Puerto Rico Re_Start - Municipality of Toa Alta, Vega Baja and Vega Alta

International Project & Research Workshop

Puerto Rico Re_Start 2 Š Municipalities of Toa Alta, Vega Baja & Vega Alta Design Studio D8 Spring 2018

Prof. Martha Kohen University of Florida

Students: Shane Ah-Siong | Jorge Couso | Manuel Fort

Thanh Thanh Huynh | Juan Medina | Hans Milian

Edited by Maria E. Barrios Workshop Coord.

Projects for:

Toa Alta ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 07

Manuel Fort ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 31

Shane Ah-Siong ................................................................................................................................................................................. 41

Vega Baja ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 61

Juan Medina .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 65 Thanh Thanh Huynh ........................................................................................................................................................................ 77

Vega Alta ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 89

Jorge Couso ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 101 Hans Milian ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 119

International Project & Research Workshop

Puerto Rico Re_Start 2 Š Toa Alta: Proposals Design Studio D8 Spring 2018

Prof. Martha Kohen University of Florida

Students: Shane Ah-Siong | Manuel Fort

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Neighborhoods Toa Alta, PR

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Historical Evolution Toa Alta, PR

The city growth remained static for most of its history From the 1950’s the city exploded in size Contemporary developments settled in flood risk zones

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Source: https://www.diaart.org/visit/visit/walter-de-maria-the-lightning-field

Today

Toa Alta, PR

City Center Potential Development Sites

Source: Google maps 2019

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Historical Images Toa Alta, PR

1821 - Plaza de la Constitucion

1915 - Calle del Comercio, Plaza and Church of Toa Alta

Today - Church of Toa Alta

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Source: Puerto Rico Urbano. Anibal Sepulveda Rivera. 2004 + Google maps 2019

1886 - Jose CentaĂąo and Anchorena

1878 - General Plan of Toa Alta

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Overview A Map

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Source: : arc gis cad mapper

Overview A Map

Source: : arc gis cad mapper

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Overview B

Birdseye View: Historic Plaza

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Source: : arc gis cad mapper

*building heights are exaggerated

Neighborhood Typologies Historic Plaza

(From historic plaza)

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Topography Toa Alta, PR

Old part of town (including Historic Plaza) was safe from flooding Roads were affected by flooding Contemporary developments were affected by flooding 18

Source: arcgis 2013 (topography) + FEMA flood map service (flood)

Flooding + Settlement Toa Alta, PR

Source: cad mapper + FEMA flood map service

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Flood Risk Toa Alta, PR

Top: Affected homes within Toa Alta pueblo from Hurricane Maria (2017) Bottom: Comparison within Toa Alta pueblo urban context

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Source: arcgis cad mapper

Housing Typologies Toa Alta, PR

Color Codes: housing preview within neighborhood Total number of homes within Toa Alta Pueblo: 1,035 Affected homes from Hurricane Maria (2017): 384

Source: FEMA flood map service

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S.W.O.T. Analysis Toa Alta, PR

Strengths: Strong city center that offers protection from flooding.

Weaknesses: Contemporary settlements were developed in flood risk zones.

Opportunities: Empty lots in the heart of the city can be used to develop housing that is safe from flooding. Empty land in the outskirts of the city offers space for the development of housing that is safe from flooding.

Threats: Northern part of town is vulnerable to flooding.

3-tier Strategies for future development 1 - Identify central abandoned buildings for reuse 2 - Identify central empty land for development 3 - Identify empty land outside of the town center for larger developments

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Potential Sites Toa Alta, PR

Site 1 _ Type 2 Address: 14-20 Calle Luis MuĂąoz Rivera 5,616 Sq Ft

Source: Google maps 2019

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Potential Sites Toa Alta, PR

Site 2 _ Type 2 Address: 15 Calle JosĂŠ de Diego 4,300 Sq Ft

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Source: Google maps 2019

Potential Sites Toa Alta, PR

Site 3 _ Type 3 Address: 1 Calle JosĂŠ de Diego 214,600 Sq Ft

Source: Google maps 2019

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Potential Sites Toa Alta, PR

