Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe.

Anatole France

hana weithesis design brief

pratt institutefall 01

table of contents

introduction................................................Abstract

concept.......................................................

precedents..................................................Zumthor: Thermal ValsNouvel: Jane's Carousel

case study: the highline.................................

program.......................................................

site...........................................................City Hall ParkAsphalt Green

design strategy............................................Design Exercise: What is Rest?

bibliography.................................................

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INTRODUCTION

Abstract:

My project is about the restoring the mental health of the urban individual. I intend to explore this through providing an urban reprieve through connection with nature. A similar idea is explored in the project Thermal Baths by Peter Zumthor. That project is similar because it connects building with nature and leads the user through a sensory exploration within the space. My site is the City Hall Station. I am using this site because it is an abandoned station with potential for repurposing. My program is an indoor park and public space. I am working with this program because it provides the opportunity for integrating reprieve within the urban environ-ment. A similar program was observed at the Highline Park. By working with this program and site, I hope to create a space away from the city beneficial to the mental health of the users, related to my idea about urban reprieve.

Thesis Advisor: Deborah Schneiderman

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Georg Simmel’s The Metropolis and Mental Life posits that urban living alienates and desensitizes the individual as a result of the extreme stimuli in the everyday of the city life. Written in 1903 in the modern era marked by the beginnings of rapid urbanization, there have been countless studies and essays since then that address the same issue: the mental effects on the ever increasing population living in the city.

The city is a creature of the present and the future. The city offers its citizens opportunity, culture, excitement, work and play. It is the scene of social exchange, ideas, and the new. Urbanization is not merely a trend but a historical shift; from hunter-gatherers to village culture we have now entered urban culture. The arrival of the “Urban Millennium” in 2007 marked a tipping point where the majority of the world’s population now lives in cities.

Urban culture means, for most individuals, better and more varicolored living conditions. In a word, it means “more” – more to do, more to see, more to inspire. However, in the rush to embrace the external benefits, More specifically, architecture is largely addressing the external factors and neglecting the internal.

How can an interior space restore the mental health of the average urban individual? How can the use of nature aid in this restoration?

"The deepest problems of modern life flow from the attempt of the individual to maintain the independence and individuality of his existence against the sovereign powers of society, against the weight of the historical heritage and the external

culture and technique of life."

(georg simmel, the metropolis and mental life)

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precedent i

thermal bathspeter zumthor

vals, switzerland1

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"Mountain, stone, water , building in the stone, building with the stone, into the mountain, building out of the mountain, being inside the mountain; how can the implications and the sensuality of the

association of these words be interpreted, architecturally?"

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Architects: Peter Zumthor, with Marc Loeliger, Thomas Durisch, Rainer WeitschiesSpecific location: Canton of Graubünden, SwitzerlandOwner: Hotel Therme ValsProgram: Calcium Sulfate, Hydrogen Carbonate baths Program Breakdown: - Indoor pool- Outdoor pool- Fire pool- Ice pool- Drinking stone- Flower pool- Sound bath- Resonance Room- Sweat Stone and Steam Stone- Sounding Stone- Massage rooms- Relaxation rooms

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"The meander, as we call it, is a designed negative space between the blocks, a space that connects everything as it flows throughout the entire building, creating a peacefully pulsating rhythm. Moving around this space means making discoveries. You are walking as if in the woods. Everyone there is looking for a path of their own."

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Upper level plan

Lower level plan

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material use

Zumthor's thermal baths are crafted from nature.

Throughout the space, Zumthor uses locally quarried Valser quartzite. This stone is found at the base of the Aduladecke in the Swiss Alps. Traditionally the stone slabs have been used as roof cover, however Zumthor chose to build the floors, ceilings and walls out of layers of quartzite stone slabs, a total of 60,000.

The decision to use a local, everyday material infuses the space with an understated splendour, the everyday becom-ing an extraodinary experience. The natural material integrates the building fully with the landscape, and it rises out of the mountains as if it were a rock formation

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natural lighting

Natural daylight is let in through gaps between the concrete and the stone slabs. The slits throughout the space let in a concentrated amount of sunlight to great effect.

natural lighting entry points

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precedent ii

jane's carouseljean nouveldumbo, brooklyn011

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Location Proximity to Other Attractions Circulation to Carousel

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interior to exterior

The sliding accordion walls of the structure are made of acrylic and allow for the inside to become fully exposed to the outside surroundings during warmer weather.

“I could create a huge wall of glass without structure. And with this feeling, with the thickness and light of glass, but with distortions. I wanted a special materiality, like the thickness of crystal.” (Jean Nouvel)

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case studythe highlinediller scofidio + renfrowest side, manhattan00

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The Highline is a public park built over the long defunct railway that stretches along the lower west side of Manhattan. It follows the path of the railway line and provides views of the city around and below it. It is located in close proximity to the A, C, E, L, 1, 2 and 3 subway lines.

