects and deal specifically with routine year to year work. The work that is mentioned in the Champaign master plan are not shown on the current projects map below.

Thesis Preparation Fall Arch

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34 Climate Analysis Downtown Champaign, IL

Effect of Climate on Design The climate has a drastic effect on the built environment and can dramatically improve a designâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outcome if certain climate mitigating strategies are implemented. Solar gain, wind speed and direction, humidity levels, temperature, precipitation are some of the climactic factors that effect a potential design. These effects must be either mitigated or used as an advantage when dealing with preliminary building design. In terms of sustainable design that is inexpensive, a simple study of a siteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s climate can inform decisions of building orientation, facade construction and foundation design without having to spend thousands of dollars investing in mechanical systems.

Latency Vatsal

S i t e

A n a l y s i s :

C l i m a c t i c

C o n d i t i o n s :

T h e a v e r a g e t e m p e r a t u r e , p r e c i p i t a t i o n , h u m i d i t y, w i n d s p e e d s , s n o w f a l l , s u n s h i n e , a n d c l o u d y d a y s a re a l l d e p i c t e d i n t h e g r a p h s b e l o w. T h e s e a v e r a g e s a re compared with the US averages as an indicator for the difference in the need for different design considerations. The below data is a graphical view of some of the preliminary site considerations required to properly design a building.

L i b e r a t e d D e s a i

35 On Climate Analysis (cont.) Charts and Graphs The charts to the left are a psychometric chart and a wind rose. The charts below indicate average annual heating degree days and cooling degree days, as well as annual average precipitation. The psychometric chart shows dry bulb temperature, wet bulb temperature, dew point, relative humiditiy, humidity ratio, specific enthalpy, and specific volume. All of the lines on the psychometric chart correspond to one of these variables. The blue line outlining the shape to the left on the chart depicts the most comfortable zones for which to design to in the specific climate of Champaign, IL. The wind rose illustrates the primary wind speeds and directions on average per year in Champaign. The psychometric chart helps to indicate more specifically the indoor conditions at which occupants are most comfortable, which deals specifically with mechanical systems design. The wind rose helps to indicate where potential wind turbines should be located in order to generate wind produced energy. The charts below, which indicate heating and cooling degree days, help to clarify how many days will require heating and cooling, as opposed to not using mechanical conditioning.

Thesis Preparation Fall Arch

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36 Site Analysis Downtown Champaign, IL

Demographics on Design

S i t e

A n a l y s i s :

D e m o g r a p h i c

The data also indicates a steady growth pattern for the area.

It is important to understand the present economic and demographic data in order to facilitate the design process, because if the design calls for multi-million dollar condominiums, and the demographic is poorto-middle class, those individuals would never be able to lease the condominiums and therefore the project would fail.This is especially important when planning a city as the planning process involves indicating shopping/retail, housing, office building typologies within a certain area. The demographic information relating to the ages of individuals is important in determining what types of buildings would be most appealing. If the individuals are elderly, a walkable city still may not provide the best alternative. The data provided will help provide a glimpse into the potential building types which will need to be incorporated and designed in order to achieve a successful project.

Latency Vatsal

C o n d i t i o n s :

T h e D a t a b e l o w i n d i c a t e s a m a j o r i t y o f i n d i v i d u a l s a r e y o u n g , n o t w e a l t h y, s i n g l e .

L i b e r a t e d D e s a i

37 Sustainability Analysis (cont.) Charts and Graphs The charts to the left indicate the sustainable crisis that presents itself in the area of Champaign today. As the previous page indicates, a majority of individuals who are above a certain age own a house in the city, however those below a certain age, are mainly in high density housing. The chart at the top shows that a majority of individuals have a travel time to work between 10-20 minutes, which indicates relatively close proximity. Close proximity is one of the major goals of the project, so the trend supports the goal. However, the fact is that most individuals drove a car to work, which is something that is a cause for congestion within cities and results in inefficient use of land for parking. The chart at the bottom also indicates the major type of fuel used to heat homes. The trend for heating produced by gas and electricity is a cause for concern within the city, as gas and electricity are expensive, and non-renewable. If the electricity was generated by a sustainable source, the use of that energy as a heating source would be championed, however that is not the current case within the city. This data helps to inform the project goals further and supports the design intentions to incorporate sustainable technologies and mitigate latent spaces and create a walkable community.

Thesis Preparation Fall Arch

B o o k l e t 2 0 0 9 5 7 3

38 Project Development Latency Liberated How will the project progress? The main emphasis of this project is focused around implementing a new prototypical planning system for smaller scaled cities. The prototype will include ways of redeveloping a sustainable transportation system, a completely public street, without the use of cars, as well as a new integrated existing building-new building typology. The project will emphasize sustainability at every scale, and will include suburban elements within urban environments to make their development more appealing.

P r o j e c t D e v e l o p m e n t : R e s e a r c h : U n d e r s t a n d H i s t o r y, P r e c e d e n t s , a n d P r o b l e m s t o d e v e l o p a l i s t of programmatic applications of potential solutions. Understand i m p l i c a t i o n s o f n e w i d e a s t o p r o j e c t w i t h g o a l s o f s u s t a i n a b i l i t y, a f f o r d a b i l i t y, a n d u r b a n r e n e w a l i n m i n d . P h a s e 1 : Rectify zoning laws to correct trends of sprawl. Analyze current zoning of Downtown Champaign Develop a strategy for stratifying zoning to accommodate for multiple building types S t r a t i f i c a t i o n s h o u l d b e d e t e r m i n e d b y b u i l d i n g t y p e , p r o x i m i t y, and necessity

P h a s e 2 : Address Infrastructure Issues Provide safe, efficient, and reliable public transportation Minimize on street parking Maximize availability of public works departments (hospital, police, fire, etc.)

P h a s e 3 : Urban Master Plan E s t a b l i s h d e s i g n c r i t e r i a f o r d e v e l o p i n g n e w, m o re e ff i c i e n t building types Create hybrid city (utilizing old and new construction) Create free flowing lower sector to utilize dead spaces efficiently Establish criteria for landscaping, and vegetation within each city block Create subsidiary pathways on higher levels to create efficient transportation to and from city blocks Design new sustainable strategies for conserving, preserving, and collecting resources Design new building prototype that incorporates sustainable strategies while maintaining integrated program types

P h a s e 4 : Analyze new city master plan and create comparative data to visualize effectiveness and determine success of hypothesis Speculate on next phase of development and visualize potential outcomes 10, 25, and 50 years down the road. Develop implementation plan of new urban city within other cities

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39 On Project Development (cont.)

On Site Selection (cont.) Site Features

Extent of Site Existing Structures: Restaurants Shopping Bars Hospital Empty Structures Train Station Train Tracks Warehouses Parking Lots Senior Living Mixed Use Buildings

New Buildings Old Buildings Public Buildings Street Parking Parking Garage Limited Green Spaces Lots of Latent Spaces Existing Infrastructure Incoming Heavy Traffic Connection to Major Highways Residential Units

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The program and project definition will be the extent of the boundaries of Downtown Champaign. The included area is currently zoned as commercial development. The intended idea will be the revising of this area and the redefinition of the typology currently in place. The end product will be a completely integrated, sustainable, and fresh outlook on urban-suburban living.