Site 4 _ type 3 Address: 1 Calle Palmer 164,300 Sq Ft

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Source: Google maps 2019

Potential Sites Toa Alta, PR

Site 5 _ Type 2 Address: 341 Calle 10 18,000 Sq Ft

Source: Google maps 2019

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Potential Sites Toa Alta, PR

Site 6 _ Type 3 Address: Calle JosĂŠ Pepe Ramirez 70,500 Sq Ft

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Source: Google maps 2019

Case Study: Social Housing La Marina, Barcelona, Spain

Architects: EVA (Estudios Vivas Arquitectos) Weaves in city, community, and housing 112 apartments

Creating spaces of transition between each 3 focuses: city, community and housing.

Source: EVA architects

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Living Machine Manuel Fort

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Shadow Studies Summer vs. Winter

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8 am Summer

8 am Winter

10 am Summer

10 am Winter

Shadow Studies Summer vs. Winter

12 pm Summer

12 pm Winter

2 pm Summer

2 pm Winter 33

Shadow Studies Summer vs. Winter

4 pm Summer

6 pm Summer 34

4 pm Winter

The Living Machine Proposal

63_3 Bedroom Units 24_2 Bedroom Units

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The Living Machine Proposal

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The Living Machine Proposal

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The Living Machine Proposal

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River Front Piazza La Plata Core

Shane Ah-Siong

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River Front Piazza Proposal

Site Total sq footage: 216,720 *Available: 250,700

Historic area penetrating into the proposal Total sq footage: 250,700

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River Front Piazza Proposal

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Case Studies

Walkable Cities: Copenhagen, Denmark

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Source: hebstreits.com

Case Studies

Walkable Cities: Honolulu, Hawaii

Source: historic Hawai’i foundation

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Case Studies

Walkable cities: Vicenza, Italy

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Successful Piazzas Attributes

Verona, Italy

Accessible (by foot!)

Flexible design - temporary elements Amenities - seating, waste disposal Attraction & destination (fountain, outdoor cafe, playground) Inner & outer nature

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Potential Homes to be Moved Toa Alta, PR

384 homes affected by flooding Median person per household: 3 Total estimated peoples to displace: 1152

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Challenges at the Site Toa Alta, PR

Floodable Area(1% annual Chance-FEMA)

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Possible Solutions/Proposed Actions/Architectural Flood Resilience Neighborhood Addition to Peripheral Area of Urban Centre

Integrating a piazza into the site, housing on upper levels, leaving the ground public.

Open-aired center space (public), where most housing overlooks the river.

Mid-rise complex (in phases) Attributes: Extension of historic downtown area: Piazza, Tower, Commercial ground, Cultural center Refuge in case of emergency Elevated housing for flooding emergency 50

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Possible Solutions/Proposed Actions/Architectural Flood Resilience Neighborhood Addition to Peripheral Area of Urban Centre

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Linking Municipalities: La Plata Core Toa Baja, Dorado and Toa Alta

Reactivating the Core

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Sections of the City Toa Alta

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Connecting Paths throughout the City Toa Alta

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City Views Toa Alta

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City Views Toa Alta

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The Living Machine Eco Transformation

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Materiality

Pre-cast Concrete

Benefits

Design-build efficiency

Aesthetically versatile

Reduced costs (manufactured off site, less maintenance)

Not weather dependent upon manufacture - fast

Environmental resistance Fireproof Pre-cast concrete in Puerto Rico Nidu, by Casa-i, company of Fuster + Architects Puerto Rico - Prefabricated houses Focus on modular and expandable homes, self-sustaining homes

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Case Studies: Micro Housing in Pipes Hong Kong - Architect: James Law

O’Pod: 120 Sq Ft Giant Water Pipe

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Case Studies: Moshe Safdie Montreal, Canada

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Case Studies: Architects Poggi + More Bordeaux, France

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International Project & Research Workshop

Puerto Rico Re_Start 2 Š Vega Baja: Development Proposals Design Studio D8 Spring 2018