The space is used by tourists and residents alike. For tourists it provides the rare opportunity to see many parts of New York City and surrounding areas from above; its draw also comes from providing a new and unique park experience as well as the chance to walk amongst the history of old New York. For residents it offers a place to rest, walk, relax and enjoy the outdoors.

personal observations

strong points- Integration of railroad and surroundings with the park- Plant life works naturally with the rest of the space- Provision of different kinds of seating for different purposes and durations of rest

weak points- Linear nature of the park makes it hard to “gather” around focal areas such as food stalls and the restaurant- Almost the entirety of the park is open air, making it unuseable in the rain and cold weather

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programmatic aspects of the highline

entry stairs

seatingviewing areas

food stalls

plants

restaurant

w.c.

water

user surveys

what is the total duration you plan on staying here for?

what is the primary purpose of your visit?

what of the highline attracts you the most? in general, why do you go to parks?

View Greenery Facilities Design Other

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would you visit in the winter?

Yes No

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- 30M 30M - 1H 1-2H 2H+

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Walk Sightseeing Exercise Eat/Drink Other

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Relax ExerciseEvents Other

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in general, why do you go to parks?

staff listTotal Staff Count: 59

High Line OperationsChief Operating Officer Vice President of Horticulture & Park OperationsCustodial ForemanGardener (4)Maintenance TechnicianOperations Project ManagerManager of HorticultureMaintenance TechnicianCustodian (4)

CommunicationsDirector of Communications & MarketingCommunications & Marketing Assistant

ProgrammingDirector of Programs, Education, & Community EngagementProgram & Education AssistantCommunity Engagement ManagerVolunteer CoordinatorManager of Education, Teen & Family Programs

High Line ArtJr. Curator and Director of High Line ArtHigh Line Art Production ManagerHigh Line Art Communications Manager

Food & RevenueDirector of High Line Food & RevenueFood & Revenue CoordinatorRetail Coordinator

Visitor ServicesVisitor Services ManagerRanger SupervisorRanger (9)

AdministrationVice President of Administration & Strategic ProjectsDirector of FinanceOffice ManagerBookkeeping & Data Entry AssistantHuman Resources AssistantManager of Special ProjectsOffice Assistant

DevelopmentVice President of DevelopmentManager of Corporate Development & SponsorshipManager of Foundation & Government SupportDirector of Individual GivingCampaign ManagerMembership AssociateDirector of Special EventsDevelopment Projects ManagerDevelopment Assistant

PlanningVice President for Planning & DesignDirector of Planning & DesignManager of Design & Capital ProjectsDirector of Capital Projects

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case study summary

I chose this case study because the Highline provides a variant on the traditional park, which would be helpful moving forward with my adapted park design. In addition, it is a fairly new development, which means that its facilities are updated and relevant.

I learned from this case study that while most users go to parks to get a breather, the level of activity can vary greatly. Many consider jogging, along with other exercise, a form of relaxation of the mind.

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Program: Indoor Park

PARK noun \pärk\A : a piece of ground in or near a city or town kept for ornament and recreationB : an area maintained in its natural state as a public property

Parks and gardens are essential places of oasis for the urban individual and have restorative properties; however in the late Fall, Winter, and early Spring months in New York, it is often far too cold to spend extended periods of time outside resting.

Therefore an interior park space would address these forgotten months in between and provide both a gathering space and a space away from everyday life.

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overview

Parks and gardens have existed from the beginnings of civilization, from the famed Hanging Gardens of Babylon of myth to the present day Central Park, landmark symbol of New York City. The modern day park had its beginnings as deer parks, land for hunting by royalty and the aristocracy in medieval times. With the onset of the Industrial revolution and modernization of the 19th century, parks have become a way to preserve a sense of nature within the urban landscape.

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organization

As a public space, the park will be owned by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. Various parts of the property can be rented out to outside businesses according to function, such as food and drink vendors.

14% of New York City is stewarded by Parks & Recreation (29,000 acres of land). Other than parks, the department also operates athletic facilities, playgrounds, tennis courts, public pools, recreational facilities, nature centers, golf courses and beaches.

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bbq

cricket cycling

baseball

dog run

basketball

eateries

bathroom

football

ice skatingkayak/canoe

golf

model aircraft fields

handball

nature

hiking

fishing

beaches

fitness

bocce

paddleboat

historic

playground

horseback

pools

spray tennis courts

recreationcentre

volleyball

roller hockey

water fountains

running tracks

zoos

skate

aquariums

soccer

facilities offered by nyc parks

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statistical analysis: central park

Research indicates that the number of visits to the park in winter/colder months are significantly lower than in the peak summer period. This suggests a gap in facilities meeting the needs of the New York individual.

