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Collaborators
- Director of Research
- Coordinator, MS in Urban Planning for Transition
Student Projects
East Vine Green City Phase I
- Francesco Rizzi & Benjamin Hoffman
This project involves the arrangement and design of buildings, public spaces, transport systems, services, and amenities. Our process was to give form, shape, and character to groups of buildings in the new neighborhood of East Vine Street, an area marred by parking lots and industrial sites. As Architects it is our responsibility to design smart and healthy cities that combat issues that are present across this site, such as heat island effect and storm-water management.
In a development of this scale it is impossible to control the design of every building. By using generative software and the implementation of strict parameters we can create a “menu” that designers can follow so each building has a hint of the same characteristics allowing for a more cohesive development.
Axonometric view of East Vine Green City
Vertical Neighborhood Concept Flipping a street-scape vertically creates an environment where all amenities are: easily accessible, restaurants, shops and living corridors all coexist in one tower.
Proposed Block These diagrams illustrate the progression of a typical block layout within the new development. Starting with the Podium(1), adding voids that slice through the podiums to allow for pedestrian travel(2) and ending with stacked zoning(3)
Generative Design Using generative software it is possible to quickly iterate massing by inputting parameters such as height, square footage and solar orientation. This allows the architect to see a range of outcomes and pick the best form for each site in the development.
Podium Menu In a neighborhood dominated by super-tall towers the role of the podium is crucial to keep a tangible human scale. The podium menu offers a variety of styles that each new structure may possess in order to infuse variety into the new urban development.
Tower Menu It is equally important to offer a variety of tower designs to break up the regularity of the neighborhood. When paired with the podium typologies a large number of differing schemes can be implemented across the site.
Proposed Site Plan The capped expressway provides an extension for Franklin Square and a greater connection to the Delaware River Waterfront while also providing a glimpse of how the hyper-loop could pass through the city. Green spaces are designed flood for greater storm-water management.
East Vine Green City Phase II
- Francesco Rizzi & Benjamin Hoffman
This project involves the arrangement and design of buildings, public spaces, transport systems, services, and amenities. Our process was to give form, shape, and character to groups of buildings in the new neighborhood of East Vine Street, an area marred by parking lots and industrial sites. As Architects it is our responsibility to design smart and healthy cities that combat issues that are present across this site, such as heat island effect and storm-water management. In a development of this scale it is impossible to control the design of every building. By using generative software and the implementation of strict parameters we can create a “menu” that designers can follow so each building has a hint of the same characteristics allowing for a more cohesive development.
Proposed Street Section Our Re-imagined Street layout is beneficial to pedestrians as we are promoting a walkable city development. This proposal allows the pedestrians to feel more comfortable with the limitation of vehicle lanes and the use of vegetation.
Proposed Plaza Plan, Because many of the buildings in East Vine are stretched vertically there is a greater amount of ground level park space which can be infilled with public amenities such as dog parks and basketball courts.
Proposed Core Section Most of the proposed structures include underground parking to keep ground level pedestrian friendly. Different uses are stacked and woven together to create mixed-use buildings.
Proposed Ground Plan: Many of the proposed buildings in East Vine are mixed-use with the lower levels providing public services such as grocery stores, restaurants and fitness centers.
Tower Atrium Section: Multistory atrium’s break up the uniformity of the tower and act as parks for the vertical city, injecting public green space hundreds of feet above the ground. These are also places where residents can experience unfiltered light and natural air circulation.
Interior Rendering: The mesh facade diffuses light and is the structure for vertical gardens.
Exterior Rendering: Proposed Tower with mesh facade to accommodate vertical green space.