Prof. Martha Kohen University of Florida

Students: Thanh Thanh Huynh | Juan Medina

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Vega Baja Analysis Demographic Risk

Residencies affected by Vega Baja’s floodplain: 383 homes within a 1 mile radius from designated site National average of household size: 3.0 people per household 383 homes at 3.0 residents per household equates to an approximate of 1,149 residents affected by flooding

Source: (https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=8b 803d9a9574e54ab7e7b3eb8ce2ecf ) + https://www.paho.org/salud-en-las-americas-2017/?p=4295

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PIXel House Juan Medina

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Vega Baja Analysis and Site Strategies Site Potential

1) REUSE OF ABANDONED OR AVAILABLE BUILDINGS - Generate a restored sense of character in the city while maintaining civic and social pride - Resource and energy conservation –> restoration of an abandoned building requires fewer construction materials

but sometimes more labor, which can be a positive factor for employment 2) COLLECTIVE HOUSING PROPOSAL IN VACANT CENTRALLY LOCATED LOT - Benefit of having an empty lot with adequate square footage and walk-ability to urban/historic core - Adjacency to main roads/highway which will promote ease of access and departure, with the possibility of engaging the main road’s limitation on the site’s potential for expansion 3) NEIGHBORHOOD ADDITION TO PERIPHERAL AREA OF URBAN CENTER 4) PROVISION OF A NEW HIGH DENSITY URBAN CENTER TO ACT AS A CIVIL AND SOCIAL NODE AND HIGH DENSITY HUB FOR DISPERSED COMMUNITIES 5) SELF-CONTAINED NEW INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT REUSING DISMISSED INFRASTRUCTURAL ASSETS

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Vacant Centrally Located Lot Site Proposals

Area 1: 154,251 sq ft Vacant lot on the corner intersection of Calle Muñoz and Highway 2 - PR2 Area 2: 30,765 sq ft Abandoned school across Calle Muñoz, adjacent to Area 1 Net area: 127,085 sq ft

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Area 1

Site Proposals

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Area 2

Site Proposals

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Preliminary Aspects Affordability

Using the human scale as a driver through which the project will develop as a module for residential retention, ensuring contextual security, and freedom of expression.

Allowing the human scale to act as ‘building blocks’ of everyday life promoting need over luxury, resulting in affordable living.

Family

Entertainment

What makes up a household in Puerto Rico?

Cooking

Privacy/security

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Preliminary Aspects Sustainability

Maximize the exposure to sunlight through careful positioning of overall program Encourage the use of renewable energy, mainly focusing on rainwater harvesting and solar energy Green roof system + rainwater harvesting = vertical farming

Preliminary Aspects Demographic Development

Demographic considerations

Recognition of an evolving demographic scale in order to allow for flexibility and the generating of a framework for expansion 75

PIXel House

Public Housing at Vega Baja

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Community Cores

Base units

Framework for expansion

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La Reserva:

Conservation Development

Thanh Thanh Huynh

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Conservation Development Vega Baja Auxiliary Airdrome

“Self-contained new inclusive development reusing discussed infrastructure assets”

What is Conservation Development?

“Conservation development (CD) is an approach to the design, construction, and stewardship of a development that achieves functional protection of natural resources, while also providing social and economic benefits to human communities.”

General Aspects - “provides a disproportionate amount of high-quality habitat for plant and animal species and ecosystem services that are critical for human well-being” - Investigate and describe the diversity of the living world - To understand the effects of human activities on species, communities, and ecosystems - To develop practical interdisciplinary approaches to protecting and restoring biological diversity 82

Source: Colorado State University Global Challenges Research Team

Valuable Resources Laguna Tortuguero

Laguna Tortuguero is the largest and most important freshwater body in Puerto Rico with a diversity of soils and silicon sands.

The Flora has been classified as the fourth mist important on the island.

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Existing Challenges

Vega Baja Auxiliary Airdrome

Within a one-mile radius of the downtown urban core of Vega Baja contains 383 homes that are “at-risk” due to flooding. With the average people per household number at three, that leaves 1,149 residents at risk.

