08A: Design Intervention Description

Design Intervention: Narrow Street

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 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. 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.

Contextualization

Plaça del Poble Gitano

Sant Antoni Superilla

Raw Gelände, Berlin

Catalunya en Petit

Data Collection

The excursion to Nuria provided an opportunity to explore sound phenomena. Away from the sounds of the city, my ears got a chance to relax. On the first day we hiked along a small creek, the majority of sound recordings I collected consisted of water. I focused on different types of flow. The difference in the pressure affected the feeling elicited from the phenomena. Water rapidly hitting rocks elicited a feeling of distortion. The wind near the water elicited a feeling of calmness. There was a range of emotions generated from listening to nature throughout the trip. On the hike to Puigmal, the sound of the wind was easier to hear and elicited emotions of sentimentality as I rarely listen to the wind in Portland. The cowbells generated feelings of curiosity and alertness.

Analysis

The rainfall in Barcelona is usually localized to a short 6-week period. However, the city does not have the infrastructure to support or utilize water. Pooling often occurs which can disrupt vehicular and pedestrian traffic. There are also missed opportunities to reclaim unused water through means of hydroponics and other green interventions. On a social level, the superilla interventions around Barcelona were successful, but they were driving up housing costs and displacing locals. Barcelona neighborhoods also have a rich history of autonomy which has been lost over time. This analysis developed into three main categories: Social Cohesion, Water, and Ecology. Our data collection focused on qualities of culture, groups, built environment, shade, and biodiversity.

Findings

Our data collection revealed a low presence of public artwork, minimal space for social cohesion, and limited access to water. There was a large amount of potential for artwork.

There was sparse activity on the transversals. There was a minimal number of drains and ground porosity in certain areas. The vegetation was fair, but there was a minimal amount of plantable ground plane.

Transversidad Verdes introduced change in paving to create soft boundaries while allowing the space to be accessible. Facades are activated by street art and vertical farming. Flexible space is allocated for art installations, gathering, and additional circulation. Seating elements vary in width and height to provide accessibility. Transverse systems for drainage, lighting, circulation, and digital connectivity create continuity in the site. Structural elements flank the main circulation providing internet, interactive screens, and light to users.

Conclusions

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 provide educational and wayfinding resources. The narrow street will carry water through the site to the urban farm efficiently and prevent pooling after storms. I intend 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.