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40 Design Phase 1 Downtown Champaign, IL

Existing Buildings As part of the Site Analysis, photographs of the buildings within the site limitations were taken. As seen in the photos to the right make clear, within American society, even in a small, relatively close knit city, the dependence on cars is clearly an issue to resolve. Of 140 site photographs taken, 138 of those photographs had a car clearly visible somewhere in the photograph.

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41 Site Analysis (cont.) The presence of cars within the limitations of the site presents an issue in terms of achieving one of the project objectives. Creating a truly walkable city is difficult when the reliance on cars is so dramatic. In order to facilitate a walkable city, the reliance on cars has to decrease. Part of the reason for the abundance of cars is in part the abundance of surface parking, which inevitably makes it convenient for individuals to park as close to their desired location as possible. Although this convenience is important, it is more crucial for a truly integrated city where proximity of necessary amenities and stores becomes the foundation for planning. If you take the example of a shopping mall, or even a strip center, which in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s society are quite abundant, patrons come by car-fulls and park in expansive parking lots, only to get out and find themselves in a well designed network of stores and amenities. They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to drive from one store to the next because the convenience factor trumps their need to get back into their car and drive to the next location. In the same manner, if a city is planned well enough, and the necessary amenities are in close proximity to other living/working/play environments, a few well located parking garages will facilitate the same convenience as the large expansive, unsustainable surface parking lots like those that exist in mall lots, as well as the ones that currently exist in the downtown champaign region. With the cars removed from the streetscape, the opportunities for better programmatic functions can occur.

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42 Design Phase 1 Downtown Champaign, IL

Existing Master plan

S k e t c h C u r r e n t

A n a l y s i s : C o n d i t i o n s :

T h e g r a p h i c s b e l o w d e p i c t l o c a t i o n o f m a i n p a t h w a y s l e a d i n g i n t o t h e c i t y, a s w e l l as locations of amenities, transportation hubs, and street organization.

Before beginning the design process, it is important to understand more graphically the conditions which plague the city of Champaign. The existence of the major highways, the presence of the surrounding, sister cities, as well as the University of Illinois all play into the current situation within the city. It is important to analyze the traffic conditions, the organization of the streets, the location of the different amenities, and the current major public transportation hubs within the city. Through this analysis, it is clear to see that the traffic of University Ave., and Neil Street are the two major vehicular pathways into the city. This analysis helps to gauge where to develop the walkable roads and where to maintain the vehicular traffic patterns.

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43 Design Analysis (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL New Traffic Patterns In order to create a walkable community within the immediate downtown environment, the presence of public transportation cannot be discarded in the design process. The public transportation provided by the Champaign Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD), is a phenomenal system. As the precedent research provided examples of trolley systems, which effectively created a more reliable and faster transportation medium, the MTD service already provides that. However, the issue currently revolves around the fact that there is not a route which circulates the downtown environment, but rather crosses through it. The routes leave the bus/train station on the South-East corner of the site and facilitate transportation mainly between the university, the downtown region, and the two shopping districts to the north and south of the downtown. If there was a specific area within the downtown environment designated purely pedestrian, there would be a need for transportation around this area, as well as from the different parking structures to this area. It is important to maintain a maximum of a two block distance for walking between bus stop to destination in order to create a walkable city. This two block maximum is ideal because in the case of inclement weather or an elderly individual, a distance greater than that is too extreme, thus making the two block distance ideal. Different bus routes will be researched in order to provide the most ideal scenarios. The notion of nodes is also a focus of implementation within the downtown environment. Currently there isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a clear â&#x20AC;&#x153;destinationâ&#x20AC;? when referring to the downtown region. There are really no landmarks, or plazas which help to center growth around. These nodes will create a focal point for the city and help to ground it within its limitations.

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44 Design Phase 1 Downtown Champaign, IL

S i t e

A n a l y s i s :

O r g a n i z a t i o n a l

C o n d i t i o n s :

Programmatic Design

The sketch below attempts to depict the different available opportunities for im-

Once the initial site observations are completed, the decision then relies on trying to figure out where the opportunities for improvements lie. The series of sketches on this page are a study of the urban condition as related to those opportunities. These sketches are process sketches which ultimately help to advise design decision which inform the new master plan.

lot of vacant industrial buildings which would serve as a potential site for devel-

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plementation of different programmatic functions. The main area in red is a large opment of converted residential loft units.

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45 Design Analysis (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL New Street Organization The strategies in trying to create a walkable community deal heavily with the issues regarding the presence of cars and roads and spaces for parking. If these streets were devoted purely to pedestrian traffic, the opportunities for implementation of different elements within the streets are quite abundant. The fact is that there are nearly 40-50 feet of space devoted to a 2 lane street within the streets of downtown. By making the streets void of vehicular traffic, the volumous space created presents a valuable opportunity for the integration of trees, plazas, bike paths, benches, and canopies, which really begin to make the street scape more appealing to pedestrians, and thus drawing them from their dwellings into that street. Currently, even with street traffic, patrons of restaurants choose to sit outside, and have that connection to the outdoors. The space allotted for tables outdoors on the sidewalks is minimal, and when pedestrians are walking by, those patrons are practically eating dinner with those pedestrians. There is no sense of personal space which is left due to this lack of room on the sidewalk. By stretching the pedestrian path deep into the street, the restaurants can fully occupy this street for a truly outdoor dining experience. European plazas are filled with restaurant patrons sitting outside, enjoying a casual drink, dining with friends and family, truly immersed in the environment. They do not have the worry about street noise, car pollution, disturbing pedestrians, and the likes. The street then becomes a medium for activity, and begins to liven and engage the community in a way never before experienced. This street which was once plagued by vehicular traffic, now begins to create a walkable community within the immediate downtown environment.

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46 Design Phase 1

Downtown Champaign, IL

Existing Master plan

A more thorough analysis of the downtown master plan shows clearly the lack of focal nodes, an abundance of street parking, a lack of amenities, and a rather unorganized mix of buildings in terms of creating flow.

G A

L G

J G

E H

H I

H J

J B

E F

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LEGEND O

Existing Building Green Space Vehicular Traffic Allowed

O A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H- I - J - K - L - M- N - O- P-

O O

F E H O O O O

Structured Parking Mid-Rise Office Building Hospital City Hall Restaurant/Bar Mixed Use Type 1 Housing/Retail Mixed Use Type 2 Retail/Office Mixed Use Type 3 Housing/Office Bank Shopping Elderly Housing Condominiums Museum Train Station Vacant Building Surface Parking

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48 Design Phase 1 Downtown Champaign, IL

New Master plan Y

A truly walkable city is developed, full with amenities for every patron within the city limits. High density, mixedmultiple use buildings become the typology within the center â&#x20AC;&#x153;hubâ&#x20AC;? of the downtown. The central node houses a large public plaza with a possible market that spills out onto the space. Restaurants and bars line the plaza to continually bring people into the environment.

Y M I

H M A

J N

W J

A large outdoor garden and canopy system begins to create a secondary and tertiary level of pedestrian scape which begins to activiate the latent spaces left by the spaces between buildings and the rooftops. Housing specific sector is developed in the old, vacant industrial lot to the upper right of the site. The office spaces in high rise office buildings are on the opposite part of the site, lining the west side of Neil St., in order to maintain vehicular access to people not living in the city.

L G

L H

L L B

X G

P L L

B N

I G

H H

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The downtown is lined with pervious paving and lots of green spaces for people to enjoy. It begins to create a more organized growth pattern rather than a splattered remains of vacant buildings and business that are scraping by in this current economy.

