Friday, July 17, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Investigating "Precinct 1"
After my initial attempt to divide my site into precincts - I decided to look closer at precinct 1, which will be the first part of my master plan development.
Initially (as seen in the sketch in the last posting) I thought that I would divide development areas 1&2. However, after taking a closer look - I decided to include a portion of the west bank of the river (where main street and the dam building are located) - using the existing railroad track as a "natural divide."
With that in mind, I examined the location of the existing structures and their relationships to each other, the river and main street. I then decided where I thought it would be appropriate to have "areas of connectivity" (orange squares) - and examined how those areas related to the existing buildings, river and streets.
After examining the relationships - I attempted to decided which building footprints I would re-incorporate, based on their relationships to the areas of connectivity on the site.
I then examined the paths that connected these buildings/footprints to one another. It was after this that I realized that these connections, could become footpaths (areas of travel) for pedestrians. But I needed to look at the development as a whole - to further examine the connections/paths that were to be developed.
Sketching over the plan: Taking a step back, it seems to me that an ideal location for the main road should follow along the existing railroad track. This would serve as a division for the areas of development as well as a visual break between precincts.
Taking a look at my program (the school, berlin historical society, eco-tourism) - I took a first attempt at locating these programmatic elements within the site. All of the buildings are within existing footprints of the former mill buildings. I did this in order to help emphasise the connection to the past (old berlin) while giving these buildings a new "identity" (new berlin).
The locations of the programmatic elements relate to their specific locations on the site. In this plan, there would be 3 separate entries - each with a specific destination, serving a purpose for the 3 distinct groups that would be using this site (berlin residents, students, and "tourists").
The main entry for the berlin residents would be directly from main street. Perhaps there would be some kind of small building, landscaped element that would signify "entry" along main street itself. This entry would then lead to a building (or groups of buildings) that housed elements such as a dining area, cafe, bookstore - things that Berlin residents might need/use.
The main entry for the students could be directly from the new road (created on old train tracks) - which would lead students directly to NOLS main building (the existing mill), where the classrooms and large indoor gym could be located. I think that this would allow for the adaptive reuse of the existing mill.
The "tourist" entry would also be located on main street, but would enter through the dam building, where the berlin historical society would be located. This would give visitors a chance to learn about the history of the town within a historic building - helping to tie the connection between the historic berlin of the past - leading to the new berlin of the future.
Of course the entryways will be used by all 3 types - at all locations - but I want to create some attempt at semblance - having specific entries for specific uses.
It would seem to me that student housing should be close to the school - while the "tourist" housing, should be on the waterfront - taking advantage of the views and location along the rivers edge.
All the buildings, of course, would have some connection to one another. Perhaps more than in just pathways - but views, similar elevations, mirrored entry sequences.
Beyond the planning for development 1, I would also like to explore the connections between the other 5/6 future developed areas. However, most of the detailed work I complete will revolve around the "core" of the thesis (precinct 1).
Initially (as seen in the sketch in the last posting) I thought that I would divide development areas 1&2. However, after taking a closer look - I decided to include a portion of the west bank of the river (where main street and the dam building are located) - using the existing railroad track as a "natural divide."
With that in mind, I examined the location of the existing structures and their relationships to each other, the river and main street. I then decided where I thought it would be appropriate to have "areas of connectivity" (orange squares) - and examined how those areas related to the existing buildings, river and streets.
After examining the relationships - I attempted to decided which building footprints I would re-incorporate, based on their relationships to the areas of connectivity on the site.
I then examined the paths that connected these buildings/footprints to one another. It was after this that I realized that these connections, could become footpaths (areas of travel) for pedestrians. But I needed to look at the development as a whole - to further examine the connections/paths that were to be developed.
Sketching over the plan: Taking a step back, it seems to me that an ideal location for the main road should follow along the existing railroad track. This would serve as a division for the areas of development as well as a visual break between precincts.
