Q1 Fall 2009: Studio 683 – Portland Sustainability Center
Professor Don Genasci and Professor Hajo Neis
Kind of reminds me of the urban sombrero for some reason. They both keep the rain off our heads at least. ahem. For the urban design I was faced with the dilemma on how to connect all the seperate peices together, and I thought that using an urban canopy would work well. Now what this canopy is, was something that was struggled with much throughout this process. The logic and intention behind this solution is that it would be a significant visual element, that where applied would act as a visual cue that you are still along Montgomery Street. This would alleviate some of the wayfinding and general feeling of being lost at certain junctions along the path.
While acting as a wayfinding device, it is intended to also function as a means of shelter in another wise rainy city, and even act as some sort of rain collection to keep water concentrated in certain areas.
In order of progresssion, from initial to semi-final implementation.
Originally the idea was to have the canopy extend over the street, while smaller off branches would function over the sidewalk. But the original scale of the canopy was going to be large, and mostly organic and curvilinear in form. This prompted several issues, and after a review or two I ditched this idea. Too grande, and covering the cars seemed like an improper gesture.
The next attempt shows a more pedestrian appropriate canopy, that where applicable would attach to existing buildings. This provides the necessary shelter and connective device throughout the corridor. There are parts that are more natural and park like, and within these areas the canopy becomes more organic and sculptural in form.
Also shown is the implementation of the canopy and some initial ideas on how it might become part of the Oregon Sustainability Center when done.