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LEGEND New Proposed Building Existing Building A

Green Space T

Pedestrian Traffic Allowed

Vehicular Traffic Allowed

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I- J- K- L - M- N - O- P - Q- R - S- T- U - V - W- X- Y- Z -

S T

V L P B

P Z

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Structured Parking High-Rise Office Building Hospital Police/Fire City Hall Bank Mixed Use Type 1 Housing/Retail Mixed Use Type 2 Retail/Office Mixed Use Type 3 Housing/Office Mixed Use Type 4 Housing/Retail/Office Market Restaurant/Bar Hotel Performance Theater Grocery Shopping Pharmacy Elderly Housing Converted Lofts Artists Studios Condominiums Apartments Public Plaza Rooftop Garden Museum Train Station

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50 Design Phase 1 Downtown Champaign, IL

Master plan Analysis A more through analysis of the downtown master plan shows the difference in density between the existing an new. The existing master plan depicts a scattering of buildings and an exuberant amount of surface parking. The new master plan figure-ground diagram to the right shows the full density with which the new developments begin to occupy the previously unoccupied spaces created by the surface parking lots. The new plan also shows a large plaza space, which creates a gap between the dense fabric to create a zone where residents of the downtown environment can come to gather and enjoy the amenities and restaurants and bars which line this fully public area.

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51 Design Analysis (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL New Street Organization The strategies in trying to create a walkable community within the downtown environment begins to create a problem in terms of re-routing the vehicular traffic. To mediate the problems of not having too long of a walk between locations where vehicular traffic is allowed, and or bus-stops, new bus routes have been developed. The figure to the left depicts in blue the new routes which will circumvent the downtown walkable limits. This allows for a maximum of two blocks walking distance that individuals would be required to walk to have access to a bus. The old train station is also to be used within this new master plan. There currently is only one train line that is in service. There is however, space for two lines, and with the effectiveness of the TGV (France) lines, and the Bullet-train (Japan) in connecting different metropolises, there very possibly could be a secondary line served solely by a high speed train running north/south from Chicago to Memphis. In terms of providing adequate access to the different vehicular traffic, the traffic pattern between Neil St (Southbound) and University Ave (East-Westbound) remains unchanged. However, the traffic flowing North on Neil St (which turns into Walnut St) is cut-off, being diverted West two blocks to the one-way Randolph St. This shift of traffic allows for Walnut St., one of the major downtown streets lining the plaza to become pedestrian friendly. There is a traffic light already in existence at the intersection of S. Neil St., and University, where the traffic is being diverted so the issue of making a left turn at a busy intersection is diverted. Additionally, the existing and new Hill St. parking deck will be joined by another parking structure at Logan St., and Washington St., to accommodate the need for parking at the North and South end of the site, facilitating the traffic flow at these locations. The Washington St. parking deck will serve the housing sector to be placed in the industrial park to the North.

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52 Design Phase 1 Downtown Champaign, IL

Mixed Use Master plan Color coding the different live/work/play sectors helps to indicate the major organizational benefits in a graphical manner. These sectors are approximate and help to indicate the overlapping manner in which the organization of the downtown master plan plays into the incorporation of the mixed use typology. With density as a key term, different buildings were added to the program of the master plan, however they did not indicate what the different programs were. As zoning is a major component of the master plan, more specifically, vertical zoning, it is important to see this different layer system. There are four major zones: public, live, work, and play. The overlapping of the smaller circles and the inter-mixing of the colors indicates a multiple, whether 2 or 3 or 4 different uses of building types within the master plan. For instance, within the central node, there is housing, office spaces, public spaces, as well as bars/restaurants all stacked on top of each other. This effectively creates an integrated building type within the downtown and brings a variety of functions to one space..

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LEGEND “Live” Sector “Public” Sector “Work” Sector “Play” Sector “Live/Play” Sector “Work/Play” Sector “Public/Play” Sector

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54 Design Phase 1 Downtown Champaign, IL

New Master plan The plans to the right indicate two different building programmatic uses. There is no distinction between new and existing building types however. The Blue color indicates the office/work sector. This plan solely indicates that there is a “work/office” function somewhere in the building at that location. The plan below indicates the “play” typology. The types of programs which fall into the separation are Bars, Restaurants, Shopping Boutiques, Grocery Stores, Pharmacies, Theaters, etc.

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55 Design Analysis (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL New Master plan Organization The diagram to the left indicated with the red color depicts all the buildings which have a housing function somewhere in the building. The buildings can either be solely devoted to housing, or can be a part of the building. The different types of housing include apartments, condominiums, converted lofts, elderly housing quarters, artists studios, single family homes, etc. There is a need for all of this variety within the housing sector so that they serve the needs of the different individuals who may choose to reside in the downtown area. The residents are typically young professionals, professors, artists, graduate students, upperclassmen, business owners, as well as elderly people and young families. The graphic at the bottom indicates all the public functions that are housed in the buildings of the downtown. These are typically parking garages, train stations, banks, police headquarters, fire department headquarters, a hospital, the city hall, a hotel, and a museum. These public functions help regulate and run the town as well as provide amenities to visitors such as the hotel. The separation of these building types within the downtown, and the occasional overlapping of the functions is designed specifically to create a constant flow through the downtown. By separating the living district from the work district, individuals are forced to travel through the â&#x20AC;&#x153;playâ&#x20AC;? sector, which creates business for the abundant restaurants and bars that exist within the central node. This flow, as well as proximity, help create a walkable community, bringing life to the plazas and streets, and help people get exercise. The people are what make a city what it is, and by creating a city worth inhabiting, people are more willing to move there. The presence of the different amenities bring liveliness and character to the city.

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56 Design Phase 2 Downtown Champaign, IL

Next Step How does the effectiveness of the master plan play into the original design objectives of creating functional uses of the latent spaces, creating a fully integrated sustainable architecture that defies latency, and bridge the gap between suburbia and the urban context? These are the questions which will be addressed within the next design phase of the project. As a medium for study, the central node of the downtown plaza will be studied at a larger scale. The development of the extension of the walkable secondary, and tertiary levels of the pedestrian landscape will be the design challenge. How can this new landscape help to bridge the gap between the suburban user and the latent space created in the city by alleyways and rooftops.

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57 Design Phase 2 (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL Next Step The image to the left is the address of my suburban home. The image below is the address of my apartment within the site’s boundaries, just near the intersection of Neil St, and Chester St.

Can a well designed urban space start to bridge the gap between the suburban lifestyles that plague a lot of societal issues such as obesity, urban sprawl, sustainable latency?

Backyard_Private? Communal?

Residence_Private

Driveway_Possesive

Street_Interface

Sidewalk_Community

How does the interface of the analogy between a suburban residence and an urban loft-style apartment create a scenario of “home” for me? What makes them different? What makes them similar?

How can the spaces that are viewed as private begin to become more public in an attempt to create an integrated communal environment? The secondary and tertiary extension of the pedestrian landscape on the opposite page is the first attempt at this level of interface, where the latent spaces, mainly alleyways and rooftops begin to become habitable and create this park which no longer can be defined as private or public because individuals residing within the buildings can consider it as their “backyard”, and visitors, or other pedestrians can still access this level to get away from the urban environment. These issues and questions are the focus of the next design phase of this study.