Range of vulnerable people at risk in the municipality of Vega Baja due to flooding is between 10,000-20,000 people.

The number of “off-grid” homes range between 218-250 homes, making between 654-750 people residing in these areas.

Possible Solutions - Relocation of the at-risk people and families

With the use of abandoned lots and buildings

Auxiliary Airfield - Implementing a sustainable and self-sufficient way of living

Food security

Locally grown and sourced products/material - Protective structures

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Bunkers for natural disasters, hurricane shutters on homes, wind resistant domes

Project Goals Proposal

Runway Information Dimensions: 2000 x 50 ft. / 610 x 15 m Surface: Turf - Total Area: 4,165 x 334 ft - Airport use: Private use Permission required prior to landing - Activation date: 04/2002

- Production Area (Tech. Agriculture) - Food Security (Self-sufficiency in response to neighboring communities) - Central square and community gathering - Relocation of the displaced - Work-force housing - Transitional housing - Shared transportation - Primary school

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Background Proposal

A total of 554 acres was acquired by the Federal Government in 1941 to develop the Vega Baja Auxiliary Airdrome.

The Army constructed a runway, taxiway, roads, utilities, and several buildings.

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The field was used as an auxiliary airfield during the war years, which was used for training by units with P-36, P-39 & P-40 fighterstt

Flood Analysis Proposal

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Conceptual Site Mapping Proposal

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Master Plan Proposal

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Proposed Roads Proposal

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Aquaponics Greenhouse System Components

1. 300 Gal. Fish Tank 2. Water Filtration System 3. Water Storage 4. Media Beds for Fruiting Crops (84 sf ) 5. Seedling Nursery System 6. Wicking Beds (136 sf ) 7. Deep Water Culture Beds (1,120 sf )

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International Project & Research Workshop

Puerto Rico Re_Start 2 Š Vega Alta: Proposals Design Studio D8 Spring 2018

Prof. Martha Kohen University of Florida

Students: Jorge Couso | Hans Milian

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Vega Alta Regional Maps

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Vega Alta City Evolution

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Vega Alta Historic Site

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Vega Alta Land Use Map

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Vega Alta Land Use Map

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Vega Alta Land Use Map

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Vega Alta Elevation Map

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Vega Alta Site Analysis

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Vega Alta

Flooding Diagram

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New Commons Communal Alliances

Jorge Couso

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Reuse of Abandoned or Available Buildings Proposal

This Proposal consist of executing the possibility of using shipping containers to create a sustainable community for the elders that remain affected in the municipality of Vega Alta, using a abandon building in the industrial district of the town.

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Site Exploration Proposal

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Site Exploration Proposal

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Neighborhood Typologies Housing

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Neighborhood Typologies Commercial and Industrial

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Neighborhood Typologies Routes of Access

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Concept Proposal

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Approach Proposal

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Program Proposal

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Commercial Center Proposal

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Green Spaces Proposal

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Apartment Building Proposal

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Apartment Building Proposal

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Sustainable Homes Proposal

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Sustainable Homes Proposal

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Vega Nueva Project

Sponge City Proposal for Vega Alta & Adjacent Communities Hans Milian

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Vega Alta Regional Map

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Vega Alta Pueblo City Evolution

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Vega Alta Flooding Map

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Flooding Map Existing Conditions

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Flooding Map Natural Barrier

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Natural Barrier Proposal

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Natural Barrier Proposal

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Natural Barrier Proposal

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FLOODING AREA

CANAL SYSTEM IDEA

WATER DISTRIBUTION

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Natural Barrier Proposal

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Natural Barrier Proposal

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Sponge City Case Study

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Site Studies Vega Alta

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Site Studies Vega Alta

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Site Compositions Vega Alta

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Proposal Components Vega Alta

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Site Overview Vega Alta

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Site Detailed Elements Vega Alta

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Site Views Vega Alta

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Site Sections Vega Alta

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Site Sections Vega Alta

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Housing Proposal Vega Alta

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Housing Components Vega Alta

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