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occupants

staff listTotal Staff Count: 20

OperationsPark DirectorFood & Revenue CoordinatorMaintenance TechnicianCustodial Staff (3)Gardener (2)

AdministrationSecretaryTreasurerOffice Assistant

visitor servicesVisitor Services ManagerRanger SuperviisorRanger (3)

developmentPrograms ManagerPrograms AssistantSpecial Events Manager

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w.c.

food & drink

open space

quiet space

exercise

gathering space

greenery

greenery

greenery

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food & drink

staff

greenery

greenery

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Broadcast Production

Producers (3)

Consultant

Storage

Editing Suite

Staff

Operations StaffAdministration

Visitor Services

Development Staff

Other

Entry

W.C.

Public Spaces

Open Areas

Quiet Area

Gathering Space

Canteen

Dining

Pantry

Enclaves

Private Meeting SpacesInterconnecting Staircase

Staircase

20 SEATS MINIMUM

KITCHEN AND STORAGE

N NM L200N NM L60

N NM L60N NM L60

N NM L L300N YM L L200

N NM N N60

N NM N N60N NN N NTBD

N YN H H200

M NM H HTBD

M YM N NTBD

L

Y

L

H H160

H NL L LN/A

N YM300

N NM H L300N M500

H NN H30

H NL H30

Exercise SpaceFood & Drink

MM

MM

L

L

H

L

N

criteria matrix

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Businesses

General Spaces

Entry Zones

Pathways

Open Resting Areas

Semi-Private

Food stalls

Stores

Staff Rooms

Storage

Other

Washrooms

Priority Adjacency

Secondary Adjacency

Convenient Adjacency

Adjacency Matrix

adjacency matrix

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Site (1) City Hall Station

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One of the subway entrances City Hall Park

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Location: Beneath the City Hall Park, Lower ManhattanSize: 400’ long curved platform

Specific Site CharacteristicsNeighbourhood Description: Close to City Hall, Financial district, bridgesAccess, Parking, Public Transportation: Used to be accessible by 2 entrances leading above groundStreet Views: Underground, however skylights are a visible feature above groundWindow Views: 3 skylights opening up to the park above

General Description of BuildingAge, history: Ceremonial terminal of the first subway project in New York. Built in 1900 starting March 24, station pro-vided passenger service 1904 – 1945. Located on turning loop for uptown local trains, and nearby Brooklyn Bridge station was more functional. Because of increased ridership, station lengthening was necessary and because of the tight curve of the loop, was deemed impractical for this station, and so was closed. Loop track is still in use today by the 6.

Timeline1900 (March 24): construction begun1904 – 1945: served passengers1995 (April): announcement to become branch of the Transit Museum1998: plans cancelled

Specific Building Characteristics3 skylights, correspond to 3 gratings in the Park (covered)Arched ceilings with Guastavino ceiling tilesCurved platform, leads to a small mezzanine area for fare collection2 stairway exits leading from mezzanine to outside147.25 foot radius curve of loop track

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platform space

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Site (ii) asphalt green

general infoAddress: 555 East 90th St.Vicinities: Highway, East River, park, playground, schools, churches

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asphalt green

schools

churches

art centers

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REST IS:

REPREIVEBREATHINGSPACEAWAYQUIETUDERETREATFIILTERINGINDIRECT SENSATIONSTABILITYSECURITYPEACE

REST IS NOT:

CONFINEMENTLONELINESSCONSTRAINTDISTANCESILENCENOTHINGNESSISOLATIONBLOCKADE

PLAN

ELEVATION 1 ELEVATION 2

design strategy

what is rest?

rest is: reprievebreathingspaceawayquietuderetreatfilteringindirect sensationstabilitysecuritypeace

rest is not: confinementlonelinessconstraintdistancesilencenothingnessisolationblockade

PLAN

ELEVATION 1 ELEVATION 2

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bibliography

Georg Simmel, “The Metropolis and the Mental Life” The Blackwell City Reader (1903).

http://www.archdaily.com/13358/the-therme-vals/http://www.therme-vals.ch/http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/10/the-hidden-abandoned-city_n_781669.htmlhttp://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/abandoned/cityirt.htmlhttp://www.theatlanticcities.com/commute/2012/07/new-yorks-lovely-abandoned-subway-station/2594/http://www.thehighline.org/about/park-informationhttp://janescarousel.com/http://ny.curbed.com/places/janes-carousel

programming details: leisure + work

An indoor public space allows for the opportunity to provide for that which an outdoor park usually cannot: a sanctuary for those who wish to study or work. To investigate the program requirements for a study/work space inside the park, we must look at the two most popular public destinations to go to study or work.

library

usefulQuiet

Digital Resources

not usefulPaper Resources

No Food/Drink

usefulSpace to WorkInternet / Wi-Fi

cafe

usefulRelative quiet

Refreshments & Snacks

not usefulDistracting Conversation

Meals

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