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58 Design Phase 2 Downtown Champaign, IL

Next Step Understanding the organization of suburbs can help to reveal some design ideas which may be able to transfer into organizing the downtown layout. In the organization of the suburban scheme, zoning helps to separate the different public, private, and semi-private zones. Fences, sidewalks, and other boundary elements help to define areas of public and private zones. However, the main difference is that there are significantly more buffer zones, namely front and back yard spaces, which aid in allowing for privacy. In downtown living organization, a lot of the same zones can be seen implemented. One main difference is the lack of buffer zones, i.e., the semi-private zones, which are ever prevalent in suburban living. Perhaps it is this lack of buffer zones which define the difference between the qualities of city living and suburban living.

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59 Design Phase 2 (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL Next Step Establishing the negative and positive qualities between suburban living and city living can aide in determining the qualities which appeal to the general housing market. With cities, the main attractions are the abundance of schools, amenities, activities, and liveliness. Cities are also better at using space more efficiently, and providing public transportation and shorter commutes. Some downsides are that cities generally are a faster paced environment, which can lead to excess noise, light pollution, pollution in general, and higher crime rates. The limited availability of space means that there is a highly competitive real estate market and prices are generally higher, including prices for parking. On the contrary, suburban living is more relaxed, has safer neighborhoods, more parks for children, less traffic, and a stronger sense of community. Unfortunately, the side-effect of all of these is a poor use of real estate, and segregation from amenities, which also point to the biggest problem facing suburban communities today: long commutes. This analysis essentially helps predict why individuals find suburban living more appealing. In order to curb sprawl, the design problem will have to solve issues of community, green space, private yard spaces, public zones, and buffer zones. These are the main points of focus for the redesign of the downtown Champaign environment.

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60 Design Phase 2 Downtown Champaign, IL

Plaza Design Designing the plaza space to be oriented to meet the other existing buildings.

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61 Design Phase 2 (cont.) Plaza Design (cont.) A central plaza or gathering space does not exist in the downtown Champaign area. The emphasis of the plaza was to be a communal gathering space which could be occupied at multiple points during the day, drawing crowds and bring liveliness to the heart of the downtown area. The need for mixed multiple primary uses is essential to the success of the public space. The presence of people draws more people, and vitality spawns more vitality. This simple observation brings the ability to designers to design spaces to meet the needs of the users. By establishing â&#x20AC;&#x153;plazaâ&#x20AC;? activities such as markets, art shows, music concerts, and other outdoor, community events, the plaza can have its primary use. The presence of successful restaurants and bars around the plaza area create an opportunity for enhanced outdoor dining accompanied by the primary uses listed above. The businesses surrounding the plaza thereby benefit from its success.

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Design Phase 2 (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL Rooftop Design The initial idea was to give back to the residents who currently occupied the second level residential apartment units. The rooftop was unoccupied and therefore an available resource which could be utilized for the benefit of the residents. By creating this upper level terrace, the residents receive a much needed green space, which acts as a buffer zone between the noise of the cars and the hustle of the street level. The private balconies/terraces allow for the reconnection with nature and the ambience of the city-life.

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62 Design Phase 2 Downtown Champaign, IL

Plaza Design Designing the plaza space to be oriented to meet the other existing buildings. The emphasis of this design phase was to explore the various rooftop party wall extensions. This separation of unit and building from its neighbors allows for a simple organization of the upper level terraces. The negative space between the different blocks of buildings provide opportunity, at a minimum of 9 feet to allow for stairs and ramps to connect the ground plaza level to the rooftop terrace levels.

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63 Design Phase 2 (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL Rooftop Design The design of the rooftop level extensions take the form of old french rooftops, with the inclusion of dormers and curved tile roof coverings. The existing party walls can be extended to provide privacy screens and act as â&#x20AC;&#x153;fencesâ&#x20AC;? akin to suburban housing plans. The curved nature of the extensions provide shelter from the street level noise, and add variation to the existing flat roof designs of the downtown context. The issues regarding connections from the ground, plaza level, to the rooftop level deal with the issues of privacy and security. The extension of the public realm to the rooftop private realm does not provide barriers of privacy, and therefore the design has blatant downsides. There needs to be segregation of zoning of the public/private/semi-private and the connections between them have to make sense before this design can go further.

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64 Design Phase 3 Downtown Champaign, IL

Spatial Design The plaza, has changed from the previous scheme of a large open plot of land, a void within the urban fabric, to an enclosed plaza bisected by this “jewel” building. This structure creates two distinct plaza spaces, one east, along Walnut st. and one west, immediately behind Cowboy Monkey. The designation of the two plaza spaces allows for more intimate environments suitable for a smaller scale downtown environment. The smaller scale plaza also allows for a feeling of being more lively, as the same number of people can fill a smaller space and make it seem more crowded. The crowded appearance during “plaza” activities can bring vitality to the surrounding businesses. The form of the building itself is to allow for literal extensions or arms to interject the line of site of the street level user and invite them into the building itself. The extensions break away from the rigid, orthogonal designs of the surrounding neighboring buildings.

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65 Design Phase 3 (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL Spatial Design The swooping elements of the rooftop level are designed to once again, break away from the flat roof typologies of the existing conditions. The penetrations of the program elements from the outside to the inside via the projecting “arms” allow for a fluid transition from the outside public realm, to the inside public realm. The building as initially designed spans from extension to extension at 150’ by 100’, with the interior dimensions at 80’ by 120’. The substantially sized building is designed to allow for a multitude of programmatic elements to occupy its interior space. The largest “arena”-esque space to be created within the building is an ice-rink to be installed during the winter time months. The lack of a downtown “civic” function makes an ice rink a perfect choice for wintertime activities which others such as farmer’s markets and music festivals cannot be brought in due to the climactic conditions. The structure, therefore must allow for freedom of flexibility, and allow for maximum spans with the use of trusses. The exterior/interior spaces will also create more dramatic environments with projections which allow for covered dining spaces below, and floating “gallery” spaces above. The spaces trusses allow for flexibility of space, which art galleries duly require.

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72 Design Phase 4 Downtown Champaign, IL

Program Based Design The design of the plaza jewel building dramatically effected the spatial qualities of the spaces throughout the complex of the buildings. The programmatic elements which needed to be installed into the building needed different attributes. The farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s marker and the art gallery required a similar shape, something that was enclosed, semi-open, organic, and undulating. The music stage and the ice rink required similar shapes, namely something open, and orthogonal. The dichotomy that needed to be addressed by the building by these two specific programmatic characteristic goals was extremely difficult to achieve in the large, swooping building as designed in phase 3. The spaces are constantly moving, and changing shapes. Phase 3 was attempting to design a more permanent pavilion without the necessary capabilities of achieving the freedom as needed by the program.

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73 Design Phase 4 (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL Program Based Design The plaza needed to be treated as a blank canvas, ready to take shape and fit to the needs of the user. It was important to adapt the orthogonal geometries needed by some of the program and find a way to mesh it with the organic forms needed by the other program elements. The space needed to transition from one program to another rather fluidly. The system that was designed needed to operate on permanent tracks. The permanent elements, mainly the structure, would allow for the rest of the spaces to operate freely. The system itself is a cylindrical tube which is hung from a roller that glides along C-channel tracks suspended from steel structural I-Beams above. The tubes, numerous, work on an single axis of motion, and when combined with other tubes, begin to create spaces in the other direction. The quality of space created is a volumous, ever changing, and adapting environment that caters to the need of the program.

