Testing ideas...

Over the past month I have been using sketch problems and precedent analysis to narrow some of the ideas that were first uncovered during the intensive.  These include:
layered space
personal connection
drosscape
a sense of place
sequence of space
adaptability
human spirit/emotion related to architecture

I have not been able to test these ideas fully or within a specific context up until this point.  I have decided to use a local design competition in Cincinnati to apply some of the design principles mentioned above.  The design challenge is to "covert drivers to riders," or to get people out of their cars and onto buses, bikes, streetcars, light rail, etc.  In approaching the competition, my goal will not simply be to "solve" the stated question.  It is not to provide an end-all solution to the question or even win the competition, but rather to test how some of the principles noted above can be applied to develop an intervention that addresses an area of need.  This is a change of approach when it comes to design, particularly a competition.

There are several scenarios that I am considering to test these ideas.  In no particular order:

1.  Re-imagining (or imagining) the urban bus stop in Cincinnati.

    Currently, most urban bus stops in Cincinnati are simply a sign on a post; no bench, no shelter, no schedule.  The metro system lacks a tangible, visible precence other than the buses themselves.  A physical shelter creates a defined and identifiable space for the passenger.  In designing a new bus stop, the idea would be for an adaptabale and interactive space that can be dis-assembled and relocated based on changing transportation needs.  It would also have a technological component allowing users to view schedules, routes, etc.

How this relates to thesis:  The definition of space is a key component I have been studying, especially with scale and layers.  It would be interesting to see how much of a sequence could be created within such a confined space as a bus stop.  How many people could us it? 1, 4, 10?  There is a layered component to the adaptability to this as well.  Perhaps it can expand over time if the need in that particular location is greater, or get smaller if the need is less.  The application or removal of new materials or spaces within the space is a unique analysis because it is not a building, but instead a 8x10 box.  I think this alone would be a fun and worth sketch problem even if it isn't the final solution.  What is the minimum space that we can occupy with another person before we feel uncomfortable and how can architecture increase comfort within a tight space.

 

2. The suburban bus stop

    The bus system curretly runs express and local routes from the suburbs to downtown.  The suburban pick up zones are typically located in existing parking lots of shopping malls or amuesement parks.  I spoke with a friend who used to take the bus along one of these routes.  She would drive a few minutes from her house to a sprawling parking lot and wait in her car, along with other commuters.  When everyone saw the bus enter the lot, they would all get out of their cars and form a random line to get on the bus.  There was no shelter what-so-ever.  My idea would be to provide a transportation hub for these outlying areas where suburban commuters could drive to and park, and then wait within a conditioned or semi-conditioned space.  It could have a number of support spaces such as coffee shops, a book store, small grocery; everything the urban traveler takes for granted.

How this relates to thesis:  This idea is similar to idea #1 in that it is the creation of a tangible form that people can associate with transportation.  One of the reasons that suburbanites don't ride the bus is that there is no visible infrastructure in the suburbs, other than the occasional bus.  The station creates a sense of community and offers a sequence of commuting together, beyond waiting in your car for the bus.  The friend I spoke with said people would talk and converse once on the bus, often about what they were reading.  What if there was a space for these commuters to interact before the bus came?  Likewise, she stated one of the drawback to riding the bus was that she had to leave downtown at a set time and could participate in co-worker dinners after work or happy hour.  Maybe the station fills that need.  This is about creating a better experience and a sense of place.  It is about the daily sequence of commuting and how we can make it more enjoyable, productive and economical for the user.  As I mentioned, the current stops are existing sprawl parking lots - drosscape.  These areas are very similar to space I studied during the intensive.  This is probably the most "solution" based idea I have, but there are a number of offshoots to it that interest and excite me.  Also, quite frankly, I think something like this truly would be a great way to get suburbanites on the bus, both during the weekdays and weekends.

 

3. The downtown transportation hub

There are several ideas and sub-deas here.  The current inspiration for me was Grand Central Station in New York as well as Union Terminal in Cincinnati (https://mail.mcgillsmithpunshon.com/owa/redir.aspx?C=d6ffd8a07122484c963485c5be62288b&URL=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fCincinnati_Museum_Center_at_Union_Terminal

The idea is to create a downtown transportation hub where buses and the new streetcar system converge.  Within this space, a number of functions are created; public gathering space, community, possibly a grocery or even retail.  Currently, the downtown "transportation hub" is government square, an open air space where buses enter and exit.  There is a series of glass and metal shelters here however it is open air.  Originally, my idea was to transform this space into an interior exterior space that offered a number of uses to the commuter.  However, I then realized that the current design was completed in 2007 by the firm who is sponsoring the competition.  Probably not a good idea to knock down their design (even though it would be a good idea).  That being said, I still think the idea of a transportation hub downtown is a worthy idea.  I am interested in reuse of existing structures, and since we are trying to eliminate cars, I thought that re-using and re-imagining an existing parking garage might be interesting.  Again, this could be a space that buses and the new streetcars could use.  It would be a space that commuters could use as a terminus for their commute.  It could also have shops, restaurants, etc. – everything a person might need or want while waiting for a bus.

How this relates to thesis:  The idea of re-using an existing building to make a transportation hub highlights my interest in adaptable design and the ability to “rewind” existing structures.  Again, the personal connection is created through a tangible space.  Most importantly, if I were to re-imagine a parking garage, the notion of layers and sequence could be greatly studied.  Moving from one level to the next; how each level functions independently from the other levels or works together.  How people move from level to level, etc.  The parking garage idea alone might be an interesting case study, however the overall idea is broad and needs narrowing.

 
The second idea interests me as there is a direct correlation to the "drosscape" i studied during the intensive.  Likewise, for the past month I have been looking at applying my design ideas within a vaccuum or a manufactured urban space.  This is a great opporunity to design a space within the suburban "drosscape" that applies these principles.

The first idea is also very appealing because the lack of a visible bus stop within the urban environment is not thought of, but shocking when realized.  I run, walk and drive through my neighborhood all the time and never really thought about this.  However there are 4 different routes that run directly through my neighborhood.  The "stops" are simply a single metal sign - no bench or enclosure.  The missing physical element of a bus stop shelter inhibits use as people do not think of a transportation element that is not readily visible.  This is similar to why streetcars are more desirable or "romantic" than buses.  When one looks out the window at an empty bus stop with no shelter, there is a negative association.  However, when one looks out and sees physical streetcar tracks, even in the absence of the streetcar itself, there is a tangible connection of knowing that the system is concrete and defined.  The tracks offer permanence and stability.  A bus stop shelter can achieve a simialr affect.

The competition is due March 10th.  i will be developing my idea up to that point and working towards a thesis proposal.