08A Design Description
Research Questions:
- How can we manage movement types to promote child safety and parental visibility?
- How can ecological buffers impact phenomena of space?
Outline:
Abstract
Restructuring the phenomena of our street, we intend to improve the pedestrian experience for people of all ages, but our design focuses on children ages 0-14. Harsh noise associated with excessive traffic will be reduced in favor of tree leaves rustling and birds chirping. We want to emphasize the feeling of being secluded from traffic while maintaining walkability and parental visibility. Both children and parents benefit from the sense of security provided by street buffers. Using light as a guiding mechanism can promote improved child safety. Our change in elevation allows for a tactile way to create a separation of uses. This is crucial to our design, as it discourages bikers from weaving in and out of pedestrian traffic, and it creates a safe route for children to follow to and from school. The “hopscotch” form of this elevated path also provides an element of play for children to continue to be motivated to walk down the street. Noise can be measured systematically by using the Arduino sound sensor. By using our existing data point system, a 30 second reading could be taken at each point with a metric for how often noise exceeds a permissible decibel level. The data could then be compiled to create a heat map overlay, which could tell us which areas of our street exhibit excessive noise levels and require intervention. In terms of shading and canopy density, examining the data we already collected as a baseline can help us design shaded areas in our elevated street section. Utilizing Enscape with realistic building shadows can help us get an idea of shadow coverage at multiple times of the year. Better creating a system for module selection based on our indicators and data collected will help us design a more comprehensive space tailored to the specific phenomena associated with our different use areas.
Background Theory
From Field Conditions by Stan Allen –
“The conventions of classical architecture dictate not only the proportions of individual elements but also the relationship between individual elements. Parts form ensembles which in turn form larger wholes” (Stan Allen).
Our design is a function of smaller modules that each serve a purpose and contribute to the larger whole of the design. He talks about the idea of hierarchy in relation to promoting an overarching sense of unity. In our design, we hope to create a unifying path while stile providing unique areas of interest, an ideal which is very in line with Allen’s thinking.
From Steven Holl Anchoring –
“Modes of composition are open: line, plane, volume, and proportion await activation. When site, culture, and program are given an order, an idea may be formed.” (Steven Holl)
Activating each of modules in terms of proportion to uses can help us create a concept that can be applied at a more useful scale. Often times streets are designed at the block level, and the idea of plane and proportion allows us to develop at an address by address scale.
From The Geometry of Feeling Juhani Pallasmaa –
“Architectural effect is based on a number of what we could call primary feelings. These feelings form the genuine ‘basic vocabulary’ of architecture and it is by working through them that a work becomes architecture and not, for instance, a large scale sculpture or scenography.” (Juhani Pallasmaa).
Pallasmaa defines a list of primary feelings and associations related to architectural experiences. Relating phenomena to the functionality of the space is important so as to not lose sight of the original vision of the space, which is child safety. Recognizability, feelings of shelter, and points of reference are all primary feelings associated with architectural installations.
Contextualization
Data Collection (Nuria + Return to Site)
We began on the first day by examining phenomena related to light, and this gave us a solid baseline for analysis diagrams. The next day, I was able to refine my methods for data collection related to sound. I realized that depth played a key role in the types of sound created due to the natural buffers surrounding different levels of water flow. It was most noticeable in Puigmal, as the primary sounds (cowbells, flowing water, foot traffic) were all naturally dampened at a lower depth.
Analysis
Our new shadow density module can be tested in Enscape to ensure safe spaces are provided for children to play out of the sun and for adults to enjoy a comfortable meal or watch their children play. Our data collection can be optimized to recommend details about module size, shape, height, etc. to cater to the use of the adjacent buildings and sound conditions. Physically testing our elevated intervention could be best done by further examining our precedent in Sant Antoni, which is an example of an elevated street section being implemented. Enhanced data collection at the street level could also lend information pertinent to our Sant Andreu street modules. Information obtained from Nuria can be useful in analyzing the types of sounds that can be created or molded rather to optimal conditions using ecological and semipermanent buffers.
Findings
The findings were fairly conclusive, as softer or muted sounds were more prevalent in areas of high depth related to their buffers. Choosing which sounds to try and instigate/reduce in certain areas is crucial to our design to both provide auditory comfort for adults and reduce prolonged exposure to excess noise for children. This is communicated through our z-line tool, as we were measure and locate areas of high or low noise.
Conclusions
Designing for phenomena experienced by children will improve the conditions of the space drastically and will provide visual comfort for parents. Using the Arduino sound sensor to retrieve heat map data will give us an improved understanding of both decibel range and frequency. One comment from the review mentioned the current uniformity of our design across the entire street section with our elevated path, but with a new module system based on our indicator data collection, we expect to create much more unique spaces and moments throughout our design. Designing for shade is an opportunity to improve the current biodiversity of the space. We expect our traffic and elevation interventions will provide a playful corridor for kids, alongside peace of mind for adults.
Nuria
Aug. 8th, 2022
Light Condition GIF
Light Phenomenology
Sound Phenomena Study
Puigmal Experience