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74 Design Phase 4 Downtown Champaign, IL

Master Plan Integration The design of the plaza jewel building maintains an open, flowing plaza from East to West. When needed, the space can be divided.

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75 Design Phase 4 (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL Upper Level Extension The upper level has been changed to provide strictly retail zoning and no residential areas. There are 26 new businesses including restaurants which can occupy this rooftop level surrounding the main plaza.

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76 Design Phase 4 Downtown Champaign, IL

Light Tube Articulation The design of the light tubes is detailed such that when the tubes are in their â&#x20AC;&#x153;storageâ&#x20AC;? position, passers by can visualize the space beyond the storage area. The visual play of the tubes in their resting state allow for an interesting environment even when the space is not in use.

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77 Design Phase 4 (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL Light Tube Arrangement As the two sections to the left (below) depict, when the exhibitions or events are installed, the spaces change dramatically with the way that the light shines through them. The tubes themselves are translucent, and during the daytime, allow considerable amounts of light penetration. This spatial quality allows for an everchanging environment within the pavilion. When the spaces are not being used, the tubes in their storage position allow for deeper shadows and more rhythmical articulation. The active positions allow for brighter spaces, and an interrupted environment.

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78 Design Phase 4 Downtown Champaign, IL

Exploded Axonometric This view showcases the simplicity of construction of the pavilion. Simple steel to steel connections using moment and pin connections allow for the support structure to be constructed rather quickly. The C-channel tracks can be installed subsequently, followed by the light tubes themselves. The electrical connections for the tubes need to be made once the roof has been installed. The most time consuming process is actually the installation of the glazed facade, which cover two sides of the pavilion and the roof. The storage areas need to be covered from the elements due to potential electrical problems.

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79 Design Phase 4 (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL Detailing of parts: Glazed Roof Support Structure (Roof) Steel I-Beams C-channel Tracks Light Tubes Steel Columns Glazed Facade Support Structure (Walls)

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80 Design Phase 4 Downtown Champaign, IL

Light Pavilion A view from above the plaza, looking west toward the Light Pavilion, showing its reflective qualities of the roof PV glazing.

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81 Design Phase 4 (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL Light Pavilion (Below) A view looking East toward the larger plaza, with the Light Pavilion in the foreground, showing the plaza flowing freely underneath the structure.

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82 Design Phase 5 Downtown Champaign, IL

Rooftop Views A photograph taken atop M2 Condominium complex, showing the various intricacies of the downtown environment.

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83 Design Phase 5 (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL Rooftop Latency As you can see in this photograph, the immediate site of the project proposal showcases the latent qualities of the existing roofscapes. The surrounding buildings are not only taller but have significant value to the downtown area. The bank in the foreground, the city building to the right, the train station to the rear, and the One Main Mixed Use complex to the left. These taller buildings dwarf the shorter retail/residential buildings in the middle. There is valuable space above the buildings which can be utilized to bring density back into the downtown mix.

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84 Design Phase 5 Downtown Champaign, IL

Downtown Champaign Master plan The new master plan showcases the Light Pavilion, different connection bridges, the elevated plaza, reworked lower level plaza, and the residential and retail units of the rooftop level. The plan also indicated various sustainable principles as integrated within the new master plan.

Solar Panels

Green Landscaping

Pervio

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ous Paving

85 Design Phase 5 (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL City Planning The city planning strategies start by establishing the landscape, and providing ample recreational green space and breaking apart the surface parking lots which plague downtown. The central gallery building anchors the heart of downtown, and the surrounding bridges start to connect the upper level walkways. The 25+ new spaces established on the rooftop level make the already thriving ground level more activated. With additional multi-story, sustainable apartment units on top of the rooftop retail/restaurant spaces allow for higher densities and greater vitality. The bridges are anchored by three piers each, topped with vertical fin-wind turbines which make use of the prevailing southern winds. The city, then begins to approach this â&#x20AC;&#x153;prototypeâ&#x20AC;? and begins to address its other issues in the Northern part of the city.

Wind Turbines

4th Level Multi-Story Residential Apartments

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Downtown Champaign Master plan

A perspective view showcasing the major design elements incorporated within this last design phase.

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B S US ST TO RO C .A PL U EN N O T T D CA ES TO M T R A I E T IN ON M

V W EH EX AL ICU R IS NU L O EM TI T AR H F S OV NG ST TR PL AV UR ED SU RE AF A Z E A R . P R E T FI A VA OU AY FAC IS C F IL N IN E A R AB DI G P VA OM LE NG C AR ILA PA BU UST KIN BL RK SI O G E. IN NE ME IS G SS RS BE E LO S W

C B AB TR UIL LE LE IA DI SU VE N NG S L AC T PE C O NS ES B I S UIL ON O D B IN N IN R T B E TH G ID SO INE GR IS , P GE BR U S AT EL RO S T C ID TH A ED EV VID S P TO OM GE -W KE , Q AT IN AN A E E D G FR W E U N TH PIE ST DV IET PL PE OM . E RS W AN , V AT DE TA . IN TA E FO S LL TH DS G RT E E RM ES S S O IC T E W ITT F AL ST IN TH FI I N N RU D G E C TU AB PR WI TU R O E N RE B VE VA D T PE W R S INE TH ILIN UR IN S E G IN AT VIO E G DO BE B R U “G ELO RA ST S P W N ES RE W IN O AV SA EN G WA RA IN RY ” RA TE GE G H (G D R S A W R E, T Y S AT AS A O ST IN ER S ND B E TE . ) PA P E C M, G VE RO OL AL RA RS VI LE LO TE D D W IN CT WIT G ED H T N HE EC -

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E P XIS BR LAC TIN IN E E G RE G, AK D B SU C AS ING Y RF RE W M A AT E UP UC CE IO LL TH H P N A E N AR AN S M EE K D PRO ON DE ING RE V O D L LA ID TO GR OT XI ING NY EE S A N G SP OF N S RE . AC T PA R H ES E CE EFO PA S. R V-

B M UIL RE EN T U TA TA TS P IN IL , N UN A B S O IT LE HO T L S RE PP IM ARE SI ING ITE M DE , D IX N BO TO ED C U R U E AP TIQ ES SE AR UE TA D TM S, UR EVE EN A N A N LO TS D S TS, P. U S-

TH N N MA E S T IS IN EA ., A U ST TH DD NC AC W E IN ED HA TI C IN T AT N G ER T G AR CA ES O S H ED S A E L C S IB F EC E . A L N LO IR LE EX T C A D SE LE DW CA CU E H IO OR D IB N N IT L FL R Y IC TE LA E IT L E IO O VIC WA HE D TI VA IO O R N O E Y D T O T N CA OF AL R, P S W H N O BU TE W B AN AR PA IT RO FI RS R IL D AL US U A D KI CE HI G E N DI AD N RO NG S N H ST D N J U E O . G A T V A O LE EL XI U IR E FT V E S T, S R T O EL VA IN P T , G LE G OR VE RO S IN L UN I N TE D VI G GR C LIO LIN A G OR N E TE BU RID ES AN S T D S SI , P . S D HE OL R N R YS SU R AR A OO ES O T R O TO ND F L SE VID EM RO OF PH AC R RE EV S. IN IS U S O OT N T S A C EL G N O EN IV N R EL CO DIN F T VO T ITIE D EAT PLA EC NN G HE LT FR S RE IO Z TR EC CI G AIC O A SI N AS M ND D A B IC TE RC LA G IT D U S S L BU D EN RE E A L Y C T A I IL N S S O FO TO AT PA ZT IN F , M R CI ION U G O AV E P . R A G TY L O RO VI R IL AT C AL O SUA EC AB HE F RE LE R L U LY A T IN N IT P TIO O G S. RO N VI M A L S II-

