Arch 263: Undergraduate Design Studio

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN @ NJIT Fall 2010

J. Figueroa © S. Ajemian M. Burgermaster F. Cooke L. Laera J. Lim A. Schuman P. Speranza

Assignment One: Urban Nexus

Type: Individual work.

Requirements: Wall Section, Elevation, Renderings, Ecotect Sun Analysis,
Physical Model(s)
Due Date: Thursday, October 14, 2010

Introduction

This assignment provides a framework for the extension of thought, systems of building and materials, and
structural principles inherent in the previous projects. As discussed in the syllabus, specific focus will be given to
the development of “critical thinking” as part of the architectural design process.

Program Intent

This assignment is intended to allow further development in the following areas of architectural design: 1) the
ability to apply basic organizational, spatial, and constructional principles to the conception and development of
exterior spaces, building elements, and components of a given condition, 2) the ability to respond to natural and
built site characteristics in the development and design of a project, and 3) the understanding of the fundamental
structural principles defined by the project.

Project Overview

The High Line stretches 1.5 miles along Manhattan’s West Side, from Gansevoort Street, in the Meatpacking
District, up through Chelsea to 34th Street. It is a disused elevated rail line that, for most of the 20th century,
carried freight up and down the west side of Manhattan; at its broadest, it is only 60ft wide, and it’s between 18ft
and 30ft high. The last train ran in 1980 and for a period of more than 25 years it was abandoned. In 2002,
proposals to design a new park on top of the elevated rail were submitted by 720 teams from 36 countries: Field
Operations, an American landscape architecture firm, together with Diller Scofidio + Renfro, were awarded the
commission. In June of this year, the first section opened as an elevated public space from Gansevoort to 20th
Street, with spectacular views over the Hudson River and of the New York skyline. The designers used plenty of
steel and exposed concrete, running in parallel lines, to reference the High Line’s original incarnation. Sleek
curves give it a contemporary feel. There are water features, children’s play areas, viewing platforms, sun decks
with loungers all on top of the original rail line and above the street. The NYC Parks and Recreation Department
operate the park as a restricted use, public open space and at the moment all links between the urban fabric
below, adjacent buildings and the park are limited and discouraged. This however, is changing due to the
success of the 1st phase of the park and the re-development and transformation of the neighborhood from
manufacturing to the hottest location for the latest in fashion, entertainment and residential trends. (See required
CE reading)

Program

This assignment gives you an opportunity to continue that trend of connecting rather than separating. You are
required to redesign the square in front of the Standard Hotel, located at the corner of West 13th and Washington
Streets and transform it into a New Nexus between the city bellow and the park above.
Arch 263: Undergraduate Design Studio

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN @ NJIT Fall 2010

J. Figueroa © S. Ajemian M. Burgermaster F. Cooke L. Laera J. Lim A. Schuman P. Speranza

Essential to this nexus is the design of a new staircase that, in it self must sponsor a sense of place as well as
pedestrian access to the High Line Park. The location and form for that new stair is at your discretion within the
boundaries of the existing square. You are free to re-design any sitting, lighting, pavement pattern and entrance
to the Hotel’s lobby (exterior elements only). The new link (or steps) must become an urban activator for both the
park and square alike.

Your stair does not need to be covered. However, as part of its design in must sponsor the gathering of people.
At the discretion of your instructor you may include areas for sitting, landscaping or the display of art.

It is important to note that, as an urban space that sponsors people’s interaction, It is not enough to simply place
a stair in the square. How the stair is integrated to the space as a way to “bring the park down to the square or
the square up to the park” is critical to the success of your design. Your understanding and careful consideration
of the relationship and transition between urban and park, formal and natural, new and old, organic and
inorganic, private and public, etc. is also fundamental. You are also encouraged to think about the circulation
sequences: The multiple ways, speeds, destinations, entry moments of your architecture and context.

