In the design of the plaza and station I was interested in exploring three conceptual ideas:
– The radial pattern of the shadow caste from the water filled bulbs as a metaphor for the effects a train has as it pulls into the station on the greater community. The curves of the bulbs’ shadows were translated into linear form due to characteristics of the site and light rail line. The site plan radiates from the station north as a physical manifestation of this concept.
– The importance of forming and enhancing community. This project acts as a catalyst for bringing the exurban community together. To accomplish this the community is incorporated into the design. Found objects are donated by the community and used as art installations, giving people a sense of ownership to the site while also providing sustainable undertones. For the first panel the community will be recruited to donate their old incandescent lights in return for a new cfl. These lights to create in the art installation.
– The meeting of landscape and exurb. The western edge of the sunken plaza is a bio-swale and wetland, which gradually gradients in the harder surfaces and more manicured green spaces. The plaza acts as a nexus and transition between the natural forested lands to the east and the suburban land to the east. The plaza and station are designed to act as a watershed – all water that falls on the site is directed to the bioswale for treatment. Through directing runoff attention is brought an effect of sprawl and urban growth on the environment — providing an informal educational opportunity.
The detail material design for my final project continued to explore my fascination with light bulbs. Each light box is to be filled in by a different artist over time. Two panels are to be installed during initial construction. These two panels are to be filled with the community’s light bulbs hung from rods. Visitors and riders can operate cranks to raise and lower the bulbs, inviting the user to partake in the art as well as providing the waiting passenger with a dynamic experience.
I think my project could have better addressed the study of light, as my project used this more as a conceptual launching point, and less as an incorporated element. Some critics suggested I think about the glass boxes, and how the materials in them could reflect light (better than what the light bulbs would do) – one idea was just to fill them with water.
Sustainability was addressed in my project through the exploration of two major avenues. First being run-off management. Using a bio-swale and creating a micro water-shed, my project strove to treat runoff seriously, as this is a serious issue with the development of greens fields. Secondly I also looked at community, and the need to enhance the community around the station/plaza. In terms of sustainability, I believe the better your know your community the more “green” your life will become.
This term I learned that I need to self edit a little more, and not be pushed to continue on a path just because it was a strong initial idea/concept. It can be hard to let things go, but if you do it can be rewarding. In the future I will keep reminding myself that just because a certain element is not in a project, does not mean it did not effect the design in some way. I also need to focus a little more… many of the reviewers commented that there were many good ideas, but perhaps their were too many… simplify, clarify, go from three main points to one.
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