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88 Design Phase 5 Downtown Champaign, IL

Jewel Building Design The immediate design change is that Walnut St., which remained closed to vehicular traffic is now open. The design of the Pavilion actually allows traffic to flow through the building, behaving much as a gateway into the city. The building spans 2 stories, and is about 120 feet by 80 feet, keeping similar dimension to the design phase 3 scheme. This footprint also allows a separation of programmatic elements from one space to another, as opposed to one single open pavilion of design phase 4. The building also takes on a structural grid of 30â&#x20AC;&#x2122; by 40â&#x20AC;&#x2122; minimizing spans, and allowing for a more structured shell. The spaces inside conform to this new grid system. The articulation of the structural grid follows the layout of the surrounding buildings following the rail road track grid. The roof structural system appears to be a dia-grid system but actually is just the grid shifted and responding to the grid of the Neil St., and University Ave., orthogonal grid.

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89 Design Phase 5 (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL City Planning The space immediately East of Walnut St., serves as a service core, providing restrooms, stairs, elevators, mechanical rooms, etc., where as the space to the West of Walnut St., much larger, provides spaces for the actual gallery exhibits. The spaces themselves are again different vertically in the West wing, for the lower level is left open to the public much in the same way as the scheme of design phase 4. The new changes occur on the upper level of the West wing, which allows for more of a permanent gallery atmosphere, a conditioned and temperature and humidity regulated environment. The East wing also has the potential to connect to a basement level should the need arise to have parking below the plaza.

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94 Design Phase 5 Downtown Champaign, IL

Building Design The East wing has changed again, conforming to the grid of Neil St., and University Ave. The main gallery space on the ground level remains open to the plaza, allowing two open areas for passage. The space as designated to the right is simply the storage, or inactive configuration. During exhibits, or markets, or other activities, the tubes in the middle or to the edges can be moved to other positions within the space. They need not be in the middle or shoved to the side. The brilliance of this configuration is that it never has to remain permanent. Virtually anyone can come and create a space for themselves within this gallery. The main circulation corridor is a stair on the West that leads to the upper gallery, and the internal stair on the East as well as the elevators which also lead to the upper gallery. Bathrooms are provided for public access.

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95 Design Phase 5 (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL First Floor Plan A) B) C) D) E) F) G) H) I) J)

BUS STATION ACCESSIBLE ELEVATORS LIGHT TUBE WEST STAIR EAST STAIR PUBLIC EXHIBITION SPACE WOMEN’S BATHROOM MEN’S BATHROOM ENTRY WALNUT ST.

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96 Design Phase 5 Downtown Champaign, IL

Building Design The East wing once again is the service zone, with the addition of a balcony and a cafe space. Two bridges span Walnut st., leading to the conditioned gallery. Configuration is similar to below, except that the tubes operate in an opposite direction. There is space for â&#x20AC;&#x153;openâ&#x20AC;? gallery exhibits, as well as an outdoor balcony for receptions and gatherings.

J F

A I D

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97 Design Phase 5 (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL Second Floor Plan A) B) C) D) E) F) G) H) I) J)

SECURITY DESK ACCESSIBLE ELEVATORS LIGHT TUBES WEST STAIR EAST STAIR CONDITIONED/PRIVATE EXHIBITION SPACE WOMEN’S BATHROOM MEN’S BATHROOM ENTRY UPPER LEVEL BALCONY

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98 Design Phase 5 Downtown Champaign, IL

Exploded Axonometric This diagram shows the construction of the new pavilion.

INTEGRATED SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC GLAZING STRUCTURAL MULLION ROOF STRUCTURE STRUCTURAL STEEL BEAMS AND JOISTS SMALLER STEEL BEAMS TO SUPPORT TRACK SYSTEM ANODIZED ALUMINUM C-CHANNEL TRACKS LIGHT TUBES LOW-E, DOUBLE GLAZED CURTAIN WALL ANODIZED ALUMINUM STRUCTURAL MULLION SAFETY RAILING FLOOR SLAB, 6” THICK, WITH STEEL DECKING BELOW STRUCTURAL STEEL BEAMS AND JOISTS STRUCTURAL STEEL COLUMNS, 1’ X 1’ STAIRS ELEVATORS BATHROOMS WALNUT STREET GROUND SLAB, 4” THICK, WITH STEEL REINFORCEMENT

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99 Design Phase 5 (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL On Building Construction The new configuration in parti diagram is shown below. The sketch indicates the juxtaposition of the two grid systems which ties the building together in form and function. The construction of the new design is more complicated in that there are service elements which need to be installed to allow the building to operate, however, the gallery spaces are similar in regard to do design phase 4. Estimated cost of the building is: $ 6,634,289.00.

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100 Design Phase 5 Downtown Champaign, IL

Structural Axonometric This diagram shows the structure of the new pavilion.

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101 Design Phase 5 (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL Structural Explanation The steel beams and columns are connected much in the same way as the pavilion in design phase 4, however the roof structure and the circulation create changes to the previous schemes. The structural roof requires a lot of welded field connections to allow for the roof structure to maintain its exposed look to the users of the building. The building therefore must use architectural welds, and clean cuts. The structure also changes partway through the West wing giving clue to the presence of the light tubes, for they require more orthogonal geometries for operation using the C-channel tracks. The dimensions of spans listed below fall well within allowable ranges. The spans were chosen to minimize use of trusses and maintain a maximum floor to ceiling depth.

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102 Design Phase 5 Downtown Champaign, IL

Sectional Perspective This rendering shows the circulation path as well as the quality of spaces in terms of the arrangement of open/closed areas as determined by the galleries, balconies, and circulation zones.

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103 Design Phase 5 (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL Building Use The purpose of the design of this building is to approach sustainability from a community scale. Cities need to address issues regarding vitality and community before it can begin to approach talks about sustainability. This building will draw the community together by behaving as a gem for the downtown area, a gateway to the rest of the downtown, a focal point of civic activities, and a constantly adapting space to meet the needs of the citizens. The buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s subtle sustainable principles are overwhelmed by its tremendous impact with regards to establishing and maintaining community vitality. As the plans to the right indicate, the light tubes are capable of shifting positions to better adapt to the functions needed within the space. Art galleries, music performances, movie showings, farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s markets, and ice rinks are just some of the activities that can begin to occupy the space and its surrounding plaza.

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104 Design Phase 5 Downtown Champaign, IL

Sectional Perspectives These renderings show the orientation and organization of spaces moving from the East, service wing, to the West, gallery wing. The sections show the structure, bathrooms, circulation, articulation, and light tubes.

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105

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106 Design Phase 5 Downtown Champaign, IL

Sectional Perspective This rendering shows the quality of the light tubes as seen hung from the c-channel tracks above.

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107 Design Phase 5 (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL Light Tube Technology Roof glazing integrated solar photovoltaic panels provide electricity to the cylindrical electrical units mounted atop each tube. The c-channel tracks act as conduits on the inside, providing electricity to the tubes when needed. The tubes are on after dusk, and remain on till the sun comes up the following day.

