Allison Pham: Architecture Practicum I
Project 01: The Future of Mobility
ResearchFor project 01 we are focusing on the future. Specifically, mobility. Mobility is is not only the use of transportation, but the ability to move people between spaces. Diving into specific, currently developing transportation, we must design the network and structure. This where the driving question lays. What will the network look like and how will this be integrated into current mobility?
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I first had to investigate the general concept of mobility. Not only am I looking at what current mobility look like, but also what mobility might look like in the future. Only knowing what mobility looks like in the U.S., my knowledge of how other countries practice the use of transportation was expanded greatly. After doing an adequate amount of research, I moved onto making an infographic to organize the ideas. After the first investigation, I moved onto the second part of my research. What are the parts to a city? How do we define what a city is? I had to look into what city I live in. What parts of the city are integrated into my everyday life? Lastly, I had to research the specific type of newly developed transportations. This included the Hyperloop, Uber Air, and Tesla cars. Having no real background knowledge of these new concepts, I dove into the systems and its pros and cons.
https://create.piktochart.com/output/48614249-mobility |
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Mapping
After looking at the three vastly different transportation types, I was most interested in designing the network for the Hyperloop due to its speed and use of new technology. Known as the fastest mode of transportation, I had to carefully think about how to connect the cities in Texas to utilize the Hyperloop. I thought that the Hyperloop should have stations with cities that have a big population and where many visitors like to go. To me, putting the stations in the most popular areas would be the easiest for passengers, so many of the stations are in Downtown. Starting with Dallas as a major hub, the orange line connects cities down all the way down to San Antonio. The green line targets the southeast part of Texas, going through all the cities near the edge and body of water. The purple line serves as a line mainly for transfers. For example, if passengers want to go from El Paso to Austin, they would take the purple, and transfer to the orange line. In the future, the lines can extend to other neighboring states, such as Mexico or Oklahoma.
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Site Analysis
In order to dissect the site I chose, I first had to understand the elements of a city. Using Kevin Lynch's book The Image of the City, a study about how residents of historic Boston, Massachusetts define their city. After looking at Lynch's analysis of Boston, I then had to analyze the city myself. To me, old Boston has many districts with unique different styles in each district. Located next to a river, there are many edges that define Boston. Along with rivers, are highways are serve as barriers to each district and area. Because Boston is an old city, along with many travelers, many of its buildings are landmarks, which make it easy to identify a specific location. After this exercise, I then had to do my own site analysis. Choosing Downtown Dallas to build a Hyperloop station, I had to find spaces in Downtown that I could possibly utilize. I chose Dallas due to its use of open space, and attraction to visitors. I found a large piece of land that was the former Reunion Arena. Across the Reunion tower and near the convention center, the site has a good combination of having access to both leisure and job related activities. Along with this, there is also a good proximity to other mobility forms, such as walking, the dart, and buses.
Programming & Precedent Study
To program, is defined as the research and design-making process that identifies the scope of the work to be designed. What kind of goals do I want to achieve for the station? What kind of relevant information might hinder or help with the design process? I knew my goal was to make the Hyperloop station accessible to anyone and allow passengers to enjoy the experience of the station. Passengers should feel safe enough to use this new mode of transportation conveniently and regularly. Then, I had to identify the possible spaces that will be included in the station, while also calculating the square footage. With this, I am able to visualize how large my building will potentially be.
The precedent study was used to gather inspiration and direction for my design. I looked at many transportation hubs, including bus, train, and high-speed rail stations. Airports, similar to the Hyperloop station, while dull, has helped me to identify the use of large windows and amenities inside. Many of the projects also had a great use of indoor and outdoor space, with intricately designed ceilings. What inspired me the most, was the International Airport in the Philippines. Its rounded windows and use of curves was something I wanted to incorporate into my design. |
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Concept Designs
When trying to design multiple concepts, I tried my best make each concept uniquely different. At first I played it safe by making most of the designs square until I realized that I needed to make my station resemble the fastest form of mobility, and a major hub for transportation in Dallas. For the first concept, I thought about how most bus stations and airports have an overhanging shade where passengers are picked up and dropped off. Instead of making the first and second floor one size, I thought of utilizing the the outdoors, by making the second floor hang over the first, like many airports and bus stations. The second floor acts as a part that floats above the first, drawing more attention to this floor. I planned on making the second floor fully glass for lounging and eating. For the 2nd concept, I drew inspiration from the international airport in the Philippines with the large curved windows. The area with the large window would serve as the main area, while the square areas in each side serve as supporting details. With these two designs, I am on track to further refine my design.
Final Design
For my final design, I decided to blend both my first and second concept. I also decided to make the theme transparency and make the whole building glass to provide a way for passengers to look out, and the people outside to look in. I stuck with the box structure as the first floor from the 1st concept. I then took the rounded, large window structure, and flipped it down to form a larger second floor that towers over the first floor. I thought of this idea to make the structure look more abstract, instead of sticking with boxes.
Since the Hyperloop is the fastest mobility that goes through a tube, I decided to incorporate a tunnel-like walkway to mimic the Hyperloop. The walkway cuts through each section of the second floor. Because of this walkway, I decided to make three separate sections of the second floor, and each building leads to a specific platform through different escalators, which is underground.
For the floorplan, I designed the first floor's purpose to be the regular things done in airports. Passengers first go through security, and can the left, they are able to buy tickets if needed. The ticket area, acts are a barrier to the private office space hidden behind . Retail is also on the same floor, making it more accessible. On the second floor, each building has the same functions: a lounge. However, the larger building contains the food court and due to the orientation of the building, the passengers are able to have a great view of Dallas. I also wanted to provide an outdoor patio that extends to all three buildings that way, passengers are also able to experience the outdoors.
Moving on to the site plan, I wanted to add more landscape design. I designed many sidewalks to make the station more accessible to pedestrians, and make purpose to the green space already on the site. I also added a garden to the back of the building to engage the passengers with nature, and also provide more places to lounge.
Project 01 & 02 has greatly deepened my small knowledge of mobility and urban design and planning. It was a great pleasure to explore the different aspects of architecture.
Since the Hyperloop is the fastest mobility that goes through a tube, I decided to incorporate a tunnel-like walkway to mimic the Hyperloop. The walkway cuts through each section of the second floor. Because of this walkway, I decided to make three separate sections of the second floor, and each building leads to a specific platform through different escalators, which is underground.
For the floorplan, I designed the first floor's purpose to be the regular things done in airports. Passengers first go through security, and can the left, they are able to buy tickets if needed. The ticket area, acts are a barrier to the private office space hidden behind . Retail is also on the same floor, making it more accessible. On the second floor, each building has the same functions: a lounge. However, the larger building contains the food court and due to the orientation of the building, the passengers are able to have a great view of Dallas. I also wanted to provide an outdoor patio that extends to all three buildings that way, passengers are also able to experience the outdoors.
Moving on to the site plan, I wanted to add more landscape design. I designed many sidewalks to make the station more accessible to pedestrians, and make purpose to the green space already on the site. I also added a garden to the back of the building to engage the passengers with nature, and also provide more places to lounge.
Project 01 & 02 has greatly deepened my small knowledge of mobility and urban design and planning. It was a great pleasure to explore the different aspects of architecture.