Following week...
As the studio
is oriented towards evolving new Urban Forms, the first task we took was exploring various types of massing strategies at block level that have been proposed/developed recently. These were studied from dual perspective of sustainable practice and density. Two of Steven Holl's projects; linked Hybrid and Porosity block were quite distinct with their multi level public spaces with access to green space,deep geothermal wells that provide passive heating/cooling to the buildings and massing that could accommodate high density with a social connectedness. Other examples displayed different block configurations that could create a dynamic pedestrian space in the interior of the block, ranging in nature from public to semi public while allowing green scape or community facilities like sports fields or a wider urban program of retail interwoven through the block space. Ecological district at Saint Denis is a precedent for creating spaces that provide varied experiences along water's edge from natural to very public.
We developed three scenarios from our rule set by varying different rules to achieve a desired urban form and character. Using the physical model we modelled each scanario and refined and tested it for environenmental performance. By varying the rules we were able to achieve a scenario that creates an ecological corridor through the interior blocks the focus being on integrating green space and making it a public amenity that becomes the dominant character of this scheme. Another scenario focused on making for a vibrant public realm through a midrise and tower form typolgy. In the third scenario we developed a staggered form that allows for maximum private green open space and sunlight to maximum facades of residential units.
All the three scenarios explore different ways of integreating green space into the waterfront developement through green roofs, terraces, interconnected blocks and thus designing for an active physical, visual and psychologial connection to nature. Different schemes try to balance between rules to achieve a high density devlopment, environmental performance and sustainability goals.
