POROUS CITY
GOAL
Create a dense and multi-faceted city block for the individual and human scale. Not a mega-block is desired, but instead a porous structure which allows room for individual idiosyncrasies. It is not defined by a ‘look’, but by the needs and use of its residents and catchment area.
CONCEPT
1. Individual versus Urban: How to preserve the individual scale versus urban density. Container unit keeps the individual scale and reading (smallest 8’ x 40’ – largest 3 story ’townhouse’). Multi-container-plexus for retail and commercial use provide density and attract more people to create active and alive spaces at all floor levels for all hours of the day (Food-market, Cinema-Art-house etc).
2. Solid city block versus Porous City: Instead of the closed block unit typical of the surrounding neighborhood and historical city structure (city block, public housing or super-blocks), Porous City is inter-woven by the existing infrastructure fabric of the area (streets, train station, pedestrian and street access). Pedestrians and residents can enter at street level, via the sky path, or by car. All levels are active levels with living units and commercial and recreational facilities side by side. Public spaces are woven into the entire structure (Roof top, plazas, street park) and the open lower and upper plazas allow for natural air ventilation to pass through the building.
DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS
Structural Light Tubes: They provide primary structural stability, natural and / or artificial lighting from the rooftop down into the parking facilities, and, orientation and guidance for the individual living units (personal stairway located at light tubes).
Plazas / Open Spaces: 50% of the structure is for public use. Restaurants, Cinemas and Food-markets orientate themselves towards these open spaces and plazas. They can seasonally be used for art exhibits, market stands and fairs.
Porosity: Living Units are spread apart to allow light and air to enter on three sides. Setting the units apart preserves a human scale reading and provides the owner with an ‘individual’ feel. Personal Living is interwoven with public uses and activities, creating juxtapositions typical in an urban-scape.
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Invite large retailer to help define Porous City, i.e. Whole Foods Market with various stores on different levels: supermarket, restaurant, body shop. Owner orientated living, not condo or coop, but own your own townhouse or studio. Allow all uses in all units (commercial, business and residential), to encourage a dynamic future (one day living, next day butcher store). |