Taking a look at my program (the school, berlin historical society, eco-tourism) - I took a first attempt at locating these programmatic elements within the site. All of the buildings are within existing footprints of the former mill buildings. I did this in order to help emphasise the connection to the past (old berlin) while giving these buildings a new "identity" (new berlin).
The locations of the programmatic elements relate to their specific locations on the site. In this plan, there would be 3 separate entries - each with a specific destination, serving a purpose for the 3 distinct groups that would be using this site (berlin residents, students, and "tourists").
The main entry for the berlin residents would be directly from main street. Perhaps there would be some kind of small building, landscaped element that would signify "entry" along main street itself. This entry would then lead to a building (or groups of buildings) that housed elements such as a dining area, cafe, bookstore - things that Berlin residents might need/use.
The main entry for the students could be directly from the new road (created on old train tracks) - which would lead students directly to NOLS main building (the existing mill), where the classrooms and large indoor gym could be located. I think that this would allow for the adaptive reuse of the existing mill.
The "tourist" entry would also be located on main street, but would enter through the dam building, where the berlin historical society would be located. This would give visitors a chance to learn about the history of the town within a historic building - helping to tie the connection between the historic berlin of the past - leading to the new berlin of the future.
Of course the entryways will be used by all 3 types - at all locations - but I want to create some attempt at semblance - having specific entries for specific uses.
It would seem to me that student housing should be close to the school - while the "tourist" housing, should be on the waterfront - taking advantage of the views and location along the rivers edge.
All the buildings, of course, would have some connection to one another. Perhaps more than in just pathways - but views, similar elevations, mirrored entry sequences.
Beyond the planning for development 1, I would also like to explore the connections between the other 5/6 future developed areas. However, most of the detailed work I complete will revolve around the "core" of the thesis (precinct 1).
Attached are two site plans (in one PDF) - one for University of Virgnia, the other for Berlin, NH.
While researching the master plan for UVA, I realized there were several elements of the existing plan as well as future development plans that were similar to my ideas for the town of Berlin. In an effort to convey these ideas, I sketched over both plans - attempting to illustrate the concepts that I would like to include in my thesis.
Although UVA is at a much larger scale, the proposal for growth as a result of expanding upon the existing footprint (and the ideas behind that) are similar to what I would like to incorporate within the master plan for Berlin.
While researching the master plan for UVA, I realized there were several elements of the existing plan as well as future development plans that were similar to my ideas for the town of Berlin. In an effort to convey these ideas, I sketched over both plans - attempting to illustrate the concepts that I would like to include in my thesis.
Although UVA is at a much larger scale, the proposal for growth as a result of expanding upon the existing footprint (and the ideas behind that) are similar to what I would like to incorporate within the master plan for Berlin.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Getting off track - only to find a new one
Today as I was gathering my sectional drawings of the dam entry - I was attempting to determine where the entry from Community Street (the street that runs parallel to the paper mill on the east side of the river) should be.
In order to determine this, I decided to explore old photographs of the site.
Red: Dam Building (existing)
Blue: Former Mill (relocated)
Green: Former Community Building
It occurred to me that the footprint of the former Community Building would be an ideal location for the offices/housing/dining part of the program - which would allow me to adaptively use the existing paper mill as the indoor climbing gym/NOLS classrooms.
Investigating this idea further - I attempted to extrapolate from old photographs and plans where the main buildings (footprints) once were on the site.
Red: Dam Building (existing)
Blue: Paper Mill (existing)
Green: Former Mill Footprints
Looking closer (zooming in) at the site - and looking at the relationship of the former Community Building to the existing mill.
If I use the old footprint, this would change the entry configuration for the east bank of the river - I would create the new main entry to be at this location.
A quick study of entry points...possible places to create entrance sequences.
Investigating the path with new footprint in mind:
Site
Should the path follow the river? Perhaps a dock within/along the path. Path leads to main entry building.