Spatial Program:

Because of the expansive scale of the park and the existing strategic placement of multiple elevators along the
High Line, you are not required to comply with handicapped accessibility regulations. The existing stair run from
the square up to the height of the High Line may be demolished. At the discretion of your instructor you are
permitted but not limited to consider placing your new stair/steps in the same general area of the existing. Also at
the discretion of you instructor you may demolish or engage the existing one story café in between the Hotel
Eastern massive pier and Washington Street.

A gated control point must be incorporated to the existing egress stair to the hotel above.

Structural and Material Program:

You are required to illustrate and incorporate into your design a material expression essential to your
architecture. This material expression must be consistent throughout all elements of your design even if they are
apart from each other.

Site
The square outside of the Standard Hotel, located at the South/West corner of Washington and 13th Streets,
Meatpacking district, New York City, NY (refer to site plan). Site documentation will be provided to students in
digital format. This will constitute the base documentation from which all students will work. Additional
documentation may be required from individual studio critics.
Process
Each individual is required to visit and document the site as a beginning point to understand the context for the
project. This documentation should take note of existing buildings, building elements, programs, and materials
used at and around the site, lighting conditions, geographic orientation, spatial configuration, etc. You should
also be mindful to carefully observe how people interact within the immediate context of the site and the
surrounding neighborhood. Careful and thorough documentation is critical in order to provide a substantive
reference from which to base design decisions. You are also encouraged to research the High Line, its history
and possible future. Information can be found at [Link].
Upon completion of base documentation and site investigation you are asked to develop (3) distinct design
approaches, again addressing the positive and negative implications of each approach. Within each approach
identification of the following is required: proposed locations for the design elements, structure and circulation.
This should be done in 2-dimensional drawings and physical concept models

All Students are reminded to review specific issues of design inherent in the previous projects such as entry,
context, program and the roles they may have played in determining design approaches, material selection, etc.
Arch 263: Undergraduate Design Studio

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN @ NJIT Fall 2010

J. Figueroa © S. Ajemian M. Burgermaster F. Cooke L. Laera J. Lim A. Schuman P. Speranza

Required Readings
(See Supplemental Material in Kepler)

A Tour of the Mounuments of Passaic by Robert Smithson.

Not Unlike Life Itself. Landscape Strategy Now by James Corner

Final Presentation Requirements – October 14, 2010

All drawings and models must be to scale. Drawings may be hard line drafted, computer generated, and or a
combination of both. Your individual studio critic may modify presentation requirements depending on an
individual project. However, a minimum 50% of your presentation should be dedicated to design concept and
development or process work.

(1) 30” x 40” Presentation Board to include

Concept diagrams and models, process drawings, perspectives, sketches, etc.
Site Sections, Street and Highline Plans Street and Highline Elevations, Perspectives/Photo Montage
Written Abstract of Design Intent

(1) Sectional / Detail Model – TBD with studio critic

Reference Drawings

See Kepler supplemental Material Section for digital files.

Evaluation and Grading Project One: Entry / Canopy

Criteria Description Yes No Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Value

Written Abstract (10)
Research (15)
-Site Documentation
-Readings
-Structural Research
-Material Research
Project Development
Initial Explorations (25)
-Drawings(2D & 3D)
-Models
Quality of Overall Design (25)
-Conceptual
–Material
-Structural -Drawings(2D & 3D)
-Technical Details
Communication/Representation(25)
- Required Drawings
-Partial Elevation
-Technical Details
-Photomontage/Perspective
- Physical Model(s)
-Sun Studies
Arch 263: Undergraduate Design Studio

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN @ NJIT Fall 2010

J. Figueroa © S. Ajemian M. Burgermaster F. Cooke L. Laera J. Lim A. Schuman P. Speranza

Photos
Arch 263: Undergraduate Design Studio

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN @ NJIT Fall 2010

J. Figueroa © S. Ajemian M. Burgermaster F. Cooke L. Laera J. Lim A. Schuman P. Speranza