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108 Design Phase 5 Downtown Champaign, IL

Sectional Perspective This rendering shows the quality of the light tubes as seen hung from the c-channel tracks above. The space created by the shifted light tubes allows for various elements to occupy them and utilize them. The tubes also allow different objects to hang from them, allowing artwork to be mounted on them during exhibitions.

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109 Design Phase 5 (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL Light Tube Configuration The plans below diagram the different organizational spaces that can be created with the use of these light tubes. The space can be configured to be organic to accept flexible art galleries, orthogonal to accept farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s markets, open for music performances, and enclosed for movie showings. Virtually any configuration of space can be created to suit any need.

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110 Design Phase 5 Downtown Champaign, IL

Bridges These images show the different bridges which span from rooftop to rooftop. The triangulated structural elements indicate locations of vertical fin wind turbines, mounted atop the structural piers. The suspension cables are placed to allow for visual cues to the bridges, allowing visitors to the area to know that passageways above lead to other areas.

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111 Design Phase 5 (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL Vertical Circulation The circulation to the upper level terraces, businesses, and residential units are provided by vertical circulation cores. These circulation cores are located in â&#x20AC;&#x153;deadâ&#x20AC;? spaces, which otherwise would be used for nothing. They are sandwiched between buildings and are articulated differently than the surrounding context. Their height, and other visual cues, denote them as important spaces and their public nature, with inclusion of restrooms, fire stairs, and accessible elevators, allow residents to explore the otherwise latent spaces and engage the alleys in which they occupy. bridges, and roof level terraces all provide visual access to these vertical circulation cores as means of egress. Parking below the plaza is for paying customers of the surrounding businesses as well as the residents of the surrounding multi-story sustainable apartments on the rooftop level. The access from the plaza level to the rooftop level is via the same vertical circulation cores to minimize confusion and provide easy way-finding.

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112 Design Phase 5 Downtown Champaign, IL

Progress Since Design Phase 1 The images of the models to the right and below depict the initial master planning scheme as developed during design phase 1.

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113 Design Phase 5 (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL Progress Since Design Phase 1 The images to the left and below indicate the design as progressed through design phase 5. The density, connectivity, and stitching of the urban fabric have all been dramatically improved. The tertiary level is now an extension of the ground plaza, and the stacked zoning of retail, residential, retail, and residential allow for increased vitality within the downtown environment. The presence of the pavilion and the more distinct plaza allows for there to be an actual â&#x20AC;&#x153;heartâ&#x20AC;? of downtown.

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114 Design Phase 5 Downtown Champaign, IL

Sustainable Integration Water Collection Drainage pipe

The image to the right describes the various mechanical connections as designed within the â&#x20AC;&#x153;latentâ&#x20AC;? spaces that exist between the apartments. These spaces were specifically designed to accommodates sustainable technologies, and other various shared mechanical uses to cut down on individual utility use.

Wiring Conduit (enclosed) Solar Thermal Panel Photo voltaic Panels Pitched Roof Corrugated Aluminum Roofing Membrane Wall Cavity Solar powered water heater Grey Water Tank Rain Water Storage Tanks Packaged Air Conditioning Unit Operable Window

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115 Design Phase 5 (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL Sustainable Features The apartment units themselves are multi-story, with various recycled material construction. The roof is made of corrugated metal to allow for easy rain water drainage. There are solar panels elevated to 55 degrees, and solar thermal units elevated to 38 degrees to optimize their collection capabilities. The mechanical chase is located between the two apartment buildings, and allow for grey water collection and recycling, rain water collection and distribution, solar hot water heaters, as well as packaged air conditioning units and other various mechanical equipment as required by the uses of the ground floor businesses. The mechanical chase maximizes floor to ceiling height, and cuts out a lot of the extraneous duct work needed in similar industrial loft type apartments in the area.

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116 Design Phase 5 Downtown Champaign, IL

Sustainable Zoning The rendering to the right shows the West elevation as well as a sectional perspective through the living and retail space.

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117 Design Phase 5 (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL Recycled Materials:

Sustainable Zoning

Corrugated Aluminum

Stacked ZONING:

Wood Siding Wood Flooring Re-Used masonry (skin cladding)

4th Level: Multi-story residential Apartments

The existing structures are zoned with retail on ground level, followed by residential on 2nd floor level. Latency Liberated makes use of the rooftops, adding additional retail on the rooftop level, followed by residential apartments above. 4th level: 3rd level: 2nd level: Ground level:

Residential (multi-story) Retail/Restaurant/etc. Residential (single-story) Retail/Restaurant/etc.

Rooftop Level: Retail/Restaurant Zoning

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118 Design Phase 5 Downtown Champaign, IL

Sustainable Orientation The image to the right describes the methods in which non-mechancial solutions to sustainability can dramatically effect the quality of spaces.

Sun Angle Path Cool Natural Cross Ventilation: From E-W direction, operable windows are hung to catch prevailing southern winds. Hot Air Rises: To top story, escapes out of operable windows at highest point.

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119 Design Phase 5 (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL Sustainable Features The use of well placed windows allow for natural ventilation to penetrate the depth of the space from East to West, with the use of operable windows that utilize the prevailing south western winds. The orientation of the buildings allow for maximum exposure of the sun on the terrace levels as well as the roof level where the solar panels are placed. The use of operable windows on the highest part of the apartment allow for natural stack ventilation and hot air to make its way from the lower levels to the upper levels and finally out of the apartment units.

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120 Design Phase 5 Downtown Champaign, IL

Conclusions The images to the right and below depict the configurations of the master plan at the end of this design phase. The heights of the surrounding buildings have been increased to maximize floor to area ratios, which for Champaign zoning is 9.00. The connections of the bridge levels help to tie buildings together at this elevated level and create an environment suitable for community gathering. The underlying goals of sustainability and mitigating latency have been exploited with the use of orientation, sustainable principles, and increased density.

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121 Design Phase 5 (cont.) Downtown Champaign, IL Sustainable Features The goal of this project was to look at a small downtown scaled environment, examine the latent spaces, discover the suburban living qualities that are sought after, and begin to incorporate them within the latent spaces through a sustainable re-development, which stitched together the fabric of the surrounding areas. The site of downtown champaign, although unique in its proximity to the University, showcased a good example of a growing community, close to public transportation access to large metropolises, which could begin to act as a prototype for other similar environments. The purpose was to design sustainably, curb sprawl, and understand that sustainability reaches its arms through the community, and the success at the community level, at the social level, is the driving force behind other sustainable goals as determined by the energy councils.

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122 Bibliography Latency Liberated Sources Books, websites, journals, articles, etc.

B i b l i o g r a p h y : Dunham-Jones, Ellen. Retrofitting Suburbia: Urban Design Solutions for Redesigning

Suburbs. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2009. Print. “While there has been considerable attention by practitioners and academics to development in urban cores and new neighborhoods on the periphery of cities, there has been little attention to the redesign and redevelopment of existing suburbs. Here is a comprehensive guidebook for architects, planners, urban designers, and developers that illustrates how existing suburbs can be redesigned and redeveloped. The authors, both architects and noted experts on the subject, show how development in existing suburbs can absorb new growth and evolve in relation to changed demographic, technological, and economic conditions.”