Should the path run perpendicular to the dam building?(or perpendicular to the paper mill or main entry building)
Should the path cross the river and then follow alongside the edge (top of east bank)?
Considering the three explorations - I further examined the last option: to cross the river and follow along the rivers edge.
If paths were created crossing the river from the dam, up to the east bank, then following alongside the rivers edge to the main building, the path could then cross to training facility (NOLS). Trees could frame the walkways as well as Community Street (where the people arriving via car would arrive)
I think that by making a connection of having the path cross OVER the river, then ALONG the rivers edge - there would be a strong connection to the river itself. It would be a main visual component between the buildings. In addition - if part of the program included a kayaking element - the pedestrians along the path could observe people in the water, interacting with the river.
The purpose of the trees along the path, would do the following:
-create a link to the historical aspect of the town (logging)
-help to bridge "old berlin" to "new berlin" (once the town chopped the trees down, now the trees will be grown on site: the new "identity" can be about GROWTH - growth of the new town, growth of the citys reputation, growth of trees on the site)
-trees can be used throughout the site as well as the town (perhaps trees planted on Main Street, Community Street will match the same species of trees surrounding the paths)
Views from the path:
Looking from the main building (river and dam building below on left)
Looking down from path to dam building
In order to determine this, I decided to explore old photographs of the site.
Red: Dam Building (existing)
Blue: Former Mill (relocated)
Green: Former Community Building
It occurred to me that the footprint of the former Community Building would be an ideal location for the offices/housing/dining part of the program - which would allow me to adaptively use the existing paper mill as the indoor climbing gym/NOLS classrooms.
Investigating this idea further - I attempted to extrapolate from old photographs and plans where the main buildings (footprints) once were on the site.
Red: Dam Building (existing)
Blue: Paper Mill (existing)
Green: Former Mill Footprints
Looking closer (zooming in) at the site - and looking at the relationship of the former Community Building to the existing mill.
If I use the old footprint, this would change the entry configuration for the east bank of the river - I would create the new main entry to be at this location.
A quick study of entry points...possible places to create entrance sequences.
Investigating the path with new footprint in mind:
Site
Should the path follow the river? Perhaps a dock within/along the path. Path leads to main entry building.
Should the path run perpendicular to the dam building?(or perpendicular to the paper mill or main entry building)
Should the path cross the river and then follow alongside the edge (top of east bank)?
Considering the three explorations - I further examined the last option: to cross the river and follow along the rivers edge.
If paths were created crossing the river from the dam, up to the east bank, then following alongside the rivers edge to the main building, the path could then cross to training facility (NOLS). Trees could frame the walkways as well as Community Street (where the people arriving via car would arrive)
I think that by making a connection of having the path cross OVER the river, then ALONG the rivers edge - there would be a strong connection to the river itself. It would be a main visual component between the buildings. In addition - if part of the program included a kayaking element - the pedestrians along the path could observe people in the water, interacting with the river.
The purpose of the trees along the path, would do the following:
-create a link to the historical aspect of the town (logging)
-help to bridge "old berlin" to "new berlin" (once the town chopped the trees down, now the trees will be grown on site: the new "identity" can be about GROWTH - growth of the new town, growth of the citys reputation, growth of trees on the site)
-trees can be used throughout the site as well as the town (perhaps trees planted on Main Street, Community Street will match the same species of trees surrounding the paths)
Views from the path:
Looking from the main building (river and dam building below on left)
Looking down from path to dam building
Monday, July 6, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Sketches
Investigating the river crossing through the existing dam building through hand sketches - plans and sections.
Will the entry go through or around the building? Will it cut a parallel line with the rivers edge or will the pathway line up directly with the existing paper mill? Should the bridge be covered or exposed? These are a few things I attempted to investigate...
Will the entry go through or around the building? Will it cut a parallel line with the rivers edge or will the pathway line up directly with the existing paper mill? Should the bridge be covered or exposed? These are a few things I attempted to investigate...
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