08A Design Intervention Description
08A: Design Intervention Description
Design Intervention: Urban Farming
I) Research questions (list 2):
- How might we practice water conservation in a dry region?
- How might we introduce green infrastructure as a means of social cohesion in Barcelona?
II) Abstract
The narrow street provides passage between the main axis’ of Sant Andreu. The design intervention engages several sensory phenomena such as sight and human fit. The greenery of the planters and the interactive screens are visually engaging for tourists and locals. The added flex space and artwork are intended to connect Carrer Gran de Sant Andreu with Placa de Can Galta Cremat and Carrer de Bartrina. When people walk along Carrer Gran de Sant Andreu, they are drawn off axis by the street art. Flex space encourages gathering and performance. People going to Lidl for groceries can stop to listen to local music or enjoy a new art installment. Tourists walking on the main street can stop, sit, and listen. The different phenomena introduced in the narrow street promote community gathering and artistic expression, giving community members the opportunity to enhance the individuality of the neighborhood and giving tourists a chance to learn and engage on a new level.
Analysis of flex space is more phenomena based. Arduino sensors could be used to measure humidity and heat in plaza spaces. The majority of the data would be collected by observation on site. Visiting successful plazas in neighborhoods like Gracia and seeing how locals and tourists engage with the space over time would be very useful to the development. An urban art analysis documenting timelines of street art and murals in a plaza would be a useful tool. How often does street art change? Who is overseeing the work? Are there repeating artists? What levels of engagement can we analyze during the installation of new artwork?
III) Outline
- Abstract
The narrow street provides passage between the main axis’ of Sant Andreu. The design intervention engages several sensory phenomena such as sight and human fit. The greenery of the planters and the interactive screens are visually engaging for tourists and locals. The added flex space and artwork are intended to connect Carrer Gran de Sant Andreu with Placa de Can Galta Cremat and Carrer de Bartrina. When people walk along Carrer Gran de Sant Andreu, they are drawn off axis by the street art. Flex space encourages gathering and performance. People going to Lidl for groceries can stop to listen to local music or enjoy a new art installment. Tourists walking on the main street can stop, sit, and listen. The different phenomena introduced in the narrow street promote community gathering and artistic expression, giving community members the opportunity to enhance the individuality of the neighborhood and giving tourists a chance to learn and engage on a new level.
Analysis of flex space is more phenomena based. Arduino sensors could be used to measure humidity and heat in plaza spaces. The majority of the data would be collected by observation on site. Visiting successful plazas in neighborhoods like Gracia and seeing how locals and tourists engage with the space over time would be very useful to the development. An urban art analysis documenting timelines of street art and murals in a plaza would be a useful tool. How often does street art change? Who is overseeing the work? Are there repeating artists? What levels of engagement can we analyze during the installation of new artwork?
- Background theory
“Data dimension: accessing urban data and making it accessible” by Nashid Nabian, Dietmar Offenhuber, Anthony Vanky, and Carlo Ratti
This reading explores the multitude of opportunities in data collection given to us by modern technologies. The idea of making data accessible to the public is applicable in the design of the narrow street. The flex space is designed to adapt to the needs of its inhabitants. The interactive screens and wifi beacons could allow community members and tourists to voice any opinions they have about the site, giving them ownership of the space.
“Cities From The Bottom Up: 22@ Planning, A System Attached To Change” By Phillip Speranza
This article explores the bottom-up approach in urban design centered around autonomous identities of neighborhoods in Barcelona. The design concept for the narrow street is centered on social cohesion. The site’s ability to change over time is integral to maintaining that concept. A bottom-up approach connects people with place by allowing the identity of a place to evolve over time, specifically with its people.
“Field Conditions” by Stan Allen
This article examines the potential of fields and figurations from an architectural perspective. The narrow street design connects transverse networks within the sight such as lighting, water, and circulation. The strategic placement of design elements is unified by the transverse systems.
3) Contextualization: Precedents
Plaça del Poble Gitano
Sant Antoni Superilla
Raw Gelände, Berlin
Catalunya en Petit
4) Methods. General inputs and parameters, software and media types; time parameters. (icons or thumbnail of software or examples)
Data collection on humidity and temperature is possible with Arduino sensors. Tracking movement in a space can also be done with Arduino sensors to measure how often people enter/move around a plaza, and at which times of day and times of the year.
Inputs / Parameters: temperature, humidity, time of people passing by, time of people in space, etc.
To measure engagement from the community and from tourists, community surveys and social media analysis could be used.
Inputs / Parameters: Online posts about community events/people visiting the space, language connotations,
5) Analysis how to assess success and
How to test your intervention? (Back into circle tool, ask colleagues for their opinion, install something as a test in public space like balloons and observe, etc)
Success in a flexible space is defined by its versatility. A metric of success, based on the size of our proposed space and site, is based on the types of activities taking place throughout the day. This could be assessed by on-site observation, surveying of the community members, and motion sensors measuring how many people and groups walk through or stay in the space. The circle tool could provide data comparisons between our designed flex space and successful plazas in the Gracia neighborhood, such as Placa del Sol. Another metric of success is the artwork, the maintenance of the art space (is the paint faded? is there a high amount of graffiti? etc.) is a good indicator.
6) Conclusions
What are your expected outcomes?
I expect this design will provide a space for seating, staying, passing, and art expression that will increase multimodal activity along Carrer Gan Sant Andreu. This is attained through consistent site activity morning, midday, and night. Whether the site activity is large gatherings or individual engagement, I expect this space to serve as a connection between the bustling avenue for tourists and the adjacent plazas for locals. The interactive screens can provide educational and wayfinding resources. I expect that the narrow street carries water through the site to the urban farm efficiently and prevents pooling during storms. I hope to create a space where locals can express themselves, obtain ownership of their neighborhood, and engage with the community on a social and ecological scale.
Phenomenology Diagram, Points + Lines