F a r r, D o u g l a s . S u s t a i n a b l e U r b a n i s m U r b a n D e s i g n W i t h N a t u r e . N e w Yo r k : W i l e y,

2007. Print. “Written by the chair of the LEED-Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) initiative, Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design with Nature is both an urgent call to action and a comprehensive introduction to “sustainable urbanism”--the emerging and growing design reform movement that combines the creation and enhancement of walkable and diverse places with the need to build high-performance infrastructure and buildings. Providing a historic perspective on the standards and regulations that got us to where we are today in terms of urban lifestyle and attempts at reform, Douglas Farr makes a powerful case for sustainable urbanism, showing where we went wrong, and where we need to go. He then explains how to implement sustainable urbanism through leadership and communication in cities, communities, and neighborhoods.”

W i e g e l m a n n , A n d r e a , W a l t e r S t a m m - Te s k e , L a r s - C h r i s t i a n U h l i g , a n d P a t r i c k J u n g .

I n D e t a i l S e m i - D e t a c h e d a n d Te r r a c e d H o u s e s . B o s t o n : B i r k h ä u s e r B a s e l ,

2006. Print.

“The desire to have a home of one’s own is still the leading motivation for those who wish to construct or purchase buildings. Semi-Detached and Terraced Houses and ribbon developments constitute an affordable alternative to the single-family house, especially for young families. In times of tight budgets and rising investment costs, they represent a sensible alternative to the freestanding single-family house, particularly in terms of their use of open space. That they can also be appealing, high-quality houses is shown by the selected international examples in this new volume in the series In Detail. The projects presented are organized by building material and clearly documented with an area map, ground plans, and interrelated sections. The documentation of examples is supplemented by technical articles offering concrete support and assistance for the planner and building sponsor. In addition to analyzing the typology of the high-density, single-family house, the volume introduces different planning and financing models as well as energy-saving building methods and construction with prefabricated parts.” O w e n , D a v i s . G r e e n M e t r o p o l i s : W h y L i v i n g S m a l l e r, L i v i n g C l o s e r, a n d D r i v i n g L e s s a r e

t h e K e y s t o S u s t a i n a b i l i t y . N e w Yo r k : R i v e r h e a d . 2 0 0 9 . P r i n t

“While the conventional wisdom condemns it as an environmental nightmare, Manhattan is by far the greenest place in America, argues this stimulating eco-urbanist manifesto. According to Owen, New York City is a model of sustainability: its extreme density and compactness—and horrifically congested traffic—encourage a carfree lifestyle centered on walking and public transit; its massive apartment buildings use the heat escaping from one dwelling to warm the ones adjoining it; as a result, New Yorkers’ per capita greenhouse gas emissions are less than a third of the average American’s.”

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123

B i b l i o g r a p h y ( c o n t . ) : L e w i s , P a u l , M a r c Ts u r u m a k i , a n d D a v i d J . L e w i s . L e w i s . Ts u r u m a k i . L e w i s

O p p o r t u n i s t i c A r c h i t e c t u r e . N e w Yo r k : P r i n c e t o n A r c h i t e c t u r a l , 2 0 0 7 . P r i n t . ‘Opportunistic Architecture.’ is a design philosophy that transforms the typically restrictive conditions of architectural practice small budgets, awkward spaces, strict zoning into generators of architectural innovation. Included are a selection of the firm’s speculative projects addressing issues of urbanism and suburbanism.”

NationMaster - World Statistics, Country Comparisons. Web. 08 Oct. 2009.

< h t t p : / / w w w . n a t i o n m a s t e r.

com>. “Presents a series of charts, graphs, and statistics depicting the current status of individual countries as compared to other countries in the World. The information provided is up-to-date with data on every aspect of of a Nation’s standings including: economics, energy, population, consumption, GDP, etc.” D o w n t o w n C h a m p a i g n . We b . 0 1 O c t . 2 0 0 9 . < h t t p : / / w w w. d o w n t o w n c h a m p a i g n . c o m > . “Website designed by the city, providing information on restaurants, development projects, things to do, and history. Provides brief history on the city from when it started and the major developments and events that occured within the timeframe. Lists all available vacant properties, information on best restaurants, and other information on housing.” “ B u r e a u o f P l a n n i n g a n d S u s t a i n a b i l i t y. ” C i t y o f P o r t l a n d , O r e g o n . W e b . 2 6 S e p t . 2 0 0 9 .

< h t t p : / / w w w. p o r t l a n d o n l i n e . c o m / b p s / i n d e x . c f m ? c = 2 8 5 3 4 > . “Extensive information on Portland’s Publically available data on sustainability and planning. This website provides full urban master planning information detailing the steps taken with research, design, and implementation of the analyized data. Showcases information on effectiveness of their master plan that has attained them the title of the most sustainable city in the United States”

“ Tw i n C i t i e s T r a c t i o n - C h a p t e r 1 1 . ” D e p a r t m e n t o f C o m p u t e r S c i e n c e a t I l l i n o i s . W e b . 0 4 O c t . 2 0 0 9 .

< h t t p : / / w w w. c s . u i u c . e d u / h o m e s / f r i e d m a n / c h a m p a i g n - u r b a n a / C h a p t e r 1 1 . h t m > . “Detailed within this website is an all encompassing history on the public transportation system within the Champaign-Urbana area. The information includes historic photographs, timelines, and a narrative of the timeline of the city’s mass transit program.”

“ C U M T D : A b o u t U s . ” C h a m p a i g n - U r b a n a M a s s Tr a n s i t D i s t r i c t . W e b . 2 2 S e p t . 2 0 0 9 .

< h t t p : / / w w w. c u m t d . c o m / a b o u t m t d / h i s t o r y / B u s e s . a s p x > . “Provides information on Champaign-Urbana’s Mass Transit District, with schedules, routes, history on the Bus Terminal, with access to Amtrack schedules. The history section provides a summary of the streetcar system, busses, as well as the train system and its development through the course of the history of the city.”

“ M a p s . ” C h a m p a i g n , I L . We b . 1 8 S e p t . 2 0 0 9 . < h t t p : / / w w w. c i . c h a m p a i g n . i l . u s / m a p s / > . “Champaign’s premiere website for information on the current status of the city’s urban planning projects. Provides extensive maps of the most current zoning, planning, and projects. Also provides information to GIS data that was collected when the urban master plan was developed. The site provides access to Champaign’s Planning efforts and all the research conducted throught the city’s planning department to develop the new master plan.” “ P l a n s f o r F o s t e r ’s M a s d a r C a r b o n N e u t r a l C i t y D e b u t . ” I n h a b i t a t . W e b . 1 2 O c t . 2 0 0 9 .

< h t t p : / / w w w . i n h a b i t a t . c o m / 2 0 0 8 / 0 2 / 0 6 / p l a n s - u n v e i l e d - f o r - w o r l d s - f i r s t - z e r o - c a r b o n - z e r o - w a s t e - c i t y -

m a s d a r c i t y / > . “Article provides information on the Masdar Initiative, the world’s first carbon neutral city. The website details Foster+Partner’s urban master plan depicting the initiative, showing the extensive integration of technology within the city’s master plan.”

E C O C I T Y. W e b . 1 1 O c t . 2 0 0 9 . < h t t p : / / w w w . e c o c i t y. d e / e n / > “Website details the design, planning, and construction of Hamburg’s ECOCITY. ECOCITY utilizes sustainable strategies, both passive and active and fully integrates technology, existing structures, new construction, and innovative office spaces all inot one fully functioning project”

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